Bolaven Loop 3-Day Motorbike Itinerary: Is It Worth It?
Is the Bolaven Loop in Laos worth it? After riding it ourselves in February 2024, we can confidently say — yes, but only if you’re prepared.
This multi-day motorbike adventure takes you through the heart of Southern Laos, winding past remote waterfalls, misty mountains, tiny coffee farms, and welcoming local villages.
But planning the route, finding fuel stops, and navigating with barely any phone service? That part was rough.
That’s why we put together a free downloadable Pakse Loop itinerary and offline Google Map — exactly what we wish we had on the road.
💌 Grab it here and save it to your phone before you go.
In this post, you’ll find our full 3-day itinerary, motorbike tips and how to make the most of every stop – no matter your budget or experience level.
DISCLOSURE: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission if you book or buy something through them – at no extra cost to you. We only recommend things we’d actually use ourselves. Read more in our Privacy Policy.
Is the Pakse Loop Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! We wholeheartedly believe the Pakse Loop, which explores the stunning Bolaven Plateau, is well worth your time.
F.Y.I. The Pakse Loop is sometimes referred to as the Bolaven Loop. It’s a motorbike loop from Pakse that explores the Bolaven Plateau. We use the term Pakse Loop and Bolaven Loop interchangeably in this post!
The loop is a fantastic insight into daily life in Laos you won’t see by staying in the cities. If you have at least two weeks to spend in Laos, the loop should be high on your must-visit list.
Like many destinations in Laos, getting to Pakse can take a full travel day (or night). If your trip to Laos is shorter than two weeks, you might consider skipping the loop and saving it for a future visit.
However, if you’re determined to explore the South, flying directly to Pakse can significantly cut down on travel time.
Our time spent in Pakse and on the Bolaven Loop was yet another highlight of our 30 days in Laos. Laos is a beautiful country and the South is a region not to leave unexplored.
Now, if we’ve sold you on the idea of hiring a motorbike and spending a few days exploring the Bolaven Plateau, then read on for a detailed breakdown of our 3-day itinerary.
A 3-day Motorbike Itinerary for the Bolaven Loop
Before we begin…
During our time on the Bolaven Loop, we would have been grateful for a quickfire, easy access itinerary that covers stops and important information.
This would have saved us time pulling over on the side of the road (with poor internet connection) to look at a blog post for guidance.
It inspired us to create this FREE DOWNLOADABLE MOTORBIKE ITINERARY + SAVABLE GOOGLE MAP for you to use! Download it, screenshot it, do your thing and make use of it on your visit.
Hiring a Motorbike in Pakse
We hired our motorbike from Miss Noy Motorbike.
Since the only other time we’d hired a motorbike was in Chiang Dao, Thailand, we wanted to make sure we were completely confident in our choice.
We chose Miss Noy due to the owner Yves’ fluent English skills and the safety briefing he holds each night at 6pm.
During the safety briefing, we received a map of the route and Yves told us all about the best places to stop on the Bolaven Plateau.
He made us aware of parts of the road that are worse than others, where and how to park your bike when stopping, and what to expect from the tourist hot spots.
Miss Noy Motorbike WILL hold your passport as insurance for the bike. This is standard for all shops in Pakse.
Usually we would recommend against providing your passport as a deposit, but after reading all the Google reviews of the shop we decided to proceed as we felt confident we wouldn’t be ripped off.
A Map of the Motorbike Loop from Pakse
Day One: Pakse to Tad Lo Village
We arrived at the bike hire shop at 8am to collect our motorbike and get underway before other travelers arrived. This meant we had time to stop for a quick breakfast in town.
🛑 Wait!! Make sure you have travel insurance before your trip. If you do have an accident whilst out on your motorbike, the last thing you want to be dealing with is huge medical bills. We always use SafetyWing – we value their flexibility and the option to pay monthly.
After filling up on fuel we left the city morning traffic behind and were soon on the big open road.
TOP TIP: We recommend waiting until at least 8:30am to begin the trip. This allows you to avoid rush hour and school drop off traffic.
Stop One – Mr Vieng Coffee Homestay – 60 KM
Mr Vieng runs a beautiful homestay where he offers a tour of his family’s coffee plantation.
