Published on Dec, 2024
Our guide Tony was well organised, spoke excellent English and had devised a full and enjoyable itinerary. An early pick up allowed us to enjoy the Elephant Village before any other tourists arrived. Bathing the elephants in the river was an undoubted highlight of our trip so far (extra cost) Feeding the elephants and getting up close to them was an experience we will never forget. The conservation work within the village was well explained by Tony including the elephant hospital and paper making from elephant dung!
On our way to Kuang Si waterfall, we stopped at a Hmong village where the guide Bon gave us an excellent explanation of Hmong life with the opportunity to operate equipment used by the Hmong to grind corn, de-husk rice and fire arrows from a hunting crossbow. This was a brilliant insight into Hmong life culminating in a guided tour around a typical Hmong house. From there, we drove to the Kuang Si waterfall. Do not be put off by the number of tour vans in the car park, the waterfall area is vast and only a small number of people actually swim in the beautiful turquoise water. Do tackle the 542 steps to the top and do pay the extra 30,000 Kip to access the viewing platform while enjoying a well earned coffee at the View Cafe. We enjoyed a light lunch at one of the many BBQ stalls in the base station area. An unexpected bonus was the Asian Black Bear or Moon Bear reserve which you walk through on the way to the falls.
On our way back we stopped to enjoy some buffalo milk ice cream which was delicious but be warned, portions are generous!
Although not part of the tour itinerary Tony explained that it was Hmong New Year and that a big festival was being held over 4 days to celebrate, would we like to go? Of course we said yes, and so enjoyed another unexpected bonus. Many of the Hmong were wearing traditional dress presenting a highly colourful spectacle. Throughout the day Tony and our driver Mong were fantastic company and made our day so very special. Ever willing to take pictures and to guard our bags when we went swimming, Tony was awesome! Mong's ability to navigate the potholes on the local roads proved her driving skills beyond doubt. A great combination of guide and driver.
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