Review of tour in Vang Vieng, Laos

Aug 11, 2007 13:10

This is a detailed review of a 1 day kayaking, caving and swinging tour we did in Vang Vieng, Laos, in August 2007 (rainy season). It was brilliant and we recommend it.

Cost: US$10, or 95,000 kip, per person.
Time: 9:30 am - 5:15 pm.
Group size: 10-12 tourists, 3 guides.

Agent: Phone Tour and Restaurant, located on the main street of Vang Vieng. phonetravel06@yahoo.com

They provided lunch, waterproof bags and life jackets. They will suggest you bring a dry set of clothes and a towel - don't bother unless you are staying a long way out of the town. There was occassional waiting as other tour groups visited caves etc ahead of us, but the breaks were welcome.

We took a truck 20 km north of Vang Vieng, and kayaked (2 people per kayak) for 30 min to a Lao village immediately adjacent to the Elephant Cave (Tham Chang). The Elephant cave contains a Buddha statue and footprint, and amazing stalagmites. We then walked through the village to get to the entrance to the Water cave (Tham Nam), where we got into the cave by sitting in inner tubes (tubing) and pulling ourselves into the cave along a cable. The water was very high but there was still plenty of room.
Outside the cave, we sat in a hut for a cooked lunch. And then walked back through the village to the kayaks.
We kayaked for 2 hours over mild to medium rapids. Nearly everyone capsized at least once, but with three good humoured and playful guides, we were all set to rights quickly and with laughter. At a smooth section of the river, we were told that it was safe to get the cameras out of the bags and take photos on the river.
We stopped at a swing point for about 45 min, for a drink and an optional swing into the river. Scary but fun. And if an overweight 28 year old girl can do it after a botle of Beer Lao, anyone can.
Finally, it was a blissfully short 20 min paddle home to town.
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