Kong Lor Cave

Kong Lor Cave is located in the Khammouane region in central Laos, within the Phou Hin Boun protected area. This astonishing 7.5-kilometre-long limestone cave was formed by the Hin Boun River, which flows peacefully all year round. Over several thousand years, turquoise water seeped into the cave, which is now around 30 m wide and ranges from 20 to 100 m in height! It may occasionally be closed from late July to late August during the rainy season, depending on the water level. It is one of the most beautiful natural sites to discover in Laos!

Kong Lor Cave: ທ່າແຂກ

Visit Kong Lor Cave

Accompanied by a local guide and a boatman, visitors have the opportunity to explore this natural wonder. The visit starts from Ban Khounkham, the “gateway” to Tham Kong Lo. From there, you will board a motorised longtail boat and head deep into the heart of the dark cave. For nearly 8 kilometres, the boat moves forward carefully along the river that winds through the cave. Inside, birds and bats live side by side and, so they say, it is also the sanctuary of the largest spiders in the world! The cave has been fitted out to make it easier for tourists to get around, while preserving its natural formations. You will explore it with headlamps, and spotlights have been installed so you can enjoy this incredible spectacle even more. It is breathtaking! Some sections must be done on foot, to get a closer look at the stalagmites and stalactites that have formed over time. As the ground can be slippery, we recommend wearing suitable shoes.

Khammouane: ຖ້ຳກອງລໍ

Kong Lor Cave

Where to stay in Kong Lor?

If you would like to stay in a hotel in Kong Lor, we suggest the Spring River Resort. Surrounded by nature, the hotel enjoys an exceptional location on the banks of the Hinboun River. The 16 stilt bungalows set in the middle of the tropical garden offer breathtaking views of the river, the forest and the karst mountains. You can relax and sit on the restaurant terrace, where you will be served Thai, Lao and Western specialities. What is more, the Resort is only 30 minutes by boat from Kong Lor Cave. If the hotel of your choice is not included in your Laos itinerary, please let us know. Your satisfaction and wishes are our priority, and we tailor the accommodation for your made-to-measure trip to Laos to suit your specific preferences.

What to see around Kong Lor?

Kong Lor (or Kong Lo) is a peaceful little hamlet in the middle of the rice fields, surrounded by karst mountains. It can be reached via a small, steep mountain road from Vientiane or Thakhek. At nightfall, the starry display is incredible!

You can continue your excursion on the other side of the cave by visiting the surrounding villages on foot or by bicycle. The village of Natan and the Kong Lor valley have very flat roads, making it easy to get around by bike. Along the way, stop at local craft shops to take home a few treasures. On the other side, in Natan, you can stay overnight with a local family to experience local life! For sporty travellers, hiking trails are accessible with your local guide. What is more, you may not spot them as they are very discreet, but many animals live around the cave: monkeys, bears, leopards and other wildlife.

Thakhek is the nearest major town to Kong Lor and the starting point for many excursions. It is visited for its French houses dating from the colonial era and for walks along the Mekong to admire the sunset.

Khammouane Province

Visit Kong Lor with Asia Safari Laos

Because every trip to Laos should be unique, our team of French-speaking travel advisors is here to help you organise your stay in Kong Lor. We assist you in choosing your accommodation, transport and activities to best match your expectations. Our services offer a different way to discover the Khammouane region, off the beaten track.

Our tailor-made travel ideas

Tour From the South to Vientiane by road

From the South to Vientiane by road
(11 days)

Tour Southern Laos, sporty version

Southern Laos, sporty version
(15 days)

Tour Ethnic groups of Northern Laos

Ethnic groups of Northern Laos
(9 days)

Tour Laos from North to South

Laos from North to South
(12 days)

Do you wish to discover Laos?
REQUEST A QUOTE (FREE)

Follow our adventures

Travellife partner

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive all our travel news.

    Why choose Asia Safari for your trip to Laos?

