Thakhek Travel Guide

Read the following Thakhek travel guide for essential information on the best time to visit, places to see, things to eat, etc. when visit Thakhek, Laos.

General information

Thakhek, in central Laos, is a former trading port. It is located on the Mekong River, close to Thailand. The old town features French colonial architecture from the early twentieth century. The centuries-old, golden-tipped Sikhottabong Stupa, located south of the center, is said to house Buddhist relics. The massive Kampaeng Yark sandstone wall north of town was possibly built as a defensive structure in the past. If you are a nature lover, there are many places worth visiting in this city such as caves and waterfalls.

How to get to & around Thakhek

The bus is the best way to get to Thakhek. There are buses from Vientiane, Pakse, Luang Prabang, and Vang Vieng. The journey to Thakhek takes between 8 and 10 hours, depending on the city of departure, weather conditions, and how many stops/delivery the driver makes. Bus tickets range in price from $10 to $20 USD, excluding pickup and drop-off at bus stations. Every 1-2 hours in the morning, buses from Vientiane depart from the Southern Bus Station. There are hotel pick-up buses available from the center of Vientiane, but they come with a hefty surcharge.

Thakhek town is small enough to walk around, but tuk-tuks can take you to most places for as little as 40,000 kips (less for locals). Bicycles and motorbikes can be rented in a variety of locations, primarily in the more touristy areas near Mekong. You could consider renting a car at a reasonable cost.

Best time to visit Thakhek

The months of October through April are ideal for visiting Thakhek. The wet season lasts from about May to September (June to August are the wettest months). The weather in many areas of Laos is characterized by sharp downpours for a few hours a day, rather than all-day downpours.

If you want to visit Thakhek during the hottest months, the hottest months are April, May, and June, when maximum temperatures are regularly around 96.8°F (36°C) and temperatures rarely drop below 77.2°F (25.1°C) at night.

Where to stay in Thakhek

The town center is on the Mekong River, and there is some accommodation along the river, but most budget options are scattered throughout the town. Thakhek Travel Lodge, a popular backpacker destination, is three kilometers from the river and is not close to anything. The average nightly rate for hotels in Thakhek is USD 59. Hotel rates fluctuate frequently; this price is only for reference purposes.

The vast majority of visitors who drive the Tha Khaek motorbike loop do so anti-clockwise, beginning on Route 12 and heading east. Green Climbers is located 12 kilometers from town. Whether you’re interested in scaling the surrounding karst or not, the natural surroundings of this backpacker Shangri-La and rock climbing school make a strong case for staying outside of town.

Best places to visit Thakhek

Phu Hin Bun National Park

Hiking is possible in this park, which has many marked trails. You can also swim in the national park’s Khoun Kong Leng or Blue Lagoon. You can book guided hikes through your hotel or guesthouse, which range in price from 276952 LAK to 461588 LAK (30 to 50 USD) per person, depending on the trail and number of days.

Konglor Cave

Phou Hin Bun National Park contains the Konglor Cave. The Nam Hinboun River flows through a 7-kilometer cave. Tourists can view the caves and massive limestone formations from motorized longboats. The caves are only partially illuminated, so bring headlamps. You’ll also pass through water-soaked roofs. Due to bad roads, it takes approximately 3 hours to reach the cave by taxi or tuk-tuk.

Tham Pha Fa Cave

Tham Pha Fa, also known as the Buddha Cave due to the more than 200 statues found here, is another popular attraction in Thakhek. The journey to this cave is breathtaking, taking you through winding limestone mountains.

Aen Cave & The Falang

Aen is a commercialized cave that is illuminated for tourists. The Falang, a river that runs out of the mouth and forms a swimming pool at the back, is named after the river.

The Nam Theun 2 Visitors Centre

The Nam Theun 2 Visitors’ Centre is a gallery that houses information on all of Laos’ hydroelectric projects. It has a theatre and an exhibition room.

What to eat & drink in Thakhek

Eat

There are a number of cafes and food stalls that line the riverfront road, offering various dishes from Latian to Western or Japanese styles. There are also many establishments selling Laotian cuisines like laab, as well as hot pork rolls in baguettes at some take-out lunch stands.

If you love cozy atmosphere, visit Mama Lao restaurant where they serve both Lao and Thai food. They serve mainly Lao and Thai food and the ingredients are organic.

By the river at night, food stalls sell various types of pancakes and pork buns. Great cheap BBQ meat can be found almost every day of the week (except in the morning) in the central areas along the Mekong River.

Moreover, when fed up with Asian food, you should definitely try some delicious pizzas. Some restaurants in Thakhek such as Patalai will bring you unforgettable savory pizza versions.

Drink

Thakhek is clearly not a party town. There are a few low-key and upscale local bars, but there aren’t many Westerners. Sunset Bar is one of the few bars along the river, considered the best.

The restaurant at the Inthira Hotel has a bar, but it is a quiet place rather than a party scene. The Thakek Travel Lodge, where a few other travelers are drinking around the bonfire, is your best bet for finding Westerners to bore with your mundane travel stories.

We hope the information in the article above is helpful to you. If you are interested in a trip to this lovely town, do not hesitate to contact us!