Invitation for the International Speleological Expedition SPELEO LAOS 2019
Dear colleagues
Speleology Club “Z” organizes a new speleological expedition in Laos, between February 14 and 4 March, 2019. We now invite any keen, speleologist, mountaineer, photographer, climber, or a biologist to join us on a unique adventure in the wonderful and mysterious Laos.
In full agreement with the participants already enrolled in our expedition, we made some changes to the program and this one remains final. Also, the authorities in Laos who will issue our exploration permit have announced to us they will not increase in 2019 the fee that we shall have to pay. In this case, we can tell you that we have substantially reduced your participation fee. We still have places available for the expedition and please only make a decision until December 31, 2018.
Explorations will be in Kammouane and Bolikhamsay counties. The main objectives of the expedition are exploration and mapping resuming of the large Pha Soung system (21,012 m development in 2018) and Tham Nam Kouan Moo Yo (1,684,1 m already mapped in 2018), Tham Dan Makhia (2,026,0 /2018), Tham Kammatan (exploration on 1.5 km and no map in 2016-2018) and not in the last, Tham Lom Yan (941 m lengt /2018). Near Nahin locality will be explored and mapped several limestone cliffs hiding a lot of labyrinthical caves. In Bolikhamsay will explore Pha Hong mountain, a 35 km long and up to 4.7 km wide highland plateau, climbing firstly a level difference of 900 metres. In this plateau is hiding perhaps the deepest pothole from Laos. It needs only to be discovered.
Although this expedition is strictly a speleological one, will be organized two visits into two famous caves of the area. Firstly in Tham Kong Lor cave where will cross and sail with the motorboat on the 6.5 km long underground river. Then, another visit will be in Tham Pha Fa, the cave with 229 Buddha statues partially covered by massive gold.
PROGRAM
14 Feb. 2019. The arrival of the participants in Bangkok. Evening time (20:20 hrs), travels by a fast bus from Bangkok to Laos, the Nakhon Phanom – Thakhek border point.
15 Feb. 2019. Moving from the Nakhon Phanom – Thakhek border point to the Thakhek town. In the evening, welcome festive dinner.
16-18 Feb. 2019. Explorations in Gnommalath area. Explorations in the two largest caves (Tham Lom Yan and Tham Lod) in the area.
19 Feb. – 27 Feb. 2019. Explorations in the Ban Na Pondhou area, especially in the large Pha Soung System (length 2018: 21,012 m) cave system.
27 Feb. 2019. In the evening travel to Lak Sao.
28 Feb. – 3 March 2019. Exploration in Lak Sao und Nahin area. Visit to Kong Lor Cave.
3 March 2019. Return to Thakhek and then cross back the border to Thailand, Nakhon Phanom. Evening fast bus to Bangkok.
4 March 2019. Arrival in the early morning hours in Bangkok.
We specify loud and clear that this program is a guidance because in function of the discoveries that will be performed the expedition leadership can change it strictly in the scientific and speleological purpose.
For additional relationships:
Liviu Valenas, Wanderer Str. 27, D-90431 Nürnberg, Germany
Tel .: 0049-911-8014898, 0049-911-8014899, 0049-174-7872593
Fax: 0049-911-8014900, E-Mail: liviu.valenas@gmail.com
DURATION: 19 days.
PERIOD: February 14 – March 4, 2019.
PARTICIPATION FEE: 990 Euro/person (for minimum 6 participants, excepting the organizers). Includes all transport costs in Thailand and Laos, full board and lodging, plus fees paid to the Lao authorities (Exploring and Residence Fees in Ban Na Village). It will assure also the payment of the local guides. About half of overnights will be in hotels of 2 stars, but decent, with European toilet and hot water showers in every room. Accommodation in hotels is in double rooms, but who wants a separate single room will have to pay more (140 Euro). The transport on the Laos territory will be performed with 1-2 pickup cars on all the expedition period. In the participation fee are included also the transport and visiting tickets for the two Touristique caves, Tham Kong Lor and Tham Pha Fa. Also included in the price is a participation folder, with topographic maps of the caves and the area. The last date for application is 31 December 2018. The participation fee will be sent to the following account:
Maliwan Valenas
Targo Bank Nürnberg – D
IBAN: DE65300209005390037093
BIC CODE: CMCIDEDD
PayPal: maliwan. valenas@gmail.com
Those wishing to participate in the expedition will have to send us a short CV about their speleological activity. Also, some explanations regarding their skills in caving (exploration, climbing walls, topography, photo, scientific research, etc.). Air tickets to Bangkok, Thailand, round trip, will be reserved and paid exclusively by each participant. From Europe to Bangkok, round-trip, with a cheap flight, e.g. China Air, Etihad or Aeroflot, with a mandatory stopover, costs about 550 Euro/person, round trip.
LIVIU VALENAS
Speleological Club “Z” President