Rock Climbing in Laos and Green Climbers Home Thakhek guide for 2026

Climbing in Thakhek 2026

Glossary

Thakhek, located in the middle of Laos, is a popular climbing destination in Southeast Asia. The climbing season in Thakhek is from October to May, with the best months being December to February.

As of 2026, climbing is fully permitted in Thakhek. Green Climbers Home is open and welcoming climbers during the dry season (October to May).

https://www.thecrag.com/en/climbing/laos/thakhek

Thakhek is a great place for beginners. Most of the climbing routes are well-equipped, Green Climbers home offers beginner courses for top rope and lead climbing.

Intermediate climbers will find a wide range of routes to test their skills and push their limits. Thakhek boasts an impressive variety of climbing routes from 6a’s up to 7c’s with varying climbing styles including Tufa/3d climbing, roof climbing, technical crimp climbing, short bouldery climbs, long climbs and steep routes.

For expert climbers Thakhek offers some climbs above 7c’s.

Thakhek also offers Over 70 boulders up to V8/7b.

Pros and cons

I. Why Choose Thakhek?

Thakhek is a small town next to the Thai border in the south of Laos. There is a hostel/hotel right on the crag called Green Climbers Home 5 minutes walk from the crag. The main climbing area is nestled in a valley with over 500 sports climbing routes and 70 boulders.

Climbing Areas

There is lead climbing, bouldering, and 3 multipitches in Thakhek. All the climbing in Thakek, Laos is limestone.

Over 500 Sports Climbing Routes up to 8c

Over 70 boulders up to V8/7b

Only 3 Multi Pitches

Climbing is free; there is no admission fee to climb in Thakhek.

II. Popular Walls

The Roof (Intermediate/Advanced)

The Roof (thecrag.com)The most popular wall in Thakhek. The wall is in the shade most of the day. Full horizontal roof climbing. Jugs, tufa climbing, knee bars, overhang/steep climbing. The wall is good for intermediate and advanced climbers. Someone is always climbing here. Climbs start at 6b+ (5.10d) up to 8a+ (5.13c).

Tree Lounge, Bouldering and Lead

Tree Lounge (thecrag.com)Best beginner wall in Thakhek for lead. Bolts are close together and the wall is not too steep. The wall is in the shade most of the day. Some of the most popular boulders are here. Sharp rock. 10 minute walk from camp 1 and 20 minute walk from camp 2.

Elephant (Beginners/Intermediate)

Shaded in the afternoon. Some routes are good for beginners, bolting is somewhat spaced apart compared to Tree Lounge. Tufa climbing.

Swiss Oldies (Beginners)

Great for beginners. Mix of tufa climbing, overhang and sharp rock. 15 minute walk from camp 1 and 5 minute walk from camp 1.

Hangover (Intermediate)

Hangover (thecrag.com)One of the most popular areas. Shaded until 1-2 pm. 5 minute walk from camp 1 and 10 minute walk from camp 2. Good for intermediate climbers. Steep with tufa climbing, jugs and sharp rock.

Partymeile (Intermediate)

Partymeile (thecrag.com)Next to Hangover. Good for intermediate and advanced climbers. Steep with tufa climbing, jugs and sharp rock.

Elephant (Beginner/Intermediate)

Shaded in the afternoon. Good for beginners and intermediate climbers. Tufa climbing. Popular beginners area, some routes are extra generous on the bolting while other routes are pretty spaced apart. The crag is next to the roof, between camp 1 and 2.

Schöffl Block (Intermediate/Advanced)

Next to The Roof. Good for intermediate and advanced climbers.10 minute walk from camp 1 and 5 minute walk from camp 2. Roof climbing with tufas and jugs. Steep and overhung. Good for intermediate and advanced climbers.

The Canyon (Intermediate)

The Canyon (thecrag.com)15 minute walk from camp 1 and 25 minute walk from camp 2. Good for intermediate climbers. Technical climbing.

The Canyon Wall Thakhek, Laos Climbing

Open all hours

Open All Hours (thecrag.com)15 minute walk from camp 1 and 5 minute walk from camp 2. Good for intermediate climbers. Technical climbing on crimps and sharp rock.

Music Hall

Music Hall (thecrag.com)10 minute walk from camp 1 and 25 minute walk from camp 2. Good for intermediate and advanced climbers. Steep, Overhang and tufa climbing.

Bayerischer Wald

Next to Botanical Gardens. Intermediate climbers. Bouldery climbing with sharp rock on an overhang.

Chinese New Year Multipitch

4 pitch, 130 meter, 6b (5.10d) multipitch.

III. Climbing Seasons in Thakhek:

Thakhek is mostly climbed from October to May when Green Climbers Home is open. It is possible to climb during May to September, but the crag may be inaccessible due to rain, and almost no one is climbing here.

• Dry Season (October-May)

Important holidays (Prebook accommodation and transportation in advance as everything gets sold out, especially bus tickets, hotels and motorbikes/car rentals.)

