We decided to divert our route to visit theKong Kor cave, and in the end it was worth it. From Vientiane it is not complicated to arrive, because there is a direct bus, but to follow our itinerary from the cave to the south we knew that we would have more difficulties.
We arrived at the small town of Kong Lor at about 5 p.m., the bus that left Vientiane full of people, was gradually emptying on the way, to the point of arriving with only three people! The two of us and one more tourist, Anouk, with whom we shared the trip the following days.
As there are not many accommodation options we take a weight off, because we save having to ask different sites and compare between them, as we have been doing so far. So a dinner based on rice and noddles, a shower and sleep.
In the morning we we walk up to the cave, is just a kilometer from the village, and the three of us take a boat, if a boat! The cave is visited in this way as it is crossed by the green waters of a river. They are 7 impressive kilometers in which notes as your body undergoes some changes due to the absence of light, humidity, pressure, contrasts of water under your feet and the rock over your head, and it is that you do not stop being inside the guts of a Montana.
Inside we made some stop, one of them to walk for a few meters on one side and see the spectacular natural formations, and others to not get stuck with the boat, at some moments we cross sections with less than two spans deep and the boatman with his jeta urged us to get off and give him a little push. Nothing happens man!
When you look back at the natural light of the sun at the exit, your body relaxes and returns to normal. After having a snack with another Italian-Spanish couple that goes in another boat, we return to ours to make the turn. This time it gets shorter, because the stops are faster (we have already taken the trick to get off and get up a few meters later).
Without wasting a minute in the village, we eat and take the first of the buses that will take us on the way to the south of the country.
Transport. How to get to Kong Lor's cave?
From Vientiane South Station, buses leave at 10 am direct to the Kong Lor cave. Buying it directly there costs 90,000 Kips. In the agencies you can find it at 120,000K, including the tuk tuk to the station. We negotiate the tuk tuk until it is 40,000K, but it is not easy to haggle, they did not lower the 50,000K. The station is about 20 minutes from the center of Vientiane.
Accommodation. Where to sleep in Kong Lor's cave?
In the village there are 3 guesthouses, we stay in the one next to the bus stop, called Eco-Lodge. It cost us 60,000K.
Visit to the cave of Kong Lor.
To get there, just 15 minutes walk. The boat for a maximum of 3-4 people costs 110,000K. It is advisable to carry a flashlight, or rent it there for 5,000. We left at 8.30 in the village and returned at about 12.
There is also the option of staying in a town about 50km from Kong Lor (it's called Khoun kham) with many more gh and rent a motorcycle from there to the cave.
