Bolaven Plateau

Understand

Situated (mostly) in Champasak Province, the Bolaven Plateau is known for its natural beauty, cool climate, highland coffee plantations, remote villages, and an incredibly high concentration of waterfalls. It is typically experienced by renting a motorcycle and doing the Bolaven Loop, but much of this is doable with public transport or an organised tour as well. Some roads are excellent, others bone-judderingly poor. The scenery is similarly diverse. Overall the atmosphere is worlds away from the humid chaos that characterises much of the rest of south east Asia.

Getting there

Tourists generally enter the area via the convenient transport hub of Pakse.

See

Waterfalls Each waterfall charges entry and parking fees. The prices as of August 2025, but may rapidly increase due to inflation:

Tad Yuang, 40 km from Pakse. probably the most impressive of the Four Sisters group, 40,000 kip entry, 10,000 motorbike parking; lots of paths and viewpoints from below/above, souvenir shop, restaurant. Tad Fan (Tad Fane), 38 km from Pakse. 30,000 kip entry, 10,000 kip motorcycle parking: the park has a slinky hotel, expensive restaurant and coffee shop, optional zipline for $40. Tad Champee, 38 km from Pakse. 30,000 kip entry, 5,000 kip motorcycle parking: no infrastructure around it but there is a bridge downstream of the waterfall, some signage of where it is safe to swim, and even a life vest if you are lucky. Tad E-Tu, 35 km from Pakse. 5,000 kip entry, the surroundings look pretty dismal: derelict bungalows and not signposted paths.

Itineraries 1 night at Tad Lo: In Pakse, you can rent a motorbike for about US$15 for two days. Leave before the sun gets too hot and head towards Tad Lo. Stop for lunch and at waterfalls along the way. Once at Tad Lo you can find a place to sleep at any one of the many guesthouses. The next day continue to Pakxong where you can get some coffee and then head back to Pakse. Small loop by public transport and one night at Tha Theng or Tad Lo from Pakse, go to Dao Heung market (~8,000 kip by samlor), take bus to Paksong (first one at 09:00, ~20,000 kip). After about 1.5 hr stop at km38 for That Fane/Thad Cham Pee crossing (big board advertising the waterfalls). You must walk about 1 and 1.8 km for each one. Entrance fee for each fall: 30,000 kip. From there, walk/hitchhike/catch a bus to km40 for Yuang Falls, probably the best of three. Hotel and stalls nearby. You can also go just in front of the waterfall to see a permanent rainbow at your feet but be prepared for a shower! After, hitchhike or catch a bus to Paksong. Several guesthouses and hostels also offer a day tour option that covers the main

Do

Some hints from travellers having done the Bolaven Loop:

Check your motorbike thoroughly before renting it. Try to rent one with a phone holder, otherwise you will need to keep stopping to check your location. Some of Miss Noy's bikes have them. Use Maps.me instead of Google Maps Rethink this trip if you are not already an experienced motorcyclist. Consider getting lessons before you leave your home country. In December the route is very dry and dusty. Plastic bags will be useful for covering your luggage and shoes to stop dust getting in everything. Much of the scenery is cassava plantations. Seek out local knowledge for the most beautiful routes and the most interesting ethnic villages.

Drink & nightlife

Drink local coffee produced in this area. The planting in this region is from the time of the French colonization.