Laos may be a landlocked Southeast Asian country but it is not locked to beauty and fun. Boarded by other famous tourist top travel destinations like China, Burma, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand, Laos has got its share of splendour too. Its picturesque landscape has held tourists in awe since the county was opened to tourism and promises much more.
Laos is not only a picturesque place, but also a destination packed with adventure activities. From rock climbing to mountain biking or caving, here’s providing you with a list of activities that are sure to give you an adrenaline rush.
Rock climbing
Though rock climbing is not a very old activity in Laos, it one that is pulling hikers, adventures sportsmen and ordinary fun lovers alike. There are two main places in Laos where rock climbing is permitted though others are also opening and coming up. The two places are Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang. Vang Vieng is the more popular of the two, probably since it combines fun with its amazing limestone landscape. In Luang Prabang, rock climbing takes place at Gecko Wall. In all these places, you don’t have to carry rock climbing equipment since you can hire them on site. There are also instructors and guides available to make your adventure safe and fun.
Caving
Caving is a popular activity in Laos. Laos’ limestone caves engrave a rich ancient history as well as natural beauty. Laos boasts one of the biggest shares of caves in Southeast Asia. Konglor Cave in central Laos’ Khammouane Province is one of the most magnificent of all. There are several other caves in Khammouane where you can have great time. Other places with great caves ideal for caving are Vang Vieng and Luang Namtha where you can visit Phou Prasat and Tham Kao Rao cave. Than Pa Fa is another famous cave where 229 Buddha images were discovered in 2004 and one of the most visited places. You can visit these caves unguided or you can pay a little fee to have a guided tour of the caves.
Mountain biking
Mountain biking is an eco-friendly activity that lets you enjoy the view of Laos closely and at the same time improve your physical health. One great thing about mountain biking in Laos is that hiring a mountain bike is as cheap as one dollar per day! With that you get a well serviced bike with gears. There are various places and courses that you can venture into. You can also choose the level of difficult depending on your capability. Mountain biking can range from light cycling to difficult mountain biking. Some of the places where mountain biking is popular are Vang Vieng , Luang Prabang, Luang Namtha among others.
Cycling
For those who prefer light and fun activities, then cycling is the thing for them. Cycling is one of the most popular activities in the whole of Laos. Vehicular traffic is quite less in rural areas and so you will find many people moving from one place to another using bicycles. For tourists, there are a number tour agencies, groups and individuals who organize for cycling tours around Laos. These tours can range from one day long to more than three weeks and can go all the way beyond boarders to Hanoi. The most common starting points are Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang. And with bike rent at a dollar a day, why not cycle your way to the Guinness Book of fun!
Whitewater rafting
Rafting is a water adventure activity that will pump your adrenaline. With such a rugged terrain like the one found in Laos, you expect to find some great white-water rapids especially during the rainy seasons. On the northern part of Laos to Nam Ha-Nam Tha, in Uantha Province, you will find faster rapids especially during the monsoon season. But if you prefer friendlier rapids, then visit Laos between October and March. One of the most popular locations for rafting is the tributaries of the Mekong River around Luang Prabang. Other places include Nam Khan, Nam Suang, Nam Ou, Nam Ming, and Nam Pa rivers. And if you are not confident about your rafting skills, don’t worry about safety as tour companies offering this service have in place world class safety standards. So, that leaves you with no excuse; raft off in style!