THAM BLOOD TRIANGLE

The triangle of Tham Sang, about 13 km north of Vang Vieng, consists of 4 easily accessible caves: Tham Sang, Tham Hoi, Tham Loup, and Tham Nam. You will be able to discover this group of caves close to each other during a half-day excursion.

To get there, follow the road for about 15 minutes and watch for the sign on the left. Follow a dirt track for a little less than a kilometre to the bridge and cross over to the other bank. Leave your bike or scooter in the parking lot before crossing. In the rainy season, the crossing is done by pirogue.

Tham Sang is on the right, inside the temple of a centenary village. It is high, but shallow (40 m) and above all sacred. Inside, one can distinguish a stalactite in the shape of an elephant's head, which gives the cave its name, and another in the shape of its body, a "footprint" of the Buddha, a dragon's head, and so on. Statues of Buddha are scattered there.

From Tham Sang, you can walk to two caves located in the red sandstone cliffs; which can be seen behind the rice fields (about 15 minutes walk). The first one, located at ground level, is Tham Hoi. The holiest of the caves welcomes you with a Buddha's head at the entrance. It is dark and very deep (several kilometers), so you will need a flashlight, provided on site, to visit it. As the lamps are not always very powerful, it is recommended to bring your own, or to use the light of your mobile phone. Allow a good hour's walk. Quite impressive. Just above, is at the top of a very difficult path (you have to climb in some places) in the heart of tropical vegetation, the Tham Loup. This second open-air cave is famous for its stalactites.

Tham Nam. South of Tham Hoi, to find your way, follow the music! Indeed, the place is very busy, especially by groups on organized tours who take their lunch break there. It is also the arrival point of a large zip line circuit. It is usually visited after visiting Tham Sang, Tham Loup and Tham Noi. This concludes the excursion. It is 500 m long and can be explored on foot during the dry season; during the rainy season, you will explore it on board an inner tube (remember to bring a headlamp, although you will normally be provided with one at the entrance). You will visit the cave holding a rope...