The tour operates at 11:30am and 1:30pm each day and involves watching how the coffee beans are ground, learning about the different types of coffee, and how the coffee is harvested.
You will also be offered a glimpse into the way of life of the local Katu ethnic group, who practice animism.
Here is also a great stop for lunch and a coffee before you get back on the road. The coffee is fresh and the fried rice is well priced!
Stop Two – Tad Lo Village – 25 KM
Tad Lo was our stop for the night. It is a great place to seek out swimming spots near the waterfall and relax in your homestay.
We recommend staying at Sipasert Guesthouse right on Tad Hang waterfall. The guesthouse is just far enough down the river to have an enjoyable evening stroll into the village to scope out a dinner spot.
As advised by Miss Noy (Yves), we walked to Tad Lo waterfall from our homestay to ensure the bike was safe.
We didn’t book Sipasert Guesthouse in advance. You should be fine finding a room on arrival.
This was a picturesque 10-15 minute walk. We spent both the evening and following morning swimming and relaxing on the bamboo platforms in front of the waterfall.
TOP TIP: We advise dressing modestly should you choose to swim. Or don’t and own it – whatever works for you! Just know, the local boys who swim alongside you will get a little excited about a woman in a bikini.
Day Two: Tad Lo Village to Kok Phoung Tai Village
Without too much distance to cover today, we had a slow morning swimming at Tad Lo waterfall. We woke up early hoping less people would be around and were rewarded with an empty waterfall!
We took full advantage of having the waterfall to ourselves until about 9:30am. Afterwards, we had a delicious breakfast at Samaki Guesthouse down the street.
If you’re into chasing waterfalls, you may also like: Don Det and the 4,000 Islands: The Greatest Destination in Laos
Stop One – Kok Phoung Tai Village – 17 KM
After our morning dip, we started the drive to our next stop for the night. Most travelers stay at Captain Hook’s for the second night, however, we chose Somphone Homestay instead.
They’re in the same village but Captain Hook has a much bigger following. After a chat with some volunteers working with Som and his family, it just felt right to stay here.
We did not regret our decision. Som and his wife Dak welcomed us as soon as we pulled into their home.
We spent an hour or so chatting and getting to know each other over a coffee. Although the room was basic it was clean and comfortable.
Note: When you enter the village, there may be a “guard” at the entrance to collect an entry fee from you. The fee was 5,000KIP when we visited in February 2024.
TOP TIP: Check in and leave your bags at your homestay when you first arrive in Kok Phoung Tai, then take on the scenic mini loop shown on the map.
Stop Two – Mini Scenic Loop – approx. 1.5 hours return
Yves advised that when driving this scenic loop, to do so counter-clockwise. After you turn right out of the village from Mr Somphone’s Homestay, you’re looking for your second left turn to begin the loop.
The first left you see is populated by small shops and homes. This is where you will exit the loop and head back to the homestay.
The left turn you need is a little further down the road and looks like an empty country road. (We understand if you’re a little confused right now, hopefully the map above can help).
TOP TIP: Grab lunch whilst you’re out exploring the mini loop so that you aren’t left hungry until the evening dinner at the homestay.
Stop Three – Somphone Homestay
We spent the evening back with our host and his family. First we accompanied Dak to the market to collect fresh food for dinner, then helped to prepare some vegetables.
After dinner we found ourselves teaching English to about 10 local children who were very eager to learn from the foreigners.
We weren’t expecting this, but it was one of the highlights of our time in Laos. We were really made to feel at home at Mr Somphone’s.
Day Three: Somphone Homestay to Pakse
Our last day on the motorbike started off as another chill morning. We joined the other guests for coffee and pancakes made by Dak, then prepared to make our way back to Pakse.
We said our goodbyes to Som and his family and set off directly after breakfast around 9:30am.
Stop One – Paksong – 50 KM
The day didn’t start without its challenges. About 5 km out from Paksong – the inevitable happened – a dreaded flat tire! Yves advised that 1 in 10 motorbikes a day will get at least one flat tire and of course, we were the one.
We started the walk to the next town for a repair in silence, dreading what was ahead. But within 5 minutes, a local stopped to give us (and our motorbike) a lift into town on the back of his truck.
