The Ultimate Guide to the Thakhek Loop (2024)

Table of Contents

Overview of the Thakhek Loop

This is the ultimate guide to the Thakhek Loop, designed to make the most out of your adventurous Laos experience. We’ll go over the itinerary, what to pack, where to stay, renting your vehicle, and much more! The Thakhek Loop is typically completed in 3-5 days but we highly recommend going slower and doing a few extra adventure activities along the way. You can adjust this schedule to your travel preferences, level of comfort, budget, and time allowances, as everyone is different. The Thakhek Loop is what you make it, and talking to locals, fellow travelers, and your own research is how you’ll find the perfect itinerary for you! We recommend booking popular places like the Spring River Resort and The Rock Lodge in advance, but you can just show up to the lower-budget, less popular guesthouses and ask for a room. Without further ado, let’s get into the ultimate guide to the Thakhek Loop!

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Map of the Thakhek Loop

We made a downloadable google map that you can access here. You should definitely download our map and the Khammouane Province map prior to starting the loop as the connection is not great during most parts of the loop. Here is the most popular map of the Thakhek Loop:

The red-dotted line is called the Loop Extension, which is mostly done by mountain bikers, although you can do it via motorbike by taking your motorbike by boat through the Kong Lor Cave. However, the roads are brutal and putting your motorbike on the flimsy wooden boats is not a good idea.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!

Safety Wing’s Nomad Insurance is how we travel knowing that if something bad were to happen to us, we’d be protected. They cover medical assistance if you get sick or get into an accident which gives us peace of mind while on the road. In addition to medical benefits, they also cover lost baggage, travel delays, and even evacuation from political and environmental dangers! They have additional add-on coverage for non-US residents for extreme adventure activities, electronics theft, and US coverage. This is a must-have for every long-term traveler!

Top Things To Do On The Thakhek Loop

Kong Lor Cave
The Rock Adventure Activities
Rock Climbing at Green Climbers Home
Spring River Resort Kayaking (even if you don’t stay here)
Nang Aen Cave

Check out our posts for the Rock Adventure Activities and the Kong Lor Cave Guide!

Where to Stay in Thakhek

You’ll likely spend a day or two in Thakhek at both the beginning and the end of the loop! There aren’t too many accommodation options as the town is small, but La Casa, Inthira Guesthouse, Song Lao Guesthouse, and Bike & Bed Hostel are all good options.

Thakhek Loop 6 Day Itinerary

Our Thakhek Loop itinerary is not conventional, but after a ton of research and doing our own version of the loop, we’ve found this to be how we would do it. Chances are, you are going to tweak this to suit your tastes. When we did our version of the loop, there were a few things we regretted not doing, (like staying at The Rock Lodge), so we’ve made sure to include everything we missed in our ultimate guide to the Thakhek Loop. If you aren’t interested in rock climbing, you can skip day 2 which shortens your trip to 5 days.

Thakhek Loop Day 1

The loop starts in Thathek. In the first part of the loop, sometimes referred to as “Cave Alley,” you’ll drive on paved highway with dirt roads branching off and leading to the various caves. A few minutes outside of Thakhek you’ll be admiring the gorgeous karst peaks. The caves are fairly close to each other, so there will be frequent breaks in your driving.

We recommend bringing your headlamp as there are a few caves that you can explore deeper than where most visitors go. We probably saw less than 15 visitors total when visiting these caves.

The highlights of this day are Tham Nang Aen Cave, Xieng Liap Cave, and the Buddha and Pa Seuam Caves. If you aren’t doing the rock climbing on day 2, you should also take a dip in the Tha Falang Swimming Hole after some of these caves.

Elephant Cave (Tham Xang)

Really cool greenery inside the cave, which we’ve never seen before
Cool views of the farmland from inside the cave
Closest cave to Thakhek
Costs 5,000 Kip ($0.25)

Buddha Cave

More of a religious site than a natural phenomenon
Cool temple inside a cave, but photography is forbidden
You can get blessed by a Buddha Monk in this temple
Costs 3,000 Kip for parking, 5,000 Kip for entrance, and 10,000 Kip for the boat ride (total is less than $1 USD), although we were only charged for parking
Views are great from here but there’s a lot of trash in the mouth of the cave

Pa Seuam Cave

This was closed in November of 2023 but there was amazing views of the lake/swamp near here
If you see a shack on a swamp on the left side of the road, walk past the shack – there is a cool cave that you can explore, but make sure to exercise caution as this is not maintained

Xieng Liap Cave

The mouth of the case is HUGE and if you take your shoes off and have a bathing suit you can explore this deeper
Xieng Liap Cave has more affordable adventure activities versus the Rock
There’s ziplining, renting a buggy, and walk on cool bridges in the treetops
10,000 Kip entry fee

Phaya In Cave

Not super impressive but after you enter, you can go left and do a very mild version of caving/spelunking
When we were there, there was a blind guy outside asking for voluntary donations, and he was happy with 5,000 Kip ($0.25)
Be very careful getting back on to the main road as there is gravel, an incline, and you’ll be turning. I almost slipped here and ended up just walking my bike up the incline.

