Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The best way to experience the park is on an organized tour ; a do-it-yourself tour won't
allow you to penetrate the interior of the park to the degree a professionally organized ex-
pedition can. The chief highlight of many of the tours is the journey by kayak through the
wonderfully dramatic Kong Lo Cave , a natural 7km river tunnel through a limestone karst
mountain into a hidden valley. Bring a torch and some rubber flip-flops as it can be necessary
to wade through the shallower stretches of the river.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: KHAMMOUANE LIMESTONE NBCA
By bus It's possible (if complicated) to get as far as Kong Lo Cave using public transport.
A sawngthaew leaves Phetmany Market in Thakhek each morning at around 7.30am, bound
for Lak Xao. Ask to get off at Khoun Kham, and change to a southbound sawngthaew for the
final stretch to Kong Lo Cave. Getting back to Thakhek on the same day is impossible, so
plan on staying there for at least one night.
On a tour Organized tours within Khammouane Limestone NBCA operate out of Thakhek
and Vientiane (see Travel/tour agencies ) , and generally include kayaking, hiking and village
stays . Do-it-yourself tours from Thakhek are also easily arranged and affordable - contact
the tourist office in Thakhek.
ACCOMMODATION
L'AubergeSalaHineBoun On the banks of the Nam Hin Poun river; it's reached by taking
a tuk-tuk from Na Hin (on Route 8) to Ban Na Phouak on the northern boundary of the
NBCA, and then a boat up the Nam Hin Poun ($15; 2hr) 020 755220, salalao.com . This
eco-resort within the park has comfortable bungalows and is within easy day-hiking distance
of a number of hill-tribe villages, Tham Thieng cave and Kong Lo Cave. Kayak excursions
through the underground river can be arranged here, though a cheaper option, especially if
you're travelling solo, is to arrive at the cave with your own transport and wa it u ntil you can
split the cost of a longtail boat and driver (around $10) with other sightseers. $23
< Back to South central Laos
Savannakhet
SAVANNAKHET (known locally as “Savan”) is one of the country's largest cities, and the
surrounding area that makes up Savannakhet province, stretching from the Mekong river to
the Annamite Mountains, is Laos's most populous region; for centuries the inhabitants fought
off designs on their territory from both Vietnam and Thailand. The city is also south central
Laos's most visited provincial capital, its popularity with travellers due in part to its central
location on the overland route between Vientiane and Pakse and between Thailand and Viet-
nam, the two countries linked to each other by a 240km-long road originally carved by the
French. At the time of writing, work had just begun on a high-speed rail line linking Savan-
nakhet with the Vietnamese border town of Lao Bao. The controversial project would slash
 
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