I did the Thakhek motorbike loop in 2014 with two German girls, and rode most of it again in October 2023. It is amazing to do. Both times we did it in three days and saw some incredible stuff. From views to waterfalls and from caves to villages. When you have the time do the motorbike loop in Thakhek.
In short: the Thakhek Loop is a motorbike loop of about 450 km from Thakhek in central Laos, past caves, karst mountains and the Nam Theun 2 reservoir, with a boat trip through the 7 km long Kong Lor Cave. Plan three days, four if you want to see everything. The highest point is about 700 m, on the Nakai plateau between Thalang and Lak Sao. Below you find our free GPX and KML files: the full loop via road 13 and our 2023 route to Kong Lor and back.
Start motorbike loop Thakhek
We started the motorbike loop in Thakhek. you can also start somewhere else on the route but Thakhek is an easy place to go and you can rent cheap motorbikes in the center of Thakhek. In 2014 every motorbike shop and the Travelers Lodge guesthouse gave out a paper map of the route. You can decide to do it in three days or in more. It’s possible in three, but it is hard to see everything. Four days will be better to see everything. Mobile data helps on the way, for Google Maps and the GPX below: see my guide to a local SIM or eSIM for Laos.
Route motorbike loop Thakhek
When you have the map you can decide which direction you want to do the loop. We started by going to the right (east). If I have to give an advise look at the weather forecast. In total you’ll ride ca 450km in between the mountains so the weather can be different. On the map you’ll find the caves, waterfalls and all other touristie stuff. In 2014 the Travelers Lodge also had a logbook where you can find the latest news about the Thakhek motorbike loop. Written by people they did the route a few days before. Most of the time this is good information because the waterfall can be dry or certain things. Don’t forget to talk to people in the guesthouse where you stay, most of the time there are people who did the loop before you. We used the offline map Maps.me to navigate and measure the distances.
My tip: don’t skip the Konglor cave! 7 km in the Konglor cave by a boat. I realy liked this trip.
Note (2014): after Tha Lang 16 km of the road wasn’t asphalted yet, but you could ride it with your motorbike to do the entire loop.
Thakhek Loop map, GPX and day stages (free download)
In October 2023 we skipped road 13 and rode a shorter variant: out via Tha Falang and Thalang to Kong Lor Cave and back the same way. This map shows that route, traced along the roads through the places where we took our photos, plus the full loop over road 13 that we rode in 2014. Download it for free, no sign-up: the GPX works offline in Organic Maps, OsmAnd, Maps.me, Komoot and on a Garmin; the KML opens in Google My Maps and Google Earth.
Download the route
Our 2023 route: Thalang, Kong Lor and back: 515 km, 3 days
Download GPXKML for Google
Other direction: GPX · KML
Full loop via road 13: 452 km, 3 days
Road 13 is a boring ride with few sights. Only take it if you want to close the loop.
Download GPXKML for Google
Other direction: GPX · KML
Day stages of our 2023 route
Why we rode back the same way: road 13 is boring, so in 2023 we took the same road back. That sounds dull, but you see everything from a completely different side. In 2014 I did ride road 13, and that really was a boring stretch.
- Day 1: Thakhek → Thalang, 105 km
via Tha Falang and Gnommalat; we slept at Sabaidee Guesthouse in Thalang, our favourite stop: riders meet around the campfire under the stars
Open day 1 in Google Maps - Day 2: Thalang → Na Hin, 199 km
north to road 8 past Lak Sao, south to Kong Lor Cave for the boat trip, back to Na Hin for the night
Open day 2 in Google Maps - Day 3: Na Hin → Thakhek, 211 km
back the same way via Lak Sao, Thalang and Gnommalat: the same views, seen from the other side
Open day 3 in Google Maps
Riding it the other way? Reverse stages in Google Maps: day 1 (Thakhek → Na Hin) · day 2 (Na Hin → Thalang) · day 3 (Thalang → Thakhek). The full loop in Google Maps: day 1 (Thakhek → Thalang, 105 km) · day 2 (Thalang → Kong Lor Cave (entrance), 153 km) · day 3 (Kong Lor Cave (entrance) → Thakhek, 194 km).
Each day is a separate track in the file. Waypoints include the caves near Thakhek (Tham Xang, Buddha Cave, Tham Nang Aen, Tham Pha Nya In), Tha Falang, Cool Pool, Ban Thabak for boat trips on the Nam Theun, the Limestone Forest Viewpoint and Spring River Resort. Kong Lor Cave has two points: the entrance at the end of the road and the far side, which you only reach by boat through the cave.
Thakhek Loop elevation profile: how hilly is it?
The Thakhek Loop is no mountain ride, but it has two real climbs. From Thakhek (about 150 m, on the Mekong) the road stays flat for about 75 km. After Gnommalat it climbs onto the Nakai plateau, from about 180 m to 550 m. The highest point of the loop is about 700 m, on the road between Thalang and Lak Sao. On day 2 the road drops about 400 m in the last 10 km before Na Hin, into the valley of Kong Lor Cave (about 170 m).
