1 Days Salavan Hiking tour to Tad Lo and Tad Hang Waterfalls

The popular Tad Lo tourism centre some 90 km northeast of Pakse presents two waterfalls, elephant treks, ethnic villages, temples, and a conservation area, all easily reached by bicycle.

Imagine waking up, stepping outside your room, walking a few steps, and finding yourself facing the 30-metre-wide, tree-lined Tad Hang Waterfall crashing over a 10-metre, tiered-rock wall into a series of rapids before settling into a calmly flowing Xe Set River.

And knowing that the more dramatic Tad Lo Waterfall is around 500 metres upriver beckons visitors to start hiking. A set of stairs leads to the river’s shore for a great angle looking straight at the semi-horseshoe-shaped Tad Lo, which is slightly taller that Tad Hang. The drop-off is split by a jutting rock protrusion, as the river crashes over the cliff, and lands in a cloudy mist.

A 1-day trek starting at the Tad Lo Visitor Information Centre takes you up the Xe Set River introducing you to local nature and lifestyles of ethnic villages. You climb to the top of Tad Soung Waterfall to experience the panoramic views then descend to the Katu ethnic village of Ban Houay Lanong.

Two small temples are within walking distance of the tourist area. The main temple sits on the eastern banks of the Xe Set, some 500 metres downstream from the bridge, and across from the conservation area. The second can be found on the western bank along the trail between Tad Hang and Ta Lo.

The conservation area can be reached by foot or bicycle along a dirt road. Located within the peaceful reserve is a fish farm with six ponds and a sizeable holding lake that can be crossed by a walking bridge.

Within the Tad Lo area, four ethnic groups – Suay, Alak, Katu, and Ngae – share three villages: Ban Khiang Tanglae, Ban Nanong, and Ban Khiang Tadsoung. They centre on large, domed community/spirit houses, and are easy to reach by bicycle, motorbike, and foot.