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Hiking & Camping at the Best Viewpoint in Laos: Pha Daeng Peak
Laos has planted its national flag atop Nong Khiaw’s Pha Daeng Peak, arguably the country’s #1 viewpoint. The summit is known for its morning “Sea Fog” and recent addition of tent camping about three hours north of Luang Prabang. A dawn hike to the top takes climbers above the clouds that cling to the mountains in the horizon. The rising sun burns off the mist to reveal a 360-degree panorama starring the Nam Ou River snaking around Nong Khiaw Town. The Lao flag stands on a boulder at the absolute pinnacle of Pha Daeng Peak, like the cherry on top of a viewpoint sundae. The scene begs visitors to step up for a portrait or selfie that guarantees a string of comments and emojis on your Facebook page. The new camping option adds a mountain sunset for afternoon hikers, who can then catch the following morning’s Sea Fog show. Pitch a tent, have a cook out, sit around a campfire, and enjoy a night in nature. The easy-to-follow, zig-zagging trail to the peak takes an hour or so, depending on the hiker’s pace in tackling the medium-grade trek. The well-signed path is constantly being improved by the community, who continually add ropes and steps to help climbers, especially during Green Season (July-October), when the trail can get a bit sloppy. A wooden shelter greets the intrepid to Pha Daeng Peak, presenting a place to rest or bite into a snack and sip on the drink you brought along. Tent camping began trending among Laotians during the 2020-2021 Lao Thiao Lao domestic tourism campaign. Since Laos reopened on 9 May 2022, local tour operators are adding tent camping at Pha Daeng Peak to their Luang Prabang itineraries for foreign tourists. To prevent crowding, campers need to book in advance. Getting to Nong Khiaw from Luang Prabang The 142-km drive in a van from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw takes about 3 hours. Transportation providers in Luang Prabang offer seats in vans and cars. Local busses are also available at the bus station. Departure times vary, but tend to leave in the early morning. You can also access Nong Khiaw from Muang Xai by car or motorbike. Click on photo for Google Map Getting to Pha Daeng Viewpoint Entrance The entrance to the Pha Daeng Viewpoint trail is located across the bridge from Nong Khiaw Town. The distance is less than 1 km. The entrance and ticket booth (LAK 20,000 as of 1 July) is on the left and presents several information panels about the hike and the community, who is the caretaker of the attraction and activity. Click on photo for Google Map Preparing for the Hike The trek takes a moderate amount of fitness. It is recommended to wear appropriate walking footwear, though locals make the hike in sandals. Visitors will need to bring their own food and drinks as none are yet available at the top. Campers will need to bring their own gear or join a group with a tour operator in Luang Prabang or Nong Khiaw Town. To book tent camping (maximum 10 PAX), WhatsApp/Tel +856 20 2202 2555. Accommodation in Nong Khiaw Town Mandala Ou Resort Maison de Nong Khiaw Resort Viewpoint Resort Nong Khiaw Ou River House Travel Businesses in Luang Prabang To find a certified LaoSafe business in Luang Prabang, click on the links below. Accommodation Food & Beverage Tour Guides Drivers How to Get to Luang Prabang *Note: Schedules are constantly changing. Please directly contact the transportation providers for the most current schedule. Flights from Vientiane Lao Airlines: Daily flights as of 1 July 2022 Lao Skyway: Four flights per week as of 1 July 2022 Direct Flights from Bangkok Lao Airlines: Three flights per week as of 1 July 2022 Thai AirAsia: Three flights per week as of 1 July 2022 Train from Vientiane Lao-China Railway: Three daily departures
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Meet Luang Prabang’s Pottery Masters at Ban Chan
A look around Luang Prabang reveals loads of clay lamps, pots, planters, jars, vases, ashtrays, animal figurines, charcoal barbecue grills, and other earthenware products. You’ll see them in hotels, homes, and peoples’ gardens wherever you look. Do you want to see who makes them and how? Do you want to take a pottery class and learn from the masters? Head to “Pottery Village”, about 4 km from the Chompet Pier across the Mekong from the UNESCO World Heritage City. Click on photo for video The people in Ban Chan (Pottery) Village have been pumping out hand-made pottery for centuries, and still use their traditional methods today. According to local history, the first Lao King held a huge celebration in Luang Prabang after winning a crucial 16th century battle. For the big party, he asked various villages to bring different items, depending on their area of expertise. Pottery had long been a part of Ban Chan villagers’ lives. They made hai jars for holding water, rice wine and whisky, and fermented fish. So, the king requested Ban Chan bring clay pots. To this day, Ban Chan villagers continue to churn out earthenware products…and they are pros. Visitors can easily follow this age-old process at Pottery Village. As you walk around the village, you’ll find what seems like an endless supply of clay in pits. Villagers dig out the clay, refine it, and mix it with water so they can work with it. They may put it on a foot-powered wheel to throw a pot, or mold it by hand into a shape. They then use hand-made tools to decorate the surface of their pot or figurine, while it is still wet. Next, the clay masters dry their work until it is hard and can easily be picked up. Meanwhile, everyone helps prepare the underground wood-fired kiln located at the far end of the village. This takes a lot of effort, and the entire village pitches in to heat up the kiln to the required temperature. They must also maintain the fire for several days to ensure it remains at the correct temperature. Finally, they stack the dried pottery in the kiln, and fire the products for up to four days. They will also glaze it with colors if required. The tour ends at the Ban Chan shop, where finished products are on display to view and purchase. You’ll find bowls of all sizes that you can use in the kitchen, pots for plants, lanterns molded in animal shapes, and knickknacks for your shelves or for gifts. Plus, Lao Pottery House and tour operators can arrange classes for you to try your hand at this ancient art. For more information on Ban Chan tours, contact Lao Pottery House Website: www.laopotteryhouse.