LAOS – Luang Prabang – Sacred Mountain Hike

Description

A beautiful hike up one of the city’s sacred mountains. The route follows a narrow trail before arriving at an abandoned temple on a forested hillside. An offering will be left at the foot of the large Buddha statue to ask for protection while climbing the mountain. From here, the trail becomes steeper and could be a bit slippery from leaves. Travelers will ascend nearly 300 meters through the jungle before arriving at the summit where a replica of Buddha’s footprint and shrine are located. Along the way, the guide may point out some of the local flora, such as a vine plant which can be used to treat malaria. There are two viewpoints near Buddha’s footprint where climbers can enjoy lunch while listening to their knowledgeable guide mix historical fact with tales and legends about the sacred mountain. A brief stop at a farm on the way down will break up the descent to the pick-up point.

Level: 3
Distance and duration of hiking: approximately 4 kilometers – 6 hours hiking (including stops)
Total elevation gain: 0 meters (+ 514 / – 514 meters)
Terrain: dirt track and steep, often slippery, jungle trails.
Transportation: 20 minutes by minivan or Tuk Tuk.

Can be combined with

Thematic Leisure

• LAOS – Luang Prabang – Baci Ceremony at a Local House

Selling points

• Perfect for FIT groups who want something a bit more active on vacation.
• A unique trekking activity complete with a jungle temple, mystery and myth.
• An active hike with stunning views of Luang Prabang.
• An opportunity to explore a little-visited area with beautiful scenery.
• Something unique to do away from the hustle and bustle of the urban area. 

Level Of The Excursion

The Impact Of This Excursion

Social/cultural Impact

Environment Impact

Economic Impact

Time And Transportation

Duration

Full-day activity – approximately 6 hours

• 08:30 – 09:00 Pick up and transfer to the starting point
• 09:00 – 09:45 Hike to the jungle temple
• 09:45 – 10:15 Rest and offerings with explanations
• 10:15 – 11:15 Hike to the top of the mountain
• 11:15 – 12:00 Visit the Buddha’s footprint, optional visit of meditation spots, history and explanations, visit the viewpoints
• 12:00 – 12:45 Lunch at one of the viewpoints (depending on group size)
• 12:45 – 13:30 Hike back down to the temple
• 13:30 – 13:45 Explanations of temple curiosities and rest
• 13:45 – 14:30 Visit the cultivated valley and see what is being grown
• 14:30 – 15:00 Hike to the pick-up point

Min pax

1

Max pax

15

How to sell it

• Our signature hiking product for Easia Active in Luang Prabang!
• Full-day tour for active guests from all markets who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the town.
• A good way to be immersed in mountainous jungle without travelling very far from the city.
• The program is very diverse and combines hiking with Buddhist culture, history, viewpoints, and botanical intrigues. 

Why this activity

• Easia’s very own signature active product in Luang Prabang. 
• A great active product without having to go too far from the city center. 
• A way to venture out of touristic areas and visit a mountain jungle. 
• Great for families or travelers who enjoy eclectic and unique experiences. 

Good to combine with

• Can be combined with activities in the evening – though please take into account that the guests may be tired and would probably prefer to rest.
• Can be combined with other active products in Luang Prabang (on other days), for example:
  • Luang Prabang – Hike from Ban Long Lao to Kuang Sy Waterfalls
  • Luang Prabang – Easy hike from Ban Nong Heo to Kuang Sy Waterfalls
  • Luang Prabang – Kayaking on the Nam Khan River
  • Luang Prabang – Cycling the Charming Trails of Chompet
  • Luang Prabang – Bike and Boat Adventure
  • Luang Prabang – Rural Chompet Explorer
• Can be combined with classic activities on different days.

Do not combine with

• Any other daytime activity as the return time is in the late afternoon.

Market suggestion

Competitor comparison

• This activity is not currently offered by any other DMC.

Pros

• An Easia Signature active product. 
• Showcases a jungle mountain landscape just outside the city limits. 
• Combines leisure themes with an active product to keep travelers engaged. 
• A full day activity in nature without having to travel farm from the city. 

Cons

• Only English speaking guiding available. 
• Not available in rainy season. 

