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

Number day and night

3 days & 2 nights

Day by day description

This experience provides an in-depth discovery of the Hinboun region with the help of pre-loaded itineraries on the smartphone of the travelers. With clear GPS routing and indications (including pictures & videos) on the navigation & points of interest, this itinerary focuses on exploring the beautiful countryside and the stunning natural wonders in and around the Konglor Valley. The highlight of this adventure is an underground journey through the incredible Konglor Cave, one of the world’s longest active river caves, which is complemented by an easy hike through the villages and countryside as well as a range of optional activities for those wanting to do some additional hiking, cycling or kayaking on the crystal clear waters of the Nam Hinboun River. A visit to Hinboun provides travelers with a unique and unforgettable experience, on their own and at their own pace and without the need for a local guide.

Selling points

• Carefully selected activities providing a guided discovery of the most beautiful region of central Laos and its countryside, enormous caves, and small villages.
• An application filled with GPS routes and point of interests for travelers to explore the Hinboun region of central Laos on their own and at their own pace.
• A great main activity (Konglor Cave) accompanied by additional hikes, cycling, and kayaking as well as the option to simply relax at the resort – the content is flexible.
• A 3 day 2 night trip with stunning riverside accommodation providing a level of comfort rarely found in rural Laos.
• Ideal for those looking for more freedom in a tour.

Extensions

It is good to combine with the following module:

• LAOS – Luang Prabang – Self-Guided Tour in Northern and Central Laos 7D6N

If travelers include Vang Vieng in their self-guided Laos itinerary we suggest including:

• LAOS – Vang Vieng – Vang Vieng Self-Guided Hiking

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

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

Selling points

• Carefully selected activities providing a guided discovery of the most beautiful region of central Laos and its rice fields, enormous caves and small villages.
• An application filled with GPS routes and point of interests for travelers to explore the Hinboun region of central Laos on their own.
• A great main activity (Konglor) accompanied by additional hikes, cycling, and kayaking as well as the option to simply relax at the resort – the content is flexible.
• Stunning riverside accommodation providing a level of comfort rarely found in rural Laos.
• Possible to combine with other self-guided tours in Laos to create a self-guided itinerary.
• This is a fully self-guided extension which can be added to the 7D6N SGT or sold as an SGT extension to a normal guided itinerary.

Pros

• Easia Signature – no competitors currently offer self-guided tours
• Cheaper to sell than a conventional visit to Hinboun 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 operate as travelers basically take care of themselves.
• Flexible program – there are different accompanying activities included to suit different travelers (for example – cycling or hiking)
• It is a stunning area which is not often visited which gives it a very local and off-the-beaten-track feel.
• The program is easy to follow.

Cons

• Travelers need to have a basic knowledge of technology.
• There is no guide to assist with on-spot issues.
• Not possible in rainy season (June to October) as the cave is completely flooded.
• Limited restaurants – most local restaurants are in the village which is quite far from the resort so travelers will have to eat at the hotel.

TIME AND TRANSPORTATION

Notes

• The main activity is the boat trip to the cave, the passage through the cave, and the hike back to the resort. Note that the seats in the boats are quite low.
• There are optional activities such as one of the hikes, the bicycle loop and the kayaking. The bicycle rental is first come first served and cannot be pre-booked.
• All of the activities are very easy, on level ground, and not very long distances – accessible to everyone.
• We must use Spring River Resort as the accommodation as that is where the activities start (we recommend the 6 Riverview Bungalows)
• Best included in a self-guided tour program to Laos or combined with other destinations.
• On this tour travelers will be responsible for paying for their own entrance fees.
• This tour cannot be done in the rainy season as the cave is flooded.
• Developed as one of the first products in our self-guided project for Laos.
• If travelers are not really adventurous or are worried they can’t navigate by themselves, it’s possible to do this module with a guide!

Roadbook Template Trip:

• https://protracer.mhikes.com/5f8865f28aabe9.86390725/travels/template/4971/details

Inclusions:

• Self-guided program downloadable to the Roadbook app on the travelers’ phones.
• Transfers Vientiane-Hinboun-Vientiane
• Longtail boat to the cave entrance (provided by Spring River Resort)
• Accommodation (Spring River Resort)
• Kayaking on the Blue Lagoon (provided by Spring River Resort)

Exclusions:

• Entrance fees.
• Boat through Konglor Cave.
• Optional bicycle rental.
• Meals and drinks.

Quotation guideline:

• On ERP the module for this tour can be found here:
  • Tour Classification: S41-Easia Active
  • Language: English
  • Tour Type: FIT
  • Tour Name: SGT – Hinboun – 3D2N – ENG
  • Tour Code: 210203095609

Sales should add the SIM card and internet package if necessary.

