Bolaven Plateau

The Bolaven Plateau in southern Laos is known for its picturesque landscapes, traditional coffee estates, and ethnic communities. It also has some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Southeast Asia.

Overview of Bolaven Plateau

Overview

The Bolaven Plateau is located in the middle of the Truong Son mountain range and sits on the eastern border of Laos and Vietnam. The name "Bolaven" means Land of the Laven, the largest ethnic group in southern Laos. This plateau is famous for its tea, coffee, and rubber plantations maintained by the natives. When coming here, visitors can wander through the plantations and enjoy a cup of famous coffee. 

Besides that, Bolaven is also famous for its natural beauty and poetic waterfalls. Many of the most beautiful waterfalls are found in Bolaven, including Tad Nam Tok Katamtok, Tad Fane, and Tad Yuang.

The Bolaven Plateau is the greatest natural gem of Southern Laos nature. (Source: Remote Lands)

History

The Bolaven Plateau is of great significance, and every move has an impact on Lao history. Therefore, the three historical periods that had a major impact on this area were the French colonial period, the Ong Keo uprising, and the Vietnam War.

The coffee plantations were introduced by the French after they conquered the region in 1893. The second period that had a major impact on the area was the period of the Ong Keo uprising. The colonists created widespread and intense conflict in the area, so the local residents wanted to eliminate this influence.

Fast forward about 70 years; the plateau endured significant hardships during the Vietnam War, emerging as one of the most heavily bombed regions due to its strategic importance to both the Americans and the North Vietnamese.

The Bolaven Plateau is now a popular route for travelers looking for an adventure off the beaten path. Visitors are drawn to its unique blend of cultural history, coffee plantations, and the terrible consequences of a chaotic past.

The Bolaven Plateau is becoming a popular route for travelers. (Source: Laotian Times)

Best time to visit

The best time to visit the Bolaven Plateau is from mid-July to October, during the rainy season when the waterfalls are at their most beautiful. If you want to experience the coffee harvest season, you can visit from mid-October to February.

To enjoy the best weather for hiking and other adventurous activities, choose the dry season, which runs from November to April, when there is less humidity and rainfall. Depending on your preferences, you can choose the most suitable time to come here.

The best time to visit the Bolaven Plateau is during the rainy season. (Source: Romain Depret)

Read more: South Laos Tours

How to get there

To get to Bolaven Plateau, the first thing you have to do is reach the Pakse Airport. Alternatively, you can take a bus or any other means of transport from major cities such as Vientiane, Pakse, or Savannakhet.

Once in Bolaven Plateau, feel free to explore the area by songthaew (shared vehicle), tuk-tuk, or rental car.

You can get to Bolaven plateau in many ways. (Source: Champa Meuanglao)

What to see in Bolaven Plateau

Tad Yuang Waterfall

Tat Yuang Waterfall is located at Km 40 village, Paksong district, Champasak province, about 10 kilometers west of Paksong district center. The waterfall is 50 meters high, surrounded by bamboo, bananas, and dense forest on both sides (from the mouth of the waterfall to the foot of the waterfall). The cool green forest around the waterfall area provides an excellent resting point for the visitors as they appreciate the scenery and indulge in the delightful calm of the surroundings.

An excellent resting point for the visitors. (Source: Im Jess Traveling)

Tad Fane Waterfall

Tad Fane Waterfall is located in Dong Hua Sao National Park in the Bolaven Plateau, Champasak Province. With a height of about 120 meters, Tad Fane becomes the most spectacular waterfall in the Land of a Million Elephants. The water flows strongly and majestically from the top of the mountain down two large limestone ranges, creating two white streams like streaks of smoke. This scene creates an extremely beautiful and majestic picture, making visitors feel like they are lost in a fairyland.

Explore the stunning beauty of Tad Fane Waterfall. (Source: Crystal Holidays)

Tea and Coffee Plantation

It was at first the French colonists who exploited the plateau by planting banana trees and coffee plants at the beginning of the 20th century. Nowadays, approximately 20,000 tons of coffee are produced annually. Coffee beans from the Bolaven Plateau are well-known to coffee enthusiasts all around the world. There are various coffee growers on the plateau, and some of them are organized into cooperatives like the Coffee Growers Cooperative, which helps small-scale farmers sell their output under the fair trade label.

Explore fertile plantations. (Source: DTH Travel)

What to do in Bolaven Plateau

Ziplining

Visiting the Bolaven Plateau, especially the Tad Yuang and Tad Fane waterfalls, besides enjoying the fresh air and an escape from the noisy city life, travelers can also join adventure games, such as ziplining through the valley, swinging in a hammock amidst the sky, or sipping a hot cup of coffee on suspended tables and chairs.

Ziplining might be quite familiar, but hanging a hammock in the middle of the mountains or suspending a whole table and chair set for tourists to enjoy coffee at a height of over 140 meters is truly unique and hard to find elsewhere. From here, visitors can have the most panoramic and clearest view of the two magnificent twin waterfalls.

Bolaven Plateau is for explorers. (Souce: Issu)

Trekking

Bolaven Plateau is a great route for those who love trekking. Depending on the route you choose, the time and difficulty level will vary. However, you should also research the weather carefully to avoid bad weather, rain, and humidity.

Bolaven is the best place in Laos for trekking outside of the northern region. (Source: Autour Asia)

Specialities in Laos

Coffee

Bolaven Plateau has a temperate climate and relatively high rainfall, resulting in fertile and rich soil. This is truly an ideal place for coffee cultivation. This region primarily grows Robusta and Arabica coffee beans, with an annual production of 25,000 tons. One thing you should know is that the most expensive Arabica coffee beans in the world are produced on the Bolaven Plateau.

Savoring a cup of traditional Lao coffee in the morning will be a truly unforgettable experience for travelers. Besides coffee, the soul of the Bolaven Plateau, the region is also renowned for its high-quality tea and spices.

Coffee is the soul of Bolaven. (Source: Laotian Times)

Bolaven banana

Bolaven banana is a special banana variety grown at Paksong farm on the vast Bolaven plateau. This banana variety is larger, sweeter, and more fragrant than other types. It also takes longer to grow.

The distinguishing feature of Bolaven bananas is that the banana peel is quite tough and firm, so the storage time at room temperature is also longer than bananas grown in the plains. Even when ripe, the banana peel will take longer to turn brown and are more supple and delicious.

Bolaven banana is very popular in Southeast Asian countries. (Source: margouillatphotos)

Conclusion

The Bolaven Plateau in Laos is a highly fascinating and appealing place for any domestic and foreign tourists. Not only is this place known for its hospitable people, but it also has a great and stunning natural scenery. 

To appreciate the extravagance of the Bolaven Plateau, let’s discover its marvels and enjoy what the place has to offer.

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