Rivers, Caves & Ancient Ruins of ARAN
including 7km Konglo cave
Code: LAO105 |
As noted in January 2003 Conde Naste Traveller Magazine: “I’ve tasted remoteness before, but this is different – and almost magical. At times it feels like I’m walking through a dream…” – Writer Rolf Potts
“Unique local transport conveys you over dramatic limestone geography to 7km-long Konglo cave. The Limestone River running through the cave then brings us meandering by boat gently to Ban Na Koke – our base for 2 nights – to explore a huge cave leading to a hidden valley. Scramble, wade, and walk to the ancient “Ruins of Aran”. Western & Lao cuisine prepared by your guide daily. Meet the gentle and generous local people of this remote beautiful region; experience the REAL Laos!”
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Nakorn Phanom
Thailand or Tha Kaek Laos – Ban Na (rt8) – Khong Lo Cave & Village – Nam
Hin Boun River by local Boat – Ban Na Kok – Caves & “Ruins of Aran” – Ban
Song Hong – Tha Kaek Laos or Nakorn Phanom Thailand |
| GETTING THERE: |
Guided service (through remote villages in the rugged
limestone geography of Khammouan Province) can begin in Nakorn Phanom Thailand
(served by daily flights from Bangkok), or Thak Kaek Laos (a 5 minute ferry
boat from Nakorn Phanom Thailand or a 4 hour drive from Vientiane Laos). Ask our destination specialists for suggestions on how
best to integrate this tour into your overall itinerary. |
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| Day 1:
Nakorn
Phanom (Thailand ) – Tha Kaek (Laos ) – 7 Km Konglo Cave – Village |
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Transfer from Nakorn Phanom, Thailand to Tha Kaek, Laos. Or meet your guide in Tha Kaek. Travel by an interesting variety of local conveyances into Khammouan’s limestone mountains to the mouth of the 7km Konglo Cave, through which flows the Nam Hin Boun River. Travel through the cave by boat and return to the village for dinner and overnight. Sleep in the headman’s house in a village nearby.
Meals: L, D
Accom: Simple accom in Village (headman’s house)
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Day 2: Village –
River boat trip thru Limestone Mountains – Ban Na Kok Voluntourism Initiative
& Assistance Project – Ban Na Kok |
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Return to Ban Na Hin and board a local boat on the Hin Boun River. Enjoy the leisurely cruise through limestone canyons, jungle passing on both sides of the boat. Picnic lunch on a sandbar, swim afterwards, then continue to our riverside village destination. Explore the village on your own or join your guide and visit the water supply system built by the villagers and volunteers from North America and Europe (who financed it). The project was facilitated by North by North East and resulted in a set of filters from which emerges a supply of clean water for the village of 45 houses. The project additionally built bathrooms and showers for students at the local school. Dinner and overnight
Meals: B, L, D
Accom: Simple accom in Village (headman’s house)
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| Day 3: Village –
1KM Cathedral Cave – Ancient city of ARAN – Ba Ci Traditional Animist
Ceremony – Village |
Cross the Hin Boun river to the mouth of a huge cathedral-like cave called Tham Heup. Walk and wade across the cave, both by boat – if necessary – and on foot. NOTE: you need Teva sandals or similar. On the other side of the cave continue to scramble, wade, and walk to the Ancient “Ruins of Aran”.The carved stone pillars are almost totally reclaimed by the jungle. Return through the cave to the village and enjoy a traditional Basi ceremony. Ask your guide about the meaning of this ancient animist ritual that predates Buddhism. Enjoy dinner with our hosts.
Meals: B, L, D
Accom: Simple accom in Village (headman’s house)
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| Day 4: Local Village – Riverboat to Ban Song Hong – Giant’s Wall /
Old Defense Wall – Tha Kaek town Laos – Nakorn Phanom Thailand |
Board the boat and continue downstream to Song Hong where we’ll transfer to a vehicle for the last leg back to Tha Kaek town. Visit local sights en route like the Kampheng Nyak (Giant’s Wall) the natural or human origin of which is hotly debated locally. Cross the Mekong back to Nakorn Phanom for your flight onward.
Meals: B, L
Accom: None
End of ServicES
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| Rates
and Other Information |
Rivers, Caves & Ancient ruins of ARAN (CODE: LAO105)
Tariff: In USD per person based on Twin sharing room
CONVERT to
currency of your choice.
Number of Pax |
2 |
3-5 |
6-9 |
Full package |
408 |
307 |
244 |
Valid 1st Oct 2007 until 30th April 2008
This tour is only offered in the dry season.
Price Includes:
- Accommodation by village for other nights.
- All meals as indicated on att itinerary.
- All entrance fees on route.
- Baggage handling and porterage
- Services of English Speaking Guide throughout the tour
- NTA and Lao government tax
- Insurance
Price does not include:
- Personal items & hotel incidental charges
- International or Domestic airport departure tax and air tickets
- Lao VISA fee (30-42$) depending on nationality
NOTES:
Accommodation: Accommodation is simple but comfortable and usually at the headman’s house in any village.
Meals: Our staff can cook central Thai cuisine, and the occasional Western & Lao dishes. Expeditions usually inlcude transport by foot, jeep & boat in the NBCA.
Routing: We reserve the right to deviate from the itinerary if our guide believes client safety is threatened in any manner. Road & weather conditions, river & cave conditions, individual boat conditions, and other factors that influence client safety may change quickly, requiring a change in routing & transport.
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