Central Laos

Ever since Tha Khaek opened its French-colonial shutters to travelers and the dramatic 4.3 mile-long underworld of Tham Kong Lor became a must-see fixture on itineraries, central Laos has been enticing visitors. Thanks to its honeycomb of caves and dragon-green jungle, activities on offer run from world-class rock climbing outside of Tha Khaek to trekking in the otherworldly karst forests of Hin Namno NPA.

This part of the country claims the most forest cover and highest concentrations of wildlife, including some species that have disappeared elsewhere in Southeast Asia. With its rugged, intrepid travel, and stylish pockets of comfort in Savannakhet and Tha Khaek, central Laos makes for a great place to combine your inner Indiana Jones with a Bloody Mary.

Explore Central Laos

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Central Laos.

  • Cave

    Tham Lot Se Bang Fai

    The most impressive, and yet least visited, cave in Khammuan is the amazing Tham Lot Se Bang Fai. Located in Hin Namno NPA, the cave results from the Se…

  • Viewpoint

    Limestone Forest Viewpoint

    As you approach Ban Khoun Kham along Rte 8 from Rte 13, there is a sala (open-sided shelter) viewpoint between Km 32 and Km 33. Do not, whatever you do,…

  • Museum

    War Museum & Ho Chi Minh Trail Site

    Twenty kilometres east of Sepon, Ban Dong (Dong Village) was on one of the major thoroughfares of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, and was the site of the only Lao…

  • Wildlife Reserve

    Dong Natad

    Dong Natad is a sacred, semi-evergreen forest within a provincial protected area 15km east of Savannakhet. It's home to two villages that have been…

  • Cave

    Tham Pha Chan

    Tham Pha Chan has an entrance 60m high and about 100m wide. A stream runs about 600m through a limestone karst and in the dry season it's possible to walk…

  • Cave

    Tham Xieng Liap

    Turning off Rte 12 at Km 14 (before a bridge) you'll come across a sign pointing to this cave. Follow the dirt track south for about 400m near the village…

  • National Park

    Phu Xang Hae NPA

    Named after Wild Elephant Mountain, Phu Xang Hae is a 1060 sq km expanse of protected forest stretching east–west across the remote north of Savannakhet…

  • Historic Site

    Tha Bak Bomb Boats

    About 18km east of Ban Khoun Kham, Tha Bak sits near the confluence of the Nam Kading and Nam Theun. The reason to stop here is to either take photos of…

  • Cave

    Tham Pa Seuam

    A mini Tham Kong Lor, the river cave of Tham Pa Seuam runs for 3km, spanning some impressive stalactites and stalagmites. It's conveniently only 15km from…

  • Museum

    Nam Theun 2 Visitors Centre

    The Nam Theun 2 Visitors Centre is set in a traditional Luang Prabang–style house, which looks a touch out of place in the middle of nowhere. It has a…

  • Waterfall

    Tat Namsanam

    The impressive twin-cataract of Tat Namsanam, 3km north of Ban Khoun Kham (Ban Na Hin), is one of the main local attractions, although in the dry season,…

  • Buddhist Temple

    That Ing Hang

    Thought to have been built in the mid-16th century, this well-proportioned, 9m-high thâat is the second-holiest religious edifice in southern Laos after…

  • Lake

    Khoun Kong Leng

    Nestled amid the limestone karsts of the Phu Hin Bun NPA is Evening Gong Lake. The luminescent green waters spring from a subterranean river that filters…

  • Cave

    Tham Pa Fa

    When Mr Bun Nong used a vine to scramble up a sheer 200m-high cliff in 2004, he discovered a narrow cave mouth and was greeted by 229 bronze Buddha images…

  • Buddhist Temple

    Pha That Sikhottabong

    About 6km south of town, this much-venerated temple is considered one of the most important tâht (stupa) in Laos. It was first renovated by King…

  • National Park

    Nam Kading NPA

    The Nam Kading (Kading River) near Paksan is undoubtedly the best way into the wilderness that is Nam Kading NPA, where confirmed animal rarities include…

  • Historic Site

    Sepon Kao

    On the banks of the Se Pon, Sepon Kao was bombed almost into the Stone Age during the war. Although a handful of villagers have since moved back, they…

  • Buddhist Temple

    Wat Rattanalangsi

    Wat Rattanalangsi was built in 1951 and houses a monks' primary school. The sĭm (ordination hall) is unique in that it has glass windows (most windows in…

  • Historic Site

    Muang Phin

    An imposing Vietnamese-built monument to Lao-Vietnamese cooperation during the Indochina wars stands in Muang Phin, 155km east of Savannakhet and 34km…