East of Tha Khek there is a wonderful loop that takes you to the Nam Theun dam, then up onto the Nakai plateau & north to Lak Sao & Route 8.
This area in Khammouane has spectacular scenery featuring gorges, grottoes, jungles, limestone hills, and rivers.
Once on Route 8 you can head east out to the Vietnamese border crossing at Nam Phao - Cau Treo.
OR
You make a loop to head wet back on R8 to Vieng Kham & R13S. From R13S you can go back south to Tha Khek or head north up to Vientiane.
It is a beautiful day ride on a big bike or you can over night on the plateau at Tha Lang, Lak Sao or Khoun Kham & check out the Kong Lor cave.
Starting from Tha Khek on R12, heading east the road is flat & passes through some karsts almost as soon as you cross the highway & go east.
Route 12 Tha Khek - Mahaxai
Route 12 Tha Khek - Mahaxai
Mahaxai is about 40 kms out & a few kms later you hook aleft & Head north onto R1E to pass through Gnommalat
Route 1E
Route 1E
Route 1E
Route 1E
Route 1E
North of Gnommalat you come to the reservoir
The power station entrance
You cross the river & the road heads straight up into the hills & it's a long climb.
Riding 1E & the Nakai Plateau
The road winds its way around the edge of the massive reservoir
R1E - the Nakai Plateau & the Nam Theun dam
R1E - the Nakai Plateau & the Nam Theun dam
R1E - the Nakai Plateau & the Nam Theun dam
R1E - the Nakai Plateau & the Nam Theun dam
R1E - the Nakai Plateau & the Nam Theun dam
R1E - the Nakai Plateau & the Nam Theun dam
R1E - the Nakai Plateau & the Nam Theun dam
R1E - the Nakai Plateau & the Nam Theun dam
R1E - the Nakai Plateau & the Nam Theun dam
Some of the asphalt road is relatively new
R1E - the Nakai Plateau & the Nam Theun dam
And then you get to the last dirt section
R1E - the Nakai Plateau & the Nam Theun dam
You probably wouldn't want to be riding here after too much rain.
R1E - the Nakai Plateau & the Nam Theun dam
Preparing new bridges
R1E - the Nakai Plateau & the Nam Theun dam
R1E - the Nakai Plateau & the Nam Theun dam
more to come...
This area in Khammouane has spectacular scenery featuring gorges, grottoes, jungles, limestone hills, and rivers.
Once on Route 8 you can head east out to the Vietnamese border crossing at Nam Phao - Cau Treo.
OR
You make a loop to head wet back on R8 to Vieng Kham & R13S. From R13S you can go back south to Tha Khek or head north up to Vientiane.
It is a beautiful day ride on a big bike or you can over night on the plateau at Tha Lang, Lak Sao or Khoun Kham & check out the Kong Lor cave.
Starting from Tha Khek on R12, heading east the road is flat & passes through some karsts almost as soon as you cross the highway & go east.
Route 12 Tha Khek - Mahaxai
Route 12 Tha Khek - Mahaxai
Mahaxai is about 40 kms out & a few kms later you hook aleft & Head north onto R1E to pass through Gnommalat
Route 1E
Route 1E
Route 1E
Route 1E
Route 1E
North of Gnommalat you come to the reservoir
The power station entrance
You cross the river & the road heads straight up into the hills & it's a long climb.
Riding 1E & the Nakai Plateau
The road winds its way around the edge of the massive reservoir
R1E - the Nakai Plateau & the Nam Theun dam
R1E - the Nakai Plateau & the Nam Theun dam
R1E - the Nakai Plateau & the Nam Theun dam
R1E - the Nakai Plateau & the Nam Theun dam
R1E - the Nakai Plateau & the Nam Theun dam
R1E - the Nakai Plateau & the Nam Theun dam
R1E - the Nakai Plateau & the Nam Theun dam
R1E - the Nakai Plateau & the Nam Theun dam
R1E - the Nakai Plateau & the Nam Theun dam
Some of the asphalt road is relatively new
R1E - the Nakai Plateau & the Nam Theun dam
And then you get to the last dirt section
R1E - the Nakai Plateau & the Nam Theun dam
You probably wouldn't want to be riding here after too much rain.
R1E - the Nakai Plateau & the Nam Theun dam
Preparing new bridges
R1E - the Nakai Plateau & the Nam Theun dam
R1E - the Nakai Plateau & the Nam Theun dam
more to come...
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