Laos · Si Phan Don, Champasak
Khone Phapheng Falls
Tat Somphamit
Not tall but staggeringly wide, this braided cataract across nearly the entire breadth of the Mekong River is the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia by volume and once blocked all hope of using the river as a through-route to China. The nearby Irrawaddy dolphin pools are one of the last refuges for the species on the Mekong.
Not tall but staggeringly wide, this braided cataract across nearly the entire breadth of the Mekong River is the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia by volume and once blocked all hope of using the river as a through-route to China. The nearby Irrawaddy dolphin pools are one of the last refuges for the species on the Mekong.
Khone Phapheng Falls drops 21 metres (69 ft) across a face roughly 10783 metres wide on the Mekong. It is a cataract-type fall, and the nearest base for a visit is Nakasang, with PKZ the closest airport. Access to the main viewpoint is rated easy.
End of the monsoon (Aug-Nov) brings the Mekong to peak volume across its widest cataract.
What you can do here
Hiking
From ten-minute boardwalks to multi-day approaches through cloud forest.
Photography
Light angles, moonbows, spray management and the hours that actually work.
When to go
End of the monsoon (Aug-Nov) brings the Mekong to peak volume across its widest cataract.
Entry: Entry fee ~55,000 LAK
Getting there
- Base townNakasang
- AirportPKZ
- CountryLaos
- RegionSi Phan Don, Champasak, Asia
- AccessEasy — a short walk or roadside viewpoint
On the map
13.9333, 105.9333
Quick answers
How tall is Khone Phapheng Falls?
Khone Phapheng Falls drops 21 metres (69 feet), across a face about 10783 metres wide. It is a cataract-type waterfall on the Mekong.
When is the best time to visit Khone Phapheng Falls?
Peak flow is August to November. End of the monsoon (Aug-Nov) brings the Mekong to peak volume across its widest cataract.
What can you do at Khone Phapheng Falls?
Beyond the viewpoints: hiking and photography. Access to the main viewpoint is rated easy — a short walk or roadside viewpoint.
How do you get to Khone Phapheng Falls?
The usual base is Nakasang, and the closest airport is PKZ. A short walk or roadside viewpoint from there. Entry fee ~55,000 LAK.
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