08:00 hrs:
Departure from Pakse (Pick-up from your hotel in Pakse centre)
08:30 – 08:45 hrs
First stop at BAN BLACKSMITH village, spread out alongside the main access road to Bolaven. Several small family-run workshops offer their production of various farming tools, machetes and knives, all forged in simple smithies open for anyone to see.
09:15 – 09:45 hrs
After a short drive the twin falls of TAD FANE are reached. With a height of 120 metres they are the tallest in Laos. The spacious wooden platform at the edge of the cliff presents a clear, unobstructed view onto the falls, only during rainy season they can be totally obscured by mist.
10:00 – 10:30 hrs
Just a short drive away we arrive at TAD GNEUYANG. There are great views of the 40 metre tall fall from the top, side and bottom. On top there is a bridge overlooking the stream. At the side there is a spot on the way down from where you can watch safely the water plummeting into the deep and at the bottom of the stairway, you can take panoramic pictures of the falls and the pool below.
10:40 – 11:00 hrs
From TAD GNEUYANG the tour proceeds back to the main road to stop for quality coffee, cocoa, tea or fruit shakes from their own production at the CAFÉ LAK . Amidst a lush evergreen garden of plants and trees mainly indigenous to Bolaven, this charming place holds a coffee and tea processing facility open for interested visitors. A wide selection of organic products from the Bolaven is available here.
11:45 – 12:45 hrs
We continue our journey passing by villages, forests and fields in a 45 minutes ride to the beautiful SINOUK COFFEE RESORT, where we will take a one hour lunch break
13:05 – 13:30 hrs
On our way then we make a brief stop at the BAN KOK PHUNG TAI village market, where members of the KATOU tribe offer their homegrown produce. The KATOU are an animistic tribe believing in the spiritual mind and soul as well as spirits adhering to or inhabiting all things and beings. Their lives are ruled by strictly followed customs and traditions, which have been handed down for many generations. The women are known for their colourful intricate cotton weavings, while the men are skilful wood carvers. They all share a passion of smoking homegrown tobacco mixed with herbs from large bamboo bongs.
13:50 – 14:30 hrs
Next attraction on our tour to arrive at the cataracts of TAD LO, another well preserved natural site with the possibility for a relaxing walk through the dense indigenous forest. Below the fall is one more chance to have an energising bath or watch local fishermen at work.
15:10 – 16:30 hrs
Final stop at a village famous for its organic coffee production and KATOU style weaving. Entrepreneur and local guide Mr. VIENG happily shares his profound knowledge about Bolaven coffee from seed to cup and you can choose from a wide variety of exclusive coffee products and textile handicrafts for sale. .
