National park · Laos
Phou Khao Khouay National Protected AreaVườn Bảo Tồn Quốc Gia Phou Khao Khouay
Enter Phou Khao Khouay for a short waterfall hike: take the 1.5 h trek to Tad Xay and Pha Xay via the marked yellow‑red trail; avoid the rainy season (May–Oct) for safer roads and lower water flow.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
1,500 km² (579 sq mi)579 sq mi (1,500 km²)
approximate
Established
2000
Best months
—
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 8Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Laos ↗Get the visa only from the official government e-visa portal or at the airport or border desk; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Laos ↗Carry Lao kip in small notes; small shops, tuk-tuks and markets are cash-only, and Thai baht or US dollars are only accepted at some tourist businesses.
- Laos ↗At dawn alms-giving, watch from across the street, keep quiet, never use flash and never touch a monk.
- Central Laos ↗Parts of Xaisomboun Province need prior permission from local authorities; some governments advise against non-essential travel there.
- Central Laos ↗A 22:30 curfew applies along the Vientiane riverbank; being out there after it can mean questioning or detention.
- Central Laos ↗Unexploded ordnance remains in parts of Xiang Khouang and Huaphan; stay on marked paths and use local guides at jar sites.
At a glance
- Country
- Laos
- Area
- 1,500 km² (579 sq mi)579 sq mi (1,500 km²)
- Area reported varies; official sources list about 1,500 km² (check for updates).
- Established
- 2000
- Best months
- —
- Permits
- Not needed
- Base
- Vientiane
Phou Khao Khouay National Protected Area protects a large stretch of evergreen forest and waterfalls in central Laos, offering short marked hikes to the twin falls Tad Xay and Pha Xay, with free entry but limited facilities; the dry season (Nov–Apr) provides the safest conditions.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 2000.
Size and age
1,500 km² (579 sq mi)579 sq mi (1,500 km²) · national park since 2000
Area reported varies; official sources list about 1,500 km² (check for updates).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Vientiane.
Why go
- See the twin waterfalls Tad Xay and Pha Xay, among the park’s most scenic spots.
- Walk short marked trails through relatively untouched evergreen forest.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprGo
- MayCaution
- JunAvoid
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctCaution
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry, roads clear
- FebDry, comfortable trekking
- MarDry, low humidity
- AprEnd of dry season
- MayStart of rains, streams rise
- JunHeavy rains, road bridges unsafe
- JulPeak monsoon, trail mud
- AugPeak monsoon, bridge collapse risk
- SepRainy, waterfalls loud
- OctRain decreasing, roads improving
- NovDry, cooler
- DecDry, pleasant
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evergreen forest birdsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Ban Hatkhai gateway | Parking area, trailheads for Tad Xay and Pha Xay. | Open to visitors; guide optional. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate, based on central park location.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | Free | person | Check local office; many Lao parks have free entry |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry no permit
Park rules
- Guides
- Optional but recommended for waterfall trek.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; no soap in water.
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited.
Where to stay
Near the park
Ban Hatkhai guesthouses
Basic rooms, often family‑run.
Near the park
Vientiane hotels
Full range of accommodation; 3–4 h drive.
Safety
Bridge collapse high
Flash floods medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Parking area reachable by car; short walks are level.
Visiting lightly
- Use local guides; avoid plastic waste.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Phou Khao Khouay National Protected Area?
Entry is generally free, but confirm at the Ban Hatkhai gate; some areas may charge a small fee (check locally).
What are the best hikes in Phou Khao Khouay National Protected Area?
The short marked trails to Tad Xay and Pha Xay are the most accessible; they take about 1.5 h each and offer waterfall and cliff views.
When is the best time to visit Phou Khao Khouay National Protected Area?
Dry season (Nov–Apr) offers clear roads and gentle waterfall flow; the rainy season (May–Oct) can make bridges unsafe and streams rapid.
How do I get to Ban Hatkhai, the park gateway?
Drive or bus from Vientiane via Highway 13, turn left before Thabok (km 90), then follow signs to Ban Hatkhai; the journey takes 3–4 h.
Are guides required for the waterfall trails?
Guides are not mandatory but recommended for safety and local insight, especially during the rainy season.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Phou Khao Khouay National Protected Area
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