Complete Travel Guide To Thakhek

Introduction

Thakhek is the capital of Khammouane Province, located on the bank of Mekong River in Central Laos.

Thakhek itself is a little town with good views of Thailand and a nearby border crossing to Thailand. Though Tha Khaek is not the most exciting town in Laos to visit and mostly ignored by tourists in the past, it is still on the tourist map as the jumping-off point for explorations of the province’s stunning shape-shifting landscapes and stirringly gorgeous natural wonders. From here, you can set Tha Khaek as a base from which to begin ‘The Loop’ motorbike journey including the Kong Lor Cave as a highlight. If riding a motorbike is not your style, you can still do the loop or a portion of it by car.

The town itself does not offer much for visitors to do, but the surrounding area is full of caves and waterfalls, some with swimmable lagoons, that can be accessed by scooter or tuk-tuk.

Best time to visit Thakhek

The best time to visit Tha Khaek is from November to March - the dry season when temperatures are cool and pleasant. March to May is still a good season for the loop if you are coming to Tha Khaek for it though this is the hot season and the temperatures can reach 40ºC or higher. However, you might need to avoid coming here in the wet season from May to October, as it is hard to move when the rains make the roads dirty, slippy and dangerous when making up a part of the loop.

Things to see and do in Thakhek

The Tha Khaek town

It is provided good views of Thailand from the old parts of Thakhek near to the Mekong River, though at quite a distance. Along the road nearby to the river, there are several hotels from small to big, restaurants, and food vendors, even a few game stalls such as air rifle shooting. You can rent bicycles or motorbikes from various places to get around more easily.

Narrow lanes wind between the shops leading to a large open market which is well worth a visit. The market sells fresh produce and sometimes wild-animal meats such as snake, squirrel, frog and bat.

Konglor Cave (Tham Kong Lor)

Tham Kong Kor is absolutely to be the highlight and the most fantastic spot of this area if not the whole of Laos. It is a 7 km (4.3 mile) long and 100m (300 feet) high cave through which a navigable river pass. Motorized longboats take visitors through the cave to view the limestone formations and structures.

The cave is a part of Phou Hin Bun National Park. The road to Konglor leads is mostly fine and runs through a valley with rice and tobacco fields. You can find some guesthouses and a few restaurants near Konglor in Ban Nahin village on route 8, 42 km from Konglor. Using a private car to visit the cave is a good idea when it takes at least a three and a half hour trip each way and you would spend three hours at the cave.

The vendors have been set up by the locals in recent years at the location to provide to tourists. Inside the cave, you can find an emerald-like pool.

The Loop

The Loop has become known as a few hundred kilometres circular tours starting on route 13 to the east and then back up and around returning on route 12 from the south. It is commonly completed in three to four days on the motorbike, or it can be done by car as well. Besides, it is not for the faint-hearted drivers, the condition of the roads and the driving standards make it challenging. The loop would take three days at least, driving from the edges of Phou Hin Poun National Protected Area to Konglor cave.

The Buddha Cave (Tham Nong Pafa Cave)

Tham Nong Pafa Cave (often referred to as the Buddha Cave) is a hidden cave on the southern leg of The Loop or directly 14km from Thakhek. The cave is reachable via an elevated walkway which leads to a flight of concrete steps. The people don’t need to use the previous canoe trips and the dangerous bamboo ladder to access the cave any more. The cave is open until 17:00. Photography is not allowed inside the cave. And you should borrow a Sin (traditional Lao skirt) from the area you go up the stairs if you're a female with no Sin.

Tha Falang

Tha Falang is a river swimming spots, locates about 15km to the east from route 12. It might not be attractive in the dry season but the ride to this child-friendly spot still be good fun. This spot has a river at the front and a big pool at the back.

If you want to go inside, remember to bring a torch.

How to get here

By Car

Either heading south from Vientiane or north from Pakse, it takes at least 5 hours to get to Tha Khaek. Along the way, you can hop off during a stop and get some quick roadside street food.