Tad Lo

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Exploring Laos' Bolaven Plateau
Southern Laos by scooter

Tad Lo is actually in Salavan Province, but most commonly visited on trips based from Pakse, 85 km away via the Salavan Road. It's something of a budget travellers' paradise, but we were surprised at how few backpackers are actually onto this fact. Tad Lo is really a series of three falls -- Tad Suong, Tad Lo and Tad Hang, around which most of the accommodation is grouped, in the village of Kieng Than Lei.

Tad Hang is the first set of falls you'll see when you arrive -- they are the smallest and gentlest of the three, but provide the best opportunity for taking a dip. Signs warn about the dangers of getting too near the falls, but there are plenty of safe areas for swimming, and you'll spot a lot of locals fishing in the waters as well. The water is admittedly a bit murky, but not unhealthy, as far as we were able to tell.

Tad Lo itself is reached by crossing the bridge over to the Saise Resort and following the road up hill. Saise Resort has built a new lodge there which should be open soon. The falls can be reached on foot -- it's too rocky to swim at the base, but the massive granite wall over which the waters spill is definitely worth seeing.

Tad Suong, about 10km from town, is the best of the falls. The word 'breathtaking' doesn't really describe it -- it's awe-inspiring, and slightly nerve-wracking. The path to the falls lets out at the top, and oh boy, are you at the top. The falls plunge into a deep gorge, and in the dry season, it's possible to walk around on the rock table they spill over right up to the edge. Not recommended for those with acrophobia, and, of course, do your best not to fall off. Once you get used to the height, the views are excellent and it's one of the prettiest places on the planet. You can also cool off in one of the shallow pools at the top without being sluiced over the falls, but use your judgement if the current is particularly strong on a given day.

Tad Suong is the trickiest of the falls to get to, and you'll need a bicycle or motorbike, or arrange transport from town. Follow signs to the Tad Lo Lodge, but don't turn off the main road, just keep going. When you reach the power station, take a right. When that road ends, take a left and look for the poorly marked turn-off on your left at the village of Ban Sanumnay. That road leads to where you can park and it's a short walk to the top of the falls.

Text and/or map last updated on 10th August, 2009.

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Tad Lo reviews

Backchat from the Travelfish community

go out of your way to get here

Tad Lo is becoming a must stop for those passing through Pakse. It's easy to get here on motorbike (even for the inexperienced) and very rewarding. Though the common route is to hit Paksong, Tad Lo is a better destination for relaxing as the temperature is warmer and there is more to do.

The traveller scene here is blowing up, but the people remain friendly and the community is still interwoven with the guesthouses - so you don't get that sense of distance you might find in Si Phon Don. There are at least three nice waterfalls to check out and plenty of villages to ride through. Crime-less village is a great spot to meet some locals for dinner if you feel like avoiding the traveler spots. And though there are a lot of rumors of theft, it seems the locals are working hard to inform travelers of the risk.

You can use Tad Lo as a base camp to explore a much larger area and its an easy ride. If you've got a few days you must do a Tad Lo-Paksong short loop, and if you've got longer you should let yourself disappear into the plateau.

It may not stay this way, as there were some trickling-in elements of the 'party trail', kids looking for a place to stop between Si Phon Don and Vang Vieng.
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- I'll be back (or not)
By caseyprich (dabbler)
Written on 20th February, 2011 after a visit to Tad Lo in February, 2011

Also reviewed by caseyprich: Can Tho, Champasak, Don Dhet, Ko Chang, Ko Maak, Ko Wai, Luang Prabang, Muang Ngoi, Pakse, Phonsavan,

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