Located upstream from the backpacking haven of Nong Khiaw, lies the beautiful Tad Mok Waterfall. These cascading falls tumble down through dense jungle, over limestone rocks and across shelves of stone to form small pools and rapids. Accessible via a short boat trip on the Nam Ou River followed by a hike through a stilted village and across picturesque paddy fields; the Tad Mok Waterfalls are a true natural hidden gem of Northern Laos.

Read on to hear about our day visiting the falls and find out all the information you’ll need to have your own day Tad Mok Waterfall hunting!

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Our Day Exploring Tad Mok Waterfall

The morning started, as most of our mornings do in Nong Khiaw, with a lazy brew in Home Coffee. After a fantastic day climbing up the 100 Waterfalls Trek (read more about our day trip here), we were eager to escape town and find our own waterfall adventure.

The Tad Mok Waterfall is advertised all over the tour agencies in Nong Khiaw as part of a longer, multi stage trip. We fancied making our own adventure. Unlike the 100 Waterfalls Trek, the Tad Mok falls looked easily accessible from the river's edge. All we needed to do was get a boat there!

Caffeinated, picnic acquired and swimwear packed, it was time to head to Nong Khiaw’s main boat pier to find transport upriver.

At the pier, we were offered a large private boat for 600,000 kip which then, after some moderately unsuccessful negotiation, went down to 500,000 kip for a smaller boat. Being the budget backpackers that we are, we knew we could get the price down lower. So we decided to hang around the banks of the pier in the hopes that a cheaper boat driver would come to our aid.

Sure enough, within a couple of minutes, a man appeared. After some quick negotiation on prices and a few phone calls from our new local friend, the sound of an engine quickly appeared and we had our boat for 400,000 kip!

A red and green boat sits on the Nam Ou River next to the pier at Nong Khiaw. — *Our colourful boat all ready to depart!*

We hopped in and the small boat roared to life and drove out under Nong Khiaw’s main bridge. The journey to the falls was beautiful. As soon as we had left the houses of Nong Khiaw behind, it was just us, the river and rural Laos.

A tall tree is reflected in the green waters of the Nam Ou River in Northern Laos.

We passed by stilted villages, riverside vegetable gardens and herds of buffalo. On the banks of the river, the sounds of laughter and splashing rang out as children played in the water.

A herd of black and brown buffalo lie, sit and stand on the sandbanks of the Nam Ou River in Northern Laos.

After around 45 minutes, the boat pulled alongside a steep, muddy riverbank. The only indicator that this was our stop was a small floating log that marked the pier and entrance to Sop Kong village. We hopped out, precariously balancing on the small (now moving) log and headed up the mud steps to the village.

A brown pig sleeps in a muddy puddle in the centre of Sop Kong village in Northern Laos. — *Just like this pig - Sop Kong is a very sleepy Laotian village!*

We followed the main road through the stilted wooden houses, past chickens pecking, dogs sleeping and women washing at the communal village tap. It was a world away from the backpackers, bars and restaurants of Nong Khiaw downstream.

We wandered through the sleepy village and turned left towards the Tad Mok ticket booth. Tickets purchased (20,000 kip each), we followed the dusty path out of the village towards the vibrant green rice paddy fields.

Waving strands of ripening green rice wave in the foreground. In the background the mountains of Northern Laos rise up.

The short hike to the Tad Mok Waterfall can only be described as beautiful, in fact it’s probably the most picturesque hike we’ve had to find a waterfall. Following a small raised path, the trail to the waterfall wound its way through paddy fields, across small streams and past cows, chickens and buffalo. We were visiting at the end of the wet season and the rice was ready for harvesting. On all sides, a thick blanket of green and gold spread out in front of us.

A brown cow sits blocking the path to the Tad Mok Waterfall in Northern Laos. — *A minor blockage on the path to Tad Mok Waterfall!*

We continued through the fields until we saw a line of locals all bent over the golden grains. The rice harvest had begun! We stopped in the shade of the tree and watched as the locals worked in unison to cut, harvest and thrash the rice.

A group of Laotians wearing conical hats thrash and harvest the yellow rice grains in a paddy field in Northern Laos.

After 40 minutes we reached the paths to the falls. We took the left hand path (read on to find out which route you should take) and climbed a small hill. At the top we could hear the thundering roar of water. We followed a right hand fork in the path that took us to a steep set of steps down, the trail disappearing into the thick jungle. We clambered down and were greeted by a huge sheet of white. We had arrived at the Tad Mok Waterfall.

The Tad Mok Waterfall cascades foaming white water down limestone rocks into a bright turquoise pool. The waterfall is surrounded on all sides by Laotian jungle.fall is surrounde — *The beautiful Tad Mok Waterfall!*

The curtain of white, churned down over smooth and jagged rock into a turquoise pool surrounded by mossy green boulders with the dense jungle on either side. It looked like the perfect spot for a swim!

A view of the cascading water of the Tad Mok Waterfall crashes down into a pool of water.

