Asia / Laos
Places to go. A little room to wander.
THE SHORTLIST
Thakhèk
Tham Nong Pafa Cave (often referred to as the Buddha Cave) is a hidden cave that is accessible via an elevated walkway which leads to a flight of concrete steps. Women must wear a sin (traditional Lao skirt), which can be borrowed from the huts located at the beginning of the walkway. Photography is not allowed inside the cave.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
Thakhèk
It is not signposted in English, so you will need to turn off to the north, down a sandy track after the bridge before the road bends around to the right between two cliffs.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
Regional outing · 13 km from Thakhèk (straight line)
t's about another 4–5 km to the commercialized Aen Cave which is lit with a rainbow of neon strip lamps and has an amazing network of Escher-like staircases. It has a river running through the cave's mouth and a big pool at the back and is worth a look for the staircases alone. 20,000 kip (2016) + 2,000 kip for the bike. It is possible to take a two-hour boat ride through the cave from the east to the west.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
Regional outing · 61 km from Thakhèk (straight line)
Konglor Cave to some is the highlight of this trip. To fully appreciate it one would need a huge and wide spreading source of light. In the dry season you will have to get out while the boatmen drag (or drive!) the long boat over the shallows, so bring flip flops (or take those available for free just before you enter the boat). The river emerges into a valley on the far side which used to be only accessible by foot. Expect 4 or 5 food stalls selling drinks and the usual.
Allow about 90 minutes · planning estimate
A note before you go. Treat Aen Cave as a separate regional outing from Thakhèk. Arrange the outward and return journey before adding another visit on that day. The suggested days are an editable grouping, not a timed tour. Visit allowances exclude transfers, meals and queues; confirm the exact entrance and current visiting arrangements for Konglor Cave before setting off.
Reference material retrieved 2026-10-19. Suggested days and time allowances are editorial starting points. Check the linked visitor information for opening hours, access, and reservations.
BEFORE YOU SET OFF
Thakhek town is small enough to walk around, but tuk-tuks will take you most places for 5,000-10,000 kip if you are feeling lazy. Single speed bicycles can be hired from the Travellers Lodge.
Tham Nong Pafa Cave and Tha Falang are about 6.5 km apart in a straight line. Use the route link to compare the actual streets or transport connections before putting both in the same morning; the measurement is not a walking distance or a transfer estimate.
A LITTLE STRUCTURE. ROOM FOR DISCOVERY.
Add a few stops, choose your days, and leave space between them.
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This city guide includes selected, abridged material by Wikivoyage contributors, adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0. The adapted guide text is available under the same license; photographs and website design retain their separate terms. Selected and abridged reference descriptions; operational prices and timetables omitted. Elsewhere added the shortlist, geographic grouping and planning notes.
Reference material retrieved 2026-10-19. It is community-edited background, not firsthand reporting or a live opening-hours service.
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