Phou Khao Khouay Protected Area

Located 40 kilometres north-east of Vientiane, the Phou Khao Khouay Protected Area covers 200,000 ha across the provinces of Xaisomboun, Vientiane and Bolikhamsay. It is one of the 17 national reserves created in 1993 to protect biodiversity. Vast and little visited, the park is accessible via Route 13 towards Thakhek. It stretches for around 80 kilometres from west to east and 40 kilometres from north to south, bordered by the large Nam Ngum Lake to the north-east.

Phou Khao Khouay: ພູ​ເຂົາ​ຄວາຍ

A mountain landscape

The Phou Khao Khouai National Reserve (meaning “mountain shaped like a buffalo horn”) is fascinating and full of natural treasures. It features superb scenery with steep mountains covered in dense forest, through which the Nam Gnong, Nam Mang and Nam Leuk rivers flow. Its altitude ranges from 200 m to 1,760 m. It is pleasant to visit the park in winter, when temperatures are cooler and the roads are accessible.

What to do in Phou Khao Khouay?

The heart of Phou Khao Khouay is ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking, canoeing and kayaking, wildlife watching, picnics and camping. Its proximity to Vientiane, the capital of Laos, makes it an ideal place for one- or two-day excursions. Botany enthusiasts will appreciate the park’s exceptional biodiversity. Hmong, Khmu and Yao ethnic villages are located on the edge of the reserve, but only three villages are inside the park. If you have the opportunity to spend a night with a local family, you will discover Lao hospitality and friendliness and attend the Baci ceremony, or “soul-calling” ceremony.
The Orchid Trek is an excursion not to be missed! With our French guide, you will start your trek at Pha Say, with its impressive viewpoint over a gorge more than 40 m high and the dense jungle. You will follow small shaded trails and discover different types of forest: semi-deciduous, jungle and bamboo. The abundance of orchids in certain places is incredible—every rock is covered with them! You will also have the opportunity to learn more about medicinal plants in this unspoilt and very little-visited site. Do not hesitate to contact our agency for your excursions in the heart of Phou Khao Khouay!

Iconic wildlife

The Phou Khao Khouay Protected Area has a preserved ecosystem that enables it to host an incredible diversity of threatened species such as Asian elephants, leopards, bears and gibbons. Visitors can also observe many species of reptiles, amphibians and birds. To enjoy wildlife discreetly, an observation tower was built in 2005. Originally, it was built to monitor the passage of wild elephants that came to trample the sugarcane fields.

Waterfalls

The park is home to several waterfalls, including Tad Leuk (over 40 m!) and Tad Xay, which are separated by only a few kilometres. Tad Xay waterfall, which cascades down seven tiers, is a magnificent spot—ideal for swimming and organising a picnic to enjoy the scenery in peace. During the dry season, the Nam Leuk River is an excellent place to cool off. At this time, water levels and flow are less dangerous than during the rainy season. However, the waterfalls are more impressive during the rainy season.

Visit Vientiane with Asia Safari Laos

Our ideas for tailor-made trips in Laos

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.

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.

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.

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.