Information

• Distance: Approximately 4 kilometers
• Duration: about 6 hours hiking, including stops.
• Elevation profile: Hilly, often steep. Ascent of 514 meters. Descent of 514 meters.
• Terrain: dirt track and steep jungle trails.
• Difficulty: Moderate – Level 3
• In case of emergency: It is possible to reach the temple by 4WD. Depending on the seriousness of the emergency the guide should inform the operation team who can advise and coordinate with the relevant authorities and rescue services.
• Facilities: Toilets access at the temple.

Alerts

• This walk can be challenging in some parts (going down is quite steep and can be slippery due to wet ground and leaf cover).
• We do not provide this hiking activity during the rainy season.
• Guests should wear good hiking shoes and bring a small backpack to carry their own water and lunch.
• Hiking poles are not necessary but can be useful for the descent if guests have them.
• Mosquito repellent is highly recommended.

Important information

• Map of the activity – please do not share with the clients.
• SEASONALITY: The activity is most beautiful early in the season, around October and November, when the vegetation is greener. In the dry season it is still very nice, but quite a bit hotter.
• TRANSPORTATION: Minivan or Tuk Tuk to the start of the trail.
• SNACK PACKAGES AND LUNCH: Please provide a list of allergies and food preferences to the operation team.
  • Snack standard package (local snacks) + Water supply (3l/pax/day) – rice crackers, peanuts, bananas…
  • Lunch: Picnic lunch – If possible the guide can discuss with the clients if they would like a sandwich (chicken or pork) or if they would prefer something different. If a different guide will be used for this activity and won’t meet the clients before then sales should gather this information and send it to the operation team.
• Frequency of drink/snack stops depends on the needs of the participants.

Price range

$$

Quotation guideline

On ERP:

• LAOS > Luang Prabang > Activity > Easia Signature – The Sacred Mountain > The Sacred Mountain
• Tour leaders will be considered as a tour guide and the cost of the services will be divided by all groups.

Inclusion

• Local guide.
• Picnic lunch for guests and guide.
• Water for guests and guide.
• Incense for offering at the temple.

Exclusion

• Easia English-speaking Active guide.
• Transfers.

Important notes

• Provide maps to the hiking guide
• Request information Active client excel file from Sales: Name and surname of the guests, the hikers level and experience, allergies, insurance details.
• At least 2 days in advance of the group’s arrival reconfirm the service with the local guide.
• Transfers for the guests – guide should collect extra water from the office and meet before with the transfer. Guide should distribute water to the guests upon arrival at the start of the trail. Guests will carry 2-3 liters of water provided by Easia Travel.
• Always remember to provide the first aid kit to the guide.
• Explain to the guide that he needs to stop at the temple to give an offering, at the Buddha’s footprint to give explanations, at the viewpoints for lunch, and at the farm for explanations.
• Lunch and snacks: Picnic lunch – ask the guide to discuss with the clients if they would like a sandwich (chicken or pork) or if they would prefer something different. If a different guide will be used for this activity and won’t meet the clients before then sales should sent this information to the operation team.
• The guide should be given the money to buy the snacks and sandwiches before the activity. He should be given 10,000 kip to buy a small box of incense. Reconfirm the price of incense. 
• Explain to the guide that the frequency of drink stops depends on the needs of the participants.

Special Guide notes

• The guide should be briefed and know about the route and stops and also what snacks/lunch he needs to prepare.
• The guide should collect water bottles from the office and go with the transfer to meet guests. Guide should distribute water to the guests at the start of the trail.
• Guide should stop along the way (at the temple, the summit, and the farm) and talk about Buddhist culture and the temple (the significance of the statues, the golden heart stone etc.), the curiosities of the mountain (gun placements, helicopter landing site, bat hunting caves, meditating spots etc.), and any crops that are being grown on the farms (black ginger, teak, papayas, sweet potatoes, herbs for Lao cooking etc.) . Guide should also share knowledge about life in the countryside and point out and explain any curiosities seen along the way (such as interesting plants like the vine used to treat malaria).
• Explain clearly to the guides the client’s profile and the guests’ expectations.
• Should prepare and check that the water, snacks and lunch and incense are ready before the tour.
• Guide must do the briefing before starting hiking– he needs to announce:
  • Approximate distance and duration of the hiking day
  • Where they will go, what they will visit, and points of interest
  • Type of terrain
  • Should check the climate conditions before the tour to avoid risks (for example, bring rain coats) and be careful during the tour not to put the lives of the guests in danger.
• Hiking guide must be flexible on the spot: adapt the speed to the needs of the clients
• Detailed timing: Departure- early morning from hotel, in order to enjoy the cool weather. Pick-up at 08:30
• Guide must stop and allow the guests to take photos.
• Language – use polite language and adapt the behavior depending on the guests’ character and behavior
• Shoes – proper hiking shoes – please no sandals or flip flops
• Guide must dress properly, wearing hiking clothes (Easia Travel T shirt if available)

