The Limestone River, Caves & the Ancient "Ruins
of Aran

Duration: 4 Days/3 Nights
Routing: Nakorn Phanom, Thailand - Na Hin, Laos - Ban Na Kok - Aran

“I’ve tasted remoteness before, but this is different – and almost magical.
At times it feels like i’m walking through a dream”
Rolf Potts (Conde Naste Traveller Magazine)

Limestone karsts shine like beacons in early morning mist. Journey along rivers winding through limestone canyons. A fascinating expedition through a 7km cave reveals villages unaffected by modern times. Witness the untouched nature of the Lao countryside. Another cave walk reveals a hidden valley and the ruins of Aran. Survey ruins of a forgotten city built by a forgotten civilization.

Arrive at Nakorn Phanom airport or pick up at your hotel and transfer to the border on the Mekong River. Then drive by van or pick up truck into the Khammouane Central Limestone District to the Nam Theun Bridge area. This drive passes through some of Laos' most spectacular limestone (Karst) landscape. Today's drive takes place on the edge of what is known locally as a National Biodiversity Conservation Area (NBCA).

Drive up to the Nam Teun bridge to check out the bomb boats there. The road elevation at points allows for unique, dramatic views of fields of jagged limestone ridges below. You will enjoy spectacular viewpoints high above ridges. At the Nam Theun Bridge see how local people have utilized US aircraft bomber fuel drop-tanks (probably F-111 bomber tanks, left from the Vietnam War) to make bomb boats. Time & weather permitting, take a short ride on one of these local boats before continuing to the edge of the National Biodiversity Conservation Area (NBCA) at Na Hin town, where we will stay for the night. Dinner is at a local restaurant.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Headman’s house
Featured Attractions: Khammouane Limestone, Bomb Boat River Ride

Pack your gear before an early breakfast. After breakfast, hike 3 kms through the forest preserve to Tat Nam Senam Waterfall. Note that the presence of water is seasonal (ask your guide before you go), but the trek is fun at any time. While not difficult, but you will certainly need strong walking shoes, and a sure step for this small trek. Scramble on the rocks or enjoy a dip in the cold clear water before returning to Na Hin for lunch. After lunch drive by “Jumbo” down to the Nam Hin Boun River. Here we board a long-tail riverboat to journey into the high limestone of the Khammouane NBCA. A several hour boat ride takes you through the Limestone Karst landscape of the NBCA. Keen nature watchers can sometimes see examples of NBCA wildlife. This area is home to monkeys, elephants, deer, bears and several large species of cats including Clouded Leopards and Tigers. Local flora includes many types of ferns, rare orchids, cycads and a variety of epiphytes.

Stop along the way to enjoy the lovely views of the limestone and swim in the river before we continue on to the riverside village of Ban Na Kok where we will be accommodated by the village headman & his family. Here you will have a taste of real Lao village life. Enjoy meeting & playing with the charming children who will come from all over the village to have a look at the Westerners! Enjoy the rest of the day in the village, exploring, walking, or just relaxing. Dinner will be prepared by our guides to be eaten at the headman's house.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Headman’s house
Featured Attractions: Nam Hin Boon Riverboat Journey, Khammouane NBCA, Riverside Village

After breakfast, spend the day exploring the area. First, a 2 km walk will bring you to the mouth of Tam Heup Cave from which emanates a crystal clear stream. After equipment distribution & checks by the guides, walk through the 1KM-long cave – actually a tunnel from one side of this mountain to the secluded valley on the other side, where the Ancient City of Aran once stood. Crossing the cave requires walking & wading. At some times of year the water is waist-deep. Lunch will be prepared by our guides on the banks of Heup Creek, the stream running through the cave. After lunch explore the Ruins of Aran. Largely overgrown by jungle, you will enjoy exploring the ruins among the huge rocket-fin trees. Little is known about the origin of these ruins, except that they date back several centuries.

Option: For those who wish to hike more, walk 3 kms to the tiny remote village of Ban Na. Meet the villagers and reflect upon how simply they live, making the most of their jungle surroundings.

Walk back through the cave to enjoy a well-earned dinner at the headman's house. Following local tradition, villagers often make a “Bai Sii” blessing ceremony for travelers. But this will depend on the season & the villager's workload (during planting / harvest this may not be possible).

Notes for this day :

- Wear TEVA style sandals or tennis shoes for crossing through the sand & pebble-floored cave. Your feet will be wet for the walk through.
- We reserve the right to change at a moment's notice this day's activities, as weather & water level conditions have a bearing on clients' safety.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Headman’s house
Featured Attractions: Tam Heup Cave, Ancient city of Aran, Bai Sii Blessing Ceremony

After breakfast, say our goodbyes/ farewells with the local village community. PLEASE thank the headman's family before boarding our long-tail boat for the last leg of the river trip to Song Hong. We will stop for a picnic lunch and a swim on the riverbank. Our van will meet you at the Song Hong boat landing and bring you to Tha Kaek. Time permitting; stop to see the Khampaeng Yahk, or old city wall. Parts of this wall look man–made and local people are divided as to the wall‘s origin. Observers will also wonder how 10-tonne stone blocks could be so neatly stacked. Once in Tha Kaek town, spend some tome exploring by foot before crossing the Mekong by ferry to Thailand before 6 pm, and transferring to your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:
Featured Attractions: Khampaeng Yahk, Tha Kaek