Khammouane

  Thakaek, the provincial centre, offers plenty of options for getting around on your own, as well as tours run by operators and the Provincial Visitor Centre. More hotels and guesthouses are opening in key destinations, matched with better restaurants.       From Vientiane Capital’s Southern Bus Terminal, VIP (LAK80,000) and Express (LAK70,000) coaches depart for … Read more

  Jump on “The Loop”, a provincial lap taking in Thakaek Town, Cave Alley, Limestone Forest, and the Nakai Plateau. The daring can head east into The Hinterlands for extreme adventures in rugged terrain. The Thakhaek Loop Grab a scooter in Thakaek, and put yourself in The Thakek Loop, Khammouane’s popular new circuit connecting the … Read more

In Thakaek, you can curl up in a renovated French colonial hotel or guesthouse, or soak up tranquillity in the gardens of a Mekong Riverside resort. The Loop lures travellers to Konglor Cave, and the surrounding “Limestone Forest” presents plenty of overnight options, beginning at Ban Nahin. The “Door to Konglor” offers guesthouses and bungalows, … Read more

  From Vientiane Capital’s Southern Bus Terminal, VIP (LAK80,000) and Express (LAK 70,000) coaches depart for Thakaek at 04: 00, 05:00, 06:00, 12:00, 13:00, and 17.15 for the five-hour ride. Busses are also available to Kong Lor (10:00) and Nakai (17:00). Busses to Thakaek also leave from Savannakhet, Pakse, Attapeu, Salavan, and Sekong, though the … Read more

  Tad Mouang Meander on a path along a narrow, lush-lined stream, as you follow Tad Mouang spilling down 18 slabs until dropping into a river in the Limestone Forest. To reach the lowest level and trail to the top, walk 1 km from Ban Nahin Village on Route 8. The hike follows a network … Read more

  Many historians believe Khammouane, meaning “happy gold”, was named after the gold deposits found in the area hundreds of years ago. The province’s history dates back as early as the 6th to 8th centuries, when the region was part of the Sikhottabong Kingdom. Remnants of the ancient civilization include the Great Wall (Kampeng Nyak), … Read more

  The province’s Phouthai often mix with the similar Tai people, and are usually considered a separate group. Though many practice Buddhism, they cling to their traditional animist beliefs. Each Phouthai village has one or more female shamans, called moi yau, who mediate between the people and spiritual worlds by going into a trance. Their … Read more

  Tuk tuks are readily available for sightseeing around Thakaek. Some sawng taew (Pickup trucks with benches) drivers can be hired by the day for tourists who want to visit specific attractions around town and into Cave Alley. Prices are negotiable. A few local busses stop at district stations, mostly in the morning and late … Read more

  Check out Cave Alley, the first 20 km of Route 12 with a half-dozen caves. Take a boat ride through the world famous 7.5-km Konglor Cave in the Limestone Forest. Travel to the Hinterlands in the mountainous east, which is loaded with caves including the 9.5-km-long Tham Xebangfai river cave. Cave Alley Cave Alley, … Read more