Different Choice

• LAOS – Luang Prabang – Hike to Kuang Sy Waterfalls
• LAOS – Luang Prabang – Easy Hike from Ban Nong Heo to Kuang Sy Waterfalls

Contact

• Chit – Local Guide – Our main contact from the temple (55384445 or 02058914373/ Lao)
• Mr. Peng – Farmer – Possible second guide (03092999531/ Lao and Khmu)

English

Sacred Mountain Hike

This morning you will set off on a beautiful hike up one of the sacred mountains of Luang Prabang. The route you will follow starts as a dirt track before arriving at an abandoned temple on the jungle-clad hillside. You will leave an offering at the foot of the large Buddha statue to ask for protection while climbing the mountain. From here, the trail becomes steep and at times slippery due to the covering of leaves. You will ascend nearly 300 meters through the jungle before arriving at the summit where a large Buddha’s footprint shrine will be visited. Along the way, the local guide may point out some of the local plants such as the vine which can be used to treat malaria. There are a couple of pleasant viewpoints where you will be able to stop for lunch and for the guide to explain the history, stories and legends that surround the mountain. On the way down stop briefly at a picturesque farm to see what is been grown before continuing the walk down to the pick-up point.

Level: 3
Distance and duration of hiking: approximately 4 kilometers – 6 hours hiking (including stops)
Total elevation gain: 0 meters (+ 514 / – 514 meters)
Terrain: dirt track and steep, often slippery, jungle trails.
Transportation: 20 minutes by minivan or Tuk Tuk.

Notes: Duration of the full activity: approximately 6 hours  – 08 h 30 – 15 h 00. 

French

Randonnée dans la montagne sacrée

Ce matin, vous partirez pour une belle randonnée sur l’une des montagnes sacrées de Luang Prabang. L’itinéraire que vous suivrez commence par un chemin de terre avant d’arriver à un temple abandonné sur le flanc d’une colline recouverte de jungle. Vous déposerez une offrande au pied de la grande statue de Bouddha pour demander sa protection pendant l’ascension de la montagne. À partir de là, le sentier devient escarpé et parfois glissant en raison des feuilles qui le recouvrent. Vous monterez près de 300 mètres à travers la jungle avant d’arriver au sommet où un grand sanctuaire d’empreintes de Bouddha sera visité. En chemin, le guide local pourra vous indiquer certaines plantes locales telles que la vigne qui peut être utilisée pour traiter la malaria. Il y a quelques points de vue agréables où vous pourrez vous arrêter pour déjeuner et pour que le guide vous explique l’histoire, les histoires et les légendes qui entourent la montagne. En redescendant, vous vous arrêterez brièvement dans une ferme pittoresque pour voir ce qui y est cultivé avant de poursuivre la marche jusqu’au point de ramassage.

Niveau : 3 
Distance et durée de la randonnée : environ 4 kilomètres – 6 heures de marche (en incluant les pauses) 
Dénivelé total : 0 mètres  (+ 514 / – 514 mètres) 
Type de terrain: chemins de terre escarpés, souvent glissants, sentiers dans la jungle. 
Transport : 20 minutes en minivan ou en Tuk Tuk. 
Remarques : l’excursion dure en tout environ 6 heures, de 8 h 30 à 15 h.  

Spanish

Excursión a la Montaña Sagrada

Esta mañana emprenderá una hermosa excursión por una de las montañas sagradas de Luang Prabang. La ruta que seguirá comienza como un camino de tierra antes de llegar a un templo abandonado en la ladera cubierta de selva. Dejará una ofrenda a los pies de la gran estatua de Buda para pedirle protección mientras asciende la montaña. A partir de aquí, el sendero se vuelve empinado y a veces resbaladizo debido a la cubierta de hojas. Ascenderá casi 300 metros a través de la selva antes de llegar a la cima, donde se visitará un gran santuario con la huella de Buda. Por el camino, el guía local podrá indicarle algunas de las plantas locales, como la vid, que puede utilizarse para tratar la malaria. Hay un par de agradables miradores en los que podrá detenerse para almorzar y para que el guía le explique la historia, las historias y las leyendas que rodean la montaña. En el camino de bajada, se detendrá brevemente en una pintoresca granja para ver lo que se cultiva antes de continuar el descenso hasta el punto de recogida.

