Bolaven Plateau’s Majestic Tad Yuang Falls
After kick starting our day with a spicy breakfast of Foe noodles, we finally made our way to Bolaven Plateau. About 50km from Pakse, Bolaven Plateau is at the North Eastern province of Champasak located up to 1300 meters above sea level. With the cool climate, abundant rainfall, rich volcanic soil, it has been world reknown for its coffee. I’m not there for the coffee though but for the number of waterfalls found in the area.
Bolaven Plateau Tad Yuang Resort
The Route 23, which is the road from Pakse going through Bolaven Plateau is wide and well paved. It took us more than an hour to reach our first waterfall, the Tad Yuang off Lak (km) 40 off Route 23. It’s really easy to spot the turns going to the waterfalls from the main road as I found out. There are blue markers on the road. Turning inside there is still a few minutes of rough road until we reached the Tad Yuang Resort. There is a 5000 kip entrance fee and a 3000 kip parking fee there.
Bolaven Plateau Tad Yuang Falls and Pool
Tad Yuang Resort has nice picnic areas by the river where the pour from the falls originates. The resort also serves its famous coffee there. Going downward on a paved trail is the magnificent dual torrent and multi-tiered waterfalls of Tad Yuang. It falls into a deep pool surrounded by lush vegetation leading to a thick forest. There were no people at that time we were there. Lomee said most people come here in the afternoon. I could see why because the light is more ideal here in the afternoons hitting the falls directly.
Bolaven Plateau Tad Fane
Making our way back to Lak (km) 38 we found Tad Fane Resort where we could view the famous Tad Fane Falls. There’s an entrance fee of 5000 kip here to go to the view deck and restaurant where the falls can be seen afar. Tad Fane is a huge 120meters falls at teh edge of a protected area Dong Hua Sao NPA. It’s where two rivers, Champy and Pak Koot overflows the plateau and join on on its pour down creating tad Fane. The lighting, again was off when I got there, I guess the best time to visit the plateau is in the afternoon. And the water pouring wasn’t that strong since it was the dry season. I can’t appreciate it as much at that time since it’s too far. if one wanted a closer look, a half day is needed to trek to the falls and back.
My Lao guide at Bolaven Plateau Pa Suam Main falls
Going for another long drive back passing by Lak (km) 23 then making a turn at the major road, Route 20, heading to Salavan province, we visited Pa Suam falls. There’s also a 5000 Kip entrance fee here and a long inner drive towards the falls where an unnamed restaurant can be found. This one is pretty popular since it’s closer to Pakse and Salavan.
Bolaven Plateau Pa Suam Falls
Pa Suam Waterfalls is a low height falls. It’s beauty lies on its majestic wide torrent along rectangular stones. This falls is partly artificial. The rectangular rocks are natural but the the owners did some landscaping to make the falls more picturesque. Still it looks very nice.
Bolaven Plateau Pa Suam 2nd falls cascade
There is another un-altered falls nearby Pa Suam and it doesn’t have a name yet. I thought the falls looks nice as it flows freely down river. This was the last falls we visited before we headed to an ethnic village nearby. From all the falls I thought the first one we visited,Tad Yuang was the most majestic. There are a lot more falls in Bolaven Plateau but some needed more time. If only I had known, I would have visited in the afternoon for the best light but I might as well do with what I have.
those are very amazing waterfalls. are these the main reasons for your trip? i wonder if the outside world are aware of these amazing sights.
kaganda ng tad yuang falls, amigo. i presume ang scale model mo ay ang pinagpipitagan mong guide
i didnt know laos is also rich in terms of its natural wonders. so good that you feature some of the unknown beauties of laos. the shot from the top is the best ferdz.
You captured the photos well Ferdz – as usual! For a moment there, I felt so peaceful looking at them photos!
Wow… this is beautiful… !
Unspoiled…
Thanks Photo Cache! Sure is worth my time. This is only the start of the Laos series and there’s more to look forward to.
Yep Og. The guy standing there is my guide Lomee. I used him as a scale for the falls.
Thanks Dom! There are a lot of wonders there as well as I found out. What they lack in beaches they make up with stunning rock formations and falls.
Thanks Kyels! I also am relaxed just looking at them.
Thanks Sidney! Place indeed is unspoiled.
the photos are so calming
Wow! Nice, nice falls! Been to Laos, Vientienne and Luang Prabang only. As it is, I was already smittened by the place. There’s more? Great shots!
wow! waterfalls shopping.
you might like exploring the many waterfalls in iligan too.
Di pa ako nakakakita ng ganyan kagagandang falls ng personal. Parang namamasyal ako sa ibang lugar pag andito ako sa site mo
hindi ka masyadong mahilig sa waterfalls, no Ferdz? hehe. ganda nung last shot, parang naririnig ko pa ang payapang pagdaloy ng tubig sa mga bato. suwerte mo kase walang masyadong tao, solo nyo ni Lomee ang falls.
Many thanks Ivy!
I love Luang Prabang and Vientiane as well Jenn. Going down south added a lot of variety on this trip.
I’ve heard about the numerous waterfalls in Iligan JP, but the challenge there is avoiding the bombings as I was told.
Maraming salamat Den.
Di ba halata Rayts na mahilig sa waterfalls
Ganda kasi nila tignan eh
how i envy you having these chances of going to wonderful, heavenly places!
Hi Bingskee! Before I use to envy other people as well. I guess I just decided to start traveling.
superb shots as always naman..:) wish i was there.. gleng gleng..
Thanks for posting these unspoile waterfalls of Laos to the world,..there are more amaze unexplore waterfalls near by area with the hieght of head fall more 150m..:)
Thanks to your inspirational pics, I took a ride thru the Bolaven Plateau recently. Stories n pics here.
http://lovethefold.blogspot.com/2011/01/up-up-and-away-to-paksong.html
Thank you very much. Your shots are awesome!
Al