Phou Asa by Elephant

1.5 Hours
Ride on elephant-back from Kiet Ngong village to the rocky summit of Phou Asa to visit the mysterious temple ruins and enjoy sweeping views over the magnificent, bird-rich wetlands.

Upon reaching the summit of Phou Asa, the elephant will stop at the elephant loading platform where you can safely climb down to take a walk around Vat Phou Asa Temple for 15-20 minutes (elephants are not allowed inside the temple area). Just outside the temple grounds under a rocky outcrop you will notice the Buddha Footprint (Hoy Pabaht). Please take care not to touch any of the stone remains of the temple, as they are quite fragile. Return to the village by elephant-back.

What to Bring
Sunscreen, a hat, mosquito spray, water and a packed lunch. You might also want to bring an umbrella for shade from the sun.

How This Tour Benefits the Village
The 15 elephants in the village are managed by the villagers, with 13 being owned by the villagers themselves. A total of 30 families are involved in taking care of the elephants and benefit directly from the fees from elephant rides. The families take turns in providing elephant rides to tourists in order to share the benefits fairly. A portion of the elephant ride fees is put into the village development fund so that the entire village benefits from tourism.

Booking
You can show up to the village and book this tour at the village information centre. However, you will have to wait about 30 minutes to 1 hour for your elephant to arrive, as they are often out in the forest. Alternatively, you can book in advance with a tour company or with the Kingfisher Ecolodge.

Prices
120,000 Kip per elephant (2 people per elephant). For exchange rates click here