Nivel: 3
Distancia y duración de la excursión: aproximadamente 4 kilómetros – 6 horas de excursión (incluidas paradas).
Altitud total: 0 metros (+ 514 / – 514 metros)
Terreno: camino de tierra y senderos de selva escarpados y a menudo resbaladizos.
Transporte: 20 minutos en camioneta o Tuk Tuk.
Notas: duración total de la actividad: aproximadamente 6 horas  – 08:30 – 15:00. 

Italian

Escursione al Sacro Monte

Questa mattina partirete per una splendida escursione su una delle montagne sacre di Luang Prabang. Il percorso che seguirete inizia come una pista sterrata prima di arrivare a un tempio abbandonato sul fianco della collina ricoperta dalla giungla. Lascerete un’offerta ai piedi della grande statua del Buddha per chiedere protezione durante la scalata della montagna. Da qui, il sentiero diventa ripido e a volte scivoloso a causa della copertura di foglie. Si salirà per circa 300 metri attraverso la giungla prima di arrivare alla cima, dove si visiterà un grande santuario di impronte di Buddha. Lungo il percorso, la guida locale può indicare alcune piante locali, come la vite che può essere usata per curare la malaria. Ci sono un paio di piacevoli punti panoramici dove potrete fermarvi per il pranzo e dove la guida vi spiegherà la storia, le storie e le leggende che circondano la montagna. Durante la discesa ci si ferma brevemente in una pittoresca fattoria per vedere cosa viene coltivato prima di continuare la passeggiata fino al punto di raccolta.

Livello: 3

Distanza e durata dell’escursionismo: circa 4 chilometri – 6 ore di cammino (comprese le fermate)

Dislivello totale: 0 metri (+ 514 / – 514 metri)

Terreno: strada sterrata e sentieri ripidi, spesso scivolosi, nella giungla.

Trasporto: 20 minuti con minivan o Tuk Tuk.

Note: Durata dell’attività completa: circa 6 ore – dalle 08:30 alle 15:00.

German

Heiliger Berg Wanderung

Heute Morgen brechen Sie zu einer wunderschönen Wanderung auf einen der heiligen Berge von Luang Prabang auf. Der Weg, dem Sie folgen, beginnt als Feldweg, bevor Sie zu einem verlassenen Tempel am dschungelbewachsenen Berghang gelangen. Am Fuße der großen Buddha-Statue legen Sie eine Opfergabe nieder und bitten um Schutz bei der Besteigung des Berges. Von hier an wird der Weg steil und manchmal rutschig, da er mit Blättern bedeckt ist. Sie werden fast 300 Meter durch den Dschungel aufsteigen, bevor Sie den Gipfel erreichen, wo Sie einen großen Buddha-Fußabdruck-Schrein besuchen werden. Auf dem Weg dorthin kann der örtliche Führer Sie auf einige der einheimischen Pflanzen hinweisen, z. B. auf die Weinrebe, die zur Behandlung von Malaria eingesetzt wird. Es gibt einige schöne Aussichtspunkte, an denen Sie zu Mittag essen und sich vom Führer die Geschichte, Geschichten und Legenden um den Berg erklären lassen können. Auf dem Weg nach unten halten Sie kurz an einem malerischen Bauernhof, um zu sehen, was dort angebaut wird, bevor Sie die Wanderung hinunter zum Abholpunkt fortsetzen.

Level: 3
Strecke und Dauer der Wanderung: rund 4 Kilometer – 6 Stunden Wanderung (inklusive Stopps)
Gesamt-Höhengewinn: 0 Meter (+514 / -514 Meter)
Terrain: Feldwege und steile, häufig rutschige Dschungelpfade
Anfahrt: 20 Minuten mit Minivan oder Tuk Tuk

Hinweis: Gesamtdauer der Aktivität: etwa 6 Stunden – von 8.30 bis 15 Uhr

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