2025 Thakho Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in May)

Si Phan Don (Four Thousand Islands) was a key destination during our trip to Laos. We spent two days here and stayed at a Chinese-owned hotel called Manman Boutique Hotel. Despite its name, this hotel is actually one of the finest in southern Laos. From its decor to its facilities, everything truly embodies luxury. Manman Boutique Hotel is located along the Mekong River, not far upstream from Khon Phapheng Falls. Spanning approximately 120 acres, the hotel is currently operating its Phase I development, which can accommodate around 200 guests. The rooms are divided into boutique rooms and villa suites, both offering spacious interiors of over 60 square meters. Each room is divided into a living area and a bedroom, and comes equipped with luxurious amenities like a bathtub. Impressively, the hotel provides 5G WiFi, which is definitely a highlight! The hotel also features a large multifunctional banquet hall, a restaurant, and a café. The dining options primarily focus on Chinese cuisine, but they also offer exquisite Western dishes that cater perfectly to our tastes. Standing on the hotel’s balcony, you can enjoy the unique charm of Si Phan Don and the breathtaking views of the Mekong River. It feels like being in a secluded paradise, making it easy to forget the worries and noise of the outside world. Highly recommended! 👍👍 Spending a night at such a comfortable hotel during the Dragon Boat Festival is simply unbeatable!

#springitinerary Hey adventurers! 🌿 Just got back from an unexpectedly epic weekend in Pakse, and let me tell you—this little riverside town is Laos’ best-kept secret. Think jungle waterfalls, French-colonial relics, and coffee so good it’ll ruin Starbucks for you forever. Here’s how I spent my 48 hours falling in love with the slow, steamy south! 🌊 The Waterfall That Made Me Scream (In a Good Way) Tad Fane—a double-barreled waterfall plunging 120m into a misty abyss. I stood on the viewing platform, felt the spray on my face, and let out an involuntary “WHOA.” (Cue embarrassed laughter from nearby tourists.) The Bolevan Plateau is packed with falls, but this one? Next-level majestic. ☕ The Coffee Break That Changed Everything Southern Laos grows some of the world’s best coffee, and I became a convert at Sinouk Coffee House. Their iced coffee with condensed milk was so smooth, I almost ordered a second… then a third. (No regrets.) Pro tip: Buy beans to take home—your future self will thank you. 🍛 The Food Stall That Won My Heart (And Stomach) At Pakse’s morning market, I found a tiny stall selling khao jee pâté—a Lao-French hybrid of baguette, pâté, and chili sauce. Crunchy, spicy, messy—perfect. The auntie running it laughed as I tried (and failed) to eat it without dripping sauce everywhere. Worth it. ⏳ My Wild & Relaxed Itinerary Day 1 – Friday Evening 4:00 PM: Arrived, checked into a Mekong-view guesthouse (budget-friendly & breezy!). 6:00 PM: Sunset drinks at Delta Coffee (their lemongrass mojito = genius). 8:00 PM: Lao BBQ dinner—grilled meats, sticky rice, and all the dipping sauces. Day 2 – Saturday 7:00 AM: Wat Luang Temple (gold Buddhas + morning serenity). 9:00 AM: Motorbike adventure to Tad Lo (jungle vibes + swimming under waterfalls). 2:00 PM: Coffee tasting at Jhai Coffee House (support local farmers!). 6:00 PM: Mekong River cruise (with cold Beerlao, duh). Day 3 – Sunday 7:00 AM: Market breakfast (noodle soup + iced coffee). 10:00 AM: Champasak ruins day trip (mini Angkor Wat vibes!). 2:00 PM: Last-minute souvenir shopping (handwoven scarves + coffee beans). 4:00 PM: Flew home, already planning my return. 💡 Must-Know Tips for Pakse Newbies Rent a motorbike ($7/day) to explore waterfalls freely. Pack swimwear & quick-dry clothes (you will get wet). Haggle gently—prices are already low, but markets expect it. Learn basic Lao phrases—locals love when you try ("Sabaidee!" = hello). Pakse is the kind of place where adventure meets chill—no crowds, just pure Lao magic. Who’s joining me next time? 🚀 #PakseAdventures #WaterfallChaser #CoffeeAndWaterfalls

Khone Phapheng Falls, also known as the 'Niagara of Asia,' is a large waterfall located in Champasak Province, Laos. This is the widest waterfall in the world. Khone Phapheng Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls in the Indochina region. It is a multi-tiered waterfall situated on a large rock formation that blocks the flow of the entire Mekong River. Located about 150 kilometers from Pakse, it has a height difference of about 10 meters and is considered the widest waterfall in the world, with a width of 10,783 meters.

Southern Laos and the water at Tad Kon Phapheng Angkala, Lao PDR, a place to experience nature, the sound of the flow of the cappuccino water hitting the rocks. With a wide area, you can walk around, a wide view, comfortable to the eyes, shady, convenient to walk, big trees, fresh air And a place to relax and watch the scenery. During nature tourism, you don't have to worry about the bathroom. Here, the bathroom is clean and convenient. The recommended season from inviting locals, in addition to the middle of the rainy season, the color of the water source has a new atmosphere, the color of the cappuccino, and you will also experience the color of the water change. Become a crystal clear stream during February - May. #enjoywoolife #enjoywoolife #southernLaos #KhonPhapengKhonPhapengWaterfall

Khone Phapheng Waterfall is one of the largest and most famous waterfalls in the Indochina region. The waterfall has multiple tiers and is located on a large rocky outcrop that blocks the flow of the entire Mekong River. It features various levels with a height of approximately 10 meters. The waterfall receives water from the lower Mekong River and has a height of 21 meters. Khone Phapheng Waterfall is often referred to as the 'Niagara of Asia.' It is located in Champasak Province, Laos, about 150 kilometers from Pakse. It is one of the most renowned and beautiful tourist attractions in Laos.

Today, we will take everyone to visit Laos. 🗓️Travel: Arrived in Pakse by private car and then switched to a local vehicle. Khone Phapheng Waterfall, also known as Tat Khone, is the largest waterfall in Southern Laos within the lower Mekong River basin. It has a very strong current, and the area inside is spacious. The weather is quite hot to extremely hot during the summer. Even though it is near the water, it is very, very, very hot. However, the view is beautiful and magnificent. Despite being a grand and majestic waterfall with a rushing stream, the name Khone Phapheng has a cute meaning in Thai. 'Khone' means rapids, and 'Phapheng' means 'full moon.' Therefore, Khone Phapheng means 'Full Moon Rapids' or 'Moon Rapids.'

Khone Phapheng Waterfall is a large and famous waterfall in the Indochina region. It is a multi-tiered waterfall located on a large rock formation that obstructs the flow of the entire Mekong River. The waterfall has varying levels with a height of approximately 10 meters and is fed by the lower Mekong River. The water volume is not very high.