• On this tour travelers will be responsible for paying for their own entrance fees and associated costs. The costs they will have to pay will be as follows:
  • • Longtail boat through Konglor cave and back: 65,000kip/pax
    • Optional bicycle rental on the other side of Konglor cave: 20,000kip/pax
    • Konglor Cave Park fee: 2,000kip/pax

Hotels that can be used for this SGT itinerary:

HINBOUN

• Spring River Resort – 3*

Market suggestion

Number of PAX

10

Important notes

• Day 1: Driver will pick-up the travelers at 08:00 in the lobby of their hotel. There will be a stop at Vat Prabath for travelers to see the Buddha footprint and also at The Rock Viewpoint for a photo opportunity and chance to have a drink/snack/lunch. If travelers ask the driver for “kin khao” he should stop sooner and find somewhere for food. Accommodation is at Spring River Resort.
• Day 2: Waiting day for the driver. Nothing for the driver to do.
• Day 3: Driver will pick up the clients at Spring River Resort at 10:30 and drive back to Vientiane, stopping on the way for lunch at a place of his choosing, unless travelers ask for “kin kha” and then he should stop sooner.

Contact

Spring River Resort:

• 020 59 636 111
• [email protected]

• Product Photos
• View more photos in Media Library

English

Day X: Vientiane – Hinboun
Meet your driver in the lobby at 08:00 and set off on your journey to Hinboun, one of Laos’ most picturesque, yet least visited areas. On the way, you’ll visit Vat Prabath Temple, which protects a footprint of Buddha, and you’ll also stop at The Rock Viewpoint (Phou Pha Marn) to get a birds-eye view of the outstanding landscapes of Khammouane Province. The coffee shop there is a great place to enjoy a drink, a snack, or lunch! Soon after leaving Phou Pha Marn, you’ll arrive at Spring River Resort, situated next to the beautiful Nam Hinboun river and surrounded by amazing scenery.  Check in, stretch your legs after the long journey, and then finish the day with a delicious dinner at the hotel’s riverside restaurant before retiring to your room to rest in preparation for tomorrow’s activities.

Distance and duration of the transfer: 320 kilometers – 6 hours plus stops.
Meals included: none

Notes: If you’re feeling hungry and the driver hasn’t yet stopped for lunch don’t be afraid to ask him to find a local restaurant. Just say “kin khao” to him and he’ll know what you mean!

Day X:  Discovering Hinboun
This morning you’ll discover the stunning landscapes of Khammouane Province on a 30-minute boat trip along the meanders of the peaceful Nam Hinboun River. Head to the reception area at 08:00 and ask the staff to introduce you to your local boat driver. He will take you on his motorized wooden pirogue through the pristine emerald waters and the stunning countryside to the entrance of Konglor Cave. When you arrive, he’ll show you where to buy a ticket for the cave (65,000kip/person) and then you’ll set off through the 7.5-kilometer cavern aboard a long tail boat, one of the longest underworld crossings on earth!

On the other side of the cave, you have a few options:

• You could do “The Natan Bicycle Loop” – a very easy 8-kilometer, 1 hour, bicycle ride through the countryside. Just rent a bicycle (20,000kip each), open the GPS activity that we included, and off you go!
• Alternatively, you could enjoy a short walk to the nearest village, Ban Phon Kham, just 1 kilometer along the road to the right. This is a good option if there aren’t any bicycles available (they can’t be pre-booked so it’s first come first served).
• Another nice option is just staying around the boat landing area, having a refreshing drink or snack, chatting with the locals. and learning about the area from the information boards.

When you’re ready to go back, find your boat driver and head back through the cave to the place where you bought your ticket. When you get there, you can open the GPS activity that we included called “Walk from Konglor Cave to Spring River Resort” which will guide you back to the resort. It should be about lunch time now so feel free to stop at one of the local restaurants on the way if you don’t want to wait until you arrive back at the resort! Finally, to finish off this amazing day, ask the staff at Spring River Resort’s reception to show you where the kayaks are kept and head across the Hinboun River to the stunningly beautiful 700 meter long protected Blue Lagoon. It’s amazing – you’re going to love it!

Distance and duration of the bicycle loop: 8 kilometers – 1 hour
Distance and duration of the hike: 4.5 kilometers – 1h 30 minutes
Meals included: none

Notes: Giving tips isn’t mandatory but we do recommend giving a tip (20,000kip/person is a good amount) to the Konglor Cave boat driver as he will wait for you for an hour or two on the other side and this will mean that he will lose the chance to take more clients through the cave. 

Day X: Hinboun – Vientiane
Today you can enjoy a free morning at the resort. Wake up and enjoy your breakfast before relaxing by the river (maybe some more kayaking?) or heading out for a leisurely stroll – we included a GPS activity, a short 1 hour walk around the small mountain near the resort, just in case you wanted to stretch your legs. At around 10:30, meet your driver and say goodbye to the fantastic scenery of the Konglor area and relax on a leisurely drive to Vientiane. The driver will stop on the way for you to have lunch at a local restaurant.

Distance and duration of the hike: 3.2 kilometers – 1 hour
Distance and duration of the transfer: 320 kilometers – 6 hours plus stops.
Meals included: none

Notes: If you’re feeling hungry and the driver hasn’t yet stopped for lunch don’t be afraid to ask him to find a local restaurant. Just say “kin khao” to him and he’ll know what you mean!