Best Places for Trekking in Laos
Adventurous Mountains
Mount Phousi is considered as the most famous mountain in Laos. It is located 150m above the centre of Luang Prabang. Visitors usually spend a couple of hours for the ascent and descent with some stops to admire the charming views, the temples or rest under the shades of the trees. The Thanon Phousi staircase includes 355 paved zigzag steps and a few resting places on the way. It is said that moving up Mount Phousi on one side and going down on another will be a complete experience for climbers. Tourists can pray and make offerings at gilded Wat Chomsi at the peak of the hill. The locals believe that if you set a caged bird free, you will receive good luck as well as happiness in the future. Along the way up the hill, travellers have a chance to discover Wat Tham Phousi shrine containing a big-bellied Buddha and a golden reclining Buddha. Additionally, the hill is a popular site to watch sunrise or sunset over the Mekong River. From the summit you can enjoy the whole city, its many temples and the surrounding landscape to the mountains in the distance.
Thanon Phosi staircase at Mount Phousi
Wat Chomsi at Mount Phousi
Pha Poak is a stunning mountain visitors should not miss. Because climbing Pha Poak is known as a worthy excursion and one of the most popular activities for people having a visit to Vang Vieng. This small limestone hill is situated at the west of the peaceful town. Travellers can see a Lao flag on the summit of the mountain from the western banks of the Nam Song. It takes about 30 minutes to climb from the base to the top of the hill. The steep path with sharp jagged rocks will make your trip more challenging and exciting. Along the way, the ladders constructed from bamboo and wood will help you climb more easily. All the views from the peak of the mountain are sensational including the spectacular 360 degree outlook cross the town of Vang Vieng and other impressive karst mountains.
Pha Poak mountain
Another mountain in this area usually suggested for tourists is Phangern Viewpoint. From the centre of the town, visitors have to cross a toll wooden bridge and go to the west. On the way, travellers will feel that a variety of green rice fields surround you and only several tourist buses and herds of cows share a road with you. It is said that the hike only takes approximately 20 minutes in spite of unpaved steps. The hilltop is an ideal site to watch the sun felling below the ridges of the mountains or moving up from the horizon. Moreover, tourists have a entire view of the rice paddy valley and the location of the Blue Lagoon. Some local women’s stalls provide snacks and refreshments for visitors.
Phangern Viewpoint mountain
Spectacular Waterfalls
Kuang Si Waterfalls located on the outskirts of Luang Prabang is filled with trees, vegetation and water. The waterfalls with multiple levels of rocks and hidden walking trails leading to the top will make your trekking more exciting. From the peak of the falls, visitors can watch the stream feeding into the falls and enjoy some natural pools. At some parts of Kuang Si, the water falls from a height of 60m. Additionally, travellers will explore cages enclosing Asian black bears rescued from poachers. Besides, on the way to the waterfalls, tourists will walk across green rice fields and have an opportunity to meet Hmong villagers in traditional dresses.
Kuang Si Waterfalls
Asian black bear at Kuang Si Waterfalls
100 Waterfalls at Nong Khiaw discovered in 2008 is one of suggestions for trekking lovers. Visitors will go through some rice paddies and small streams before entering into the area of the waterfalls. Water, jungle and sounds of waterfalls will surround you during your trip. You have to climb over rocks to discover the waterfalls. However, there is a bamboo walk along the river to help travellers at very steep sites. Beside a large number of falls, tourists will take a sightseeing of a picturesque valley of Nam Ou in the area. If you want to see the daily life of the locals, trekking to Nam Ou riverside villages.
100 Waterfalls
Jungle at 100 Waterfalls
