LAOS – Vang Vieng – Self-Guided Walk from Ban Phathao to Caves

Description

A self-guided exploration of the countryside around Vang Vieng is a great way to experience its stunning natural beauty and peaceful nature. Vang Vieng town isn’t all that impressive, it’s the stunning scenery of rice fields, rivers, and rock formations surrounding this place that keeps visitors dreaming of Laos long after they’ve headed home. This easy hike is a great way to be immersed in the tranquility of rural Laos. The trail go through Hmong village Ban Phathao, picturesque rice fields, different caves: Tham Sangthong (Loup cave) and the nearby Tham Hoisang (Hoi Cave), then continue to the sacred Tham Xang (Elephant Cave) and Temple.

Selling points

• A carefully created half-day hiking tour to explore the peaceful natural environment of rice fields, karst mountains and forests just a stone’s throw from the town.
• An application with a GPS route, points of interest with in-depth information, and suggestions to help travelers explore the countryside around Vang Vieng on their own and at their own pace.
• Ideal for those looking for more freedom in a tour.

Time And Transportation

Duration

• On average it takes around 3-4 hours to complete this tour, though this depends on the walking speed and the frequency and duration of stops.

Min pax

1

Max pax

10

How to sell it

• Best included in a self-guided tour program to Laos or combined with other destinations.
• Good to include if travelers are passing through Vang Vieng without a guide.
• Include in programs of travelers who want to try something new or want some time by themselves.
• This can be sold as a standalone activity, included in a hybrid guided/SGT tour, or as one of the components of the 7D6N module.
• This is going to be a great option to avoid complaints for the transfer without a guide between LPQ and VTE.

Why this activity

• Developed as one of the products in our self-guided project.

Good to combine with

If travelers include Vientiane in their self-guided itinerary we suggest including:

• LAOS – Vientiane – Vientiane Self-Guided City Tour

If travelers include Luang Prabang in their self-guided itinerary, we suggest including:

• LAOS – Luang Prabang – Luang Prabang Self-Guided City Tour
• LAOS – Luang Prabang – Self-Guided Hike from Ban Long Lao to Kuang Sy
• LAOS – Luang Prabang – Self-Guided Food Tour

If travelers include Hinboun in their self-guided itinerary, we suggest including:

• LAOS – HInboun – Self-Guided Tour in Hinboun 3D2N

If travelers include Nong Khiaw in their self-guided itinerary we suggest including:

• LAOS – Nong Khiaw – Self-Guided Tour in Nong Khiaw & Muang Ngoi 3D2N

Market suggestion

Competitor comparison

• No competitors currently offer self-guided tours.

Pros

• Cheaper to sell than a conventional city tour as there is no guide
• It puts Easia ahead of our competitors and shows that we are innovators as nobody else sells this type of tour in Laos.
• Easy to add to a program where travelers have a half-day in Vang Vieng.
• Easy to operate as travelers basically take care of themselves. Except the tuk tuk to the start/end point

Cons

• Travelers need to have a basic knowledge of technology.
• There is no guide to assist with on-spot issues.
• There is some walking on the quiet paved road to get to the countryside.

Information

• Distance: 5 kilometers
• It is not possible to do by bicycle – do not suggest this.
• We recommend taking a sandwich or a snack, and plenty of water, so that the travelers can stop for a picnic in one of the farmer’s huts.
• We recommend this tour be started in the morning and not be rushed – the scenery is stunning.

Alerts

• While this tour can be done all year round, we do not recommend it from late March to late May due to the intense heat, or during the rainy season (unless travelers buy an umbrella and don’t mind getting a bit wet).
• Travelers should be reminded to take a sun hat and sun cream as there are some areas where there is little shade.
• On this tour travelers will be responsible for paying for their own expenses – these includes visiting to different caves at the last part such as Tham Nam (Water cave) Tham Sangthong (Loup cave), Tham Hoisang (Hoi Cave), Tham Xang (Elephant Cave). Each cave may cost 20.000 Kip for the entrance fee

Price range

$

Quotation guideline

• On ERP

Laos > Vang Vieng > Others > Self-Guided in Vang Vieng-Mhikes > Mhikes APP fee – Per generated trip

Laos > Vang Vieng > Others > Self-Guided in Vang Vieng-Easia services

• Self-guided assistant briefing fee
• Self-guided production margin per person per day (no report for payment)
• Self-guided SIM card and internet/call package
• Self-Guided Security Budget

Inclusion

• Self-guided program downloadable to the Roadbook app on the travelers’ phones.
• Roadbook Template Trip:
  • https://protracer.mhikes.com/5f8865f28aabe9.86390725/travels/template/4925/details

Exclusion

• Entrance fee to the caves 20.000 Kip/cave/pax
  • Tham Nam
  • Tham Loop
  • Tham Hoi
  • Tham Xang
• Meals and drinks.

Important notes

• It’s a self-guided tour version of LAOS – Vang Vieng – Caving and Hiking in the Surroundings Ban Phathao
• Need book tuk tuk with Mr. Sone for transportation

Different Choice

• There is no other self-guided hiking option in Vang Vieng at this time.

