Tad Lo

The charming village of Tad Lo, located in southern Laos on the Bolevan Plateau, is a charming rural setting for a few days of relaxation and exploration of the southern Lao countryside. Introduced by the French during the period of colonial rule, the Bolevan Plateau region is famous for its cultivation of coffee, the climate being perfect for the plantations to flourish. Visitors to the region will enjoy exploring plantations, and of course sampling some of the rich Lao coffee - some of the best in the world and perfect for a morning wake-up!

The handful of wooden village houses, guesthouses, small restaurants and bicycle rental shops in Tad Lo are located around the most awesome waterfalls in this part of Laos. Some of these waterfalls are suitable for wild swimming in the natural pools. Others are impressive enough just to view. Walking and cycling around, it is easy to feel relaxed here especially as there is a real village atmosphere in Tad Lo - it is fun to meet locals, who will often call out “sabaidee” (Lao for “hello) in a jovial way as you pass them by.

With the combination of the rural good life, swimming and cycling opportunities, Tad Lo offers something for everyone, and is a great introduction to the gentle pace of life of rural Laos. The gateway to Tad Lo is the regional centre of Pakse, and Tad Lo combines very well with a visit further south to Si Phan Don – Four Thousand Island region of the Mekong river.

The plains of southern Laos heat up during April and May, as the heat builds before the monsoon rains hit in June, so this time is best avoided. If you are planning a tailormade holiday to Laos, and would like to incorporate a visit to Tad Lo, then the best time to visit is between November and March when the weather should be dry and warm.

My favourite thing is to go where I've never been.
Diane Arbus