Asia

Sabai dee and welcome to this guide to Travel in Laos. Laos is a small country in South-East Asia, somewhat overshadowed by its neighbours Thailand and Cambodia, which has managed to develop without becoming tourism-dependent. This doesn’t in any way mean that it’s not worth visiting! Picture a landscape of rice paddies as far as the eye can see, where it’s not unusual to see water buffalo working the land. It’s a country where the beauty of the stormy skies mingles perfectly with the waters of the rivers. The people are unbelievably kind. Buddhism is omnipresent and governs every stage of life. It’s a country where you can switch off from normal life, chill out, take your time and just listen to the rice grow. It’s a country that’s simply a delight to travel in. You’re not imagining it: a stay in Laos is an exquisite and timeless experience. You will be charmed by the sublime Luang Prabang. The former capital houses magnificent temples and monasteries, interspersed with a wonderful natural landscape of hills and the waters of the Mekong. The Mekong, or ‘mother of water’ is sure to be the common thread that runs through your trip to Laos, as you follow its winding course by bus, by car and above all by boat, one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the ancient kingdom of a million elephants…

Laos

Xiengkhouang

Being on the other side of the Mekong than Pakse, it's a great departure point if you're heading to Wat Phou Champassak. The village itself is not void of interest, and you'll be enchanted by a short stay here.

Champassak

Khong

Muang Sing is a pretty village miles from anywhere, about 2 hours from Luang Nam Tha and lost in the countryside of northern Laos. 

Muang Sing

Located on the banks of the Mekong River, the  Pakou Caves are a place of pilgrimage. 

Pakou

Kazakhstan

Taiwan

Tajikistan

Turkmenistan

Europe

Central America

Africa

North America

South America

Middle East

Oceania

I don't think the Pak Ou cave is an essential part of your <a href="/laos/">trip to Laos</a>, but rather a place that is very important for the locals. I went alone and I think it would be interesting to have a guide so you can understand what's important about the place.  However, it's a nice place to go for a walk and take photos of the beautiful view you have from the top of the mountain. You should combine the visit to Pak Ou with a day on the Mekong, but don't expect a cave like the ones you can see in England, it's just a little cavity nestling high up in a mountain.

Pak Ou is a cave near Luang Prabang. It's a very sacred place for the Laotians who come once a year to bless the Buddha statues.

The Pakou Caves are unique in Laos. The first cave overlooks the Mekong River. Over the years, thousands of statues of Buddha have been offered by the faithful to create a spectacular sight. The second cave is deeper. It is possible to rent a torch for those who haven't got their own. Examining the cave walls to find gold leaf images of Buddha makes you feel a little like an explorer. The elephant conservation centre is situated opposite the Pakou Caves. A ride on the back of an elephant and the elephant bath in the Mekong River will make for an incredible memory of your trip to Laos. I would advise against bareback riding because of the risk of a fall that could spoil the rest of your trip. But I really think that you should not miss this opportunity to come into contact with these majestic animals during your <a href="/laos/">stay in Laos</a>.

Located on the banks of the Mekong River, the Pakou Caves are a place of pilgrimage.

If you're in Luang Prabang, there's no excuse for not visiting this site. My tour of the Pak Ou caves was one of the highlights of my <a href="/laos/">trip to Laos</a>. C'mon, let me give you a guided tour. Pak Ou is a magnificent site carved into a cliff overlooking the Mekong. You need to cross the river by dugout canoe in order to reach the caves. In olden times they were inhabited by hermits. Today they're a a pilgrimage site, where worhippers come to leave statues of Buddha as part of the Laotian New Year celebrations. The caves currently house more than 6,000! And the view over the Mekong is stunning. "Shhh, be quiet! Listen! Can you hear it? Chanting, prayers? Let's check it out!". It's the sound of monks praying. The view, the place, the monks, the chants...it's magical. It's enchanting. An experience you shouldn't miss.

At 35km from Luang Prabang, Pak Ou is home to stunning Buddhist caves that are carved into a cliff face. Inside, you'll find thousands of Buddha statues overlooking a breathtaking view of the Mekong.

Pakou Vacations

Pakou: How to get there?

Pakou: See when to go ?

Pakou: For how long?

Pakou: What to see nearby?