Thakhek travel guide | Things To Do Atlas

National Route 12 through Khammouane Province, part of the Thakhek Loop road network

450 km loopKarst roads4-day classic

Photo: Phó Nháy · Public domain

Thakhek Loop

Ride Khammouane’s classic motorbike loop through caves, karst roads, reservoirs and Kong Lor.

Getting there: Start and finish in Thakhek
Duration: 4 days classic · 3–5 days recommended
Cost: Paid
Best time: Cool dry season · early starts

Open Google Maps Open the Field Card

River entrance of Kong Lor Cave in Khammouane Province, Laos

River caveBoat crossingLoop highlight

Photo: Busy · CC BY-SA 3.0

Kong Lor Cave

Cross a limestone mountain by longtail boat through Kong Lor’s vast underground river.

Getting there: Kong Lor village · via Khoun Kham
Duration: 2–3 hours
Cost: Paid
Best time: Morning · dry season

Open Google Maps Open the Field Card

Remote caveRiver passageGuide needed

Photo: GIZ ProFEB / Lucas Wahl · Attribution · NoDerivatives

Xe Bang Fai Cave

A remote river-cave expedition through vast limestone chambers in Hin Nam No.

Getting there: Hin Nam No · remote guided access
Duration: Full day or multi-day
Cost: Paid
Best time: Dry season · river conditions permitting

Open Google Maps Open the Field Card

River caveRoute 12Natural interior

Tham Xiang Liap Cave

A natural river cave with a huge entrance, flowing water and seasonal adventure.

Getting there: Route 12 · about 14 km from Thakhek
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Cost: Paid
Best time: Dry season

Open Google Maps Open the Field Card

Decorated entrance to Tham Chang, the Elephant Cave, near Thakhek

Cave shrineElephant rockClose to town

Tham Chang · Elephant Cave

A compact Buddhist cave shrine with an elephant-shaped rock formation and valley views.

Getting there: Route 12 · near Ban Tham
Duration: 30 to 60 minutes
Cost: Paid
Best time: Morning or late afternoon

Open Google Maps Open the Field Card

Sacred cave229 BuddhasCultural stop

Tham Pha · Buddha Cave

A sacred cave near Thakhek sheltering 229 bronze Buddha images.

Getting there: Ban Na Khan Sarng · about 14 km from Thakhek
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Cost: Paid
Best time: Morning

Open Google Maps Open the Field Card

Tha Falang riverside landscape near Thakhek in Khammouane Province, Laos

River swimCave Alley pauseNam Don

Photo: Aleksey Gnilenkov · CC BY 2.0

Tha Falang

A relaxed riverside stop for shade, clear water and swimming when conditions allow.

Getting there: Route 12 · about 15 km east of Thakhek
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Cost: Free
Best time: Dry season

Open Google Maps Open the Field Card

Clear blue water and limestone surroundings at Khoun Kong Leng Lake in Laos

Karst springEmerald waterHinboun

Photo: Aleksey Gnilenkov · CC BY 2.0

Khoun Kong Leng

An emerald karst spring north of Thakhek, surrounded by limestone and forest.

Getting there: North of Thakhek · near Ban Nakhou
Duration: 1 to 3 hours
Cost: Free
Best time: Morning · dry season

Open Google Maps Open the Field Card

Nam Theun 2 reservoir and dam landscape on the Thakhek Loop in central Laos

Loop overnightReservoir sunsetNakai Plateau

Photo: chalongrat hantragul · CC BY 3.0

Thalang & Nam Theun 2 Reservoir

A classic Loop overnight beside the Nam Theun 2 reservoir and drowned-tree landscape.

Getting there: Thakhek Loop · Nakai Plateau
Duration: Overnight stop
Cost: Paid
Best time: Late afternoon · before sunset

Open Google Maps Open the Field Card

Phan Ya In Cave, also known as Pha Inh Cave, along Route 12 near Thakhek, Laos

Sacred caveNatural poolCave Alley

Photo: Adriaan Castermans · See Wikimedia Commons file page

Pha Inh Cave

A quiet sacred cave with a Buddhist shrine and naturally lit underground pool.

