Photo: Khánh Hmoong from Nha Trang, Vietnam ↗THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL
Karst, caves and coffee on the plateau.
Two legendary Lao loops in one trip: Thakhek on routes 12, 8 and 13 through karst towers to Kong Lor cave, then a transfer south and a circuit of the Bolaven plateau with its coffee farms and the Tad Fane and Tad Lo waterfalls. Mostly tarmac, often broken, with light traffic. For those who like South-East Asia without the crowds.
- Kong Lor cave: 7.5 km by boat beneath the mountain
- Karst towers along route 12
- Tad Fane waterfall, 120 m
- Coffee farms of the Bolaven plateau at 1,200 m
With old friends or new ones
Join a group or arrange a separate departure for your own team. Before travelling, we get to know each other, discuss everyone's experience and find suitable dates. You can also prepare together.
DAY BY DAY
Your daily itinerary.
A provisional itinerary. Weather, group readiness and local conditions may change the order and length of the stages.
- DAY 1 · Briefing
Thakhek on the Mekong
Meeting in Thakhek, a hotel on the Mekong riverfront facing Thailand, bike collection and briefing. The French quarter and market in the evening.
Overnight: Hotel in Thakhek - DAY 2 · 150 km, broken tarmac
Route 12 and the karst caves
The Xang and Nang Aen caves, limestone towers along route 12, then north to the drowned forest near Thalang. Night on the shore of the Nam Theun reservoir.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Thalang - DAY 3 · 180 km, tarmac
Lak Sao and the road to Kong Lor
North to Lak Sao near the Vietnamese border, then route 8 over the pass and down the valley to Kong Lor village. One of the loveliest valleys in Laos, with a night by the cave mouth.
Overnight: Guesthouse in Kong Lor - DAY 4 · 200 km, tarmac, boat
Kong Lor cave and the return
A morning 7.5 km by motorboat through Kong Lor cave under the mountain and back. After lunch route 13 south to Thakhek, bikes returned, then an evening transfer to Pakse.
Overnight: Hotel in Pakse - DAY 5 · 90 km, tarmac
Up onto the Bolaven plateau
New bikes in Pakse, then route 16 up to Paksong at 1,200 m: the Tad Fane and Tad Yuang waterfalls, coffee plantations and an arabica tasting on a farm.
Overnight: Guesthouse on a coffee farm - DAY 6 · 160 km, tarmac and gravel
The big loop to Tad Lo
The eastern side of the plateau: the villages of Thateng and Sekong, gravel sections to the Tad Tayicseua falls, then a night at the Tad Lo cascades.
Overnight: Guesthouse at Tad Lo - DAY 7 · 120 km, tarmac
Down to Pakse and Wat Phou
Off the plateau to Pakse, bikes handed back and a visit to the tenth-century Khmer temple of Wat Phou, a UNESCO site. Farewell dinner on the Mekong.
Overnight: Hotel in Pakse - DAY 8 · Transfer
Flight from Pakse
Breakfast and transfer to Pakse airport.
Overnight: —
Included in the estimated price
Honda CRF 250 L / CB 500 X / Royal Enfield Himalayan hire
Support vehicle carrying luggage
Local riding guide
Guesthouses and 3-star hotels
Breakfasts and dinners
Fuel and the Kong Lor cave boat
Pakse airport transfers and the Thakhek — Pakse transfer
Not included in the price
Flights to the meeting point
Personal travel insurance and visas
Personal equipment
Single-room supplements and personal expenses
Motorcycle deposit
Lunches
Domestic flight or bus to Thakhek if arriving via Vientiane
YOUR PREPARATION
Arrive ready for the route.
Category A licence and two or more years of riding; potholed tarmac, oncoming lorries and cattle on the road demand attention. Ivan prepares the group for broken surfaces and advises on dust and heat protection.
Prepare with IvanROUTE QUESTIONS
BEFORE WE MEET ON THE TRAIL
What to prepare in advance
- Full riding kit: helmet, protection, gloves and boots
- Rain gear and waterproof covers
- Documents and insurance for your chosen riding format
- Compact soft luggage without unnecessary weight
Once we choose a date, we agree on the equipment list, meeting point and transfer time. Please wait until the programme is confirmed before booking flights.