Champasak
VAT PHOU – In the Shadow of Shiva Mountain
Introduction
The Vat Phou temple complex is part of the CHAMPASAK cultural landscape, the oldest settlements dating back to the 5th century a.d.. meaning ”Temple of the Mountain” in Lao language it refers to the PHOU KAO peak rising 1408 meters behind the temple. The mountains Sanskrit name “LINGAPARVATA” literally describes the natural lingam shaped (Phallic) rock formation on top of it. Because of this peculiar shape PHOU KAO mountain was (And still is) sacred to the KHMER people and considered to be the center of the world. Built during the late 10th and early 11th century a.d. VAT PHOU predates the more famous ANGKOR WAT in Cambodia by more than 100 years. An ancient 240 km long road directly connected these two main cities of the KHMER empire. In 2001 VAT PHOU, HONG NANG SIDA, VAT TOMO, HONG THAO TAO, the PHOU KAO mountain, the remains of the two ancient cities SHRESTRAPURA and LINGAPURA and several smaller KHMER ruins associated with VAT PHOU became UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE sites.
08:30 hrs : Pick-up from your hotel
08:30 – 09.30 hrs : Drive to Champasak to the gates of Vat Phou UNESCO World heritage complex.
09:30 – 11:30 hrs
Arriving at and entering the VAT PHOU temple complex, it is recommended to visit the museum first, before proceeding to the actual site, as it provides lots of detailed info of the history and the architectonical structures of the complex. An electric shuttle vehicle will take you for free from the museum about 1km to the first level of structural remains.
Following the ancient causeway upwards past partially reconstructed ruins decorated with stone carvings of HINDU deities and demons, you climb up steep rocky stairways, until the sacred spring emanating from the bottom of the vertical sandstone cliff enclosing the sanctuary comes in sight, inviting you to taste the clean, fresh holy water. An amazing view over the CHAMPASAK landscape, the Mekong, Don Daeng island and the plains spreading out to the horizon are the reward for the strenuous climb. This spring was an integral part of the temple construction, as it was used to keep a sacred lingam constantly wet, therefore giving it greater divine powers. On your way back to the entrance there is a pick-up point for the electric shuttle service, saving you a sweaty walk in the glaring sun.
11:30 – 12:00 hrs
A short drive from VAT PHOU is the location of the crumbling ruins of HONG NANG SIDA. Currently in process of restoration by a Korean/Lao joint venture, it is possible to observe conversation in action. HONG NANG SIDA is also part of the UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE site.
12:15 – 13:00 hrs : Lunch at Nakorn café
13:15 – 13:30 hrs : Before leaving Champasak town there will be a brief stop at “CHEZ MAMAN” for some original tribal weavings and other original tribal souvenirs. Many items available here cannot easily be found anywhere else.
14:00 – 14:30 hrs : On your way back to Pakse one more stop to climb the long stairway up to VAT PHOU NGOI temple, which offers some unique paintings of the life of Buddha and a fantastic view eastward down to the sprawling out Mekong and the vast flatlands behind, sometimes the Bolaven plateau can be seen from there.
16:00 hrs : Continue to Pakse
16:30 hrs : Before we reach the city, you will be taken a short detour to the Big Buddha statue of PHOU SALAO, from where the mighty Mekong and the whole of Pakse city on the other riverside can be seen in its splendor.
17:15 hrs : Arrival back in Pakse.
Price includes transport by 100% roadworthy private minivan with fully licensed and experienced driver, boat ride from Pakse to Champasak, entrance fees to Vat Phou.
Full day tour to CHAMPASAK by boat and return by minivan
VAT PHOU – In the Shadow of Shiva Mountain
Introduction
The Vat Phou temple complex is part of the CHAMPASAK cultural landscape, the oldest settlements dating back to the 5th century a.d.. meaning ”Temple of the Mountain” in Lao language it refers to the PHOU KAO peak rising 1408 meters behind the temple. The mountains Sanskrit name “LINGAPARVATA” literally describes the natural lingam shaped (Phallic) rock formation on top of it. Because of this peculiar shape PHOU KAO mountain was(And still is)sacred to the KHMER people and considered to be the center of the world. Built during the late 10th and early 11th century a.d. VAT PHOU predates the more famous ANGKOR WAT in Cambodia by more than 100 years. An ancient 240 km long road directly connected these two main cities of the KHMER empire. In 2001 VAT PHOU, HONG NANG SIDA, VAT TOMO, HONG THAO TAO, the PHOU KAO mountain, the remains of the two ancient cities SHRESTRAPURA and LINGAPURA and several smaller KHMER ruins associated with VAT PHOU became UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE sites.
08:00 hrs
Pick-up from your hotel
08:30 hrs
Departure by boat from Pakse pier
During the 2 ½ hour journey downstream, you can observe fishermen trying their luck, people being ferried up and down the river, watch daily life in the villages near the Mekong, and marvel at the awe inspiring landscape with the Champasak mountains on your right and the flatlands on the left, both sides being framed with all kinds of trees, shrubs and houses.
11:00 hrs
Arrival at CHAMPASAK pier
11:15 hrs
Our van will bring you to the beautiful Nakorn Café, where you have the possibility to refresh and take a lunch (Not included in the price).
12:15 hrs
Arriving at and entering the VAT PHOU temple complex, it is recommended to visit the museum first, before proceeding to the actual site, as it provides lots of detailed info of the history and the architectonical structures of the complex. An electric shuttle vehicle will take you for free from the museum about 1km to the first level of structural remains. Following the ancient causeway upwards past partially reconstructed ruins decorated with stone carvings of HINDU deities and demons, you climb up steep rocky stairways, until the sacred spring emanating from the bottom of the vertical sandstone cliff enclosing the sanctuary comes in sight, inviting you to taste the clean, fresh holy water. An amazing view over the CHAMPASAK landscape, the Mekong, Don Daeng island and the plains spreading out to the horizon are the reward for the strenuous climb. This spring was an integral part of the temple construction, as it was used to keep a sacred lingam constantly wet, therefore giving it greater divine powers. On your way back to the entrance there is a pick-up point for the electric shuttle service, saving you a sweaty walk in the glaring sun.
A short drive from VAT PHOU is the location of the crumbling ruins of HONG NANG SIDA. Currently in process of restoration by a Korean/Lao joint venture, it is possible to observe conversation in action. HONG NANG SIDA is also part of the UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE site.
14:45 hrs
Returning to Champasak town there will be a brief stop at “CHEZ MAMAN” for some original tribal weavings and other original tribal souvenirs. Many items available here cannot easily be found anywhere else.
15:15 hrs
On your way back to Pakse one more stop to climb the long stairway up to VAT PHOU NGOI temple, which offers some unique paintings of the life of Buddha and a fantastic view eastward down to the sprawling out Mekong and the vast flatlands behind, even the edge of the Bolaven plateau is on clear days visible from there.
16:00 hrs
Continue to Pakse
16:30 hrs
Before we reach the city, you will be taken a short detour to the Big Buddha statue of PHOU SALAO, from where the mighty Mekong and the whole of Pakse city on the other riverside can be seen in its splendor.
17:15 hrs
Arrival back in Pakse.
Price includes transport by 100 % roadworthy private minivan with fully licensed and experienced driver, boat ride from Pakse to Champasak, entrance fees to Vat Phou.