The Best of Cambodia & Laos

The Amazing Mountain Journey to Luang Prabang
The road journey from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang is one of the most spectacular
journeys in Asia. Among aficionados of two-wheeled travel whether selfpropelled
(and you would have to be a serious cyclist to undertake it) or on a
motorcycle, Rte. 13 is famous for its spectacular winding roads and mountain
views of simply unbelievable beauty. You start by driving along the banks of the
Nam Song River. The jagged karst formations you see in Vang Vieng continue.
This area is peppered with caves and if you have time you can stop off and
explore. Bear in mind that you still have 250km (155 miles) of winding roads to
go. The elevation starts to get higher and the limestone outcrops get bigger.
Once past the town of Kasi they are much bigger indeed, jungled walls rising
vertically from the valley like a giant tidal wave of solid rock. As you wind your
way up to Poukhoun this dramatic scenery is laid out below you: a huge green
carpet of natural peaks, abrupt precipices, and sharp ridges wreathed with wisps
of cloud, and lit by intense sunshine. Just before Poukhoun itself a viewing platform
has been constructed, and it is a great place to get an early lunch and take
in this natural amphitheater. Once past Poukhoun the mountain scenery starts to
change. Sharp and jagged limestone gives way to huge, rounded mountains
stretching far into the distance. You make your way along roads cut into the hillside,
each turn revealing yet another astounding view. The whole route is lined
with small villages of varying ethnicity where hundreds of children wave maniacally,
which you are free to reciprocate if it’s safe. In the late afternoon you slowly
start to descend into the mountain panorama itself until you reach the valley
floor. Again a straight wooded road takes you along the banks of the Nam Khan
River and into Luang Prabang.
being treated to some of the finest views Asia has to offer. Along the way are bamboo
restaurants, rope swings, and volleyball courts.
Note: Tubing while intoxicated or during inclement weather is dangerous—don’t do
it. Also, women should not spend too much time wandering around only in a bikini. The
Lao are modest and it offends them, however used to it they may seem.
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VANG VIENG & SURROUNDING AREA 12
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