    Asia Safari is not a generalist tour operator based in France. We have been on site, in Vientiane, for over 25 years. Our guides are Lao, our accommodations are hand-picked, and each itinerary is tailor-made. The result: a vibrant, fair trip, without unnecessary frills.

    • Local French-speaking agency: we speak your language and know the country from the inside
    • Zero intermediaries: you deal directly with the local team
    • Truly tailor-made: no fixed catalog — each trip is unique
    • 25+ years of experience: founded in 2002, Asia Safari assists hundreds of French-speaking travelers every year

    How does our tailor-made service work?

    1. You send us your request (dates, budget, desires, profile)
    2. We build a proposal within 48 hours — day-by-day itinerary, accommodations, all-inclusive price
    3. You refine it with us until the trip is perfect
    4. We manage everything on site: guides, transport, hotels, activities

    When to visit Laos?

    The best period is October to April — dry season, pleasant temperatures. The rainy season (May to September) is also possible: lush landscapes and fewer tourists, but some roads can be difficult. Asia Safari advises you according to the region and type of trip.

    A 10-day trip to Laos with intermediate comfort generally costs between €1,500 and €2,500 per person (excluding international flights). Asia Safari prepares a personalized proposal according to your budget and accommodation preferences.

    French, Belgian, Swiss, and Canadian nationals can obtain a Visa on Arrival at major airports and border crossings. The visa costs approximately 30 to 35 USD and is valid for 30 days.

    Yes, absolutely. Laos is one of the safest and most family-friendly countries in Southeast Asia. Asia Safari adapts the pace, accommodations, and activities according to the children’s age.

    Asia Safari is a French-speaking agency. All our guides speak French, and we can assist you entirely in French, from trip design to arrival on site.

    A minimum of 10 days is recommended to discover the essentials (Luang Prabang, Vang Vieng, Vientiane). A stay of 15 to 18 days also allows covering Southern Laos (Champassak, 4000 Islands).

    Laos, the heart of your Indochina tour

    Laos is often the surprise of a trip: uncrowded, authentic, with a quiet beauty. Asia Safari makes Laos much more than a stopover — we make it the central experience of your stay, before or after Vietnam, Cambodia, or Thailand.

    Our most requested Indochina combinations

    Laos + Cambodia: A classic — temples of Luang Prabang and Angkor Wat, Mekong and Tonlé Sap. 15 days minimum recommended.
    Laos + Vietnam: Two contrasting countries — the calm of Laos and the energy of Vietnam. From Hanoi to Vientiane or vice versa.
    Northern Laos + Yunnan: For travelers seeking originality — travel from Yunnan to Laos via the Laos-China railway (inaugurated 2021).
    Grand Indochina Tour (40 days): Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand — a memorable trip for life.

    Tips for preparing your multi-country tour

    Visas: each country has its own rules — Asia Safari guides you through all procedures.
    Ideal duration: allow a minimum of 12 to 15 days for a 2-country combination.
    Seasons: seasons vary by country — we help you choose the best window.
    Budget: prices vary greatly by country. Laos is cheaper than Vietnam or Thailand.

    Laos naturally combines with Vietnam (land border), Thailand (Mekong ferry or Friendship Bridge), Cambodia (via plane or Mekong boat), and China (Boten-Vientiane train). Asia Safari designs the smoothest itinerary based on your starting point.

    For a Laos + Vietnam or Laos + Cambodia tour, allow a minimum of 15 to 18 days. The Grand Indochina Tour (4 countries) requires 30 to 40 days to be enjoyed without rushing.

    Yes. Asia Safari organizes all logistics: domestic flights, airport transfers, boats, trains — everything is included in your tailor-made proposal.

    Absolutely. Asia Safari welcomes solo travelers as well as couples, families, or small groups of friends. Each trip is designed for you.

    Yes. We adapt the pace, accommodations, and activities for senior travelers. Laos, in particular, is a gentle, unhurried country, ideal for travelers who prefer depth over speed.

