I visited Laos after a enterprise journey to Singapore earlier this yr. This landlocked nation has been on my radar for a very long time. I stayed in Luang Prabang for six nights and did five-day journeys from there. One in all today I employed a automotive and drove to the Kuang Si Falls within the morning. After lunch I drove by way of the agricultural areas on the opposite facet of the Mekong River. Be a part of me on this should do tour round Luang Prabang.
Kuang Si Falls day journey
The Kuang Si Falls are flowing a lot of the yr in contrast to the Tad Sae Waterfall which was dry. I solely visited the Kuang Si Falls for that purpose.
How one can get to the Kuang Si Falls
They’re positioned just below 30 kilometers from Luang Prabang and simply reached by taxi or bike. I nevertheless employed a automotive and drove there myself as later that day I might cross the river for some rural life sightseeing. The journey takes about an hour however earlier than my arrival I made first a cease on the inexperienced rice fields. Most fields are dry as a consequence of lack of rain however this space has pure water sources which make two harvests a yr attainable. The views are wonderful and might’t be missed; it’s on the final flip you are taking to the falls.
Once I arrived on the waterfalls I needed to pay a -very- small quantity to some man that appeared to manage the parking zone. I don’t bear in mind the doorway worth to be trustworthy because it was so little. Low-cost, because the native costs, which isn’t all the time the case like in Indonesia the place vacationer pay ten occasions extra.
Animals at Kuang Si Falls
It’s a brief stroll to the falls both over a paved street or by way of a jungle path. There are a number of cages with bears and different wildlife; attention-grabbing however not a serious factor. The falls are fairly idyllic and once I arrived on the lowest terrace I had a small wow second. They ARE stunning.
Decrease terraces
Swimming within the decrease terrace will not be ideally suited however the second and third terraces have nice choices to swim. The turquoise blue water contrasts stunning with the luxurious inexperienced timber. The water will get the attractive blue coloration as a result of vital variety of minerals.
Principal terrace of falls
I walked as much as the primary terrace of the Kuang Si Falls. It’s attainable to swim right here however I’m not so keen on swimming so I simply watched the individuals whereas having fun with some chilly drink I cooled within the automotive. It’s an incredible spot for selfies or unique tropical images as you possibly can see within the photograph beneath. I continued as much as the primary waterfall of the Kuang Si Falls.
Kuang Si major waterfall
The principle fall is 60 meters excessive and it’s attainable to go to the highest to see three different smaller falls. I remained on the backside because it was method to scorching to go all the way in which up. It additionally didn’t slot in my schedule as I needed to stroll round a bit extra and experiment with pictures of flowing water. After two to a few hours I completed and determined to return to Luang Prabang to get lunch and cross the Mekong River.
Luang Prabang Rural Nation Facet Life
Rural life in Laos is attention-grabbing in comparison with neighboring international locations as its a lot much less developed and doesn’t see that many vacationers. The easiest way to expertise the native life is to cross the Mekong River from Luang Prabang.
Driving a automotive in Laos
I like to recommend hiring a 4×4 as some roads are robust however this additionally is dependent upon the place you go. A day lease for a 4×4 was about 50 euro which wasn’t way more as taking a automotive with driver. I wasn’t even requested for my driver’s license I solely needed to hand over my passport which I obtained again once I returned the automotive.
Meking River ferry crossing
To cross the Mekong River from Luang Prabang you must pay a small price however that’s mainly nothing. It’s a small journey on a ferry that to me seemed prefer it might sink anytime.
The native persons are curious as they don’t appear to see many foreigners. Native youngsters coming back from college checked out me with faces “what the hell is he doing right here”. Remember the fact that the locals don’t communicate English. I had a “tour information” with me to translate the conversations I had with the locals. It’s a bit unusual to drive your self and have a information subsequent to you 🙂 However we had enjoyable.
Driving Laos nation facet
My recommendation is to only drive round however be sure to take the street that circles round (see additionally the GPS map beneath). You will notice youngsters on motorbikes, ladies washing garments within the river and farmers working the land. In a small village I ended as there have been pigs strolling round. I requested for the worth, however they gave a to excessive worth – as per my information – so I didn’t purchase one. I desire beef anyway. It was burning season which implies farmers burn the rice fields. Smog is hanging within the air all over the place as you possibly can see on a lot of the footage; brown yellow skies. For those who drive the roads I did you’ll cross an space with a pure supply of water the place the fields are inexperienced. Right here the farmers do two or three harvests a yr. I suppose the farmland is price extra right here too. All-in I drove for about 3-4 hours round earlier than I headed again to Luang Prabang.
For those who go to Luang Prabang, the cultural capital of Laos, you will need to make a tour to the Kuang Si Falls. I like to recommend additionally hiring a 4×4 and drive by way of the agricultural space on the opposite facet of the Mekong River. It’s an incredible expertise to be taught in regards to the locals. I had an incredible day journey and on the finish of the day I went again to my luxurious resort: The Belmond Luang Prabang Residence Phou Vao. I did many extra day journey in and round Luang Prabang which I’ll share with you in separate posts. Laos is a gorgeous nation, and I have to return to go to different areas someday quickly.
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Gallery Kuang Si Falls
Click on a picture for a full display gallery of extra images taken throughout this journey. For those who like to make use of any photograph for industrial, personal or editorial use please contact first for permission and/or pricing.