Ban Na is a small and peaceful village on the outside of
Phou Khao Khouay, known
as the Elephant Village. Existing since 1948, Ban Na offers guided trekking and
a great opportunity to watch wild elephants from the observation tower. This friendly
village is a good place to learn more about the genuine lifestyle of the Lao Loum
people.
What to do?
Highlights of visits to Ban Na village are thrilling experience on the elephant
observation tower to watch group of elephants as well as other wild animals bathing,
adventurous overnight stay with the villagers while exploring their culture and
lifestyle and rewarding longer treks to more distant places such as Nam Hi, Tad
Lung waterfall, or Tad Fa, a 40-meter high cliff. During the dry season, 2-to-3-day
trekking can also be organized from Ban Na to Tad Leuk. It is also worthwhile paying
a visit to the nearby Wat Phabath, one of the more important pilgrim sites of Laos
because of its well-known Buddha footprint.
When to go?
The best time to visit overall is the cool season, between November and February.
Don't forget to bring warm clothes as it does get a wee chilly.
The rainy season
begins in May and ends in October. It is a beautiful time of the year to visit with
every thing so lush and green. However, it does make travel a bit uncomfortable
with muddy roads and land leeches.
Travel Tips:
To prepare for trekking, wear suitable teva-type sandals or amphibious shoes as
you will cross many streams, go through mud and take your shoes off and on when
visiting the local houses. Also, in rainy seasons, nylon stockings are recommended
as a barrier that leeches cannot penetrate.
Watching wild elephants, with a bit
of luck, you can watch elephants visiting the area around the tower, usually in
the evening hours. No guarantee, though, can be given to see the animals! They're
wild animals with their ‘own schedule and free will’. Because you're in the midst
of the elephant territory, it is very important to observe rules for your own safety.
To minimize the possibility of an accident, the number of visitors is restricted
and the instructions of the guides have to be followed strictly at any time. Thus,
no self-guided tours are allowed.
Accommodation in Ban Na village is typical village
houses. It is traditional wooden pillar houses and participates in local family
life. The home-stay in Ban Na are basic, but clean and are equipped with mattresses,
pillows, mosquito nets, bed linen, French toilets and ’village showers’.
