Vientiane and the northwest - The Rough Guide to Laos - page 138

VANG VIENG ACTIVITIES AND TOURS
The countryside around Vang Vieng is full of enough day-trip options to easily fill a week.
Scores of caves in limestone karst outcrops, tranquil lowland Lao and minority villages,
and Kaeng Yui Waterfall, all make worthy destinations for a rewarding day's hike (if walk-
ing isn't your thing, you can rent bicycles or motorbikes from various outlets around town),
while the Nam Song River makes for a fun afternoon of tubing , kayaking or rafting - tubes
can be rented from the shop near the post office.
If you decide to visit the caves on your own, it's worth getting hold of a plastic map from
the tourist office in town (10,000K), which will show you the location of the caves and
trails. Otherwise just ask around; everyone in Vang Vieng has their favourite cave, swim-
ming hole or countryside getaway. The local people are more than happy to point you in the
right direction, and other travellers will also enthusiastically recommend the best places.
KAYAKING AND RAFTING
GreenDiscovery Kangmuong St 023 511230, greendiscoverylaos.com . Offers a wide
range of well-run trips, which mix kayaking with trekking and caving. The “Secret Eden”
trip, taking in some spectacular scenery, is available as a one- or two-day excursion. From
$28 per person.
TCK Amazing Tours On the main river road 023 511691, tckadventureslaos.com .
Popular half-day kayaking trips along the Nam Song River, passing some of the bars that
tubers drink at, plus quieter stretches of the river. $12 per person.
ROCK CLIMBING
Central Climber School In the centre of town, near Whopping Burger 020 5401 8005,
[e-mail] . Runs two half-day climbing tours per day (at 9am and
1pm), with English-speaking guides and prices dependent on how much gear you need to
borrow.
Green Discovery Kangmuong St 023 511230, greendiscoverylaos.com . Half-day,
one-day and three-day climbing courses with routes graded from 5a to 8a+. It's also pos-
sible to hire gear on a day-by-day basis ($35 per day for a full set of gear for two people).
BALLOONING
Balloons Over Vang Vieng 020 9691 8111, laoballooning.com . Hot-air balloon
flights offering unrivalled views over Vang Vieng's limestone karsts from October to April
each year. Rides last 40mins, and are bookable through guesthouses and travel agents
around town. $70 per person.