The Outdoor Disconnection Loop

We are picked up from our hotel (pickup to be confirmed). Allow about an hour of local transportation to reach Thakhek, the starting point of our trek to Ban Na. Our local guide awaits us to lead us to the banks of the Nam Don river.

Today we begin our 2-day, 1-night trek through the Phou Hin Boun National Park to discover its magnificent karst landscapes dotted with caves and rocky peaks that rise majestically in the protected areas of Phou Hin Boun, Nakai-Nam Theum and Hin Namno Park.

The Phou Hin Boun National Reserve is home to a number of rare or recently discovered species. This biodiversity conservation area is very accessible to visitors and is also renowned for its numerous caves, including the famous Kong Lor Cave, a natural jewel of Laos, and its incredible flora scattered throughout its limestone landscapes.

This first day of hiking is enriched by our guide's explanations, who is delighted to enlighten us about the natural treasures within the park and explain the relationships between nature, the park and local populations. Along the way, we can allow ourselves a refreshing break in one of the streams. We take advantage of the caves along our path to visit them and put ourselves in the shoes of pilgrims who come to meditate there, particularly Tham Pachan. This one is unmissable with its small river running through it and its small monastery and sandalwood statue, which actually gave the cave its name.

We take a lunch break before continuing through the picturesque landscapes of the park to Ban Phontong village.

Upon our arrival, we will be treated to the Baci ceremony organized by the villagers to bring us good luck and drive away evil spirits. After this unique moment, we can dine and spend the night with a local family.

After breakfast in the village, we resume our walk through a bamboo forest to Ban Nakue village for our lunch break.

We reach the mythical lake of Khoun Kong Leng. This attracts walkers with its emerald waters, considered to be the clearest and purest in the country. To protect the site, swimming is prohibited, but we can instead take advantage of the water sources nearby to refresh ourselves. If time permits, we continue to the Khon Keo rapids.

Late in the afternoon, we return to Thakhek by local transport. We settle into our hotel before enjoying a pleasant walk along the banks of the Mekong, which is lined with stalls and restaurants where you can taste some of the country's specialties.

Dinner is free and overnight in Thakhek.

We settle into our hotel for the rest of the day. We are invited to admire the faded charm of the city with its superb colonial buildings and peaceful atmosphere.

This morning, we are picked up around 9am at our hotel in Thakhek and set off for a stroll through the historic center of the city. Its old French buildings charm visitors who are captivated by the relaxed atmosphere of the town. We head to the Sikkhotabong Stupa, the most sacred site in the region before heading East towards the limestone region.

We head to the climbing camp at Green climbers Home located about half an hour's drive away.

This climbing camp is an outstanding camp with its karst relief. It has over 400 routes of various levels: from level 4 to level 8C with a core between 6b+ and 8a+. The sector also includes about sixty "boulder" points that delight climbers. All levels are accessible to both amateurs and professionals. In addition to relaxation areas, we find playgrounds and sports facilities (pétanque, beach volleyball, darts, etc.). The site is also excellent for relaxation, and upon request, yoga classes can be organized.

This morning, we set off at around 8am for a journey of nearly 450 km known by hikers as "The Loop". The hike takes us through incredible and unique landscapes formed by karst peaks in the heart of the Stone Forest which extends into the Phong Nha Kebang nature reserve in Vietnam.

We are advised to bring a swimsuit, a bath towel and water shoes so we can enjoy the caves and waterways we will encounter along the way. A flashlight and light clothing that can dry easily are also recommended.

We make our first stop at the elephant caves "Tham Xang" which gets its name from its rock formation that strangely resembles an elephant. The cave is also home to a pilgrimage site revered by locals.

Depending on the condition of the trail, we can reach the Buddha caves, discovered by chance in 2004 by a farmer. Several small Buddha statues inhabit the place.

We continue to the Paseuam caves where we enjoy a breathtaking view of Nong Thao lake which can offer us a unique spectacle depending on the seasons with its migrating birds.

