Bolaven Plateau

The Bolaven Plateau is an elevated basalt plateau in southern Laos, primarily within Champasak province, noted for its coffee production and numerous waterfalls. Elevations on the plateau are roughly in the range of 800 to 1,350 metres above sea level.

The area is visited for its extensive coffee plantations, where Arabica and Robusta are grown under shade and in terraced fields, and for a series of waterfall sites such as Tad Fane, Tad Yuang and Tad Lo. Small towns and roadside cafés around Paksong provide services and tasting opportunities, while paved and secondary roads lead to viewpoints and picnic areas.

The plateau was formed by extensive volcanic basalt flows and later became a focus for plantation agriculture. Coffee and other plantation crops expanded under French colonial influence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and remain the economic backbone of the region.

Situated in southern Laos within Champasak province, the plateau sits north of the Mekong River and east of the major lowland plains, with a landscape of rolling hills, basalt outcrops, rivers and forested valleys.

• Best time to visit: Dry-season travel from November to April gives the most reliable road conditions and clearer views of waterfalls.
• Coffee experiences: Many small farms offer coffee tastings and short tours that explain processing from cherry to roasted bean.
• Road conditions: Unpaved secondary roads can become difficult in heavy rain, so allow extra travel time in the wet season.

What to See#

• Major waterfalls and Paksong: Series of waterfalls, coffee plantations and small towns spread across an elevated basalt plateau in southern Laos; popular waterfall sites include Tad Fane, Tad Yuang and Tad Lo and the town of Paksong serves as the main local centre.
• Coffee plantations and elevations: Elevated coffee-growing zone where Arabica and Robusta plantations occupy terraced fields and shaded gardens on slopes roughly between 800 and 1,350 metres above sea level.
• Ethnic villages and trails: Patchwork of ethnic villages inhabited by Laven, Alak and other groups, with forested ridges and river valleys used for walking and short treks.

Wat Xieng Thong lies just west of the Mekong and is an easy 10-20 minute walk from the central night market and main guesthouse district of Luang Prabang. Tuk-tuks are available for those preferring not to walk.

• Buy a combined ticket for several temples in Luang Prabang to save money and avoid separate queues.
• Visit at sunrise or late afternoon when the gilding and inlaid mosaics catch angle light and the grounds are quieter.