The Thakhek Loop is a spectacular 460 Km motorbike journey that winds through the Khammouane and Bolikhamxay provinces and starts and ends in Thakhek. Whizzing past limestone mountains and caves formed millions of years ago, you’ll be riding through remote settlements and snake roads through the reservoir and hills, making the Thakhek Loop an amazing experience and a must-do while visiting Laos. In this blog, we have detailed all the sightseeing places and viewpoints you would encounter while riding through the Thakhek Loop!
Thakhek Loop Itinerary
Table of Contents
Day 1 (Thakhek – Thalang, 115 Km)
Head towards “Cave Alley,” where you’ll find several caves. While the main road is paved, the side roads are unpaved and full of potholes, so drive cautiously, especially in rainy weather. Along the way, you’ll pass by the Mekong River for a few kilometers and the Nam Theun Dam and power station. As you navigate the zigzag roads, you’ll ascend to an altitude of 550 meters at Nakai. After Nakai, you’ll encounter more water bodies with stunning views until you reach Thalang, where you can rest for the night.
Related: 13 Things you should know about Thakhek Loop
Elephant Cave
Elephant Cave is a cozy cavern featuring many Buddha statues in its first chamber and a pair of elephant figures near the entrance to the second chamber. Follow the steps to reach a spacious hole or viewpoint, offering a glimpse of the mountain’s other side. Exploring the cave typically takes 20-30 minutes, although no remarkable rock formations exist.
- Entry fee: 10000 KIP (0.5 USD)
- Parking: Free
Xieng Liap Cave
After crossing the suspension bridge, head towards the ticket counter. A short walk brings you to a small stream, marking the entrance to Xieng Liap Cave. There’s no set path inside, allowing you to explore freely and follow the flowing water to the cave’s other end. Be prepared to get your feet wet as you navigate through. While adventure activities like rope bridges and zip-lining are available, they may not be worth your time and can be skipped.
- Entry fee: 10000 KIP (0.5 USD)
- Parking: Free
Thafalang
Thafalang is a popular picnic spot near Thakhek, offering picturesque views and plenty of huts along the riverbank for relaxation. The area teems with large and small fish, perfect for kayaking and tubing adventures. While swimming isn’t recommended due to water conditions, visitors can rent cottages for a night’s stay at a reasonable price of 50,000 KIP (2.5 USD). For a more authentic experience, consider visiting Thabanthok instead of Thafalang.
- Entry fee: Free
- Parking: Free
Tham Nang Aen Cave
Don’t miss Tham Nang Aen cave along the Cave Alley. A short walk of about 200 meters will lead you to the first cave, included in the entry fee. However, for a more spectacular experience, consider taking the boat tour. Paddle through the waters for 15 minutes to explore impressive stalactite and stalagmite formations. Once the boat stops, embark on a 45-minute hike through numerous stairs, suspension bridges, and stunning stone formations. The vast cave features small tunnels and soaring ceilings, illuminated by colorful lights in the most striking sections.
- Entry Fee: 40000 KIP (2 USD), and 120000 KIP per person for the boat tour
Pha Katai Viewpoint
Also known as the Rabbit Cliff Viewpoint, this spot features red-painted steel steps leading to the viewpoint. Prepare for a climb of about 630 steps, followed by 100 steps down and another 102 steps up. At the summit, marked by a shelter, you’ll find the Pha Katai Viewpoint. Enjoy stunning aerial views of the Nam Theun or Khading River, the bridge spanning the river, the Karst limestone rocks, and the surrounding settlements. Don’t miss out on experiencing the Pha Katai Viewpoint during your loop journey.
- Entry fee: 20000 KIP (1 USD)
- Parking: Free
Song Sa Waterfall
After passing the Nam Theun Visitor Center, take a small right turn onto the muddy road, as indicated by the signboard. Song Sa Waterfall offers a tranquil spot to unwind by the water. A 20-minute hike uphill leads you to the top of the waterfall, where you’ll discover various pools of water at different levels. During the dry season or summer months, there may be minimal to no water flowing.
- Entry Fee: 10000 KIP (0.5 USD)
Thalang
Thalang, also known as Donchalern Village, is a cozy riverside hamlet where travelers often pause for a day’s respite. Take a stroll along the riverbank and across the nearby bridge. Thalang offers the perfect spot to unwind after a day of exploration.
Where to Stay?
After Thalang, the road winds through mountainous terrain where elephants freely roam and may cross the road. For safety reasons, a checkpoint just past the Thalang Bridge prohibits crossing after sunset. We lodged at Sabaidee Guesthouse during our visit, a popular spot among backpackers. Another recommendation is Phosy Thalang, Laos, offering lovely river views.
Twin’s Tip
Refuel at the gas station before reaching Thalang, as the next one is only available after a 35 km stretch.
Day 2 (Thalang – Kong Lor, 155 Km)
Drive along the reservoir where the elephants cross. Take in the serene water bodies and the surrounding trees. Be cautious as the road passes through an avalanche-prone area for 4.4 km. Expect to pass through 3-4 checkpoints as you drive through villages and towns. Don’t forget to take short breaks at the viewpoints and sightseeing spots below.
