Mar 10, 2025
The Mekong River is a serious bit of water. It is the world’s twelth-longest river with an estimated length of 4,909 km. From its headwaters in the Tibetan Plateau, the river runs through Southwest China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
Along the way it forms part of the border between China and Myanmar, Myanmar and Laos, Laos and Thailand. Only the Amazon boasts a higher level of bio-diversity. We’ve traveled on it in China and Vietnam, and today it was out turn to travel on it in Laos.
There are three attractions in Luang Prabang that are on everybody’s list – a cruise down the Mekong, a visit to the Pack Ou caves and a visit to the Kuang Si Falls. Unfortunately the falls and the caves are nowhere near each other, so basically you have to come back in to town, and then way back out in the other direction.
Started the morning in usual fashion, collecting (and waiting) for others on your tour group. In our case we went to pick up one group to find that they weren’t even up, so we were forced to wait until they got ready, had breakfast and sauntered out without so much as an apology. Turned out they were 6 older, single, male Israelis. Hmm, ‘nuff said.
A 2 hour cruise up the Mekong in a long boat watching the scenery go by, which was lovely. Had a short stop at a local village where we saw how they made whiskey from rice, while the women wove scarves and rugs.
Eventually got to the Pack Ou caves where 4000 old, dusty statues of Buddha awaited. Not my cup of tea, but the boat trip was nice. Off to a lovely lunch on a river side restaurant, into the waiting bus for an hour and a half back into town and out to the falls.
Certainly the highlight of the day. Multi level falls, with large number of swimming holes where every backpacker in the vicinity was taking full advantage. Hundred of motor cycles in the carpark.
Eventually another long and slow bus trip back to town, where we skipped dinner and basically flaked out.
Kuang Si Falls
Kuang Si Falls
Local village crafts
Pak Ou Caves
Pak Ou Caves
Our Longboat