The most beautiful waterfalls of Laos
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#1: Kuang Si | Luang Prabang
Why should I visit: an excellent half day trip if you're staying in Luang Prabang. It offers a gorgeous escape to the city and a possibility to cool down from the Laotian heath.
Visitor scale: very popular
Can I book a tour: yes! Instead of traveling there on your own by TukTuk you can book a seat to Kuang Si Falls in a minivan here. The price is reasonable at about 6€ per person and the van will pick you op at your hotel (entrance price Kuang Si Falls not included).
How to get there: Getting to Kuang Si Falls is easy. Luang Prabang buzzes with Tuk Tuk drivers offering to take you there. They depart anytime you want and cost around 40.000 kip per person. Plan your day so you have at least three hours at the falls if you wish to swim and hike to the top. The entrance fee is 20.000 kip per person ($2.50 USD).
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#2: Tad Yuang | Bolaven Plateau
When you’re driving the Bolaven Plateau motorbike loop, you’ll find Tad Yuang Fall about 40 km (25 miles) from Pakse. Walk down the slippery steps towards the waterfall and take a dip above or below the falls during the dry season. This time of year the flow of the river is more mild. Restaurants and tourist shops are lining the parking area.
Why should I visit: the Bolaven Plateau is walhalla for any nature lover. The numerous waterfalls that are peppered in this area make it incredibly pleasant to hop on a motorbike and hop from waterfall to waterfall. You can have a short hike in the area and explore the falls from the bottom and from the top.
Visitor scale: moderately popular. The number of shops selling trinkets indicates it should attract a decent number of visitors but there was only one other couple there and all the shops were closed on our visit.
Can I book a tour: we haven't found a tour to book online that specifically included this waterfall but a specialized tour operators offer multi day trips in the area.
How to get there: Best way to get to Tad Yuang is by driving the Bolaven Plateau small loop. Rent a scooter or motorbike for a couple of days and explore the Bolan Plateau’s exquisite natural gems.
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#3 Tad Fane | Bolaven Plateau
Tad Fane are probably the most famous waterfalls of southern Laos. Two streams of water plunge deep into the jungle covered basin below, creating a scene reminiscent of Jurassic Park. Most visitors take in the views from the viewpoints close to the Tad Fane Resort. If you’re looking for a more active experience, you can hire a guide and trek through the jungle to the top of the falls. Recently you can also zipline across the gorge, taking in some epic views while flying over the jungle.
Why should I visit: because it's the most impressive waterfall in Laos, that's why!
Visitor scale: moderately popular. The falls are located next to the best resort on the Bolaven Plateau motorbike loop: Tad Fane Resort. Even when not staying at the resort, it's a frequent stop for travelers to have lunch or experience the zip line over the falls.
Can I book a tour: we haven't found a tour to book online that specifically included this waterfall but a specialized tour operators offer multi day trips in the area.
How to get there: Best way to get to Tad Fane by driving the Bolaven Plateau small loop. Rent a scooter or motorbike for a couple of days and explore the Bolaven Plateau’s exquisite natural gems. Local travel agencies will also organize tours from Paksé to Tad Fane.
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#4 Tad Tayicsua | Bolaven Plateau
If you have the time to drive the big motorbike loop through the Bolaven Plateau, Tad Tayicsua should definitely be on your must-see list. This waterfall is quite off-the-beaten-path and requires a bit of dirt-road motorbiking to get there. You’ll likely have the place all to yourself. The site offers a total of 7 waterfalls to explore, Tad Tayicsua being the most impressive. Bring some sturdy hiking shoes as the trek down to the base of the falls is very muddy and slippery.
Why should I visit: if you're into hiking and getting off the beaten path! At this specific location, you'll find not less than 7 hiking trails to 7 different waterfalls.
Visitor scale: less popular. You need to do part of Big Loop to get here, most travelers stick to the Small Loop.
Can I book a tour: we haven't found a tour to book online that covered the waterfalls on the Big Loop unfortunately.
How to get there: Only way to get to Tad Tayicsua is by driving the Bolaven Plateau big loop. Rent a scooter or motorbike for a couple of days and explore the Bolan Plateau’s exquisite natural gems.
#5 Tad Champi | Bolaven Plateau
Located near Tad Fane and Tad Yuang, Tad Champi is one of those waterfalls that scream jungle vibes. The water tubes down a rocky river bed into a pool below, surrounded by thick and lush jungle vegetation. The only amenities near was a bar. You'll descend to the falls via a long set of stairs but once below you have an amazing natural swimming pool at your disposal.
Why should I visit: for swimming and tranquility. (avoid swimming directly under the falls as some nasty fishies tend to swim there and occasionally bite)
Visitor scale: less popular. It's not located next to a resort and attracts fewer crowds.
Can I book a tour: we haven't found a tour to book online that covered this waterfall unfortunately.
How to get there: Only way to get to Tad Champi is by driving the Bolaven Plateau motorbike loop on your scooter or motorbike and braving dirt track. We do not recommend you drive to this waterfall in Monsoon Season, the dirt has a clay-like substance and your bike can get really stuck when the path gets too wet.
BONUS #6 Khone Phapheng Falls | 4000 Islands
The Khone Phapheng Falls are in 4.000 Islands (or Si Phan Don) in southern Laos, close to the Cambodian border. These falls, located on Don Khone island, surprised the French who wanted to find a way to travel on the Mekong River to China. The falls prevented them from traveling the Mekong river and forced them to build a railroad connecting Don Det and Don Khone islands. We did a tour of Don Khone island by bicycle and also had a quick stop at the infamous railroad.
Why should I visit: history and island vibes.
Visitor scale: moderately popular
Can I book a tour: you can book guided tours through the hotels/hostels on Don Det en Don Khone (but you don't really need one)
How to get there: When staying on 4000 Islands, you’re favorite mode of transport will be a bicycle. At 10.000 kip a day, the bicycle is your best friend. Take it around a tour of Don Khone island and stop at Khone Phapheng Falls. Do not only stop at the major viewpoint but walk along the riverbank towards the beach, you’ll enjoy amazing views along the way.
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There you have it, our top 5 most beautiful waterfalls of Laos! Laos has so many waterfalls on display which makes choosing the most beautiful waterfalls of Laos extra hard. Whether you stick to north or to the south of Laos there surely will be a stream of cristal clear water plunging from its famous limestone cliffs that steals your heart.
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What's your favourite Laotian waterfall? We’d love to hear about it in the comments below!
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Some great pics, Tad TAYICSUA is my favourite but i’ll always have a soft spot for the incredible Khonephrapheng falls.