Attapeu Town, Attapeu Travel Package Tours, Laos Tour Information Hotel Guide

ATTAPEU OVERVIEW

The town of Attapeu is bordered to the east and south by the Sekong River. The southern stretch is where you'll find the riverside restaurants, the hospital, some places to stay, and the ferry to Ban Sekhaman. To the east you'll find the market and the bridge to Xaysettha. There isn't much to see or do to the north and west of the Attapeu Palace, with the exception of the bus station and the road to Sanamxai, 3km from the town center along the main road. The low-density Attapeu is recommended if you have the time to get here. Few tuk-tuks seem to traverse the streets, but walking is the best way to explore anyway, ideally in the early morning or late afternoon, and the town grid is unusually straightforward. Mosquitoes are abundant in the rainy season so be sure to protect yourself as malaria is a seasonal risk here. Within reach of the town are a range of natural sights -- including the Dong Ampham Forest and Xepiane Forest -- a portion of the historically important Ho Chi Minh trail, cultural items of interest and villages home to many ethnic groups, including the Oye, Tallang, Yae, Lavenh, Yaheune, Lavae, Cheng, Ta Oy, Hmong and Lao Lum. Local entrepreneurs offer treks to villages in the hills around the town, which are still novel for this region and should be considered by the adventurous and culturally sensitive only. Dress conservatively and take adequate sun protection, water and mosquito repellent. Two main impediments have stymied tourism development in the region: unexploded ordnance (UXO) and poor public transport. Considerable clearance of UXO has been undertaken but as you'd expect in one of the most heavily bombed nations on earth, plenty remain and unescorted bush-bashing is strongly discouraged. Established tracks are considered safe and exploration with a guide is not enforced but prudent. The road from Attapeu to Pakse is terrific, but the buses are appalling and often take six to seven hours to make what should be a two or three hour trip. It is possible to charter vehicles in Pakse, so if you can rustle a group together keep this in mind.