He took us to a mechanic who quickly changed our tire for 50,000KIP ($3USD) – insanely cheap!
TOP TIP: If possible, ask the mechanic to be extra cautious when repairing the tire to prevent another puncture. We didn’t do this and low and behold, later that day we got our second flat tire which was again quickly resolved with the help of the friendly Laotian locals.
Stop Two – CC 1971 Cafe – Paksong
The coffee shop is an excellent mid morning stop for a coffee in a super interesting building. Grab a delicious beverage in the skeletal structure of the former power plant.
The power plant was bombed during the Vietnam War, however, it has a surprisingly calm atmosphere despite the setting.
Stop Three – Tad Champee Waterfall – 8 KM
The sun came out in the afternoon so we made our way to Tad Champee for some lunch and an afternoon swim.
At the viewpoint you pay an entrance and parking fee – they also have a small food and drink menu on offer.
👇 FUN SIDE QUEST 👇
The surrounding area is also home to Tad Yuang and Tad E-tu waterfalls. You can also stop at Tad Fane waterfall, home to an impressive zipline you can ride for the small price of $35USD.
Stop Four – Miss Noy Motorbike Hire – 40 KM
After suffering a double whammy of bad luck with two flat tires, we didn’t want to push our luck further and risk a third.
With this in mind, we returned to Pakse by early evening after a swim and sunbathe at Tad Champee.
After a quick inspection, we paid for the three day hire, retrieved our luggage, and checked into 1918 hostel for one more night before moving on to Don Det.
Where to Stay in Pakse
Pakse is a bustling little city with plenty of accommodation options for before and after the loop to suit all budgets. Below are a few well rated options that we recommend:
Budget Options
1918 Hostel – Centrally located, clean bathrooms, free fruit and water refills.
Sanga Hostel – Friendly staff, great laundry service, help with organizing tuk tuk tours.
ANOU Hostel – Comfortable beds, free breakfast, AC in the common area.
Mid Range Option
Pakse Hotel and Restaurant – Nice amenities, good rooftop bar, good location.
Luxury Option
Champasak Grand Hotel – Riverside restaurant, spacious rooms, peaceful.
TOP TIP: A few of our favorite places to eat in Pakse include Western food from Sese Wine and Beer, local food from Meiling Restaurant, and breakfast or sandwiches from Lankham Hotel. We also had a fantastic lunch at Daejangkuem Pakse Korea Restaurant and coffee at 124 Thaluang Coffee.
How to Get to Pakse
Pakse is accessible from several places around Laos and neighboring countries.
Vientiane to Pakse
There are night buses from the capital to Pakse taking 10-12 hours.
Don Det to Pakse
This is a short commute, taking about 3 hours including all transfers. You can buy your ticket in Don Det from an agent or your accommodation.
Thakhek to Pakse
There is a daily bus from Thakhek which departs between 9am and 11am each day, but in our experience it leaves once it’s full, which was around 11:30am. This journey takes 8 hours.
Alternatively there is a minivan via Savannakhet to Pakse or a night bus that operates every hour from 7pm.
We would recommend asking at the information desk in the bus station for more details about the next departure to Pakse.
Pakse Airport
There is also an airport in Pakse! You can fly direct to Pakse from Luang Prabang, Vientiane, Siem Reap or Ho Chi Minh.
Prices to fly to Pakse will cost more than arriving by bus, but it will potentially save you a long bus ride.
The Bolaven Loop without a Motorbike – Tour Options
In Pakse, you’ll see many tuk tuk drivers ready and willing to take you to some of the main sights on the Bolaven Plateau Loop should you not have motorbike access.
Alternatively, you can find organized tours from Pakse online via Viator.
Thakhek Loop vs Pakse Loop
Perhaps you only have the time or budget for one motorbike loop in Laos? This is a question we heard asked many times before arriving in Pakse and one we also asked ourselves.
Should we do the Thakhek Loop or Pakse Loop? Which is better?
After a lot of research, we came to the decision that the Pakse Loop was the best motorbike loop for us.
The Thakhek Loop has beautiful mountains (similar to those in the North like Nong Khiaw) and Kong Lor Cave, but takes longer to ride.
