– By Ophelie. 3mn reading –
Travel tips to Pha Thao cave, Vang Vieng
- Fee 10.000 Kip (1$)
- Get a headlamp at the entrance
- By motorbike: 11km out of Vang Vieng
- From Vang Vieng: Rte 13, then follow the sign and take the path
Off the beaten track in Laos, Phao Thao cave: the cave you visit on your own
My travel mate in Laos had the talent to find unique places to travel to. And I liked him (among other things) a lot for that. So, what’s the big deal with this secret place, near Vang Vieng?
Well, it’s simply a cave, left as it is… no touristic installations, no gift shop, no tour guide. And that’s the awesome thing of this unique place! Just a guy at the entrance of a path leading to the cave. Who will casually give you a headlamp and show you the way. Drop the small talk in English, not going to work out. We walk towards the dark hole, at the bottom of the mountain, rising up in front of us.
Let’s say that I was a bit sceptic. So, we go like this to a cave, with just a lamp, you and me? Yes, baby. It’s pitch dark when you enter the cave. Here comes the lamp in play. And show me a giant spider! Super cool… Spiders are my favourite animals, even more in a cave (love sarcasm). Despite the spider, I’m totally thrilled by this place, completely off the beaten track in Laos. With the lamp, we head up forwards. And explore the cave, as we want it.
It’s a small cave, with a kind of defined path. You can’t really get lost. Of course, be careful. Progress slowly and keep the lamp on your front head. It’s a weird feeling. To be the two of us alone inside a cave, just as if we discovered it! Untouched piece of earth. A unique travel experience, as we rarely find nowadays.
A few Buddha sessions, hello my spider friend on the way back, and we’re out again. A place off the beaten track, which you can’t forget!
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