The water was amazing. Shockingly cold at first (one of those places where it’s worse to go in slowly) but once you’re fully in, super energising. It felt so nice to wash the sweat off of us and cool down under the ferocious water. We had arrived just as a tour group was leaving, so it was just us and the waterfall. It was perfect. We spent the next hour floating around in the cool water, sitting on rocks and photographing the mighty falls.

Ellie stands in a blue bikini and poses for a photograph with her arms outspread in front of the Tad Mok Waterfall of Laos.

After our refreshing dip, it was time to change, head back up the hill and across the rice paddies. As it was mid afternoon, the once hive of activity in the fields had now come to a halt and the paddies were empty. Instead, the smell of meat cooking on charcoal wafted through the air and the sounds of beer bottles and singing could be heard from the small houses lining the fields. From the sound of it, we guessed it had been a successful day's harvest!

A field full of golden rice sits next to the green trees of the Laotian jungle taken near the Yensabai Organic Farm.

We wound our way back across the raised paths, jumped over the streams and arrived at the colourful gates of the Yensabai Organic Farm (location), it was time for some quick refreshment!

A colourful wooden sign points towards Yensabai Organic Farm in Nong Khiaw, Northern Laos.

Following the bamboo path we entered the garden of the farm. On all sides were trees laden with colourful fruits and vegetable patches covered in a thick carpet of green leaves.

We ordered two mango smoothies that hit the spot perfectly. The mangoes for our two smoothies were harvested straight from the trees behind us.

The Yensabai Organic Farm is open Monday to Friday from 8AM until 6PM and has a small menu of fresh fruit smoothies, tea and coffee, sweet treats as well as fried rice and noodles. The farm also offers basic lodgings as well as volunteering opportunities on the farm.

Refreshed, it was time to leave the peaceful farm and head back to the village to find our boat driver.

Back on the boat, our driver let the boat float back to Nong Khiaw with the current. Above us, the mid-afternoon sun was at its fullest, beaming rays down across the jagged limestone mountains. The light rays interlaced with the shadows of the rock, creating a tableau of shadow and highlight where the mountains rose and fell.

A man on a boat floats down the Nam Ou River. In the background towering limestone mountains rise up in Nong Khiaw, Laos.

We continued floating downstream, whilst rural Laotian life passed us by. Herds of buffalo were sunbathing in the shallow waters, whilst local fishermen wrangled with huge silver nets. We bobbed along with the current, passing golden spires of hidden temples, children swimming in the river and women folding up colourful pieces of laundry. It was one of those journeys where we sat in silence and appreciated the world as it flowed past us.

A Laotian man wearing a conical hat preps fishing nets from a green boat on the Nam Ou River near Nong Khiaw, Laos.

The silence was eventually broken as we rounded the corner and started to see signs of modern life - we were approaching Nong Khiaw. The dense bushes on the riverside gave way to wooden guesthouses and other travellers could be seen paddling their way upstream in kayaks.

As we pulled back up to the pier, the fiery sun created a golden glow, bathing everything in the warm light. Disembarking, we both looked at each other and smiled. It had been a successful day waterfall hunting!

John and Ellie (the Adventures of Jellie) pose for a GoPro selfie in swimwear in a turquoise pool of water at the base of the Tad Mok Waterfall in Laos.

Tad Mok Waterfall, Laos - Essential Information for Visiting

Where is the Tad Mok Waterfall?

The Tad Mok Waterfall can be found on a map here.

You will be dropped off at the banks to Sop Kong Village (also known as Sop Keng). From the village head to the ticket counter and then it is short hike through the Laotian countryside to reach the falls.

We’d recommend downloading Maps.me beforehand so you can have an offline copy of the walking trail.

The Tad Mok Waterfall flows down in a curtain of white to a bright blue pool of water at the base of the rocks in Northern Laos.

How to get to the Tad Mok Waterfall

To reach the Tad Mok Waterfall you’ll need to catch a boat upstream from Nong Khiaw or downstream from Muang Ngoy (also known as Muang Ngoi). From either place, just ask for a boat to Sop Kong.

From Nong Khiaw the boat ride will take around 45 minutes to reach Sop Kong. From Muang Ngoi it will be a lot quicker!

A blue Laotian wooden boat sits moored to the sandy riverbanks next to a stilted village on the Nam Ou River of Northern Laos. The village is surrounded by dense jungle and tall mountains.

Once you’ve disembarked from the boat, head through the village until you reach the temple. At the temple take the path to the left to reach the ticket booth. Once you’ve bought your tickets, it’s a 2 km walk (around 45 minutes) through paddy fields to reach the waterfalls. You can’t get lost, the path is linear and there are signs showing you the way.

Tad Mok Waterfall - Which Path to Take?

Near to the base of the waterfall, there are two paths. Both paths will take you to the Tad Mok Waterfall.

The first route (the path to the right) will take you through up through the river and will involve some clambering. This route follows the river upstream and you will need to haul yourself up and over the rocks to reach the waterfall. This route is the wet option!

