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Tat Sae Waterfalls is one of the most picturesque sites near Luang Prabang, Laos. Located in lush jungle terrain with cascading pools, this natural treasure is a must-visit destination for travelers looking to explore and appreciate the beauty of the northern Lao landscape. In this post, you’ll find a comprehensive guide on what to bring, what to expect, and how to make the most of your visit to these stunning waterfalls.
Tat Sea Waterfalls, Luang Prabang, Laos
The Tat Sae waterfalls are located in the north of Laos, 16 kilometers from the lovely Laotian town of Luang Prabang. It’s definitely one of the most beautiful waterfalls around Luang Prabang and even one of the most stunning waterfalls in Laos.
Getting from Luang Prabang to the waterfalls is an adventure in itself. First, you’ll have to make your way to the small village of Bak En by bicycle or motorbike. Secondly, from Bak En, you’ll have to go on a 10-minute boat ride to get to the waterfall complex.
What is, however, very important for visiting these waterfalls is the time of the year.
As you can see in my photos of the falls, I was a little too late in the season to really experience the majesticness of the waterfalls. I visited the falls in January and let me be honest: it was fun and worth it but it would have been a lot better if there would’ve been more water flowing.
Tad Sae Waterfalls
The best time to visit the Tat Sae waterfalls is in the rainy season which runs from late April to early October. From June, the water levels at Tat Sae should be high enough for a pleasant visit.
November and early December, right after the rainy season, are also still suitable for a visit. From December to April, you can still visit Tat Sae waterfalls and swim in the green-blue colored pools but don’t expect much water flowing at the falls.
There seems to be a little confusion about whether the correct name of the waterfalls is Tad Sae waterfalls or Tat Sae waterfalls. If I have to be honest, I am not really sure myself!
Tat Sae waterfall, Laos
I would say that Tad Sae is the correct name because “tad” refers to “waterfall” in Laos. However, the waterfalls are often described as Tat Sae waterfalls, Tad Sae falls or even Sae falls.
I decided to go with Tat Sae waterfalls for this article since that’s the name that Wikipedia uses as the official name.
Tat Sae falls
As previously mentioned, getting to Tat Sae waterfalls is half of the fun. If you are visiting the area, chances are big you will probably be staying in Luang Prabang. The Tat Sae waterfalls are located 16 kilometers from Luang Prabang.
From Luang Prabang, you will first have to make your way to the local village of Bak En. At Bak En, you’ll have to search for the Tad Sae Waterfall ferry. This is not really a ferry but a small boat stop with a collection of wooden boats in the water that takes you across the river to Tat Sae.
Let’s first see what the options are for getting from Luang Prabang to Bak En and afterward, how to take the boat from Pak en to Tat Sae waterfalls.
The most eco-friendly way to get to the village of Bak En is my bicycle. there are many agencies, guesthouses, and rental services for bicycles in Luang Prabang so you won’t have trouble finding a decent city bike or mountain bike.
Do note that, if you visit Tat Sae waterfalls by bicycle, it’s best not to take road 13, which Google Maps will suggest as the fastest route. This route involves passing a high mountain range and, trust me, it’s impossible to drive up unless you are a professional cyclist.
The best way to get to Tat Sae by bicycle is by taking route 13 to the left when you leave Luang Prabang. After that, follow the (nameless) white-colored road in Google Maps that leads past the Luang Prabang Train Station to the Tat Sae waterfalls.
Also, take into account that the city bikes in Luang Prabang don’t have any gears. If you want to do this trip by bicycle, it’s best to rent a mountain bike with gears.
Citybikes cost 50 000 kip and mountain bikes 100 000 kip/day.
Another way to get to the village of Bak En is by motorbike. Motorbikes are available for rent throughout Luang Prabang at rental companies and travel agencies. do note that most if not all rental companies will ask you to give your passport as a deposit.
I refrained from renting a motorbike in Laos because it doesn’t sit well with me that you have to hand out such an important travel document in exchange for a vehicle. A way to go about is, is by renting a motorbike from your guesthouse/accommodation. Most of the time, handing over your passport is not required here.
Renting a motorbike shouldn’t cost you more than 250 000 kip/day. For the most eco-friendly option, as a conscious traveler, rent an electric motorbike from Discover Laos Today which has an office at Mylaohome Guesthouse & Spa.
Hiring a tuk-tuk or a private driver for the day is also an option when you want to visit the Tat Sae Waterfalls from Luang Prabang. Tuk-tuk drivers are mostly not reliable and dare to ask for exorbitant prices for a ride. The best way to find a good taxi driver is by asking your accommodation to arrange one for you.
When you arrive at the Nam Khan river in Bak En you’ll have to park your bike in the designated area for a small fee (I paid 5000 kips for a city bike). Afterward, you’ll be directed to the ticket booth to buy a boat ticket. We paid 30 000 kips for two people and this included the return trip as well.
The boat ride only lasts for ten minutes but is very scenic and peaceful. If there are no other visitors, you won’t need to wait until more people are coming. They leave directly. Remember to keep your ticket with you for the return trip.
You can find a few tours online that incorporate Tat Sae waterfalls into their schedule. These tours are pretty adventurous and mostly require you to hike or kayak to the waterfalls.
Tat Sae waterfalls
After you get dropped off by the wooden boat you first have to buy your entrance ticket at the ticket booth. The entrance fee for Tat Sae Waterfalls is 20 000 kip/per person. On the left, after the ticket booth, you can also find toilets (no toilet paper!). Follow the path that leads to the entrance of the waterfalls.
