Central Laos2 days
Kong Lor Cave overnight trip by private car
A two-day private car trip to Kong Lor Cave from Thakhek or Vientiane: the drive through the karst, a night in Kong Lor village and an early boat through the cave.
The north-western mouth of Kong Lor cave (Tham Kong Lo)
In short
Two days by private car with a driver from Thakhek or Vientiane: drive through the karst of Route 8 on day one, sleep in Kong Lor village, take the boat through the 7 km cave early on day two, then return or continue. It is the comfortable way to see Kong Lor without riding the Thakhek Loop.
Arranged on requestNot an instant booking. We arrange this with a local provider for your date and confirm the provider, vehicle and total price in writing before you pay anything.
How the trip runs
Day 1, morning
Leave Thakhek or Vientiane
From Thakhek the route runs north on Route 13 to Vieng Kham, then west on Route 8 into the karst. From Vientiane the start is earlier and the drive longer.
Day 1, afternoon
The viewpoint above Na Hin and the valley road
A stop at the karst viewpoint on Route 8, then the valley road to Kong Lor village. Afternoon free in the village.
Day 2, early
The boat through Kong Lor
Motorised longtail boats through about 7 km of river cave to the far side and back, usually two to three hours.
Day 2, afternoon
Return or continue
Back to Thakhek in about 3.5 to 4.5 hours, or north to Vientiane in a long afternoon, timed to finish in daylight.
Why travelers ask for this trip
Kong Lor is the highlight of the Thakhek Loop, a route most visitors ride by scooter. Public buses do reach the village, but with changes at Vieng Kham and Na Hin and few departures, especially for the return. With a car and driver for two days you keep the scenery and the cave, sleep at the cave entrance, and travel on your own schedule.
How the two days work
The plan above is the usual shape. We adjust the start time and the return to your onward plans: back to Thakhek, north to Vientiane, or towards Thailand via Thakhek. If you want more of the loop scenery, a third day can follow the eastern loop roads over the Nakai plateau.
Reference prices
Kong Lor cave entry with the boat trip through the cave
110,000 kip per person (2022); 200,000 to 250,000 kip per person in 2024-25 reports
Usually included in the quote
- Private car or van with driver for both days
- Fuel, tolls and parking
- The driver's own meals and room
- Pickup and drop-off at your hotel
Usually not included
- Kong Lor cave entry and boat fee, paid at the cave
- Your room in Kong Lor village (we can add it to the quote)
- Your meals and drinks
- Tips, travel insurance
Practical notes
- Bring a head torch, shoes that can get wet and a dry bag for your phone.
- Carry enough kip for the cave fee, your room and meals; village services are basic.
- Getting in and out of the boats means stepping onto wet rocks; late in the dry season you may wade through shallows.
- Rooms in Kong Lor village are simple guesthouses and homestays.
Confirmed in writing before you pay
- The local provider, vehicle type and number of seats
- Pickup time and place, and the total price in writing
- Whether the driver speaks English
- The room you will stay in, if we book it
- What happens if the cave boats are suspended on your date
- Cancellation terms
The exact inclusions, the provider and the cancellation terms in your written quote take priority over the typical inclusions on this page.
Request this trip
Send your date and group size. We check with a local provider and reply by email within two working days with the provider, what is included and a total price. Nothing is booked and you pay nothing until you accept.
Questions travelers ask
Can this be done as a day trip?
From Thakhek it is possible but means seven to nine hours of driving plus the cave in one day. We suggest the overnight so you see the cave early and drive in daylight.
Can I start in Vientiane and finish in Thakhek?
Yes. A one-way trip that starts in Vientiane, stops at Kong Lor and ends in Thakhek is common. One-way prices reflect the driver's return journey.
Do we share the car with other travelers?
No. The car and driver are for your group only.
Sources and checks
Time-sensitive details on this page (fees, journey times, schedules, entry rules) were last checked against the sources below on 12 October 2026. Laos transport changes often, so a written proposal always reconfirms them for your dates.
Tell us where you want to go, not how to get there
Share your dates, the places on your list and how you feel about motorbikes. We reply by email with a realistic route, and when you are ready, a written proposal with transfers, prices, inclusions and who provides each part of the trip.
