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Region: Southern Laos> Province: Sekong>Location: Sekong
Sekong sights and attractions
Keng Luang rapids - Good fill on a slow day
Description
A 45-minute motorbike ride to the north of town, these rapids span the Sekong River. If you were stuck in Sekong and had a half a day to kill, they would be worth heading out to see. The trip out is as scenic as the rapids themselves. From here you can organise boat transport upriver to the village of Kaleum. The trip reportedly takes six to seven hours. We have heard reports however that the trip is prone to flash floods, making it very dangerous. Ask around in Sekong for more details, as the danger may depend on the time of year. The turnoff to the rapids is about 10km north of Sekong on Route 16. From the turnoff it's another 3-4 km down a dirt track. The track splits a couple of times, but ask at any of the many small villages for the Maenam Sekong (Sekong River) and people will point you in the right direction. You can reach the rapids by songtheaw from Sekong market -- 15,000 kip.
Trailblazers' Fact Sheet - Get out there and beat a trail
Description
Trailblazers' Fact Sheet
If you're willing to be persistent and patient -- and bust your budget on guides and transport -- there are some tantalising treks on offer that are barely established and seldom-undertaken. A scrappy little website like Travelfish doesn't have the means to send a researcher out to unravel the logistics of every single trek available in Southeast Asia, which makes us a little sad, because this is what we love to do most. Still, Sekong offers our users a chance to beat their own path, if they are so inclined. And, as always, if you undertake one of these treks, please let us know all about it!
Sekong province is divided into four districts -- Lamam, where the capital city of Sekong is located (known locally as Muang Lammam). Then there are Kaleum, Tha Teng, and Darkcheung districts.
As of 2000, there were reportedly 273 tribal villages in the province, comprising a total population of about 82,000. There are 14 tribes: the Taliang, Ngai, Alack, Katou, Chatong, Lavenh, Lavy, Gnae, Dark Kang, Taliew, Ta Oy, Katang, Souay and Lao Lum.
Tha Teng and Darkchueng districts are colder throughout the year -- with temperatures descending as low as 3 degrees in some areas in the rainy season, and rising to as much as 35 degrees in the high season. and an average yearly rainfall of about 2,500 mm.
Lamam and Kaleum are hotter and drier, with 1,500 mm of rainfall yearly.
Kaleum district
Seventy-four km from Sekong, Kaleum offers a chance to visit the Ngae, Hathvy, Hanong, Packtrai, and HathPae tribal villages. Tham Daeng Cave can also be visited as well as Nang Lao mountain. Local transport over land to the village by tuk-tuk or songtheaw should be available at the Sekong central market and the bus station.
Boats to Kaleum leave from the Kaeng Luang rapids 15km from Sekong. You can catch a tuk-tuk from the central market for about 15,000 kip per person. From the pier, a boat should cost about US$5 per person -- assuming the boat is full -- if you're the only passenger expect to pay considerably more. Arrive early if you're doing this on your own -- the whole process isn't exactly a well-oiled machine. We have heard reports that this river is prone to flash floods, making it very dangerous. Ask around in Sekong for more details, as the danger may depend on the time of year.
Dark Cheung district
This district, 105 km from Sekong, is best visited in dry season when the roads are at their best, during March, April and May. Sites to visit include Thong Neum, Thong Lek and Pak mountain. The Thalieng tribe also has three villages here -- Darklang, Darkseng, and Darkturb.
Waterfalls near Sekong - Some so so, others breathtaking
Description
If you're heading down to Attapeu anyway (or even if you're not), there's some waterfalls to seek out on the way.
The first is Tad Hia, but is hardly worth a detour. This small set of falls is nothing more then a fast flowing, rocky part of the river, but the trip out is fairly scenic. To get there, you'll need your own transport or hire a songthaew from town. Travel south from Sekong on Route 16 for just over 3km and you'll reach a school on your right. Turn right immediately after it, and follow the dirt road for about 2km and the falls will be on your right down a short and narrow foot-trail. If you reach a metal gate, you have gone too far by about 50m.
The second is Tad Feak -- as you head south, there's a well-marked turn-off about 15km down the main road on the left. Where the road splits, bear right, and follow the road to another split where you can start to hear the sounds of the falls. Bear left following the sound and you'll find a small gazebo on the right where you can hang out and view the falls. The same road continues on down to a spot at the base of the falls where swimming it possible. There's no admission fee to the falls, but that also means no one is tending the grounds -- we found the 'picnicing' area near the base strew with styrofoam food cartons, random rubbish, and a pile of feather's from a recently-plucked chicken!
Around 16km to the south of Sekong, on the Attapeu side of the Tay-un River, is Tad Hua Khon. A rather tricky-to-find track runs off to the east immediately after the end of the long bridge. Ignore the green side 300m further down the road -- it is there just to confuse you. Follow the track for a couple of hundred metres and you'll reach a cluster of huts occupied by some Lao death metal fans. Depending on the water level, you may need to walk out a fair way to see the falls, which while maybe just 10m high, are at least 100m wide. These falls are worth a look if you are in the area, but are not worth getting off a bus to experience.
While actually in Attapeu province, simply stunning Tad Katamtok is easily the most spectacular fall in this part of Laos, and at over 100m in height, is absolutely breathtaking. It's well worth the effort to reach, though you will either need your own transport or hire a motorcycle from the Route 16 junction with the dirt road leading to Paksong. Public transport is too erratic to bother with. Travel in from Route 16 for just over 17km and you'll pass a very small trail running back off to you left. You can see the falls if you follow the trail for just 25 metres -- you'll hear the roar. The waterfall is not signposted at all, though the occasional local working on the road may be able to help. When coming from the east you will cross three bridges before continuing uphill to the viewpoint. The river under the second bridge is supposed to lead to the falls, and with a guide, one could follow it to its base in a couple of hours. About 2km before the main fall, another, equally spectacular falls can be seen far off to the right.