Post by Laoupdate on May 6, 2005 2:47:11 GMT -5
New Xieng Khuang attraction
Soudalath Phonpachith
Last Sunday the Xieng Khuang tourism office opened a new site for tourist trekkers who want to spend three days and two nights visiting the best of the province, seeing the scenery and experiencing the local lifestyle.
The site that has been added to the trek is the Tad Nam Kha waterfall, near Napheng village, Paek district.
The opening ceremony was attended by 77 people, comprising Xieng Khuang officials, travellers, business people and foreign tourists.
The trek starts at this site, and the route has a two-hour walk along the riverbank to Nam Kha village, and the walk from there to Pha Keo village then takes about three hours.
Another half-hour walk brings trekkers to the Plain of Jars, and to Mai village for boiled sticky rice in bamboo. After that, the explorers can see caves where the revolutionary leaders lived in the liberation war.
The walking party then goes on to Nakoud village to see the lifestyle of the Khmou ethnic group, and Phon Kharm village to see Tai Dam lifestyle. Along the way, the tourist will see deep into the forest.
From there tourists will go to the hot springs at Ban Xang village, where they can rest their aching bunions before taking a vehicle to other sites in Kham district.
The walk takes a total of 22 hours and 20 minutes at an average amble, with six and a half hours of sight-seeing, but the less energetic will be delighted to know that there are overnight stops on the way.
“Trekkers will actually spend three days and two nights on the trip. They will be able to talk with local people and stay one night each at Phon Kharm and Mai villages. All those who have tried it have enjoyed the trip and are recommending it to all their friends,” said Xieng Khuang Tourism Office deputy head Sivilay Oudomsouk.
Sivilay said that the trip is now open for business, and it will be listed as a tourist attraction in the national and international media. There will also be a pocket book guide.
Officials say that they have collected information about the local economy and found that the tour will help development of better living conditions by, for example, allowing the sale of handicrafts.
“Locals can earn money from the programme, as tourists will buy handicrafts and food. They will earn money from tourists who stay overnight – maybe 10,000 kip a person a night,” said Sivilay.
He said that there had already been two tourist groups along the track, who were very satisfied, having seen interesting scenery and historic relics and had contact with the lifestyles of three ethnic groups.
“The price depend on the route; if they cover the distance quickly, they will pay less. The last group paid a total of US$250 for two nights and three days,” said Sivilay.
Source:vientianetimes.org.la
Soudalath Phonpachith
Last Sunday the Xieng Khuang tourism office opened a new site for tourist trekkers who want to spend three days and two nights visiting the best of the province, seeing the scenery and experiencing the local lifestyle.
The site that has been added to the trek is the Tad Nam Kha waterfall, near Napheng village, Paek district.
The opening ceremony was attended by 77 people, comprising Xieng Khuang officials, travellers, business people and foreign tourists.
The trek starts at this site, and the route has a two-hour walk along the riverbank to Nam Kha village, and the walk from there to Pha Keo village then takes about three hours.
Another half-hour walk brings trekkers to the Plain of Jars, and to Mai village for boiled sticky rice in bamboo. After that, the explorers can see caves where the revolutionary leaders lived in the liberation war.
The walking party then goes on to Nakoud village to see the lifestyle of the Khmou ethnic group, and Phon Kharm village to see Tai Dam lifestyle. Along the way, the tourist will see deep into the forest.
From there tourists will go to the hot springs at Ban Xang village, where they can rest their aching bunions before taking a vehicle to other sites in Kham district.
The walk takes a total of 22 hours and 20 minutes at an average amble, with six and a half hours of sight-seeing, but the less energetic will be delighted to know that there are overnight stops on the way.
“Trekkers will actually spend three days and two nights on the trip. They will be able to talk with local people and stay one night each at Phon Kharm and Mai villages. All those who have tried it have enjoyed the trip and are recommending it to all their friends,” said Xieng Khuang Tourism Office deputy head Sivilay Oudomsouk.
Sivilay said that the trip is now open for business, and it will be listed as a tourist attraction in the national and international media. There will also be a pocket book guide.
Officials say that they have collected information about the local economy and found that the tour will help development of better living conditions by, for example, allowing the sale of handicrafts.
“Locals can earn money from the programme, as tourists will buy handicrafts and food. They will earn money from tourists who stay overnight – maybe 10,000 kip a person a night,” said Sivilay.
He said that there had already been two tourist groups along the track, who were very satisfied, having seen interesting scenery and historic relics and had contact with the lifestyles of three ethnic groups.
“The price depend on the route; if they cover the distance quickly, they will pay less. The last group paid a total of US$250 for two nights and three days,” said Sivilay.
Source:vientianetimes.org.la