Getting there: Route 12 · east of Thakhek
Duration: 45–90 minutes
Cost: Paid
Best time: Morning to midday

Open Google Maps Open the Field Card

Turquoise karst water at Khoun Kong Leng in Khammouane Province, used as regional spring context for Cool Springs on the Thakhek Loop

Cold springBan NapavanDay 2 reset

Photo: Aleksey Gnilenkov · CC BY 2.0

Cool Springs

Cold turquoise spring water makes this an easy cooling stop on Loop Day 2.

Getting there: Route 8 · near Ban Napavan
Duration: 1–2 hours
Cost: Paid
Best time: Late morning or early afternoon

Open Google Maps Open the Field Card

Dragon caveDay twoKarst stop

Dragon Cave

A roadside cave near Lak Sao combining low passages, a large chamber and viewpoint.

Getting there: Near Lak Sao · Route 8
Duration: 1–2 hours
Cost: Paid
Best time: Morning · dry weather

Open Google Maps Open the Field Card

Buddha siteCultural stopDay two

Sandstone Buddhas

Roadside Buddha carvings cut directly into sandstone cliffs along Route 1E.

Getting there: Route 1E · near Lak Sao
Duration: 30–60 minutes
Cost: Paid
Best time: Morning or late afternoon

Open Google Maps Open the Field Card

Karst panoramaRoute 8Viewpoint free

The Rock ViewPoint

A dramatic Route 8 viewpoint over Khammouane’s limestone forest and karst towers.

Getting there: Route 8 · Ban Na Hin, Khounkham
Duration: 30–60 min for the viewpoint · longer with adventure activities
Cost: Free
Best time: Morning · before 17:00

Open Google Maps Open the Field Card

View of Thakhek from the Mekong River in Laos

Old townMekong walkEasy evening

Photo: BacLuong · CC BY-SA 4.0

Old Thakhek & Mekong Riverfront

Walk old shophouse streets, the central square and Thakhek’s Mekong riverfront.

Getting there: Central Thakhek · Mekong riverfront
Duration: 1–3 hours
Cost: Free
Best time: Late afternoon · sunset

Open Google Maps Open the Field Card

Pha That Sikhottabong stupa south of Thakhek in Khammouane Province, Laos

Sacred stupaMekongKhammouane heritage

Photo: Tango7174 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Sikhottabong Stupa

Khammouane’s sacred riverside stupa, a short cultural trip south of Thakhek.

Getting there: 5–6 km south of Thakhek
Duration: 1–2 hours outside festival time
Cost: Paid
Best time: Morning or late afternoon

Open Google Maps Open the Field Card

Limestone and forest landscape of Hin Nam No National Park in Lao PDR

UNESCO 2025Village guidesRemote karst

Photo: GIZ ProFEB · Nomination File · Attribution · NoDerivatives

Hin Nam No National Park

Remote UNESCO-listed karst wilderness of caves, forest and limestone towers.

Getting there: Boualapha District · guided access
Duration: 2–4 days from Thakhek for a meaningful visit
Cost: Paid
Best time: Dry season · guided visit

Open Google Maps Open the Field Card

Panoramic view of Pakse on the Xe Don River from the Champasak Palace Hotel

City Field Note Next destination

Photo: Tango7174 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pakse

Laos · Destination field guide

A lowland river city that works best as the southern junction between Champasak heritage, the Bolaven Plateau and the road farther south.

Guide: 7 city notes
Scope: Pakse · Bolaven · Champasak
Use it for: Building the southern Laos base
Type: City field note

Open the City Field Note

Sunrise over Pha That Luang, the national symbol of Laos, in Vientiane

City Field Note Next destination

Photo: Benh LIEU SONG · CC BY-SA 4.0

Vientiane

Laos · Destination field guide

A low-rise capital where national monuments, old temples, contemporary history and everyday city life spread along and beyond the Mekong.

Guide: 7 city notes
Scope: Old city · Lane Xang · That Luang · Mekong gateways
Use it for: Reading the capital beyond the monument list
Type: City field note

Open the City Field Note

Country Field Note Next country

Photo: Christophe95 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Thailand

Country field card · Destination field guide

A country that works best as several distinct travel systems — river plain, northern mountains, Mekong plateau and two southern coasts — rather than one continuous checklist.

