Little One: Backpacks Through the Bolaven Plateau, Chasing Waterfalls in Southern Laos

Hello fellow hikers,

Today, we had the opportunity to hike in a neighboring country, the Bolaven Plateau. This high plateau has likely crossed the minds of many of us, and it has certainly been on our radar for some time. We wanted to share our experiences, however limited, to provide some insights for those interested in exploring this region.

Bolaven Plateau: A Trekking Adventure in Laos

The Bolaven Plateau, located in Dong Hua Sao National Park, Champasak Province, Laos, is a stunning plateau characterized by vast meadows, pine trees, and diverse flora. With an elevation of approximately 1,200 meters above sea level, it offers breathtaking views and a rich natural environment. During the rainy season, the plateau transforms into a vibrant tapestry of wildflowers, including the iconic "Dok Phao Phu" and other unique species like the Nepenthes and Impatiens.

Our trekking adventure began with a group of friends, all passionate about exploring the wilderness. We embarked on a journey from Bangkok to Pakse, Laos, via a van and then continued to Ban Nong Luang, the starting point of our trek. The journey involved navigating through challenging terrain, including a bumpy dirt road filled with potholes and mud.

Upon reaching Ban Nong Luang, we prepared our backpacks and distributed them among our porters. The trek from Ban Nong Luang to Dan Sai, spanning approximately 5 kilometers, commenced with a walk through local farms and coffee plantations before venturing into the dense forest. The constant rain and numerous stream crossings added to the adventure, while a thrilling highlight involved traversing a steep slope with the aid of a rope.

After a challenging 2.5-hour trek, we arrived at our campsite amidst the pouring rain. We set up camp, cooked a delicious meal, and enjoyed a well-deserved rest.

The following day, we embarked on a 3-kilometer hike to Tad Khammou and Tad Seua waterfalls. The steep and slippery terrain demanded sturdy footwear and waterproof gear, as the mist from the cascading waterfalls created a constant spray. While swimming was not advisable due to the strong currents, we captured stunning photographs and explored the nearby treehouse and zipline activities.

The return journey to the campsite proved equally challenging, with the steep and slippery slopes testing our endurance. However, we were rewarded with a glimpse of the beautiful Tad Seua waterfall along the way. Back at the campsite, we savored a delicious meal of salmon before preparing for our return to the village the next morning.

Important Information:

• Hiring a guide or porter is mandatory for trekking in the Bolaven Plateau (1 guide/porter for every 2 trekkers).
• A minimum of 3 days and 2 nights is recommended due to the distance and potential delays caused by challenging terrain.
• Ensure you arrive at the Chong Mek border checkpoint before 8:00 PM to avoid being stranded overnight.

Our Rating:

• Scenery: 9/10
• Trekking Difficulty: 7/10
• Group Fun: 10/10

This is merely our personal assessment. We hope this information proves valuable for your planning. We highly recommend experiencing the Bolaven Plateau's beauty firsthand, especially for those who enjoy trekking and nature exploration.

Additional Note:

A two-row van arranged by our Laotian guide transported us from the Chong Mek border checkpoint. The van had a capacity of approximately 15 passengers.

The final 12 kilometers leading to the village entrance were in rough condition, as seen in the photo. Our vehicle became stuck in the mud.

Isn't it fun already?

This image does not depict communal rice planting, but rather a group effort to pull a vehicle out of a ditch.

We arrived at Nong Luang village, the starting point of our trek. After distributing supplies to the porters, we set off on foot.

Following the road, we entered a dense forest shrouded in thick fog. One of the highlights of the trek was a section where we had to cross a ravine using a rope swing. We asked a porter, "Why are the ropes so far apart? It's difficult for short people." The porter replied, "They are made for the size of foreigners." We wondered, "How many foreigners actually come here?" The answer: only 1-2%.

As dusk approached, we finally reached our campsite. Rain had accompanied us throughout the journey, leaving everyone weary from the trek. After setting up camp, we cooked a meal and quickly retired for the night to regain our strength for the next day's hike.

The star attraction here is the Dok Phaya Phu flower, which blooms in abundance across the Bolaven Plateau during the rainy season.

Good morning, with this kind of weather, would you like a cup of coffee? ☕️

The monkey pot plant is another species that is very easy to find here, and its flowers are very large.

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This morning, after breakfast, we set off on foot to visit Tad Khammou and Tad Seua waterfalls, a distance of approximately 3 kilometers.

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On the way to the waterfall, there are many stairs like this, and they are very slippery.

We have arrived at Tad Khammued Waterfall. It is currently very crowded, as it is the peak season during the rainy season.

The tiger's eyes are not far apart.

The return leg is complete.

The camps of other groups were scattered along the edge of the forest.

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The rice flowers are in bloom, adding a touch of beauty to the landscape.

Our dinner looks delicious, doesn't it?

It's time for us to travel back to our village and take a shared taxi back to the Chong Mek border crossing.

On the way back from the village, our shared taxi got stuck in the mud several times, and we almost missed the checkpoint closing.