Tat Lo is a cascading waterfall in Laos‘ Salavan Province, in the south of the country, and makes a great daytrip from Pakse. Tat Lo Waterfall is best visited just after the rainy season when the water flow is still quite high yet the weather is dry.
Tat Lo is located up on the Bolaven Plateau, which encompasses Salavan Province along with Attapeu, Sekong, and Champassak provinces. It is a delightful, slow-paced area with lodge-type accommodation on the banks of the river, which is crossed by a rickety wooden bridge.
You can hike along a path beside the falls, which are really glorified rapids that extend to about 50 yards across in places. There are many levels to the falls and you can have a dip in the plunge pools as well as go swimming. There are also a couple of elephants in the area to offer rides through the jungle.
Phu Xieng Thong National Biodiversity Conservation Area covers a huge area in western Salavan Province encompassing part of the Mekong River. There is good walking to be had here and wildlife includes Asiatic black bears, clouded leopards, Douc langurs, and elephants.
Getting There & Away
Tat Lo and the Bolaven Plateau are easily accessible from Pakse in Champassak Province, with buses running here throughout the day. Getting on a tour might be your best bet, however, or perhaps hiring a scooter. Pakse International Airport is the main point of entry for the south of Laos and Tat Lo is a few hours north.