Phou Khao Khouay National Park is located some 70km from Vientiane, and is 2,000 sq km in extent. Within its boundaries are several forest types, mountains, a plateau, lakes, rivers and waterfalls. The park is home to a number of threatened species including tiger, wild elephant and gibbon. It can be split into two distinct areas of interest to visitors, each of which is inaccessible from the other within the National Park.

The southern perimeter, is the most popular part of the National Park for travellers, and is characterised by lodges, wild elephant and waterfalls. The western part of the park and its surroundings sees many fewer visitors, but has some of its own distinctive features and attractions including impressive viewing points overlooking Vientiane Plain and an artificial lake.

While Phou Khao Khouay National Park stretches across both Vientiane and Bolikhamsai provinces, we've included it in the Vientiane sections as you're most likely to be heading here from there.