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Photo reference: www.ourweb.info/01/photos/laos/010/
This trip will take you on a very scenic Hin Boun river flowing through the valleys among the limestone hills of central Laos
in Khaoomuane province. You wll see and learn close hand the lives of tribal peoples and their villages, homes, and farms.
One of the main highlights is boating the 7.5 km long section of Hin Boun river that is inside a cave connecting the two
valleys. Paddy fields, buffalos and cows, chicken and turkey, duck, pig, fishing in the river, waterfalls, underground rivers
and the great scenes.
Hin Boun river - Sala Hin Boun Guesthouse
Approximate 3 days program - 4 days to one week plans are available
Day 1: Thakhet - Hin Boun river
If you come from Thailand you should already be in Nakhon Phanom this morning or previous night (info on going there please see below).
The ferry boat station is just below the Thai immigration. The ferry boats cross the Mekong river between Thail side and Lao side (Thakhet)
around every 15 minutes from 8:30 a.m. till 4 p.m.
We will wait at Thakhet (Laos) side. You should take the first ferry boat. At border crossing we can use Thai mobile phones
to communicate each other.
We travel in rented pick up truck from Thekhet to Na Phouak - a boat landing place on Hin Boun river. Total driving time is
around 3.5 to 4 hours. At first we will go on the road no. 13, and then turn right onto road no. 8 in the mountains to Na Hin.
Then use a dirt road to the boat landing.
Change to long tail boat to go upstream along Hin Boun river surrounded by mountains and villages. Two hours scenic boat ride
will take you to Sala Hin Boun guesthouse - our night stop. In the boat we will provide drinking water and fruits.
Late lunch at Sala Hin Boun guesthouse.
Afternoon we can do walking around the beautil village, or walk to the mounatins to see the caves and underground rivers.
Don't forget to take sunset pictures against the mountains when we come back to the guesthouse. Dinner and overnight in
the guesthouse. (L,D)
NOTE: in case Sala Hin Boun is fully booked we will use Sala Konglor which offers less comfortable but safe and clean rooms
to sleep.
Day 2: To Konglor cave
Breakfast. Prepare lunch packs, drinking water and we will go down into the boat for the journey into the long cave.
Boat one hour against the current to Konglor village where we will get smaller boats and boatmen to go inside the cave.
The cave is 10 minutes from Konglor village. While we are in the cave we will use battery lights to travel upstream.
We will stop at one or two places to walk and see the cave structures within.
After an hour inside the cave we will come out from the upstream end to the valley surrounded by mountains.
We will walk 2 km to visit a small village called Na Tan.
On the walk back lunch will be had in a rest hut or Sala. We can also visit another village (Ponkham) just 1 km from the
cave mouth. You will see lives of people and their houses, and farms.
Then we will go through the cave again for our way back.
After coming out of the cave from its downstream side we will visit Konglor village
In the late afternoon we will use our boat back to Sala Hin Boun for dinner. If you are not tired yet go for another village and farm
walk. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Hin Boun to Thakhet
Breakfast. Today we will have another walk to the mountains.
Late morning by boat to come back to Na Phouak and by truck to Thakhet.
You will continue to your next destination. (B)
B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
NOTE if we sleep in Sala Konglor which is opposite Konglor village the nature walk plans will be in different locations.
Travel between Bangkok and Nakhon Phanom (2006 info)
- By Nok Air flights. Please check at www.nokair.com
- By night bus
- By train or flight (www.airasia.com) to Udon Thani, and by bus (5 hours) to Nakhon Phanom
- By train flight (www.airasia.com) to Ubon Ratchathani, and by bus (4.5 hours) to Nakhon Phanom
If you need hotel in Nakhon Phanom please check Nakhon Phanom Riverview Hotel.
In Laos we will provide:
- Pick up truck in Laos as per the prorgam (day 1, day 3)
- Long tail boat on Hin Boun river, smaller boats to enter Konglor cave
- Accommodation two nights
- Meals : day 1 lunch to day 3 breakfast
- One tour manager/leader
- Nature walks, cave and village visit will be accompanied by local villagers
- Travel accident insurance
Sala Hin Boun Guesthouse: all rooms are attached with private bathroom and toilet, running water, electricity, and fan.
Rooms in the wooden house. Riverview rooms are larger better and they have varenda overlooking Hin Boun river.
You can see the photos of riverview rooms in the above website.
Standard rooms are also good and clean. They have a restaurant. All in the nice and beautiful garden.
Sala Konglor is basic, rustic but still clean and safe place. They also have a restaurant and electricity.
Please do not bring alot of of things. Bring only necessary items.
- One hand carry bag, one small day back pack
- Clothes to change (3 sets + 1 set of warm clothing), shorts, swim suit, socks, hat
- Walking shoes, sandals
- Torch light, spare batteries and bulb
- Toiletries
- Medicines
- Thai Baht cash
- Passports
- Camera
All should be packed in plastic bags and put into another larger plastic bag in the travel bag.
At the Lao villages please do not offer children and any one any free items such as sweets.
The program can be changed or modified to include other places.
1. Nakhon Phanom (Thailand)
2. Thakhet
3. Vieng Kham
4. Na Hin
5. Lak Xao
6. Nam Phao
7. Cau Treo (Vietnam)
8. Na Phouak (Naphouak)
9. Sala Hin Boun Guesthouse
10. Konglor village
11. Sala Konglor Guesthouse
12. Konglor cave
13. Na Tan village
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14. Ban Na Kok village
15. Na Heup cave
16. Ban Na village
17. Hin Boun
18. Na Kai
19. Na Phao
20. Chalo (Vietnam)
R1. Mekong river
R2. Hin Boun river
R3. Nam Theun river
A. To Pak Xan, Vientiane
B. To Savannakhet, Pakse
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