The most beautiful natural sites to discover Luang Prabang

These two caves are located in the south-east of the city, they were used as shelters during the bombings of the Vietnam War. Tham Kang is a vast cave open to the sky. Be careful: the stream can be deep during the rainy season. Not far from there, a little higher on the left is Tham Pha Kaew. The entrance is narrower, and you need a flashlight to explore it. From there it is easy to reach Ban Na, a typical small village (30 min walk).

Set up in Laos since 1996, Gilles Maurer and Sébastien Duffillot decided to set up a non-profit association in 2001 to safeguard the last elephants in Laos: Kindness. In 2002, they organised a 1300-km-long caravan with elephants across Laos to raise public awareness about the threat of extinction hanging over the pachyderms. Desiring to share this unique experience with elephants, the founders of kindness create, in partnership with Lao Travel Agency Green Discovery Laos, "Elephant Adventures": circuits for lovers of nature and adventure who want to discover the "mount of kings" in the heart of the most secret Asian. Elephant Adventures has been specialising in elephant solidaires since 2007 and offers 2 to 5 day tours in northern Laos. These treks lead you through the region of Hongsa (between Luang Prabang and the Thai border), the original land of the elephants and their end in the province of Sayaboury. These hikes ensure an authentic encounter with the elephant through the learning of "cornaquage": preparation, conduct, pansage and bath of the elephant. The natural surroundings crossed are varied, preserved and exclusively operated by Elephant Adventures. No chance of crossing other travellers on routes! Elephant Adventures releases its turnover to the veterinary programme conducted by kindness (www.elefantasia.org) and tries, through a responsible approach, to promote the development of local tourism by perpetuating the tradition of "cornaquage" in its original area.

To reach this cave you will have to cross rice fields and villages, the road leading to it is worth the trip alone! Tham Pha Tok was used as a military base by the Pathet Lao during the civil war, you can even see craters caused by bombs and bullet impacts on the walls on your way to the second cave. This excursion is not recommended for people with reduced mobility as the interior is very dark and some parts are quite difficult to access. A historical site in the area.