Waterfalls, Caves, Coffee & Wat Phou

Central and Southern Laos offer some of the most beautiful scenery in all of South East Asia and cooler climate from October through to February is a welcome relief.

From Pakse in Southern Laos you can take a 2 day tour around the Bolaven Plateau, famous for its many beautiful waterfalls and coffee plantations. Of the many waterfalls you will stop at during your trip around the Plateau, you will be hard pushed to beat the spectacular Tat Fan with parallel streams of water plunging more than 120m to the jungle floor. Another of particular note is Tad Soung waterfall where you are taken down a steep mountain path to suddenly dramatically arrive at the top of the waterfall - don't look down!

An overnight in the peaceful Tadlo Lodge mid way through your loop of the Bolaven Plateau will allow you a very comfortable night sleep, with the only sound being that of the waterfall of which the cabins are located on either side, with some great views. The lodge has its own elephants that are also happy to show you around!

Just a short drive south of Pakse is the former Royal seat of Champasak and the ancient Angkor-Period ruins of Wat Phou. Built on the side of a cliff, the spectacular Wat Phou is quite a sight. Take your time clambering up to the top and looking down over the two man-made lakes at the entrance and imagine the grandeur of days gone by. Wat Phou gained world heritage status in 2001 and every year the 3 day Bun Wat Phu Champasak festival (taking place when the moon is full) sees thousands of monks visit the temple in the evening in a candle-lit procession.

North of Pakse on the road towards Vientiane why not stop off at Thakhaek for a couple of nights. Whilst the town is a friendly place to explore, it is the trekking in the Hin Boun National Park that is the real attraction. Take a day long trek through the peaceful forest, incorporating a fresh local lunch (the fish we carried with us for the barbeque were still twitching in the bag when we set off) and a visit to the famous Buddha Cave. You'll sleep well when you return to Thakhaek!

The final overnight stop on the road north to Vientiane is for the enormous Kong Lor Cave. 7km long and stretching from 100m to only 10m wide you are taken through the cave by the local boatmen who expertly navigate using only torchlight. Not recommended if you're afraid of the dark!

This beautiful part of Laos is included in our Mekong Experience in Laos recommended itinerary and you can see some more images on our facebook page.