Nang Aen Cave

Huge Cave where you can take a boat ride through the cave, and explore it deeper on foot
Takes around 1.5 hours to visit, most of which is walking around
There are a good amount of inclines and stairs which are surprisingly strenuous and slippery
40,000 Kip entrance fee ($2 USD) and another 100,000 Kip ($5 USD) for the boat ride (which we highly recommend)

Stay at Green Climbers Home if you want to do the rock climbing. If not, go to Nam Theun and stay at Mind House Bungalow.

Thakhek Loop Day 2

The majority of this day is rock climbing and relaxing, so if you don’t like rock climbing, you can skip this day. However, you should make sure you do the Tha Falang Swimming Hole, either on the first day or just stop by it on the morning of the second day.

Rock Climbing at Green Climbers

Rock Climbing on the karst cliffs with amazing views and professional instructors
Various options for all skill levels and time lengths

Tha Falang Swimming Hole

This is where the locals go to relax and unwind, and eat and drink all day
Can rent kayaks for $5 with no time limits
Can also stay in bungalows on the water here
Take a dip here to cool off after all your physical activities!

Stay at Green Climbers Home for another night.

Thakhek Loop Day 3

This may seem like a fairly packed schedule, although you can take as much or as little time at each of these stops. We really regret not being able to take a boat ride in one of the repurposed bombs, so make sure to budget time for this!

Song Sou (Sa) Waterfall

Small waterfalls where you can take a dip to cool down if needed
Best to visit during or right after wet season

Sandstone Buddha Statues

Buddha figures are carved into the rock on the side of the road
Flooded forests are on the other side of the road, which you can take a boat ride through

Lak Sao

Great place to grab lunch and refuel
Can check out the local markets and a cool Khmer Buddhist Temple

Dragon (Mangkone) Cave

Has a large cavern that you get to by crouching down for a few meters
You will need a headlamp for this (as well as a bold spirit if you’re exploring alone!)

Cool Springs

Take a dip in this lagoon to cool down from the afternoon Laos heat
Really cool scenery in the surrounding area
10,000 Kip entry fee

Ban Tha Bak

Interesting look into Laos’ troubling history
Repurposed bombs are made into cool warhead canoes which you can take boat rides in

Stay at The Rock Lodge or Sanhak Guesthouse.

Thakhek Loop Day 4

While it’s hard to compare all these amazing experiences, I would say this was my favorite day on the loop. The Rock Adventure Activities are magnificent and unique experiences that we’ll cherish forever. If you stay at the Rock Lodge and get breakfast here, you should be able to do the 4-hour course and hike Na Sanam Waterfall.

The Rock Adventure Activities

Can do 2 hour, 4 hour, or full-day activities including ziplining, via ferrata circuits, caving, rappelling and cool hanging bridges
Book your activity through Green Discovery
Much more expensive than other activities on the Thakhek Loop, but is 100% worth it

Read our post for the ultimate guide to the Rock Viewpoint!

Ultimate Guide to the Rock Viewpoint Laos

Eat at The Rock

This viewpoint is the most magnificent on the Thakhek Loop
There’s a coffee bar here with more variety than anywhere else we’ve seen in Laos

Hike Na Sanam Waterfall

The hike is confusing and hard and takes around 3 hours total, so many Loopers skip this
Make sure to go by 2 pm at the very latest
If you do choose to do the hike, you’ll see the amazing 80 meter waterfall
Best during wet season or shortly after
We didn’t make it up all the way, you can see the start of the big waterfall in the top of this picture:

Drive to and stay at Spring River Resort or Thongdam Guesthouse.

Thakhek Loop Day 5

This is a fairly action-packed day, so feel free to cut out either the kayaking or the Nam Non Cave, but do not miss the Kong Lor Cave. If you choose to do these activities, wake up early and try to get to the Kong Lor Cave ticket booth at 8 am when it opens. It might be hard to get a tour to Nam Non Cave so make sure to organize this the day before.

Kong Lor Cave

Many people’s favorite stop in Laos
Explore Ban Natan / Natane Valley on the other side of the cave. (Some people stay at Natane Resort for a day.)
Can take a boat to the mouth of the cave if you’re staying at Spring River Resort
Costs 120,000 Kip which includes the 7.5 km boat ride

Read our ultimate guide to exploring the Kong Lor Cave

Lunch at the Best One Restaurant Konglor Cave

This has a really cool view and you eat on platforms raised on bamboo stilts
The curry is absolutely amazing and the owners are super nice!

Kayak the River at Spring River Resort

Kayak through the lush forests with views of the stunning karst peaks
The water will be more muddy during and after wet season (May – September)

Explore Nam Non Cave

This is a newly discovered cave, and most of the cave has not yet been explored
You can organize a boat tour with Spring River Resort or your guesthouse

Drive to and stay at Sanhak Guesthouse or Sainamhai Resort.

