Things To Do Atlas

things to do in Pakse

Stone gate with columns and Buddhist reliefs leading to a clothed statue of the Buddha seated, Wat Phou temple, Champasak, Laos
Khmer templeWorld HeritageChampasak
Photo: Basile Morin · cc-by-sa

Vat Phou

Follow the ceremonial axis of Vat Phou, the Khmer temple landscape south of Pakse, from the Mekong plain towards Phou Kao mountain.

Getting there
Road transfer south from Pakse
Duration
Half-day
Cost
Paid
Best time
Morning
Open Google Maps Open the Field Card
Tad Fane twin waterfalls and rainforest gorge on the Bolaven Plateau
Twin fallsRainforest gorgeBolaven
Photo: Christophe95 · cc-by-sa

Tad Fane Waterfall

See the twin Tad Fane falls drop into a rainforest gorge on the Bolaven Plateau, reached as a day trip from Pakse.

Getting there
Road trip via Paksong
Duration
Half-day
Cost
Paid
Best time
Rainy season
Open Google Maps Open the Field Card
Tad Yuang waterfall on the Bolaven Plateau
Plateau stopWaterfall walkPaksong
Photo: Christophe95 · cc-by-sa

Tad Yuang Waterfall

Stop at Tad Yuang on the Bolaven Plateau for a waterfall visit that complements the larger Tad Fane gorge nearby.

Getting there
Road trip via Paksong
Duration
1–2 hours
Cost
Paid
Best time
Daylight
Open Google Maps Open the Field Card
Coffee plantation on the Bolaven Plateau in southern Laos
Coffee countryHighland roadDay route
Photo: Christophe95 · cc-by-sa

Bolaven Plateau Coffee Route

Use Pakse as the base for a Bolaven Plateau day route, where coffee-growing highlands, villages and waterfall stops shape the journey.

Getting there
Road trip from Pakse
Duration
Full day
Cost
Paid
Best time
October to February
Open Google Maps Open the Field Card
Golden Buddha at Wat Phou Salao in Pakse
Hilltop templeCity outlookGolden Buddha
Photo: Supanut Arunoprayote · cc-by

Wat Phou Salao

Cross the Mekong side of Pakse for Wat Phou Salao, the hilltop temple known for its large seated Buddha above the city.

Getting there
Road across the Mekong
Duration
1–2 hours
Cost
Free
Best time
Late afternoon
Open Google Maps Open the Field Card
Tad Champee waterfall on the Bolaven Plateau
Quiet waterfallBolaven PlateauForest path
Photo: Christophe95 · cc-by-sa

Tad Champee Waterfall

Take the signed side road near Tad Fane to Tad Champee, a quieter Bolaven Plateau waterfall with a path down from the parking area.

Getting there
Route 23, near Tad Fane
Duration
1–2 hours
Cost
Paid
Best time
Daylight
Open Google Maps Open the Field Card
Mekong riverside at Champasak in southern Laos
Mekong townHeritage landscapeSlow afternoon
Photo: Ondřej Žváček · cc-by

Champasak Riverside

Spend time in riverside Champasak, the town within the Vat Phou cultural landscape, before or after visiting the temple complex.

Getting there
Road transfer south from Pakse
Duration
Half-day
Cost
Free
Best time
Late afternoon
Open Google Maps Open the Field Card