luciehayes
newbie
Posts: 4

#1 Posted: 15/12/2006 - 17:07


We recently had a fantastic experience on this trip from Vietiane.

Organising it through a tour company, or calling Ban Na village, it is possible to arrange for a couple of guides to take you to the observation tower on the edge of the Phao Khuey National Park and then spend the night there awaiting wild elephants. Our trip was well organised through the staff at Ban Pako Guesthouse/Bungalows (another good stay within an hour of Vientiane).

Our guides were great and looked after us well on our overnight stay at the tower (lao lao included for free!!!). Having read the visitor book in the observation tower, it seems it is quite likely that the elephants won't turn up. However, if they do turn up (as happened for us), then the experience is unforgettable. And even if they don't this really is a lovely part of the world to trek through.

We saw over 10 wild elephants in all, including a couple of babies. We were even able to take some great photos and get within a few metres (from the safety of the tower, of course). Truely an unforgettable experience.

The trip isn't the cheapest thing to organise (about 100$ for two people - cheaper per head if there's more of you). However, some of the money goes in to a revolving fund for the village that the villagers can borrow against, and most of the rest goes to the project and the entrance fees for the national park. All in all, a very soundly run and thought through project.

We can send photos of the elephants is you wish. Just make sure and go and see them for yourselves!!!!!