FIELD VISIT

TAD FANE WATERFALLS AND PAKSONG HIGHLANDS

SITE A

Tad Fane Twin Waterfalls are one of the magnificent falls in Southern Laos. The 120 m high waterfalls are located in Dong Hua Sao National Park on the Bolaven Plateau. Dong Hua Sao National Park is one of the National Biodiversity Conservation areas in Champasak Province in Laos. Tad Fane Twin Waterfalls are famous among trekkers. The main attraction of the area is the half and full day trek to the top of the falls enjoying the coffee and tea plantations, lush forests, and ethnic villages. The area also showcases an array of the countries fauna, including elephants, monkeys, tigers, and a number of bird species. 

With its altitude of about 1,300 meters above sea level, cold temperature, abundant rainfall, and rich volcanic soils, Paksong is very suitable for growing coffee. The area has the potential to grow and produce high quality Arabica coffee. Paksong Highlands, a paradise for coffee lovers, promotes eco-tourism and agro-tourism leading to the growth of the Paksong economy. 

Tad Fane Twin Waterfalls and Paksong Highlands is approximately 38 km from the provincial capital, Pakse. This site visit will take about 45-minute drive from Champasak Grand Hotel

TAD FANE WATERFALLS AND PAKSONG HIGHLANDS

SITE A

Tad Fane Twin Waterfalls are one of the magnificent falls in Southern Laos. The 120 m high waterfalls are located in Dong Hua Sao National Park on the Bolaven Plateau. Dong Hua Sao National Park is one of the National Biodiversity Conservation areas in Champasak Province in Laos. Tad Fane Twin Waterfalls are famous among trekkers. The main attraction of the area is the half and full day trek to the top of the falls enjoying the coffee and tea plantations, lush forests, and ethnic villages. The area also showcases an array of the countries fauna, including elephants, monkeys, tigers, and a number of bird species. 

With its altitude of about 1,300 meters above sea level, cold temperature, abundant rainfall, and rich volcanic soils, Paksong is very suitable for growing coffee. The area has the potential to grow and produce high quality Arabica coffee. Paksong Highlands, a paradise for coffee lovers, promotes eco-tourism and agro-tourism leading to the growth of the Paksong economy. 

Tad Fane Twin Waterfalls and Paksong Highlands is approximately 38 km from the provincial capital, Pakse. This site visit will take about 45-minute drive from Champasak Grand Hotel

Activities: 

  • Half and full day treks up to the top of Tad Fane falls and to nearby ethnic villages
  • Zip-lines traversing the Tad Fane Twin Waterfalls and pristine forest of Dong Hua Sao National Parks 
  • Try the local brew, the best coffee in Laos.  Take a tour on the Paksong Highlands coffee plantation followed by tastings.

XE PIAN NATIONAL PROTECTED AREA AND BEUNG KIAT NGONG RAMSAR SITE

SITE B

The Xe Pian National Protected Area (NPA) is located in the southern provinces of Champassak and Attapeu, close to the Cambodian border. It was established by PM Decree 164 on 29 October 1993, covering an area of 2,400km2. Xe Pian NPA is considered to be one of the top three most biologically important nature reserves in Laos.

It is home to abundant and rare wildlife such as elephant, gaur, Asiatic black bear, Yellow-cheeked Crested Gibbon, among others. The park’s main forest type is mixed evergreen covering about 80% of its area. Deciduous forest constitutes the further 17% of the park. It is also famous for its extensive wetlands, the Beung Kiat Ngong Wetlands Ramsar site (designated in 2010), an important area for water birds.

This protected area offers exciting ecotourism activities such as birdwatching, trekking in the forest, canoeing with a local guide through the wetlands in the rainy season, or simply relaxing and observing life in the wetlands. Tourism activities help to provide livelihood opportunities for local villagers. 

The Beung Kiat Ngong Wetlands complex in Champassak Province is one of two wetlands that were designated as Ramsar sites upon Lao PDR’s accession to the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) in 2010. It is made up of a number of important wetland types, including swamps, lakes, peatlands and marshes. It is also one of the few places in Lao PDR where peatland areas can be found. The Bung Kiat Ngong wetland cover 2,360 hectares. 

Xe Pian National Protected Area and Beung Kiat Ngong Wetlands complex is approximately 56 km south of the provincial capital, Pakse This site visit will take about 1-hour drive from Champasak Grand Hotel

XE PIAN NATIONAL PROTECTED AREA AND BEUNG KIAT NGONG RAMSAR SITE

SITE B

The Xe Pian National Protected Area (NPA) is located in the southern provinces of Champassak and Attapeu, close to the Cambodian border. It was established by PM Decree 164 on 29 October 1993, covering an area of 2,400km2. Xe Pian NPA is considered to be one of the top three most biologically important nature reserves in Laos.

It is home to abundant and rare wildlife such as elephant, gaur, Asiatic black bear, Yellow-cheeked Crested Gibbon, among others. The park’s main forest type is mixed evergreen covering about 80% of its area. Deciduous forest constitutes the further 17% of the park. It is also famous for its extensive wetlands, the Beung Kiat Ngong Wetlands Ramsar site (designated in 2010), an important area for water birds.

This protected area offers exciting ecotourism activities such as birdwatching, trekking in the forest, canoeing with a local guide through the wetlands in the rainy season, or simply relaxing and observing life in the wetlands. Tourism activities help to provide livelihood opportunities for local villagers. 

The Beung Kiat Ngong Wetlands complex in Champassak Province is one of two wetlands that were designated as Ramsar sites upon Lao PDR’s accession to the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) in 2010. It is made up of a number of important wetland types, including swamps, lakes, peatlands and marshes. It is also one of the few places in Lao PDR where peatland areas can be found. The Bung Kiat Ngong wetland cover 2,360 hectares. 

Xe Pian National Protected Area and Beung Kiat Ngong Wetlands complex is approximately 56 km south of the provincial capital, Pakse This site visit will take about 1-hour drive from Champasak Grand Hotel

Activities: 

  • Visit to Kingfisher Lodge to see the Beung Kiat Ngong Wetlands 
  • Interaction with community members of the Kiet Ngong Village. Community members act as service providers to Kingfisher Lodge for tourist. Ban Kiet Ngong Village is popular for its elephant rides and treks to Phou Asa Mountain. They also makes small carvings and sculptures of elephants and other items for sale to visitors. Community members also participate in the protection and management of Xe Pian National Protected Area and Beung Kiat Ngong Wetlands.
  • Trek to Xe Pian National Protected Area