There is nothing special in Pakbeng that would attract a lot of tourists. In addition, perhaps the mighty river Mekong and the picturesque rural Lao landscape.
A couple of local wool (temples), however, may be interested in some tourists, especially those who are interested in architecture. it Wat Si Chom Cheng and Wat Cok Khore (Wat Si Chom Chaeng and Wat Kok Khor) . These structures, of course, are strongly distinguished against the background of the poor and simplicity of Pakbenga.
And these temples are on the hill, which means that you can admire the sunset from the hill. To get to Vata Kok Khore, you have to go 500 meters to the mountain, well, and Wat Si Chom Cheng is about a kilometer from it. Temples are small, but beautiful, but certainly you should not go through the whole Laos to see them. But if you got a free day in Pakbenge, and you are looking for, what to do, or are looking for a comfortable place to admire the Mekong and the village below, then why b and not!
That's all, perhaps, the only sight of Pakbenga. Then the next question is: what to do in this village after you cooked on the mountain and loved the surroundings? Well, find a hotel, eat something and fall asleep - prepare for the next day of the boat excursion. Somehow one local guy decided to take particularly active guests and offered them the trekking (then you mean, hike in the mountains with stops), and even overnight in the mountain tribal villages. Such a tour can be a good option before you sit on board boats again. But this is not a very common type of excursion, since most tourists have no strength and desire to drag the mountains through the whole day and night. Therefore, as an option - Elephant Camp (MEKONG ELEPHANT CAMP) . This place is located on the shore of Mekong opposite Pakbenga (on the other side of the river).
Elephant Camp offers visitors the opportunity to learn more about the privileged role of elephants in Lao culture, as well as admire the picturesque nature of this edge. The camp offers visitors a chance to ride an elephant within 1, 2 or 3 hours or, if it is interesting to you, make a two-day tour on the back of an elephant through the beautiful jungle according to only caressants camp the trails.
A short tour usually goes like this: elephants first wash in a special approximately half an hour, everyone together (tourists can look at this process from a small terrace overlooking the pool at the top).
After swimming, visitors to the park help to climb the backs of the elephants - you will sit in special wicker chairs, two on the elephant ("The driver sits on the eye of an elephant). Then the elephants are descended down by the flow of the river, surrounded by bamboo, and turn into the forest.
Soon you will have a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside, when the elephants come to the elevation - the Mekong Valley before the bump is good! Elephants then pass through the village of Hmongov (the people of such) and can even pass by another elephant chain and then returned back to the camp. Riding on the back of an elephant passes through the terrain where the people of Khama live basically. These are the valleys where corn grows and tobacco grow, and all this dilute traditional houses and gardens. If you have chosen a tour for a whole day, then in the evening you divide the meal with the locals of one of the villages, and in the morning you can take part in the daily activities of rural residents - weaving baskets and harvesting.
The camp also offers visitors a chance to learn more about the daily life of elephants in the camp and about the work of Mahautov (elephant drivers) - as a rule, in this case, tourists remain more than a day, and help Mahautams in their work - feed elephants, bathe, and sometimes Run around the village in the morning and looking for a smart elephant that washed off at night.
And you will also demonstrate the tricks that Mahaut's Elephants taught (well, there, knees to get up, to ride a trunk in a trunk) - but this is for a fee.
In general, this is a rather popular excursion, everything is very significant, very interesting. But initially, this elephant village was created as a pilot project for the Ecotourism industry, and now independent and interesting landmark. And how do you like children!
It is not very cheap excursion, although it looks like this option to choose. The cheapest option: swimming an elephant (30 min) + 45-minute ride + breakfast (will give in the box) - 15 dollars per person. Bathing (30 min) + elephant show (30 min) + lunch - $ 40. Swimming elephants (half an hour) + 2-hour trip + elephant show (30 min) + lunch - 82 dollars per person. Two-day accommodation in the village (includes lunch, bathing, shows, skiing and other joys) - $ 310. Maximum in this camp can be lined for 5 days (it will cost you $ 545).
Here's here more: http://www.mekongelephantcamp.com/
In general, if you have not yet talked and did not ride on elephants in other places of Laos or neighboring countries, this tour is strictly recommended.
It was the most rich and interesting occupation in the Pakbeng area. The village is in some privacy, and shopping here is nic. But the goods on the market in the morning are sometimes sold quite interesting, though, for the most part, these are products and ready-made dishes.
Since you have a further journey on the boat, it would be nice to be purchased by food in the kiosks, which fill the main road in the morning. That's all shopping!
By the way, if you heard about a religious rite So Bat which Luang Prabang is so famous, then in this little village he also exists! Surprisingly, but the fact.
For those who do not know: the monks from the local monastery go early in the morning to collect off the local residents in their pots. Basically, it is Fig. The monks go barefoot, in their orange capes, silently, chain. First, the oldest monks are marching, for them - young, teenagers. Locals are kneeling, in order to bestow the monks, and the whole procession occurs in the utmost silence. Locals are preparing in advance and expect monks every morning. Typically, tourists miss this ritual, as sweetly put in their hotels, and in vain! So the monks pass silently (absolutely silent) through the whole city and return to the temple. Very interesting!