For adventurer, Southwest Asia is a favourite destination with lots of ideal natural resources to make their dreams come true. Among them, Laos is one of the most wonderful places thanks to its beautiful primitive forest, amazing landscape, magnificent waterfalls and rivers. That's why this is ideal for cave exploring, hiking, trekking, elephant riding, zip line experience... And there is no better place for adventurers than VangVieng in Laos.
Located on the bank of Nam Song River, the peaceful small town of VangVieng is favourite destination of backpack tourist. Its amazing scenery is a mixture of quiet and rapid waters, offering wide range of interesting activities. The limestone cliffs and mountains keep unchanged for centuries. VangVieng offers so much from colourful hill tribe villages, breath-taking mountain scenery, legendary caves,..
If you enjoy outdoor activities then VangVieng is sure to have something for you! From challenging biking, white-water rafting and rock climbing to scenic kayaking and hiking trips.
For rafting on the waters of the Nam Song River, there's a perfect place nearby the quaint village of Phatang. After a brief instruction on security, you will start your rafting trip and discover the sheer limestone karst formations, breath-taking caves and local life along the river.
Just enjoy the moments when you paddle along the river until reaching the first set of rapids.... You always have to be careful as there's always a chance of capsizing. Next sets of rapids are a real adrenalin rush for you. Further down the Nam Song river it is more mellow and that's the time for you to relax. You could even swim before continuing your river journey.
About kayaking, many people believe that it is far more fun than tubing which is now not as popular as before in VangVieng, because it is more active, more exciting than just drifting down the river but safer than rafting.
On the way, you can have chance to stop at some interesting places like ThamXang Elephant Cave or walk through villages and rice paddies. Be careful if you travel on rainy season - the road is muddy and slippery, water is very high and fast flowing. However, if it is a clear day, the scenery is stunning!
If you’re not so strong for paddling, don’t worry, the river does a lot of the work for you.
At other times the river is calm and peaceful, you can drift along the river and enjoy the fabulous mountains above you. Specially, in the foggy days, there might have lots of white cloud everywhere in VangVieng, making the scenery very fabulous.
A perfect way to finish the day is to enjoy dinner at some restaurant by the river bank, admiring the spectacular sunset over the Nam Song River and watch some late raft boat arrivals.
Some travel agents proposing kayaking tour from VangVieng to Vientiane. Your belongings will be taken to Vientiane while you enjoy the trip with tour guides. The trips includes kayaking downstream through some large rapids, mountain climbing to limestone cliffs where you can climb 8 - 12m and jump off into the deep water for a swim.
Some tips:
If you travel on rainy season and it's muddy a lot, your clothes will never be as clean as you wish. Don’t wear clothes that you don’t want ruined.
Don’t wear swimwear. Can you imagine how do you look when you walk through a village in a bikini? Perfect clothes would be linen trousers and a long sleeved top. Better to protect yourself from the sun.
There are so many mosquitos at the water cave, be prepared for it.
Never forget to take care of your lifejacket. Make sure you wear it correctly, all straps done up. It would be a big problem if it floats away in case you capsize.
Bring waterproof bags for cameras and other valuables. You will never know how useful they are.