Related: 13 Things you should know about Thakhek Loop
Buddha Sculptures
After passing the checkpoint and entering Bolikhamsai province, watch for large Buddha sculptures on both sides of the winding roads. These ancient sculptures are impossible to miss. Locals often offer water and snacks to the Buddha statues.
Dragon Cave
The Dragon Cave features breathtaking stalactites, stalagmites, and columns that sparkle like diamonds in the light. Walk in the pathway beside the river, listening to the echoing sound of water droplets falling. As you enter the central chamber, marvel at the stunning beauty all around you. Take a moment to explore the corners of the cave before heading to the viewpoint. The hike to the viewpoint offers a mix of gradual and steep steps, but the refreshing breeze will make it worthwhile as you take in the scenic views of the roads, mountains, and settlements below.
- Entry fee: 50000 KIP
- Parking fee: Free
Cool Pool
The road to Cool Pool is a treat, with fields and mountains. Once you arrive, you’ll find a refreshing turquoise-blue pool perfect for a swim, even though the water’s cold. Just a heads up, they tend to crank up the tunes here, which might not be everyone’s vibe. But hey, there are plenty of chill spots to stretch out and relax!
- Entry Fee: 30000 KIP
- Parking: 10000 KIP
Scenic Overlook Viewpoint
The roads prone to avalanches are rough, full of potholes and dirt, and they never seem to fix them. So, take it slow and steady until you hit Na Hin. When you need a breather from driving, pull over at this viewpoint for a scenic break overlooking the valley. Once you’re past Na Hin, the roads to Konglor will be smooth sailing, paved, and nicely kept.
Where to Stay?
Drive a bit further and stay close to the Kong Lor Cave. We stayed at the Thongdam Guesthouse, a nice garden guesthouse overlooking the mountains. It was located close to the Konglor Cave. Here are a few other recommendations in the area.
Day 3 (Kong Lor – Na Hin, 44 Km)
On Day 3, start by exploring Konglor Cave in the morning, then head back to Na Hin to visit Nam Sanam Waterfall. Take some time to wander around the villages near Konglor Cave and admire the beautiful rice fields surrounded by mountains. It’s a more laid-back day with a short drive.
Related: 13 Things you should know about Thakhek Loop
Kong Lor Cave
Kong Lor Cave is hands down the most breathtaking cave on the entire loop. The formations inside, like stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and draperies, are mesmerizing. We were so impressed that we wrote a separate blog about the Kong Lor cave, so be sure to read it. Trust us, you don’t want to skip this one. Plan to spend at least half a day exploring the caves.
Additional Note
Some daring adventurers ferry their motorbikes across the Kong Lor Cave to Natane. The road from Natane to Thakhek is rough and bumpy, but it’s quite scenic, with villages and waterfalls. However, we advise against this route for families with kids or elderly travelers. Remember that if you choose this option, you’ll miss out on the Rock Viewpoint (Day 4) and Nam Sanam waterfall.
Nam Sanam Waterfall
Later in the afternoon, head to Nam Sanam Waterfall. Follow the signs from the ticket counter and drive about 1.4 km to the parking lot. From there, hike for about an hour (1.5 km) through the jungle to reach the waterfall. Remember that there’s no internet connection, but you can find the route marked on offline maps like OSMAND and maps.me.
The hike and the waterfall are worth experiencing but be prepared for less or no water during the dry or summer season. Since we did the loop during the summer, we had to skip it.
Where to Stay?
There are plenty of options for accommodation in Na Hin, some of which are not listed online. We recommend considering Sanhak Guesthouse 1 and Phamarn View Guesthouse.
Day 4 (Na Hin – Thakhek, 146 Km)
On Day 4, you’ll ride back to Thakhek. Follow the winding roads for 47 kilometers until you reach Khonsong town, where you’ll join the straight highway. The highway stretch for about 99 kilometers is quite dull compared to the rest of the loop.
The Rock Viewpoint
From the Rock Viewpoint, you can marvel at the endless layers of limestone mountains, formed millions of years ago. Enjoying the view is free, but there’s a fee if you want to explore the limestone forest up close on the man-made bridge. They also offer ziplining adventures, with options for short or full-day tours. The zipline routes pass by several viewpoints and include trekking. Plus, there’s a restaurant where you can relax with a drink and soak in the scenery.
In our view, walking on the bridge to see the limestone rocks might be overrated, as you’ll encounter similar sights along the loop, like at the Pha Katai Viewpoint (Day 1). If you’re keen, you could try ziplining instead.
- Bridge Walk: 50000 KIP or 2.5 USD, 600 m walk for 20 minutes
- Zip lining: 600K KIP or 30 USD, takes 2 hours
- Half-day tour: 60 USD
- Full-day tour: 90 USD
Frequently Asked Questions
Name some caves that I shouldn’t miss while doing the Thakhek loop.
Tham Nang Aen Cave
Dragon Cave
Kong Lor Cave – the largest and most impressive
Can you do the Thakhek loop in 3 days?
Yes, it’s doable, but you’ll need to skip the activities planned for day 4. After visiting Kong Lor Cave, you can return to Thakhek. Remember that day 3 will involve a longer ride, covering approximately 200 kilometers.
Places to visit in Thakhek
Thakhek is known for its limestone mountains and caves. Refer to the places to visit in the Thakhek blog, which covers all the attractions and activities in the region.
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