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 is waiting to take us to the banks of the Nam Don River.

Today we begin our 2-day and 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, with its incredible flora scattered throughout its limestone landscapes.

This first day of trekking is enriched by our guide's explanations, who takes pleasure in clarifying the natural treasures contained within the park and explaining the relationships that exist between nature, the park and local populations. Along the way, we can enjoy a refreshing break in one of the streams. We take advantage of the caves on our path to visit them and put ourselves in the shoes of pilgrims who come to pray there, particularly in Tham Pachan. This one is unmissable with its small river running through it and its small monastery and sandalwood statue, which incidentally gave its name to the cave.

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 ward off evil spirits. After this unique moment, we can have dinner and spend the night with a local family.

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

We reach the mythical lake of Khoun Kong Leng. This attracts walkers with its emerald waters, considered the clearest and most transparent in the country. In order to protect the site, swimming is prohibited, but we can still enjoy the water points in the surrounding area to refresh ourselves. If time permits, we continue to the rapids of Khon Keo.

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

Dinner on your own and night in Thakhek.

We check in at our hotel for the end 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 head out for a walk through the historic center of the city. Its old French buildings seduce visitors who are charmed by the city's relaxed atmosphere. We reach the Sikkhotabong Stupa, the most sacred site in the region before heading east towards the limestone region.

We set out for the climbing camp at Green climbers Home located a short half hour drive away.

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

This morning, we set off at around 8am for a journey of nearly 450 km known among hikers as "The Loop". The trek 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 with us a swimsuit, a bath towel as well as shoes that can go in the water so we can enjoy the caves and watercourses 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 reputed among locals.

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

We continue towards the Paseuam caves where we enjoy a stunning view over Nong Thao lake which can offer us, depending on the season, a unique spectacle with its migratory birds.

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

The path then leads us to the Tad Song Sou waterfalls, bordered by forest. We take advantage of this peaceful spot to rest and bathe 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 approximately 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 Pakphanung boat pier and have our lunch.

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

Around 5 p.m., 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. On board 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 enter the incredible scenery of the cave with its fantastic stalactites and stalagmites. We paddle for approximately 11 km 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 am by kayak. We paddle 500 meters before joining a tractor that will take us to the starting point of our hike (expect 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 sail peacefully through trees submerged underwater.

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

Lunch is at your own expense along the way. We leave Lak Sao catching sight of the giant cliffs of the "Wailing Ghost". We continue towards Ban Thabak and drive over the Nam Theun River bridge. At the foot of this structure, we are sure to admire the boats drifting below.

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

Not far from Ban Nahin, we can 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 we head towards Thakhek.

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

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

Next, we embark on a zip-lining adventure, which features 5 cables and 2 suspension bridges with a net above the void. An incredible rocky landscape awaits us as well as an exciting adrenaline rush.

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.