Eco-Lodges near Vientiane

See the locations on Vientiane Hotels and Guesthouses Google Map


Rivertime Ecolodge Resort: 29 km northeast from Vientiane. in the forest on the south bank of Nam Ngum river. Seven private lodges and two 3-bed dormitories, all lodges with wide balconies overlooking the river towards the mountains of Phou Khao Kwai National Protected Area.

Picture by Rivertime Eco Lodge
See more pictures on their facebook gallery

Picture by Rivertime Eco Lodge
Nam Ngum River, seen from the resort


The Garden Restaurant with a big organic vegetable garden is adjacent to Rivertime Resort. It has also a floating restaurant. See the location on Rivertime Ecolodge Resort Google Map. Read reviews on tripadvisor.com: what you can await and what not.
Activites from Rivertime Resort: Try the 20-minutes-forest-trail from the resort. Riverboat trips, cycling to a village of the Lao Loum ethnic group (Ban Thadokkham with a highle revered temple) or a Lao Soun ethnic village (Ban Jut Nung). Across the river from the resort is another Lao Loum village called Ban Na Taer (with a temple with turtles. Visit to a local traditional healer, traditional Lao massage. The resort also organizes visits to local schools and to the main agricultural research centre of Laos.


Ban Pako: Bungalow Resort on an ancient temple site on the banks of the Nam Ngum river about 50 km from Vientiane. Closed now, reopening after upgrading (new bungalows on the river) around april 2012. Good reviews on tripadvisor.com. See the location on Ban Pako Google Map

Tours from Vientiane: Join the nature at Phu Khao Khouay National Park

See the locations on Phu Khao Khouay National Park Google Map

Phu Khao Khouay National Park: By greendiscoverylaos.com. Phu Khao Khouay means "Buffalo Horn Mountain". Mountains, rivers and forests of this National Protected Area offer great opportunities for exploring the nature and inviting for trekking, canoeing, wildlife watching, picnicking and camping. There ist also a very interesting Phu Khao Khouay National Park Facebook Page.

The village Ban Na for example is famous for watching wild Elephants. For that you spend a night at the Elephant Observation tower. Read more about Ban Na. If you want to go on your own: Pick-ups from the southern bus station in Vientiane leave[ from 9a.m & 5p.m every 30minutes. Families in Ban Na offer homestays. If you go on your own call Mr. Bounthanom (phone 020 220 82 86).

Picture by Atar Shadmi Elephant tower in Ban Na

The village Ban Hathkai is starting point for trekking tours into the mountains or to the twin waterfalls Tad Xay and Pha Xay. The area is also rewarding for its orchids,ferns and flowering plants. Most trips include a boat trip on the Nam Mang River. Ban Hatkhai can also be reached by boat from Thabok (in just over an hour). You go there negotiate for the price. Families in Ban Hathkai offer homestays. Call phone 020 224 03 03. Read more about Ban Hathkai.

Picture by Art Vogel Rhynchostylis gigantea - an orchid

Tad Leuk is a waterfall within the Nam Leuk, The Tad Leuk Visitor Information Centre offers an exhibition of the flora and fauna of the area, informations in Lao as well as English and with a small library with reports about the regional plants and wildlife. It's starting point of the "Houey Bone Nature Trail" (1.5 kilometres). A small restaurant offers Lao meals and a guidebooklet for the trail. And you can walk in two to three hours to Tad Xang waterfall. Read more about Tad Leuk.

Picture by Anannya Deb Tad Leuk

Ang Nam Leuk is an artificial dam lake, where you can do boat trips. Read more about Ang Nam Leuk. There is criticism about the dam project.

Find links and informations about tour operators offrering trips to Phou Khao Khouay

Orchid-Trek: By exotissimo.com

Vang Xang - Buddhas carved out of stone

Picture by thomaswanhoff

Vang Xang (Vang Sang) means "pond of elefants". The Buddha reliefs on cliffs here are said to date from the 10th to the 12th century after Christ, from the Angkor peroid. Near Ban Phone Savang. Read more about Lao Buddhist Sculpture.