    Our Story

    Jean-Paul Duvergé arrived in Laos at the turn of the 2000s, fell in love with the country, and decided to stay. In 2002, he founded Asia Safari with a simple idea: to offer French-speaking travelers direct access to authentic Lao life, without the filter of large Parisian agencies. Since then, the agency has assisted thousands of travelers, built a network of trusted guides and partners, and refined its philosophy: rigorous tailor-made travel, serving authenticity.

    What sets us apart

    We are on site: Our team works from Vientiane. We know the roads, seasons, accommodations, guides — and what changed last week. No outdated brochures.
    We speak your language: Asia Safari is a 100% French-speaking agency. All our communications, proposals, and guides speak French.
    Zero intermediaries: You work directly with us. No central purchasing, no Parisian subcontractors. Fairer prices and higher service quality.
    Tailor-made as our only model: We do not have standardized tours. Each trip is designed from scratch, according to your dates, budget, desires, and traveler profile.

    Our commitment

    Asia Safari actively supports responsible tourism in Laos: prioritizing local accommodations, tours that benefit village communities, respect for cultural and natural sites.

    Asia Safari is a Lao receptive agency, based in Vientiane. It was founded by a Frenchman, Jean-Paul Duvergé, and its team is Franco-Lao. We work exclusively from Laos, not from France.

    You can contact us via the contact form on our website, by email, or by phone. Our team usually responds within 24 to 48 business hours.

    Asia Safari specializes in individual travel and small groups (family, friends). We can organize groups upon request, but our core business remains tailor-made travel for 1 to 10 people.

    Asia Safari accepts international bank transfers. Payment terms (deposit, balance) are specified in your personalized quote.

    Our team is available 7 days a week during your stay. In case of unforeseen events (weather, health, logistics), we react quickly to find a solution. This is the advantage of a local agency: we are here, on the ground.

    Laos in figures

    Area: 236,800 km² | Population: approximately 7.5 million inhabitants | Capital: Vientiane | Official language: Lao | Religion: Theravada Buddhism (65% of the population) | Currency: Lao Kip (LAK) | Time zone: UTC+7

    Laos must-sees

    Luang Prabang: Former royal capital, a UNESCO World Heritage site, its golden temples, French colonial houses, and gentle way of life make it an undeniable favorite.
    Vientiane: The human-sized capital — That Luang, Patuxai, and the banks of the Mekong are worth a visit.
    Vang Vieng: Surrounded by limestone karsts, ideal for kayaking, caving, and hiking.
    Southern Laos and 4000 Islands: Champassak, the Vat Phou temples (UNESCO), the Bolaven Plateau, and the Mekong islands.

    Lao culture

    Theravada Buddhism permeates all of Lao life. The alms giving (offerings to monks at dawn) in Luang Prabang is a daily ritual of great beauty. Lao festivals — Boun Pi Mai (Lao New Year in April), Boun Ok Phansa (Festival of Lights) — are exceptional times to travel.

    Nature and biodiversity

    Laos is 70% covered by forests. Its protected areas are home to rare species: Asian elephants, gibbons, sun bears. The rivers and plateaus offer natural settings of rare purity in Asia.

    Yes, Laos is one of the safest countries in Southeast Asia. Crime against tourists is very low. The main precautions concern road safety and respect for local customs.

    The dry season (October to April) is the best period: pleasant temperatures (20-30°C), passable roads, clear landscapes. The rainy season (May to September) offers lush landscapes but some regions may be difficult to access.

    The official currency is the Lao Kip (LAK). In practice, the US dollar and Thai Baht are widely accepted. ATMs are available in major cities, but it is advisable to have cash for rural areas.

    Recommended vaccinations are: Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Rabies (depending on the type of trip), and an update of universal vaccines (DTP, MMR). Anti-malarial treatment may be recommended depending on the regions visited. Consult your doctor before departure.

    A minimum of 10 days is recommended for the essentials (Vientiane, Vang Vieng, Luang Prabang). For a complete immersion including the center and south of the country, allow 15 to 21 days.