This day tour takes you to several sites in the surrounding of Vang Vieng and introduces the novice to the thrill of cave explorations. Plenty of opportunities to gain insight into the way of life of Lao people, before ending the trip kayaking on the Nam Song River.
We depart from your hotels in Vang Vieng. After 14 km transfer to the north of Vang Vieng, we visit the first cave, Tham Xang (Elephant Cave) lies on the opposite banks of the Nam Song. It is an important Buddhist temple and owes its name to a remarkable limestone formation.
The nearby Tham Hoi cave (Snail cave) winds its way deep into the mountain. 45 min of exploration through numerous long corridors with wonderful limestone formations. Another cool pool of spring water lies at the mouth of Tham Nam (Water cave), also a good place for a swim.
After a picnic lunch, the trek to the Hmong village of Phathao passes through rice paddy fields and vegetable gardens. The trip back to Vang Vieng varies according to the level of the Nam Song. Descending the Nam Song by kayak leads us through idyllic scenes of rural life: a unique sight with the limestone mountains in the background.