Hike or Bike the Phou Khoun-Kasi Scenic Route: Amazing Vistas of Laos

By Zoltan Matrahazi

Pha Tiao is probably the most iconic mountain in Laos, yet not many know it by name or at all. It is next to the scenic route between Phou Khoun and Kasi, it dominates the view all along. People who have their own vehicle can easily cruise this stretch of road, which is part of the important Route 13, and some package tours stop at one of the viewpoints, but otherwise it sounds like something you cannot do independently. Not so. If nothing else, you can visit Phou Khoun; some of the most amazing vistas are right around town, which is a pleasant place with a pleasant climate, great to spend a day or two. But if you are up for it, you can walk or ride the route; it’s very easy, virtually all downhill. You can take a minibus from Vang Vieng, put your bicycle on it if you want the easier option, get off at Phou Khoun and walk or roll down. You’ll get different views of Pha Tiao and the changing landscape, see pretty villages and meet friendly locals, and have the chance to dip in a pool of a hot spring. You can cover the scenic route in 1 or 2 days, and after Kasi head different ways. If you can, however, do stop at Pha Tang, where this miniguide also ends; it is perhaps the second most iconic landscape in Laos. Just do a quick image search with the words ‘mountains’ and ‘laos’, and Pha Tiao and Pha Tang will be the most featured photos – yet, most visitors and even many locals wouldn’t be able to tell what these places are called or where they are.
This miniguide explains all you need to know about the scenic route and the practicalities. See maps, elevation profiles, lots of photos, see the route in Google Maps or Google Earth, make up your mind and go – do something differently, don’t always follow the crowds!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zoltan Matrahazi
• Release date: Aug 19, 2020
• ISBN: 9781005659981

Zoltan Matrahazi

“Tourists don't know where they've been, travelers don't know where they're going.”― Paul Theroux

Book preview

Hike or Bike the Phou Khoun - Kasi Scenic Route – Amazing Vistas of Laos

by Zoltan Matrahazi

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2020, Zoltan Matrahazi

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal use only. This ebook may not be re–sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with others, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Maps are created at GPSVisualizer.com, with data obtained from OpenStreetMap.org and OpenTopoMap.org.

No liability is accepted for any loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by this publication or the information contained within this publication.

ISBN 9781005659981

Cover photo: Pha Tiao from the Scenic Route

Table of contents

About the series

Introduction

Overview

Phou Khoun

Section 1 – Phou Khoun to hot spring

Section 2 –hot spring to Kasi

Section 3 – Kasi to Ban Pha Tang

Afterword

About the series

The aim of this miniguide series is to present concise but accurate and visually telling information about some of the most stunning places of the world – the focus is on short independent hikes and amazing vistas.

You would think that today, when tourists have over-run the whole planet, everything is covered. But that’s not the case; certain places and certain attractions are indeed, in fact, often over-covered, but there is little or no information about others, or what information is available is confusing and inaccurate. These miniguides intend to provide the essentials about some of these places and attractions, through short descriptions, trail maps, elevation/distance data, and series of photos. Furthermore, in the text there are links that open a particular trail in Google Maps or download the trail file on your device. These miniguides, I hope, are a great way to learn about different options available in a location before you go, and they may also come in handy along the way.

This miniguide series is also intended to