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/Laopotteryhouse Email: potteryhouse56@gmail.com WhatsApp/Tel: +856 20 5224 4661 How to Get to Ban Chan Pottery Village Click on photo for Google Map Lao Pottery House tours come with hotel transfers. FITs can take a bicycle or motorbike, and cross the Mekong to Chompet on the Xieng Mane Ferry. Then follow the main road, take the first left, and continue for about 4km. Ban Chan and the Lao Pottery House is in the left (see map). You can also hire a driver. Travel Guide To find a certified LaoSafe business in Luang Prabang, click on the links below. Accommodation Food & Beverage Tour Guides Drivers How to Get to Luang Prabang *Note: Schedules are constantly changing. Please directly contact the transportation providers for the most current schedule. Flights from Vientiane Lao Airlines: Daily flights as of 1 July 2022 Lao Skyway: Four flights per week as of 1 July 2022 Direct Flights from Bangkok Lao Airlines: Three flights per week as of 1 July 2022 Thai AirAsia: Three flights per week as of 1 July 2022 Train from Vientiane Lao-China Railway: Three daily departures
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Luxury Camp @ Green Jungle Park Opens in Luang Prabang
The Lao Green Group has opened Luxury Camp @ Green Jungle Park to add an accommodation element to the 25-hectare natural adventure playground located about 15 km (45 minutes) from Luang Prabang Town. The 19-sqm twin and double luxury bungalows feature terraces presenting mountain or courtyard views, and all offer easy access to the swimming pool. The wheelchair accessible cabins present wood-trimmed interiors that host a modern bath, plush beds, picture windows, air conditioning, and standard amenities and toiletries. Guests also receive a complimentary continental breakfast. Luxury Camp @ Green Jungle Park also offers cozy tents that form a circle around a community activity area. Guests can cook their own meals on a barbecue for a picnic on the grounds, and meet with friends and other guests around a campfire at night. Tent camping is a hit among families and budget travelers, who want access to modern facilities. Special rates are available for incentive groups. https://www.airasia.com Facilities include a restaurant and bar, café, a playground for wooden stilt stick walking, 24-hour front desk, free WiFi, free parking, a smoking area, and transfers from town and the airport. Guests at Luxury Camp @ Green Jungle Park are also eligible for discounts for nature-based activities at the ASEAN Green Enterprise Award-winning Green Jungle Park. Click on photo for short video Green Jungle Park opened in 2015 in Chompet District across the Mekong from Luang Prabang Town, and has since become a favorite daytrip for locals and foreign tourists. Visitors stroll along a nature trail through a well-manicured garden presenting some 1,500 flower species. Several food stalls dot the walkway, which takes in a community market and the park’s restaurant. Elephant rides are also available for a journey around the grounds. The path goes further to the base of the 100-meter-high Hoi Khua (100 Families) Waterfall for great photo and selfie ops, while the more rugged can take a challenging three-hour trek to the top for views of the valley. Thrill seekers of all ages can tackle an aerial obstacle course that includes a tree-top loop with 14 stations between suspended rope-and-net bridges and swinging walkways, as well as a 1-km zip-line circuit with a dozen landing stations. Luxury Camp @ Green Jungle Park presents the perfect natural respite during a visit to Luang Prabang and the bucket-list stops along the tourist trail. Contact Luxury Camp @ Green Jungle Park Website: www.greenjunglepark.com Reservations: rsvn@greenjunglepark.com Corporate: md@greenjunglepark.com WhatsApp/Tel: +856 20 5844 3668, 20 5867 7617 How to Get to Luxury Camp @ Green Jungle Park Click on photo for Google Map Green Jungle Park offers transfers from the airport and town. Visit their website for the latest transfer schedules and to book a transfer. FITs can hire a driver. Those renting a motorcycle need to take the Xieng Mane Ferry across the Mekong River and follow the main road (see map). Travel Guide To find a certified LaoSafe business in Luang Prabang, click on the links below. Accommodation Food & Beverage Tour Guides Drivers How to Get to Luang Prabang *Note: Schedules are constantly changing. Please directly contact the transportation providers for the most current schedule. Flights from Vientiane Lao Airlines: Daily flights as of 1 July 2022 Lao Skyway: Four flights per week as of 1 July 2022 Direct Flights from Bangkok Lao Airlines: Three flights per week as of 1 July 2022 Thai AirAsia: Three flights per week as of 1 July 2022 Train from Vientiane Lao-China Railway: Three daily departures
