Tad Pha Suam Waterfall
ນ້ຳຕົກຕາດຜາສ້ວມ
Overview
About this place
A broad cascade pouring through chamber-like rock formations, set in an ethnic cultural village of traditional Bolaven-group houses near Ban Nong Luang, Bachiangchaleunsouk district.
The "chamber" falls
In Lao, suam means a bedroom or inner chamber, and Tad Pha Suam takes its name from the rocks beneath the falls, which the water has carved into hollows that look like a row of little rooms. The falls are not tall (around 10 m) but wide, splitting into several streams that pour into an emerald pool in the forest.
An ethnic cultural village
The falls sit inside a cultural park (Uttayan Bajiang) near Ban Nong Luang in Bachiangchaleunsouk district. Around them stand traditional wooden and stilt houses of the Bolaven Plateau’s ethnic groups — Laven, Alak, Katu, Suay and others — with displays of farming and hunting tools, spirit houses and buffalo-sacrifice posts. It’s a good primer on highland life before visiting real villages.
What to do
Cross the hanging bridge over the river for a wide view of the falls, wander through the village houses with your camera, and stop at the park restaurant; simple bungalows are available if you want to stay. Tad Pha Suam lies on Route 20 (Pakse–Saravan), so it’s an easy stop on the Bolaven Loop and pairs well with nearby Tad Champee.
When to go and safety
The late rainy season (September–November) brings the fullest, most photogenic flow; in the dry season the falls are smaller but the village is pleasant to explore. Riverside rocks and wooden bridges can be slippery, and swimming is unsafe in the rainy season because of strong currents. Expect leeches and mosquitoes — bring repellent, plus a light jacket for the cool evenings.
Opening hours, fees and transport prices are sample data — please verify before visiting.
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- #bolaven-loop
Updated Oct 18, 2026
Fair-price directions
How to get there
Standard prices from popular starting points. Agree the price before you get in — if a driver asks for more, show the Driver Card.
| From | Vehicle | Distance | Time | Fair price | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pakse Southern Bus Terminal (Lak 8)Bus station · ສະຖານີຂົນສົ່ງສາຍໃຕ້ ປາກເຊ (ຫຼັກ 8) | Songthaewສອງແຖວ | 38 km | 1 hr 15 min | ₭ 30,000–40,000per person≈ $1.4–$1.86 Take a Saravan / Lao Ngam-bound songthaew (via Route 20), ask for "Tad Pha Suam", get off at the turn-off and walk about 1.5 km in. Return services are infrequent — head back before about 15:00. | |
| Pakse city centre (riverside / Charoen Sedone)City centre · ໃຈກາງເມືອງປາກເຊ | Taxiແທັກຊີ | 38 km | 50 min | ₭ 700,000–1,000,000per vehicle≈ $33–$47 Full-day taxi or van charter combining Tad Pha Suam, Tad Champee and Tad Fane / Tad Yeung in one loop — agree the route before you set off. | |
| Pakse city centre (riverside / Charoen Sedone)City centre · ໃຈກາງເມືອງປາກເຊ | Other | 38 km | 50 min | ₭ 120,000–200,000per vehicle≈ $5.58–$9.3 Rent a motorbike in Pakse town (price per day; passport or deposit required). Ride Route 16 to the Km 21 junction, turn left onto Route 20 towards Saravan and watch for the Tad Pha Suam sign on the right. Wear a helmet, check brakes and lights, and ride slowly in rainy-season fog and on wet roads. | |
| Tad Pha Suam turn-off (Route 20) | Walk | 1.5 km | 25 min | Free Dirt road through light forest; can be muddy in the rainy season. |
- Pakse Southern Bus Terminal (Lak 8)Bus station · ສະຖານີຂົນສົ່ງສາຍໃຕ້ ປາກເຊ (ຫຼັກ 8)Songthaewສອງແຖວ38 km1 hr 15 min
Fair range
₭ 30,000–40,000per person≈ $1.4–$1.86Take a Saravan / Lao Ngam-bound songthaew (via Route 20), ask for "Tad Pha Suam", get off at the turn-off and walk about 1.5 km in. Return services are infrequent — head back before about 15:00.
- Pakse city centre (riverside / Charoen Sedone)City centre · ໃຈກາງເມືອງປາກເຊTaxiແທັກຊີ38 km50 min
Fair range
₭ 700,000–1,000,000per vehicle≈ $33–$47Full-day taxi or van charter combining Tad Pha Suam, Tad Champee and Tad Fane / Tad Yeung in one loop — agree the route before you set off.
- Pakse city centre (riverside / Charoen Sedone)City centre · ໃຈກາງເມືອງປາກເຊOther38 km50 min
Fair range
₭ 120,000–200,000per vehicle≈ $5.58–$9.3Rent a motorbike in Pakse town (price per day; passport or deposit required). Ride Route 16 to the Km 21 junction, turn left onto Route 20 towards Saravan and watch for the Tad Pha Suam sign on the right. Wear a helmet, check brakes and lights, and ride slowly in rainy-season fog and on wet roads.
- Tad Pha Suam turn-off (Route 20)Walk1.5 km25 min
Fair range
FreeDirt road through light forest; can be muddy in the rainy season.
Location
On the map
Ban Nong Luang, Route 20 (Pakse–Saravan road), Bachiangchaleunsouk district, Champasak
Close by
Nearby attractions
Pha Suam Riverside Bungalows (sample)
ບັງກະໂລ ແຄມຫ້ວຍ ຜາສວມ (ຕົວຢ່າງ)
Bolaven Jungle Zipline Adventure Park (sample)
ສວນຜະຈົນໄພ ຊິບລາຍ ປ່າບໍລະເວນ (ຕົວຢ່າງ)
Tad Fane Forest Eco-Lodge (sample)
ອີໂຄລອດ ປ່າຕາດຟານ (ຕົວຢ່າງ)Traveller reviews
Reviews
4.2
5 reviews
ສົມໃຈ· LA
4.0ສວຍງາມຫຼາຍ ບັນຍາກາດດີ ແນະນຳເລີຍ
Oct 8, 2026
中村· JP
4.0パクセーからの移動も分かりやすく、料金も事前に確認できて安心でした。
Sep 23, 2026
Liam· AU
5.0Beautiful and peaceful. Go early to beat the heat and the tour vans.
Sep 12, 2026
Liam· AU
5.0Absolutely worth the trip — one of the highlights of our time in southern Laos.
Aug 3, 2026
中村· JP
3.0案内表示がもう少しあると助かります。
Jul 5, 2026