To avoid getting wet, at least until you swim in the waterfall, take the left hand path which winds up the hill. As you reach the top, you’ll hear the water tumbling and see a right hand fork in the path. The right hand fork is not at the top of the hill but on your way up, just keep an eye out! Take this route and head down where you will find a small hut. To the right of this hut there is a steep staircase that leads down through the jungle to the waterfall and swimming pool.

We were warned by a local guide that the right hand route should only be used to reach the waterfalls. This route gets extremely slippery and can be dangerous to walk down. His advice was to take the staircase (left hand path from the bottom) when leaving the falls.

Our advice would be to do a circular route - take the right hand path and climb up over the waterfalls and then, when you’re ready to leave, take the steep staircase up which links you to the left hand pathway.

If you’re heading to the falls during the wet season or during rainy weather, consider taking the left hand route to get to and from the waterfalls.

A wooden sign showing directions to the Tad Mok Waterfall stands in thick green bushes in rural Laos. — *The two different paths that lead to Tad Mok Waterfall!*

Entrance Fee - Tad Mok Waterfall

Tickets to the Tad Mok Waterfall cost 20,000 kip per person.

On top of this cost you will need to arrange a boat ride. We paid 200,000 kip per person to take us to Sop Kong. The price included our boat driver waiting for us and driving us back to Nong Khiaw. The 400,000 kip price was for a small boat that could have easily fit 2 more people. This would bring the cost down. The larger boats we were offered could fit more people still so might actually be cheaper if you have a larger group.

If you’re extremely energetic, you could kayak to Tad Mok but just beware that it is not the most obvious landing site and you may be risking your canoe. Also if you’re coming from Nong Khiaw you’ll be heading a couple of hours upstream by kayak so it will definitely be a workout!

Opening Times

There are no official opening times. Unless you’re volunteering at Yensabai Organic Farm you’ll need to arrange a boat from wherever you are staying to get to the village of Sop Kong, therefore you won’t be arriving until mid-morning.

We’d recommend planning a full day out to the waterfall - have a lazy brunch and head upstream around midday / early afternoon, so that you can be back in time in Nong Khiaw for sunset.

What to Pack / Wear

Swimwear is a must, but other than that it’s completely up to you. We’d recommend something comfy / breathable and shoes to hike in.

Make sure to put lots of suncream on and douse yourself in mosquito repellent. At the falls there are lots of ants, mosquitoes and a number of other flying critters that’ll be eager to make you their lunch!

We wore quick drying athletic-wear and trainers that were perfect for the short hike to the waterfalls. At the waterfall we changed into our swimwear and dove in.

There are a couple of streams and water channels to cross on the trek but these all had some form of stepping stones. If you’re planning to climb up the waterfalls (see routes above) the rocks will be slippery and your feet will get wet so make sure you plan accordingly!

A small stream of water flows through the rice paddy fields of the Yensabai Organic Farm on the hiking trail to the Tad Mok Waterfall of Northern Laos.

How Long to Spend at the Falls

It should take you around 45 minutes to reach the waterfalls from Sop Kong village. The trail is just over 2 km in length.

Once there, it all depends on how much of an aquaphilic you are. We spent around 45 minutes there having a swim, taking photos and drying off after our dip.

If you’re visiting the Tad Mok Waterfall independently, confirm with your boat driver what time they will be picking you up from Sop Kong pier. Our driver requested we were back at the pier by 3.30pm to 4pm to get back to Nong Khiaw before sunset.

Facilities at the Falls

As you can imagine, the Tad Mok Falls aren’t Niagara and are located in the middle of the Laotian jungle so facilities are at a minimum!

There is a small wooden hut for changing in and a couple of benches to sit / store your things on near the waterfall pool.

If you need the toilet, your best bet is to make a stop at the Yensabai Organic Farm either before or after your waterfall visit.

There are a few shops in Sop Kong Village selling soft drinks, water, and snacks.

The Tad Mok Waterfall crashes down into a blue pool in Northern Laos.

Where to Stay in Nong Khiaw or Muang Ngoy

We visited the falls from Nong Khiaw which is full to the brim with small guesthouses. We can highly recommend staying at Meexai Guesthouse - perfect for budget backpackers. Comfy, en-suite rooms with a small outdoor seating, it had everything we needed.

To book a stay at Meexai Guesthouse or to take a look at all the other accommodation available in Nong Khiaw, click here.

If you’re heading to the falls from Muang Ngoy, there’s plenty of riverside accommodation. To book your accommodation in Muang Ngoy check out what's on offer here.

Other Things to do in Nong Khiaw

If you’re an outdoor enthusiast, Nong Khiaw is the perfect place to base yourself for some outdoor adventuring. With plenty of viewpoints to hike to as well as kayaking and plenty of water based activities there’s lots to keep you occupied. We’ve spent nearly a month in the town and absolutely love it there.

Click below to read our ultimate guide to Nong Khiaw!

Laos

Nong Khiaw - The Complete Guide

Nong Khiaw in northern Laos is a backpacker haven full of beautiful hiking trails, amazing viewpoints and great kayaking on the Nam Ou river. Read our complete guide to this incredible town. Find out: What to do, where to eat and where to have some fun drinks!