We had previously decided we would only do one motorbike loop and had already been to Luang Namtha and Nong Khiaw in the North to see the Laotian mountains.
With Kong Lor Cave being the main attraction we wanted to see from the Thakhek loop (and one we could visit by bus) our decision was made for us.
The Bolaven Loop has an abundance of waterfalls, great coffee, and lush vegetation – aspects of Laos we hadn’t seen yet. Thus, the choice was made!
Where to Go After Visiting Pakse
North towards Thakhek
Perhaps you have a thirst for the motorbike now and want more. If so, make your way to Thakhek, spend a few days on the loop and let us know your thoughts!
🔥 HOT TAKE: If you have an extended time in Laos, we recommend traveling North to South starting in Luang Namtha and finishing in Don Det. Many travelers tend to choose the 2-day long boat from Huay Xai to Luang Prabang, missing out on the beautiful North. If you’re really craving a long boat experience, check out our journey from Thaton to Chiang Rai in Northern Thailand.
South to Don Det
Alternatively, if you’re ready for some well deserved rest and relaxation, head South to Don Det & 4000 Islands to experience a little bit of Laotian paradise.
FAQs about the Bolaven Loop
How Long Does the Pakse Loop Take?
You cannot complete the motorbike loop in less than 2 days. The average number of days spent on the loop is 3 to 4 days.
We spent 3 days on the Bolaven Plateau and for us it felt like the optimum amount of time.
Should I Do the Shorter Loop or the Longer Loop?
The longer loop has more difficult roads. It requires much longer on the motorbike for the sake of a couple waterfalls that are just as beautiful as those on the shorter loop.
We don’t recommend the longer loop unless you really love being on a motorbike and have experience with rough, rocky roads.
We heard from those that chose the longer loop that the best waterfalls are on the short loop, so the choice is up to you.
The shorter loop is around 200 km long whereas the longer loop is a little over 300 km. An extra 100 km may be a lot to achieve in one day!
Is the Bolaven Loop Safe?
Overall we felt very safe on our motorbike riding through the villages we visited and stayed in.
🏍 Read all about motorbike safety in Laos, plus other tips for an enjoyable ride here. 🏍
The roads in Laos are more difficult to navigate than other parts of Southeast Asia due to potholes, gravel and windy stretches.
However, if you feel comfortable and treat the journey with utmost caution, you shouldn’t run into problems.
How Much Will the Bolaven Loop Cost?
For us it works out at 2,495,000KIP per person. At the time of writing this is approximately $118USD per person for 5 days of unforgettable memories!
DISCLAIMER: There were two of us on one bike. This brought the per person cost down for the bike hire, fuel, tire repairs, and parking fees.
We also treated ourselves to two Western meals within this budget as well as a few beers so our Food & Drink budget is higher than average.
Below is a breakdown of everything we spent on our trip to Pakse:
| PRICE PER PERSON | |
| Motorbike hire, fuel and tire repairs (3 days) | 640,000KIP |
| Pakse city hostel (3 nights total) | 420,000KIP |
| Tad Lo Guesthouse (1 night) | 150,000KIP |
| Homestay inc. dinner and breakfast (1 night) | 200,000KIP |
| Food & Drink (5 days) | 1,000,000KIP |
| Tad Champee entry and parking | 15,000KIP |
| Coffee Plantation Tour | 70,000KIP |
Do the Rental Shops Ever Run Out of Motorbikes?
It is possible, especially in high season. We recommend heading to Miss Noy as soon as you arrive in Pakse to secure your bike for the following day.
Our hostel (1918 Hostel) also had good reviews for motorbike hire with similar prices to Miss Noy Motorbike.
Regardless of where you decide to hire a motorbike from in Pakse, we highly recommend attending the safety talk local agent Miss Noy offers every day at 6pm.
It’s very informative and will fully prepare you for any difficulties you may encounter!
Our Final Thoughts
During this trip around Southeast Asia, we struggled to meet more than a handful of people who planned to spend more than one week in Laos.
We think it’s important to have at least two weeks in Laos, so you can visit hidden gems much like the Pakse Loop.
If you’re tempted to stay longer, have a look at our 30-day itinerary for inspiration.
