Thakhek

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. No need for the previous canoe trips and the dangerous bamboo ladder is gone as well. Women must wear a sin (traditional Lao skirt), which can be borrowed from the huts located at the beginning of the walkway. The cave is open until 17:00. Photography is not allowed inside the cave.

Tha Falang a swimming spot in the river about 15 km east along Rte 12, is somewhat disappointing in the dry season, but the ride and friendly children still make this trip good fun. 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. Immediately south after the bridge there is a shady spot to park and you can follow the river to Tham Xiengliab, a small cave with river flowing through it. Again a guide or pack of children will probably appear to guide you. Bring a torch and some gifts for the children if you want to go inside.

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. As of Sep 2016, entrance fee to the cave is 20,000 kip. It is possible to take a two-hour boat ride through the cave from the east to the west. Prepare for 1,000 meters boat ride and 300 meters walking to reach the west exit of the cave where you can enjoy a beautiful view. The trip costs 50,000 kip per person and officially 100,000 kip if you come alone (you can bargain it to 50,000 though). The boys hanging out next to the entrance of the cave do the tour. They will not approach you so ask.

Thalang is a small town on the loop, worth stopping at to rest for a couple hours taking a swim in the lake (Nam Theun 2, protected area), surrounded by tree trunks which makes it a unique experience; or even for a day, taking a tour with a local company to explore the area, with the lake but as well a jungle and a beach.

Konglor Cave to some is the highlight of this trip. It is a 7-km-long underground river that is navigated by motorized longboat with a powerful but very narrow headlamp (rental is included in ticket) and leads through gigantic caves sometimes higher than the powerful beam can lighten up. 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. If you have plenty of time, you may be able to rent a bicycle and try to explore the valley. Be sure to talk it through with your boat man (who usually waits for you for up to two hours) if you decide to stay for an extended period. There isn't much to do otherwise and you will quickly find yourself riding down the river and back through the cave. The round trip takes about 2 hours (one-way is 1 hour).

The entrance fee for Kong Lor is 110,000 kip/person (November 2022) and includes round trip with the boat through the cave (three tourist plus guide maximum). You can take your motorbike with you on the boat for 250,000 kip (November 2022). Motorbike parking is 5,000 kip.