How you ride back makes the difference. Over road 13, day 3 has two shorter climbs, the bigger one to about 470 m at the Limestone Forest Viewpoint, and its last 120 km are flat. Riding back the same way, as we did in 2023, means climbing back onto the plateau: about 450 m up in the first 10 km after Na Hin, and 500 to 700 m more climbing that day than over road 13.
| Full loop via road 13 | Kong Lor and back (our 2023 route) | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance (our GPX) | 452 km | 515 km |
| Lowest / highest point | about 150 m / 700 m | about 150 m / 700 m |
| Total climbing | about 1,900–2,300 m | about 2,400–3,000 m |
| Hardest day | Day 2, about 700–900 m up (day 3: 700–750 m) | Day 3, about 1,200–1,400 m up |
Elevation: Copernicus DEM GLO-30 (© DLR e.V. 2010-2014 and © Airbus Defence and Space GmbH 2014-2018, provided under COPERNICUS by the European Union and ESA), checked against SRTM 30 m and ASTER GDEM 30 m (median difference 3–6 m per point) and against the level of the Nakai reservoir (538 m): near Thalang the plateau road runs just above it. Climbing totals differ between terrain models, so we give the range of the two closest models (ASTER gives more). Calculated from the route, not from a recorded GPS track; checked 25 October 2026.
Roads and distances: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Distances include our side trips. The GPX files follow the roads and carry no elevation data; they are not a recorded GPS track.
Our 2023 loop in photos
Video of the Thakhek motorbike loop
Costs motorbike loop Thakhek (2014 prices)
We rented a motorbike in the center of the village at Wang Wang. In 2014 this was way cheaper than at the lodge. Wang Wang is a family business: the parents run the shop in Thakhek, and in 2023 I heard that their son and daughter had opened one in Pakse too, handy for the Pakse Loop.
- 60.000 for rent the motorbike a day
- 100.000 for boat to the Konglor cave (33.000 kip each + 10.000 a person = 43.000 kip)
- 2.000 entrance for the konglor cave
- 10.000 entrence for the waterfall
- 100.000 for fuel a motorbike
- Accommodation enduring the loop (30.000 kip a night)
In 2014 the 3-day loop cost us about 40 euro per person, excluding food.
What to bring on the motorbike loop Thakhek
- Small backpack
- Clothes for 3 days
- Swimming clothes
- Sunglasses
- Chargers
- Photocamera
- Water
- Suncream
- Shoes that can be wet (for the rain and Konglor cave)
What to bring extra by rain
- Raincoat
- Raincover for backpack
- New lenses 🙂
Accommodation motorbike loop Thakhek
Our favourite stop: Sabaidee Guesthouse in Thalang. A great and very cosy place where riders on the loop come together: dinner around the campfire, then a sky full of stars. We stayed there in 2014 and again in 2023.
In 2014 we stayed the first night at Sabeidee guesthouse in Tha Lang. It is a nice first ride to there and the BBQ is amazing! Great food for 50.000. Sounds expensive when you compare it but don’t compare it. It is good! The beds are simple but good. And last but not least a nice hot shower. The price for a simple private bungalow was 40.000 ($5) for two persons and the dormitory was 25.000 ($3) a person (2014). In the morning I ordered breakfast (30.000 or $3.8), the omelette was really good.
In 2014 the second night we stayed next to the Konglor cave in Konglor the village. You can do a homestay over there or go to one of the guesthouses. We stayed at the Enjoy boy guesthouse. At the opposite site of the street there is a nice restaurant with nice prices and view on the river. The room at Enjoy boy was 60.000 ($7.5) for two persons. In 2023 we rode back to Na Hin after the boat trip and slept there.
Last day we had lot of rain just before the Khoun kong leng lake, we wanted to go there for a swim (nice blue water). So we went back to the travelers lodge in Thakhek. If you want to make sure you’ve a room you can book it in advance. Sometimes you’ll arrive in the evening and it is nice to have a shower and good bed after the rides.
I hope you’ve also a nice motorbike loop near Thakhek! Do you like motorbike loops, check also the Pakse motorbikeloop, or see my Laos travel guide for costs and our full route. In northern Thailand we rode the Golden Triangle Loop from Chiang Mai.
Help other travelers
If you’ve more information about the Thakhek motorbike loop for other travelers don’t be shy and post it below 🙂
19 Comments. Leave new
Hey! Just finished the loop today! The first day we went to the Budda Cave, which was pretty small and you have to pay for parking and entrance. Also you have to cover your shoulders and knees, because it’s like a temple. We also went to the Aen Cave, which costs 20000 kip. It was similar to the one in Halong bay with trashy colourful lights. The way in the motorbike was actually the most impressive thing. Beautiful mountain scenery and landscapes of lakes. The hostel Sabaidee was so friendly with an delicious barbecue and very relaxing garden and socialising games. Perfect atmosphere! 29000 kip for dorm. The second day contains a longer path of sandy road, which is under construction. We skipped the cold springs, but heard it’s really nice. We went to the waterfall, but you also have to pay for entrance and parking. You can drive 2km on dirt road to get to the parking. But you still have to walk about 45min through the jungle to get to the waterfall. 2nd night we stayed at the guesthouse on the map. It’s renovated lately and the people are lovely! 50000kip per bungalow. Last day we went to the Konglor cave. It was an experience on the boat in the darkness. The provided flip flops were uncomfortable and you gonna get a wet but. I didn’t like it. Overall the road is pretty good and you need less time on the road than they say. Also you can spent just 70-80000 kip for petrol in total. It’s really worth it if you like riding a motorbike! The landscape is amazing!