Thakhek Loop Day 6

Eat breakfast at San Bak Guesthouse or The Rock Restaurant and hit the road! Unfortunately, this is the worst part of the loop, as it is the longest consecutive drive you’ll do. You can break up your drive with a visit to the Khung Kong Leng Lake, although this will add some time to your overall trip. Be careful as the roads are dusty and there are lots of trucks. The good news is this road was being redone in November of 2023!

Khung Kong Leng Lake

Take a dip in this swimming hole surrounded by karst cliffs
Great way to split up the drive on the last day

Packing List

Sun Protection: Make sure to bring sunscreen, sun glasses, and if you can, a long sleeve lightweight shirt and pants to protect you from the sun. You’ll be riding for 2+ hours a day in the open roads, so if you’re not careful you’ll get burned! Many helmets have tinted visors but we recommend bringing a pair of sunglasses so that you can see the road and stay safe!
Swim Suit: There are tons of swimming holes and random places where you can take a dip in the river along the way, so come prepared!
Clothes: We recommend packing as light as possible, using a backpack like this one that will fit under the seat.
Rain Gear: Bring a lightweight giant poncho to cover up while driving to avoid a miserable driving experience!
Money: While there are atms in the bigger towns, we strongly recommend getting out all the money you’ll need before doing the loop. This will save time and avoid the risk of the atms not working!
Face Covering: Bring a bandana or face mask to protect from all the dust that will inevitably come flying back at you. The roads from Na Hin to Thakhek were terribly dusty. The good news is that they were building a concrete road in November of 2023.
Headlamp: Most of the caves are illuminated via sunlight or electric lights, but there are a few that you’ll need a headlamp for to fully explore.
Snacks: If you don’t have time to stop for food, having snacks is the best way to eat on the go. There are also remote locations where you’ll be happy you brought snacks along!

Best Time to Do the Thakhek Loop

Between November and February is the best time to do the Thakhek Loop. Though Laos’ dry season extends from November to May, the latter half of that time brings extremely hot weather that will make the loop unpleasant. You can technically complete the Loop year-round but if you go during wet season you’ll be driving through mud in some places.

Where to Rent your Motorbike

There are tons of shops in Thakhek that you can just walk into and rent a bike from. While it isn’t common for day-rentals, you can negotiate the price as you are going for a few days. Wang Wang is a great place to get a budget option, and Mad Monkey is for more high quality and therefore more pricey motorbikes. Try to pick out a comfortable helmet that also has a visor to protect from the dust. Make sure you take your bike for a test drive and ensure everything is working before embarking on your multi-day adventure!

How to Stay Safe while Driving:

Get a helmet with a face shield
Don’t drive at night
Always look out for livestock and potholes
Use bandana/facemask
Wear lots of sunscreen
Don’t drive if you’re tired
Make sure you have enough experience before doing the loop

Doing the Loop with Alternative Transportation

This wouldn’t be The Ultimate Guide to the Thakhek Loop without mentioning alternative transportation. Though we don’t recommend doing this as it will be more costly and in some cases you’ll have less flexibility, we understand that not everyone wants to drive a motorbike for six days straight! The good new is there are a few ways to do the Thakhek Loop other than via motorbike.

By Car

You can rent a car in Vientiane and drive it to Thakhek, although this means you need to return it in Vientiane after doing the Loop versus just returning your bike in Thakhek. This costs around $50-60 USD a day. We recommend using RentalCars.com. If you want to risk it, you can also rent a car in Thakhek, but this won’t be through a reputable company that you would use in Vientiane. The shop across the street from La Casa was renting out a sedan for $65/day.

Via Tour

This is becoming more and more popular, and while costly, you will have a local driver who knows the roads. This is definitely the safest option, although you probably won’t have much flexibility if you want to do your own itinerary. If you don’t like planning, this is for you!

By Public Transportation

We don’t recommend this as you will have very little flexibility. However, if there are just a few things you want to see, like the things in Kong Lor area, this is very feasible. You can read our Kong Lor Cave Guide for how to get to Kong Lor. Buses in other locations, especially the right side of the loop may be harder to come by, but your guesthouse should be able to help you out.

How to Get to Thakhek

Thakhek has an international bus station with buses arriving from all over Southeast Asia. We recommend using 12Go to schedule any buses to Thakhek.

Thakhek is very close to Nakhon Phanom in Thailand, which has a domestic airport that you can fly into from Bangkok or other Thai cities – from there, you can take the bus from Nakhon Phanom to Thakhek.

Keep Exploring Laos…

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Our Favorite Travel Resources

Accommodations: We use Booking.com for hotels and HostelWorld for hostels. We also use VRBO or TrustedHousesitters for longer stays.

Flights: We recommend using Skyscanner to find the cheapest and best flights.

Ground Transport: We use 12Go and Omio for buses and private transfers, and rentalcars.com and Discover Cars for rental cars.

Activities: GetYourGuide and Viator are the best websites for booking organized tours.

International Medical Insurance: We highly recommend SafetyWing for Digital Nomads and HeyMondo for those not traveling full-time, or who frequently engage in higher-risk adventure activities.

eSIM: We recommend Airalo or Holafly for getting data internationally.

Check out our Travel Resources Page for more of our favorite travel-related products and services!