A challenging hike found amongst the Vang Vieng hills is the Big Pha Ngern Viewpoint Top. Sharing its entrance with the Silver Cliff viewpoint and offering breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding landscapes, this trail promises adventure at every turn. One of these cliff points is located en route to Big Pha Ngern viewpoint, one of the region’s best viewpoints. On the other hand, standing at a much higher elevation, the Big Pha Ngern Viewpoint offers a scenic view of the surrounding viewpoints and peaks around it. In this guide, we’ve outlined all the necessary details the hikers must know to do it independently.

Big Pha Ngern Viewpoint Hiking Guide

How To Reach Big Pha Ngern Viewpoint?

You can reach Vang Vieng by train or a minivan from Vientiane or Luang Prabang. To learn the best possible ways to reach the town, read our blog on Vang Vieng. You can walk up to the hike’s starting point, which is about a little over three km away, or hire a two-wheeler from the city center. There are no public buses within the town. If you are traveling in a group, choose Songthaews.

Network Availability

We observed intermittent network availability in Unitel Lao Telecom during the hike. To better navigate the hike, we recommend downloading offline maps in OSMAND and maps.me. 

Languages Spoken

You can see that Lao is the widely spoken language of Vang Vieng. Very few people are seen speaking in English and French.

Parking Availability

There is free parking available at the hike’s entrance. You can park your two-wheeler or four-wheeler for free at the base.

Restroom Facilities

The hike starts with neat and clean squat-type restrooms available for free. However, once you start the hike, you depend entirely on nature.

Best Time To Visit Big Pha Ngern Viewpoint, Vang Vieng

This lovely spot, Big Pha Ngern viewpoint, is open yearly. However, it is always best to choose your dates so they fall right after the monsoon season, between October and February. The weather is at its most pleasant during this window. 

The summer months, March to May, are the hottest in the year, but since the trail is shadowed by trees on both sides, this shouldn’t pose much of a problem if you plan to hike then. The view can be a little smokey due to the burning of the crops during this season. The monsoon season starts in June and lasts well into September. Be warned that the trail is extremely slippery during the rainy season.

Where To Eat?

You can find a shop at the base of the hike that sells cool drinks, fresh fruits, and snacks. The Silver Cliff Viewpoint One also has a small shop. But, no shops exist at the Big Pha Ngern viewpoint. Carry a sufficient amount of snacks, energy bars, and enough water with you while hiking.

Where To Stay?

The hikes in Vang Vieng are usually completed in a day, so you can find people staying in the city and commuting from there. We decided to stay in the Vang Vieng Backpackers Hostel. Here are a few other recommendations in Vang Vieng.

• Vang Vieng Chill House ($)
• Vang Vieng Freedom View Hostel ($)
• Maylay Guesthouse ($$)
• Vang Vieng Charming Boutique hotel ($$)
• Confetti Garden Hotel ($$$)
• Riverside Boutique Resort, Vang Vieng ($$$)

Hiking Details

Entry Fee: 20000 KIP or 1 USD.

Registration: No registration or pre-online booking is required. You can walk up to the entrance and start the hike directly.

Timings: There are no restricted timings. However, we highly recommend ascending during the early hours of the day. Most of the hike falls under the shade of the trees. If you start your hike in the late afternoon after 3 PM, plan to hike only to the first viewpoint—the lower Silver Cliff Viewpoint—as descending down in the dark is not advisable.

Duration: 3 hours for the ascend and 1 hour to descend.

Summit Height: 760 m

Hike Distance: 1.93 Km one-way

Difficulty Level: Moderate – difficult. The difficulty level is highly subject to your fitness level.

Terrain: rocks, boulders, sand steps, jungle, and forest

Hiking Route:

The hike starts from the Pha Nguen Trailhead. After getting the ticket, walk past the shop and the restrooms, beyond which the hike begins. You need to climb the cement steps for an initial few meters of the hike, which leads into a hiking trail till you reach the first viewpoint. You can rest for a while here on the tour.

You need to follow the red color arrows that direct you to the sandstones, which end with a wooden log at the end of each step.

The ascend of the climb is pleasantly gradual, Once you cross a few meters, you will see a fork, walk about 50m to your left, and it will lead you to the Silver Cliff Viewpoint One or the Lower Silver Cliff Viewpoint, standing at 530 m. 

Be warned, the climb is steep. Always diligently hold on to the railings and be careful with your steps. To your left, you can see a small shop selling snacks and drinks. A large shelter crowned with the Lao flag must also be visible, and when you look down from the ridge, you can spot a vintage car. The view is breath-stopping, with a parade of mountains, rice fields, entwining roads, and other images that get branded to your memory. 

You can go down to the junction and follow the path to your right to the Big Pha Ngern Viewpoint. The trail gradually ascends, and you will also see more rockers and boulders, cross them carefully. At a certain point, you would be required to walk through an arch of the rock during the ascent. Follow the trail visible till you see the viewpoint. 

At The Big Pha Ngern Viewpoint:

You can spot a large shelter at Big Pha Ngern Viewpoint. At a 180° viewpoint, you can see Silver Cliff Viewpoint One, which you crossed, and Silver Cliff Viewpoint (different trail and entrance). The view that spans as far as your eye can see is absolutely gorgeous. To see the other sides from the viewpoint, you must walk a few meters from the shelter (check OSMAND or maps.me for the route).

Descend back in the same way.

Important Things to Remember

• You don’t need a guide to hike the Big Pha Ngern Viewpoint.
• Considering that Laos is the most heavily cluster-bombed country in the world, our advice is that you do not deviate and venture into far-off spots from your existing trail. It is safe and recommended that you stick to the trail throughout the hike.
• Download the offline maps in that area in both maps.me and OSMAND. The trail is marked in both applications. You can crosscheck to make sure you’re following the correct trail.
• Using plastics and smoking is strictly prohibited. As a hiker, you must keep clean and not litter. Pick up your trash with you and dispose of it in the proper dedicated bins.
• There is no source of water available on this hike. Make sure to carry enough water with you. 
• We highly recommend you wear good hiking shoes as the terrain is slippery, even during the dry season.
• You can find leeches during monsoon season. Learn how to treat leeches the right way. 

Essential Things To Carry

• Ensure you carry at least 1 L of water per person.
• Take sufficient energy bars and snacks.
• Have your first aid kit handy.
• Do not forget your head torch if you plan to camp overnight or hike during the golden hours.
• Cap, sunscreen & sunglasses are essential and absolutely non-negotiable to ward off the summer heat.
• Carry a poncho or raincoat in case of rain.
• Above all, ensure you wear comfortable shoes with good traction and grip.

Read the blog to know more about what we usually carry for day hikes.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’ve found this blog helpful, drop a comment down below! And if you’re eager for more extensive hiking guides and travel tips, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter and give us a follow on social media – find us on Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube!