Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Thakhek's inter-provincial bus station to Nakhon Phanom (roughly hourly 7.30am-4pm;
18,000K Mon-Fri, 20,000K on Sat & Sun). From Nakhon Phanom bus terminal, buses leave
for Ubon Ratchathani, Mukdahan, Khon Kaen and Nong Khai. Visas are available on arrival
on both sides of the bridge.
ToVietnam
If you want to travel east to Vietnam, the simplest option is to head to Thakhek's
inter-provincial bus station, which has regular services to Vinh (daily at 7am & 8pm;
90,000K), plus less frequent services to Da Nang (Mon & Fri at 8pm; 120,000K); Hué (Mon,
Wed, Thurs & Sat at 7am & 8pm; 90,000K); and Hanoi (Saturday only; 160,000K).
INFORMATION
Touristoffice
Vientiane Road, north of the centre 051 212512.
This excellent tourist office
is by far the best place for information on the local area, and staff can help you organize eco-
tours and treks with English-speaking guides.
Daily 8am-11.30am & 1-4.30pm.
Services
To change money, head for the Lao Development Bank opposite the Kilometre 2
Market; there's also a kiosk run by the same bank at the ferry pier. Internet access is available
at a shop just north of the Inthira (daily 8am-10pm), charging 5000K/hr.
ORGANIZED TOURS AROUND THAKHEK
Good tours of the
caves near Thakhek
are run by
Green Discovery
, which has a helpful
desk on the ground floor of the
Inthira
(daily 8am-9pm;
greendiscovery.org
). Among
the trips on offer is a half-day excursion to the Buddha Cave, 17km to the northeast of
town, which contains more than 220 bronze Buddha images ($30 per person, based on two
people taking the tour). A longer, full-day tour adds in a visit to Tham Nong Paseum, a
400-metre-long cave with an underground river ($80 per person, based on two people tak-
ing the tour). A much cheaper option is to visit the caves independently and hire a kayak
for some paddling around when you get there (100,000K for up to three people). The
tour-
ist office
in Thakhek can advise you on getting there by sawngthaew.
Green Discovery also runs longer trips to the northern end of the
Khammouane Lime-
stone NBCA
, including a three-day excursion to
Kong Lo Cave
, which involves a good
mix of cycling, trekking and kayaking, and includes meals and accommodation ($451 per
person if two people take the tour). Bear in mind that if you're heading to Vientiane later
on your travels, tours from there tend to be slightly cheaper, and the choice of companies
much wider.
GETTING AROUND
Bike rental
Bicycles are available from various guesthouses (20,000K/day) for getting
around town.
