Overview
Phou Khao Khouay National Biodiversity Conservation Area is a protected area in Laos. It is located 40 kilometres northeast of Vientiane.
Description
Within its 2,000 sq km are several forest types, mountains, a plateau, lakes, rivers and waterfalls. The park is home to a number of threatened species including tiger, wild elephant and gibbon. It can be split into two distinct areas of interest, each of which is inaccessible from the other within the park.
The southern perimeter is the most popular part of the park for travellers, and is home to lodges, wild elephants and waterfalls. It is from here that you`ll have the best chance of doing some trekking and actually seeing something bigger than a butterfly -- quite a bit bigger in fact -- elephants are the most common sight. That said, and as with all visits into protected areas, bear in mind this isn`t a zoo and there`s no guarantee you`ll see anything -- maybe not even a butterfly.
The western part of the park and its surroundings see many fewer visitors, but has some of its own distinctive features and attractions including impressive viewing points overlooking Vientiane plain and an artificial lake. It`s rivers are some of the main tributaries into the sprawling Nam Ngum Reservoir midway between Vientiane and Vang Vieng.
The park can be visited independently or on an organised trip. Any travel agent in Vientiane should be able to point you in the right direction (if they`re not able to assist themselves).
Vientiane, Viangchan
Laos
URL:
http://www.worldmatetravel.com/destinations-guide/phou-khao-khouay-national-park-laos-travel-guide.html