Cool extra information about the Thakhek loop Jenny!
The cold springs are amazing, not to miss for sure! I did the loop in April 2015, tremendous memories! 🙂
Hi! I’m going to Laos on October and I would love to do the trekking. However, I never drove a motorcycle before. Is it easy for beginners? Do you know that there are night buses from Vang Vieng x Thakhek and Thakhek x Vientiene? Thanks!!!
Hi Raysa, for every person it is different. But the motorcycles you can rent have different options. Manual motorbike, Semi-automatic motorbike and automatic motorbike. If you’re a beginner try the automatic motorbike. That is just gas and brake. I’m not sure if there are night busses that direction, I travelled the other way 🙂 Laos is awesome, have fun!
Hey Paul! I’m really interested in the motorike loop, but I was wondering about the bags, since me and a friend will be backpacking, we will have big backpacks which are hard to carry on the motobike. Did you also have that problem? Do you know any safe place to leave our bags for the three days we’ll be away for? Thanks!
Hi Julia, when we did the Thakhek Motorbikeloop we stalled our backpack at the hostel. Most of the rental services you can leave your big backpack as well. Have fun the Thakhek loop is awesome 😀
Hallo Paul
Wij denken erover om in januari naar Laos te gaan. Het probleem is echter dat wij geen backpackers zijn maar ‘gewone’ reizigers, die nogal op comfort gesteld zijn. Het is niet zo dat we ganse dagen aan een zwembad willen liggen want dan kunnen we evengoed all in naar Turkije 🙂 We willen dus wel iets zien van het land maar ‘s avonds toch de luxe van een hotel hebben ipv een guesthouse zonder enig comfort. Nu is mijn vraag: is het mogelijk dat we tijdens de loop in een hotelletje overnachten (dat moeten geen 5 sterren zijn ) of zijn er op de rit enkel guesthouses en hostels te vinden. Indien er alleen guesthouses zijn heeft u er dan enig idee van welke toch een beetje comfortabel zijn?
In Thailand hebben we verschillende eilanden en steden per scooter gedaan en ook steeds in hotels overnacht maar nu weet ik niet of die mogelijk er ook in Laos is.
Alvast bedankt voor de info
Kelly
Hi Kelly,
Dat is zeker mogelijk ook in Loas. Je betaald alleen iets meer dan in Thailand ivm minder concurrentie. 🙂
Als je op Booking kijkt krijg je een beetje een overzicht van prijzen en accomodatie.
http://www.booking.com/country/la.html
Have fun!! 🙂
Hi Paul,
What do you recommend.. the pakse loop or the thakhek loop?
Hi Maxime, they are both different, Thakhek look is longer with more scenic routes and some awesome highlights. The Pakse loop has more waterfalls and the highlight little bit closer together. If you put a gun on my head I’d say Thakhek. 🙂
Ik zou graag de loop doen maar zijn er ook wat grotere brommers / scooters waar je met z’n 2-en op kan? Dit imdat mijn vriendin het absoluut niet ziet zitten om op een brommer te rijden omdat ze daar geen ervaring mee heeft. Ik hoor graag van je.
Hi Reinier,
Er zijn zeker ook grotere brommers / motoren te huur in Thakhek. Daar pas je makkelijk met z’n tweeen op.
Have fun on your motorbike trip!
3,8$ an omelette??? in Laos country side and is not expensive? In Barcelona center is cheaper
Hi Anton,
Congratulations on the win of Barcelona over Laos in this one. Enjoy your omelette in Barcelona! <3
Hope you have a nice day 😀
Cheers Paul
Hi buddy. Do you believe the prices are still the same? And is it possible to go from there to Vietnam? Im trying to figure it all out
I don’t know exactly, probably they went up a little bit as this article is from 3 years ago. To cross the border you have to go y checkpoints, see what is the closest. (and make sure you’ve a visa for Vietnam) Have fun on the Thakhek Motorbike loop!
I just did this loop and it was so much fun! Thanks for the information. One thing I will add say is that we stopped in Nakai for a night and I am so glad we did. It’s beautiful and gives you a really great perspective into rural Laos. We stayed at the Nakai Resort and it was a great option. They run a BBQ every night with all you can eat food. Rooms are pretty cheap starting at 40,000 kip for dorm (we stayed in a really sizable double with hot water for 80,000 kip) and the staff is so friendly. We stayed up around the bonfire chatting with the owner of the resort about Buddhism and the Lao lifestyle. I would highly recommend and invite Bounlisth for a beer – he has great stories!
That is awesome to hear Sarah, thanks for sharing this extra information about the Thakhek Loop! <3