As you arrive at the waterfalls you will see a gorgeous green-blue pool that is surrounded by wooden platforms. It’s tempting to keep hanging around here, but there’s more to see! There are actually three main waterfalls in the park.
However, visiting them will require you to do some hiking, and some of it will be uphill.
The third waterfall signage
There is a hiking trail in the park that takes you all the way up to all the waterfalls that flow from the Houay Se river. It is a loop walk and, if you don’t make any stops, it can be completed in half an hour.
The path is clearly signposted and you should have any trouble finding your way. If you want to experience the most scenic views first, it’s best to start the walk on the path next to the restaurant. Once you will get to the third waterfall, the return trip will mostly be through the jungle.
Hiking trails in the jungle around Tat Sae falls
The jungle trails are easily accessible but will require some climbing and it can be slippery in certain places. Wear comfortable shoes and don’t forget to bring sunscreen and a bottle of water.
During the hike, you will not only pass by the waterfalls but also some great pools and swimming holes. If you’re lucky, you will have them all to yourself!
View from the restaurant
At the Tat Sae Waterfalls, you can find a decent restaurant catering to vegans in Laos for a very cheap price. I ordered fried rice with vegetables for only 25 000 kips and it tasted perfect.
There are also toilets on site and changing facilities. In between the pools, there are wooden platforms with tables and chairs where you can have a picnic.
As you might see on Google Maps, there is supposed to be an elephant “sanctuary” at the Tad Sae waterfalls. Unfortunately, this is anything but a sanctuary. The elephants here are abused for tourism. They are chained up waiting for the next tourist who wants to take a ride on its back.
Don’t do this. In case you don’t know this yet, watch this video on youtube to learn about the cruelty that elephants have to go through before they are available for you to ride them.
The Tat Sae waterfalls are open every day from 8 A.M. to 5.30 P.M. The entrance fee is 20 000 kip/per person.
→ PRO TIP: Read my complete packing list for Laos for conscious travelers!
Tat Sae Waterfalls
Since there are facilities at the Tat Sae Waterfalls it is not really necessary to bring any food with you unless you want to have a picnic.
Here are some useful items to bring with you:
Here are the websites I personally use whenever I travel to Laos:
Booking.com: For the best cheap guesthouses, homestays or small hotels
Hostelworld: To find the best hostels located in the cities
Homestay: For a unique immersive homestay experience in Luang Prabang
12GO and Bookaway: The best transport websites for long-distance buses and train travel in Laos
Loca: Uber and Grab don’t operate in Laos but Vientiane has its own ride-hailing app called Loca!
Skyscanner: For affordable flights to Vientiane or Luang Prabang
Viator and Get Your Guide: book all kinds of activities from a Kuang Si waterfall cruise to a private cave and jungle trekking in Vang Vieng!
Get your Visa for Laos online through the Evisa website. Do note that you cannot enter just any border with the Evisa. You can fly with an Evisa into Vientiane, Luang Prabang, and Pakse and cross three borders with Thailand. They don’t accept the Evisa when you want to cross a land border coming from Vietnam, Cambodia, or China. It’s best to contact the Laotian embassies in these countries to obtain a visa.
If you’re looking for travel insurance, the one with the best benefits online is without a doubt Heymondo! It’s very easy to ask for a quote on the website and if you book with this link you’ll get 5% off!
Get access to mobile data straight away when entering the country with a Laos E-sim or an Asialink E-sim when traveling through multiple countries.
Luang Prabang, Laos
The best place to stay near the Tat Sae waterfalls is Luang Prabang, a UNESCO-protected town where you can find some of the most beautiful temples in Southeast Asia. Here are a few accommodation options that I can highly recommend!
BUDGET:
MID-RANGE:
LUXURY:
Kuang Si waterfalls, Laos
Luang Prabang is also home to the most famous waterfall in Laos, the Kuang Si waterfalls. Comparing both waterfalls is hard because it has many similarities although the falls at Kuang So are higher and therefore more spectacular.
Kuang Si is however VERY touristic. There will probably be hundreds of other tourists there when you visit and the whole complex is very much geared towards tourists. There are even golf carts to bring you to the waterfalls.
Tat Sae waterfalls still retains a more authentic feel and is still frequented by the locals. The waterfalls are less impressive but equally beautiful and chances are it won’t be as busy as the Kuang Si falls.
Based on the time of year, Kuang Si falls is better to visit from December to March, while Tat Sae is the most beautiful from August to November.
Tat Sae falls
Tat Sae Waterfalls is a stunning Lao paradise that all travelers should consider making a point to visit. Just remember to not expect a lot of water flowing at the falls when you visit during the dry season.
If you have any questions about visiting Tat Sae Waterfalls, let them know in the comments below or send me a message through my contact page!
Also, don’t forget to check out my resources page with my favorite booking platforms and tips to start planning your trip. Additionally, have a look at my favorite travel gear if you want to pack more consciously!
ENJOY!
Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links. If you click on them, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
Hi! I am Annelies and this is Travelers & Dreamers, a blog about conscious travel which means traveling in a more mindful way, with a positive impact on the world and yourself!
On this website, I cover different topics like slow travel, plant-based food guides, responsible travel, sustainable packing, eco-travel, and more!
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