Looking to rent a motorbike in Laos but don’t know where to start? Style offers motorbike rentals between our three shops in Luang Prabang, Vientiane, and Pakse. We offer one-way motorbike rentals with helmets to work alongside your travel plans, supplemented with personalised guidance and customised routes to include more of the bits you want to see and less of the bits you don’t, to help create your ultimate motorbike adventure in Laos!
This page covers the standalone Thakhek Loop, one of the most iconic motorbike routes in Central Laos. The loop is also included in our one-way rental routes from Vientiane to Pakse, making it easy to combine with a longer journey.
Riding the Thakhek Loop takes you through rolling landscapes, limestone karsts, and vast flooded forests, as you travel over 3 to 6 days, depending on your pace. With generally better road surfaces than the northern routes, the Thakhek Loop allows riders to enjoy the scenery while still covering rewarding distances.
Highlights include spectacular viewpoints, underground rivers, and adventure stops such as The Rock Viewpoint, where you can add zip-lining and other activities to your ride. It’s an ideal loop for riders looking to combine scenic roads, natural wonders, and comfortable riding conditions.
Thakhek Loop
3+ days
430km
A long river cave with stunning formation and boat ride.
A large cave featuring huge chambers and colourful lighting.
A nice waterfall where you can swim.
A unique flooded forest lake where you can take boat trips.
Ancient sandstone buddhas carved ino walls.
A serene forest temple offering natural views.
The Thakhek Loop works perfectly as a standalone adventure, but it also fits seamlessly into longer one-way motorbike routes through Laos, making it an ideal option for riders travelling between Vientiane and Pakse.
For riders starting in Vientiane, the journey south to Thakhek is an easy and scenic introduction to central Laos, following well-maintained highways and quiet riverside roads. From Thakhek, you can complete the full loop before continuing further south toward Savannakhet, the Xe Champhone Loop, the Bolaven Plateau, and eventually Pakse. This creates a natural north-to-south route that combines some of Laos’ best riding with its most famous landscapes.
If you’re coming north from Pakse, the Thakhek Loop works just as well in reverse. After finishing the Bolaven Plateau Loop or exploring Champasak and Wat Phou, you can ride north to Thakhek, complete the loop, and then continue on to Vientiane or even further toward Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang. This direction is especially popular for riders looking to experience Laos gradually, starting with easier roads in the south before tackling more mountainous terrain further north.
With one-way rentals available, there’s no need to loop back or repeat roads. You can start in Vientiane and finish in Pakse – or vice versa – while still enjoying the full Thakhek Loop and its extensions as part of a bigger, more immersive Laos motorbike journey.
Riding the Thakhek Loop gives you the chance to experience some of the best road conditions in Laos, especially compared to the northern routes. Smooth tarmac, sweeping curves, and quiet roads allow you to focus on the scenery as you wind through dramatic limestone karst landscapes, rural villages, and the vast flooded forest created by the Nam Theun 2 hydroelectric project. Along the way, you’ll encounter countless caves, viewpoints, and natural attractions, making this one of the most visually rewarding loops in the country.
One of the highlights is The Rock viewpoint, where you can stop for panoramic views over the karst landscape or add a bit of adrenaline with zip-lining through the cliffs. The route is cave-heavy and perfect for riders who enjoy a mix of relaxed riding and frequent stops to explore.
Thakhek Loop – 5 Days (Recommended)
This is the ideal option for most riders, allowing a relaxed pace and enough time to visit multiple caves without rushing.
Day 1: Thakhek → Nakai or Thalang
Day 2: Nakai or Thalang → Lak Sao
Day 3: Lak Sao → Kong Lor
Day 4: Kong Lor → Na Hin
Day 5: Na Hin → Thakhek
Thakhek Loop – 4 Days
If time is limited, the loop can be shortened by skipping one overnight stop near the end. Staying in Thalang gives you time to catch caves you may have missed earlier, while finishing in Thakhek lets you enjoy the riverside town before moving on.
Day 1: Thakhek → Thalang
Day 2: Thalang → Kong Lor
Day 3: Kong Lor → Na Hin
Day 4: Na Hin → Thakhek
Thakhek Loop – 3 Days (Fast & Focused)
This version is best for riders with tight schedules. It does feel rushed, but still allows you to visit the two standout cave systems that shouldn’t be missed.
Day 1: Thakhek → Thalang
Day 2: Thalang → Kong Lor
Day 3: Kong Lor → Thakhek
Kong Lor Cave and Tham Nang Ene Cave are the absolute highlights and well worth prioritising if you choose the shorter option.
Optional Extensions – Take the Thakhek Loop Even Further
If you have extra time or want to explore beyond the standard Thakhek Loop, there are a couple of outstanding extensions that are well worth adding to your route. These side trips take you deeper into rural Laos and showcase some of the country’s most impressive natural landmarks.
Xe Bang Fai Cave is one of the most spectacular river caves in Laos and a true highlight for adventurous riders. Significantly larger than Kong Lor Cave, this vast underground river system stretches for several kilometres and can only be explored by boat. Riding out to Xe Bang Fai takes you through quiet countryside and small villages, adding an extra sense of remoteness to the journey. The cave itself is immense, with towering ceilings, dramatic rock formations, and a powerful river flowing through its centre, making it one of the most memorable cave experiences in the country.
Xieng Lue Waterfall is a lesser-known but very rewarding stop, especially if you want a break from riding and sightseeing. Set in a peaceful forested area, the waterfall offers a calm place to relax, swim, or enjoy a quiet lunch surrounded by nature. Unlike some of the busier waterfalls in Laos, Xieng Lue remains largely untouched, giving it a more authentic and tranquil feel.
If you’re planning a longer Laos motorbike trip or want to make the most of your time in central Laos, adding Xe Bang Fai Cave and Xieng Lue Waterfall transforms the Thakhek Loop into an even more complete and unforgettable adventure.