English

A Self-Guided Countryside Walk

Welcome to Vang Vieng – the adventure capital of Laos! During your self-guided exploration of the area you’ll hike through the picturesque rice fields and forested areas around the base of the towering karst mountains that overlook the town. You’ll probably run into some friendly buffaloes and locals along they way – don’t forget to say “sabaidee!”.

Take your time, enjoy the peacefulness and tranquility of rural Laos, and maybe enjoy a sandwich in one of the farmer’s huts along the way – you really are in a beautiful and amazing place!

Distance of the hiking: 5 kilometers
Duration of the hiking: approximately 4 hours, including stops.
Elevation: 185 meters accumulated ascent, 177 meters accumulated descent.
Transportation: Vang Vieng town – starting point, 13 kilometers / 30 minutes by tuk tuk

French

Une promenade autoguidée dans la campagne

Bienvenue à Vang Vieng – la capitale de l’aventure du Laos ! Au cours de votre exploration autoguidée de la région, vous ferez une randonnée à travers les rizières pittoresques et les zones boisées situées au pied des imposantes montagnes karstiques qui surplombent la ville. Vous rencontrerez probablement des buffles et des habitants sympathiques en chemin – n’oubliez pas de dire “sabaidee” !

Prenez votre temps, profitez du calme et de la tranquillité de la campagne laotienne, et dégustez peut-être un sandwich dans l’une des cabanes de fermiers le long du chemin – vous êtes vraiment dans un endroit magnifique et étonnant !

Distance de la randonnée : 5 kilomètres
Durée de la randonnée : environ 4 heures, arrêts compris.
Élévation : 185 mètres de montée cumulée, 177 mètres de descente cumulée.
Transport : ville de Vang Vieng – point de départ, 13 kilomètres / 30 minutes en tuk-tuk

Spanish

Un paseo campestre autoguiado

Bienvenido a Vang Vieng, la capital de la aventura de Laos. Durante su exploración autoguiada de la zona, caminará por los pintorescos campos de arroz y las zonas boscosas que rodean la base de las imponentes montañas kársticas que dominan la ciudad. Probablemente se cruzará con algunos búfalos y lugareños amistosos por el camino; no olvide decir “¡sabaidee!”.

Tómese su tiempo, disfrute de la paz y la tranquilidad de la zona rural de Laos, y tal vez disfrute de un sándwich en una de las cabañas de los granjeros a lo largo del camino – ¡realmente está en un lugar hermoso y sorprendente!

Distancia de la excursión: 5 kilómetros
Duración de la caminata: aproximadamente 4 horas, incluyendo las paradas.
Elevación: 185 metros de ascenso acumulado, 177 metros de descenso acumulado.
Transporte: ciudad de Vang Vieng – punto de inicio, 13 kilómetros / 30 minutos en tuk-tuk

Italian

Passeggiata autogestita in campagna

Benvenuti a Vang Vieng, la capitale dell’avventura del Laos! Durante l’esplorazione autogestita della zona, camminerete attraverso le pittoresche risaie e le aree boschive alla base delle imponenti montagne carsiche che sovrastano la città. Probabilmente incontrerete bufali e gente del posto lungo il percorso – non dimenticate di dire “sabaidee!”.

Prendetevi il vostro tempo, godetevi la pace e la tranquillità del Laos rurale e magari gustatevi un panino in una delle capanne dei contadini lungo il percorso: siete davvero in un posto bellissimo e sorprendente!

Distanza dell’escursione: 5 chilometri
Durata dell’escursione: circa 4 ore, comprese le soste.
Dislivello: 185 metri di dislivello in salita, 177 metri in discesa.
Trasporto: città di Vang Vieng – punto di partenza, 13 chilometri / 30 minuti in tuk-tuk

German

Ein selbstgeführter Spaziergang durch die Landschaft

Willkommen in Vang Vieng – der Abenteuerhauptstadt von Laos! Während Ihrer selbstgeführten Erkundung der Gegend wandern Sie durch die malerischen Reisfelder und Waldgebiete am Fuße der hoch aufragenden Karstberge, die die Stadt überragen. Wahrscheinlich treffen Sie unterwegs auf freundliche Büffel und Einheimische – vergessen Sie nicht, “sabaidee!” zu sagen.

Nehmen Sie sich Zeit, genießen Sie den Frieden und die Ruhe des ländlichen Laos und essen Sie vielleicht ein Sandwich in einer der Bauernhütten am Wegesrand – Sie sind wirklich an einem wunderschönen und erstaunlichen Ort!

Entfernung der Wanderung: 5 Kilometer
Dauer der Wanderung: ca. 4 Stunden, einschließlich Pausen.
Höhenunterschied: 185 Meter kumulierter Aufstieg, 177 Meter kumulierter Abstieg.
Transfer: Stadt Vang Vieng – Ausgangspunkt, 13 Kilometer / 30 Minuten mit dem Tuk-Tuk

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