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A trip to Xe Bang Fai river cave in central Laos (04 - 06 Jan 2012)
Back to 2011-2012 small group trips page
This trip will take you to a large limestone river cave in central Laos, Khammouane province, in
Hin Namno National Bio-Diversity Conservation area.
Tham Xe Bang Fai is under survey and not yet officially open for tourism. We will be going there in small group
(three plus local guides) with minimum materials. Experienced local cavers will be guides, and we will use their small wooden boats to enter the cave.
Three day journey will start and end in Thakhet town opposite Thailand's Nakhon Phanom across the Mekong river. There will be some jungle walk, setting up camp, camp cooking and cleaning.
Non organic, non bio-degradable garbage must be packed out. For your information please read Cave ethics by UIS as a reference.
The facilities provided in the trip are:-
- Permit from the District
- 4x4 jeep or truck or tractor for transport between Thakhet and the village of overnight stay
- Local driver and local guide(s)
- wooden boat(s), paddles and life jackets, local food from day 1 lunch to day 3 lunch, boiled water, coffee
- One night village stay, another night maybe either village stay or camping in a makeshift hut/farm hut
- Lighting will be provided for safety and navigation, but may not be enough for proper photography
Google map of the area:
View Xe Bang Fai Cave in a larger map
Things to bring:
- Back pack, water tight bag, clothes to change, shorts, hats, day hiking shoes and hiking sandals
- Camera, lighting, under water lighting if you have
- Sleeping bag, toiletries, hand cleaner, personal medicine kit, little amount of insect repallant
Inside the cave we will travel along Xi Bang Fai river in the main chamber only. We will not do exploration into smaller
passages and chambers. Camping if done will be outside or at the mouth of the cave.
Meeting date and place: 3rd Jan 2012 evening or 4th Jan morning in Thakhet town, Khammouane province, Laos.
Trip start and end on: 4th and 6th Jan 2012
Start and end locations: Thakhet
Cost estimate: 210 USD/person
You need to arrange yourselves medical, accident insurance, and transport to and from Thakhet.
If you arrive on the 3rd Jan, please book a room in Thakhet on your own. Before or after the caving there are
possibilities to go hiking, river boating, village or rural lodge stay etc. using local operators.
Please email to trekthailand (dot) net (at) gmail (dot) com for more information. The operators are Sala Hinboun in central
Laos and village guides.
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