MARCHES PAST TOUR SUMMARY
LAOS FOUR PROVINCE TOUR - 25 February to 14 March 2014
PAKXAN, BORIKHANXAI, LAOS (Part 2), 28 February - 2 March
 Sane River at Pakxan

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Part 1, THAKHEK | Part 2, PAKXAN | Part 3, PHONSAVAN | Part 4, VANG VIENG

Pakxan.......Pakxan is the provincial capital of the otherwise sparsely populated province of Borikhanxai in Northern Laos, situated at the confluence of the Sane (Xan) River and the Mekong. The area has had its fare share of conflict. In the 19th century it was caught up in the migration of peoples from the north as a result of Chinese invasion. When the area came under Siamese control indigenous people were displaced, the Siamese in turn being ousted by the French. It appears that the French took little interest in the area and it was only in 1986 that Borikhamxai was formed from parts of Vientiane and Khammouane provinces.
Today Pakxan is a typical Laotian market town with little to offer the tourist but it does lie on the banks of the Mekong River and straddles the main route from Vientiane to Laos’ central and southern provinces. It may well improve in significance as its location provides a new route into Laos’ interior, north to the province of Xieng Khouang.
Itiniary……..For full report click on travel log
Day 1, Thakhek to Pakxan
Day 2, On tour - Pakxan
Day 3, Pakxan to Phonsavan
Excursions.....(These were on foot)
Mekong River Front, Old Market
Viengkham Guesthouse.....Aircon, TV, hot shower. Rating, Excellent, 70,000 kip, 2 nights.
Weather....... Hot and humid 30-35c
Dining out....... A stopover on the Mekong river bank: A far cry from the hustle and bustle of Thai resorts. A number of restaurants, clearly aimed at locals offered Thai/Lao food: Good food at a budget price.
Transport used....... Skylap/tuk tuk from main road to guesthouse 30,000 kip (return to bus stop 40,000 kip)
Minibus Pakxan to Phonsavan (6.5 hours) 100,000 kip