| 6 Days in
the 4,000 Islands of Laos
| Days: |
6 days |
| Location: |
Laos |
| Activities: |
Kayaking (Class 2), hiking. |
BRIEFLY
We paddle above and below three thundering waterfalls, and walk along an
abandoned rail line. We’ll also paddle through the spectacular Flooded
Forest whose trees have been bent by the current, and spend time in the
open water near the Cambodian border watching dolphins feed. Before returning
to Thailand, we’ll visit Wat Phou, a brilliant Angkorian temple that
has been granted UNESCO Cultural Heritage protection. This is the second
half of a 17-day trip Outside Magazine called “one of 48 trips of
a lifetime”. We’ll spend three nights in a rafthouse, one night
in a village house, one night in a riverside hotel. Warning: Nights can
be very warm and there is no air-conditioning but if you like spectacular
scenery and cooling off in relaxing water, this is your trip. Besides, its
cooler than Bangkok in May.
ITINERARY
Day 1
Fly to the border, cross the Mekong into Laos. Drive along the Mekong to
the put-in. Paddle among islands to the rafthouse.
Day 2
We visit a school and a temple, then paddle from the bottom of Liphi Falls,
picnic in the Flooded Forest, and to the Cambodian border to watch the
dolphins feed. Overnight in a riverside village.
Day 3
Cross a monkey bridge to an ancient monastery, walk the French railway
line, bicycle to the upper terminus, float the Mekong in innertubes. Overnight
in the rafthouse.
Day 4
After a relaxing morning, we paddle to the western channel to thread our
way among amazing fish traps, downstream to the main river before riding
a longtail back to the rafthouse.
Day 5
Longboat to the head of Southeast Asia’s biggest waterfalls where
our inflatables will be waiting. We then paddle to the upper edge of the
falls; if currents are not too strong, we’ll paddle to the middle
of the falls to experience their true ferocity. After lunch below the
falls (and if currents permit), we’ll put a raft into the whirlpools
below the falls and paddle to the take-out. We then drive to the funky
old ferry crossing the Mekong to Champasak and spend the night in a riverside
guesthouse.
Day 6
At dawn, we explore the beautiful hilltop Wat Phou (which may once have
practiced human sacrifice). Re-cross the river and drive to the border
for the flight to Bangkok.
For more information and prices, e-mail +662 653 9712 and +6681 450 5340
noting your country of departure. |