After lunch at a local restaurant, we head to Tha Falang resurgence of the Nam Dong, a refreshment spot for local expatriates in the colonial era. We take the road to the information center of the Nam Theun dam and its reservoir created in 2007 (open weekdays only, to be confirmed).

The trail then leads us to the Tad Song Sou waterfalls, bordered by forest. We take advantage of this quiet spot to rest and swim in the clear waters of the waterfall.

The journey continues to Nakai.

This morning we meet at 9:30 AM to hit the road. We board a songtheow (a typical vehicle that connects villages and the countryside) and drive on a paved road for about 3 hours. Along the way, we observe an authentic landscape of limestone mountains, which helps us pass the time. This journey is unique and few travelers have attempted it.

We arrive at the boat dock in Pakphanung and have lunch.

After lunch, we board a local boat for a approximately 2-hour navigation through landscapes of eroded limestone rocks that line the Xe Bangfai river.

Around 5pm, we arrive at the Ban Tham Namlort village. We settle into our lodge and take a tour of the village.

We have breakfast and leave for a kayaking session at 8 o'clock. Aboard our inflatable boats, we paddle and cross 5 rapids to reach the entrance of the Xe Bangfai Cave.

The Xe Bangfai river that runs through it originates in the Annamite Range and crosses the karst landscapes of Hin Nam No Park. We venture into the cave's incredible setting with its fantastic stalactites and stalagmites. We paddle approximately 11 km in order to reach the other side where we can stop for a picnic. This cave was only discovered in the 20th century but remained unknown to travelers until 2008 before National Geographic revealed the natural treasure.

Dinner around the camp.

Early morning wake-up and breakfast. We depart at 8 o'clock by kayak. We travel 500 meters before joining a tractor that will take us to the starting point of our hike (approximately 1 hour of travel).

We set off on foot for an easy 2-hour trek through the forest to reach a beautiful waterfall in the Hin Nam No Park. We have a picnic there before returning to our vehicle and heading towards Nakai.

Note: 15 minutes of kayaking, 1 hour by tractor, 4 hours of hiking, 3 hours of transfer

Around 8am, we set off on a boat tour of the lake for approximately 3 hours. We navigate peacefully through trees submerged underwater.

We then board our vehicle. Along the way we pass through several villages of the Hmong ethnic groups. Before arriving at Lak Sao, we have the opportunity to observe giant buddhas sculpted into the rocks. These watch over the locals and backpackers passing through. We take a moment to rest at Lak Sao, an important trading center where economic and cultural exchanges take place with Vietnam located only about thirty kilometers to the east.

Free lunch en route. We leave Lak Sao catching sight of the giant cliffs of the "Wailing Ghost". We continue towards Ban Thabak and drive across the Nam Theun River bridge. At the foot of this structure, we don't miss admiring the boats drifting below.

Option to discuss with the guide: we have the possibility to enjoy a boat excursion (from 1 hour to a full day).

Not far from Ban Nahin, we can make a stop to enjoy the panoramic viewpoint over the Nam Theun river. The journey continues to the village of Ban Konglor where we spend the night.

Today we complete "the Loop" and redirect ourselves towards Thakhek.

After an hour's drive through Ban Nahin, we treat ourselves to a short hike in the forest to the splendid Tad Nam Sanam waterfalls.

We are then transferred to Phou Phaman (approximately 20 minutes' drive) to enjoy a picturesque view of the stone forest from the "Rock Viewpoint". This forest is home mainly to langurs, a monkey species threatened by excessive hunting.

Subsequently, we venture out on a zipline, which consists of 5 cables and 2 suspended bridges with a net over the void. An incredible rocky landscape awaits us along with some thrilling sensations.

Return to Thakhek and lunch on the way. We make a stop at « Giant Wall » which is a superb geological structure at the entrance to the city of Thakhek.