Guide: 7 country notes
Scope: Bangkok · North · Isan · Gulf · Andaman
Use it for: Choosing regions before cities
Type: Country field note

Open the Country Field Note

Town mealThakhekLunch dinner

Phubeer Restaurant

An easy first-night or post-Loop restaurant pick when the priority is sitting down, eating and letting the road day finish.

Open Google Maps

Town mealThakhekLunch dinner

Thakhek’s Secret Bar

An after-dark food-and-drink stop for the night when helmets are off and you want the Thakhek evening to last a little longer.

Open Google Maps

Town mealThakhekLunch dinner

Orlasone-BBQ

A barbecue-led dinner option for an uncomplicated evening when the plan is simply food, company and no more road.

Open Google Maps

Town mealThakhekLunch dinner

Bonjour Thakhek

A relaxed town restaurant to keep for an unhurried Thakhek meal, especially on the evening before you commit to an early Loop start.

Open Google Maps

Town mealThakhekLunch dinner

Thakhek View

A restaurant for turning dinner into part of the Thakhek evening rather than treating food as another pre-Loop task to clear.

Open Google Maps

Town mealThakhekLunch dinner

Miss Tang Restaurant

A simple dinner candidate for a flexible evening when you want to eat in town without building the night around a destination restaurant.

Open Google Maps

Town mealThakhekLunch dinner

Space Bar&Restaurant

A combined bar-and-restaurant stop for an easy evening when dinner can flow naturally into drinks instead of ending the day immediately.

Open Google Maps

Town mealThakhekLunch dinner

Six Friends Restaurant

A secondary town meal option to keep in the mix when timing and convenience matter more than making dinner a destination.

Open Google Maps

Coffee stopThakhekDaytime

Soukjai Cafe

A central, low-friction coffee stop for the hours when you are walking the old town, sorting transport or waiting to start the next leg of the Loop.

Open Google Maps

Coffee stopThakhekDaytime

Kamkhong home cafe by noungning

A home-café pause for a quieter part of the day, better suited to slowing down than rushing through a pre-departure checklist.

Open Google Maps

Coffee stopThakhekDaytime

DD Bistro & Cafe

A café-bistro choice for when coffee needs to become a proper daytime break rather than a five-minute stop between errands.

Open Google Maps

Coffee stopThakhekDaytime

Bike & Bed Hostel Café

A traveller-oriented café stop tied to the Loop rhythm: useful for coffee, route planning and a pause among other riders without duplicating it as a stay.

Open Google Maps

Coffee stopThakhekDaytime

YO & KO café

A compact café stop for a short town pause when you want coffee without turning the break into a destination of its own.

Open Google Maps

Coffee stopThakhekDaytime

Vegetarian House Cafe

A useful café to shortlist when a vegetarian-leaning identity matters, especially after several road meals on the Loop.

Open Google Maps

Coffee stopThakhekDaytime

La Parisian Cafe

A café with a more deliberate stop-in feel: use it when you want to sit with coffee and let the town slow down for a while.

Open Google Maps

Coffee stopThakhekDaytime

Candy cafe

A casual afternoon café for the quieter hours between sightseeing, route planning and the busier evening riverfront.

Open Google Maps

Coffee stopThakhekDaytime

Organic cafe'

A café to shortlist when its organic identity appeals to you; check the current menu rather than assuming the name defines every item.

Open Google Maps

Coffee stopThakhekDaytime

Vie de France

A café to use when you want a longer coffee pause in town, not just a quick caffeine stop on the way to the rental shop.

Open Google Maps

Coffee stopThakhekDaytime

ROK Coffee Thakhek

A coffee-first stop that fits naturally before route planning or after the bike comes back, giving the Loop day a clean start or finish.

Open Google Maps

Coffee stopThakhekDaytime

Room Cafe Thakhek

A practical daytime café for sitting down between errands, transport plans and the small tasks that tend to fill a Thakhek preparation day.

Open Google Maps

Coffee stopThakhekDaytime

Geelot cha

A tea-and-coffee alternative for days when you want a lighter pause and something different from the usual coffee-only shortlist.

Open Google Maps

Coffee stopThakhekDaytime

B96 Coffee and Tea

A straightforward coffee-and-tea stop for filling the gap between a town errand and the next transport or route decision.

Open Google Maps

Loop baseThakhekOvernight

Naga Hostel & Café

A traveller-focused base that keeps a bed and café under one roof, useful when you want the first or last Loop night to stay simple.

Open Google Maps

Loop baseThakhekOvernight

Bami Thakhek Hostel

A practical hostel base for travellers who want to sleep in Thakhek, organise the bike and leave the Loop departure for the next morning.

Open Google Maps

Loop baseThakhekOvernight

Nana Bungalows

A bungalow-format stay for travellers who would rather come back to a separate, slower-feeling base than another conventional hostel room.

Open Google Maps

Loop baseThakhekOvernight

Lao Home Hostel

A straightforward hostel base for keeping costs and logistics simple before or after several days around Khammouane.

Open Google Maps

Catty Tourist House And Restaurant in Thakhek

Loop baseThakhekOvernight

Catty tourist house & restaurant

A stay-and-meal combination that suits travellers who prefer to settle in once rather than separate accommodation and dinner logistics.

Open Google Maps

Loop baseThakhekOvernight

Villa Thakhek

A more private-feeling alternative to the hostel-heavy Loop scene, worth comparing when the town stay matters as much as the departure.

Open Google Maps

Loop baseThakhekOvernight

Bamboo Hostel Thakhek

A hostel base that fits the classic Loop rhythm: arrive, sort the practical details, sleep, then start riding with daylight.

Open Google Maps

Loop baseThakhekOvernight

STAY HOSTEL by M&M

A traveller hostel to compare when you want the social convenience of a Loop base without making the accommodation itself the main event.

Open Google Maps

Loop baseThakhekOvernight

Song Lao Guesthouse

A guesthouse-style base for travellers who prefer a quieter night in Thakhek before the road takes over again.

Open Google Maps

Loop baseThakhekOvernight

Xoksaysub Hotel

A conventional hotel option for travellers who want a straightforward town room and a clear break from the hostel-and-Loop atmosphere.

Open Google Maps

Loop baseThakhekOvernight

Nam Phou Hostel

A hostel option for a no-fuss overnight when the important decision is tomorrow’s route rather than tonight’s room.

Open Google Maps

Loop baseThakhekOvernight

Orlardee Hostel

A small hostel base to compare when you want to keep the Loop departure flexible and stay inside Thakhek’s traveller rhythm.

Open Google Maps

Loop baseThakhekOvernight

Thakhek Travel Lodge

A lodge-style base suited to travellers who want to settle in properly before taking several days out on the Loop.

Open Google Maps

Loop rentalBike checkBefore ride

Mixay Thakhek Motor Rental

One of the rental desks to compare seriously on bike condition, helmet, deposit and breakdown terms before trusting it with several Loop days.

Open Google Maps

Loop rentalBike checkBefore ride

PokemonGo Motorbike Rental

A Loop rental option where the useful comparison is mechanical condition and paperwork, not the name: test brakes, tyres and lights before leaving town.

Open Google Maps

Loop rentalBike checkBefore ride

Wang Wang Motor Rental

A rental option for travellers setting their own departure time; compare the bike itself, the deposit and support terms before choosing.

Open Google Maps

Loop rentalBike checkBefore ride

Mad Monkey Motorcycle

A motorcycle-rental option to include in the pre-Loop comparison when you want to inspect several bikes before deciding which one you trust.

Open Google Maps

Useful addressThakhekSave it

Khamouane Province Hospital

The provincial public hospital for Thakhek; save the address before the Loop so an emergency contact point is already in your Atlas.

Open Google Maps

Photo to add

Tourism officeLoop planningLocal guidance

Thakhek Tourism Information Center

The city’s tourism information office, useful for current local guidance, Loop questions and practical orientation before you ride beyond Thakhek.

Open Google Maps

YOUR SAVED ROUTES

My Favorites

Only countries with saved places appear here. Open one country at a time.

No saved places yet. Add a heart anywhere in the Atlas and it will appear here.