• 13-15 April - Songkran (Thai New Year Festival, “the water throwing festival”)
• 15-16 Nov - Yi Peng and Loy Krathong (Lantern festival and krathong river release festival)
• 30-5 Jan - New Years

IV. Green Climbers Home Guide:

What camp is best for me?

- Camp 1 has no mobile reception (no Internet). Camp 2 has mobile reception (Internet).

- Camp 1 is closer to most of the crags, especially the popular intermediate-advanced crags and bouldering areas.

- Camp 1 has less traffic noise from the road.

- Camp 2 is near the road and loud trucks can be heard if you sleep in the tents.

- Camp 1 is said to have bigger food portions.

How to book:

Send them an email or a message on Facebook. Their staff is extremely helpful and responsive. Check their website for the most up-to-date information.

- Book in advance for the high season (December), it gets full quickly.

Which camp is best for me?

Both camps have the same amenities, the difference is internet connectivity.

I recommend camp 1 if you can live without instant internet access.

If your life depends on the internet, Camp 2 is the best option. There is plenty of socializing at Camp 2 as well. Camp 2 has a coworking area.

A. Camp 1

Camp 1 is the original camp. It is the closest to the crag. The huts are basic and have a bed, mosquito net and a fan. There is a shared bathroom and shower. Camp 1 has a restaurant and bar. There is a camping area in the back next to the river and cave with tents for 2 and 4 people. There are hostel beds style dorm available.

B. Camp 2

Camp 2 is the new camp. It is a 5 minute walk from camp 1. The huts have a bed, mosquito net, fan and some have a private bathroom. Camp 2 has a restaurant and bar. There is a camping area in the back with tents for 2 and 4 people next to the river. There are hostel beds style dorm available.

V. Finding Rock Climbing Partners:

A. Green Climbers Home

Go to Green Climbers Home camp 1 or camp 2 and ask around. There are always climbers looking for partners at Breakfast time, Lunch time and dinner time.

B. Go to a popular crag

Climbers are always at the crag and friendly. Show up to a crag and ask around for partners, odds are you will find a group with an extra spot.Swiss Oldies Hangover Wall, Partymeile and Tree Lounge are usually busy in the morning.The Roof and Elephant is always busy in the afternoon.

C. Facebook groups

• Climbing Lao

VI. Transportation

A. TukTuk

Cheap and convenient. Make sure to negotiate the price.

C. Motorbike

Cheapest and easiest way to move around. Not recommended due to danger, the roads are very dangerous due to poor road quality and heavy traffic (Allot of longhaul truck drivers). Prices start around 8 USD per day and 100 USD per month depending on the bike type. Wear a helmet! Your insurance will not cover you if you get into an accident if you didn’t have a helmet on or without a motorbike driving license. If you’re caught driving without a license or helmet, you will be fined.

D. Car Rental

E. Ride Hailing

There are no ride hailing services in Thakek.

F. Taxi

You can book this at the airport, it is the most expensive option. This takes around 1 hour to Green Climbers Home. Cost is around 100 USD.

G. Bus, Minivan

You can coordinate with Green Climbers Home or book one in advanced to and from the airport. This takes around 1 hour to Green Climbers Home. Cost is around 100 USD.

VII. Gear Essentials for Climbing in Thakhek:

• 70 meter rope 70 meter should be minimum, 80 meter is recommended for some routes.
• 14-18 draws - 14-16 draws.
• ClipStick
• Hiking Shoes - Steep terrain Hiking is required to reach some areas (The Canyon)
• Climbing Helmet
• Bug Spray
• Tissue/Toilet paper
• Drinking water

Where to buy Gear?

Contact Green Climbers Home, they offer a small selection of climbing gear. There are no climbing shops in Thakhek.

Where to rent rock climbing gear in Thakhek?

• Rent gear at Green Climbers Home

VIII. Indoor Climbing in Thakhek

There is no indoor climbing gym in Thakhek. Green Climbers Home offers hangboards and warming up areas.

IX. Local Climbing Guides and Courses:

Green Climbers Home offers climbing courses and guides. They offer courses in Top Rope, Lead Climbing and Multi Pitch. They also offer climbing gear rental.

• Book courses at Green Climbers Home

X. Going Beyond Climbing in Thakhek:

- Yoga - Green Climbers home offers yoga sessions.

- Explore the caves - Traverse the cave behind Camp 1 in Green Climbers Home. There are 2 tunnels that lead to the other side of the mountain.

- Mountain Bike - Rent a mountain bike in the shop at the entrance of Green Climbers home.

- Do the Thakhek Loop - Rent a motorbike and drive around the popular thakhek loop. The Thakhek loop is a 425 kilometer loop around countryside, mountains, caves and rivers. The loop takes around 3-4 days to complete.

- Learn to SlackLine - With more than 8 slacklines, there is one for every level.

- Practice your Juggling skills in Camp 2

- Explore town

XI. Accommodations and Food:

Staying in the crag

Green Climbers Home is a hotel nestled in the center of the crag. There are 2 camps, camp 1 and camp 2. This is the recommended place to stay as it is in the crag and requires no driving.

• Green Climbers Home 5 minute walk to the crag. Prices range from 3 USD to 35 USD.

Staying in town

Staying in town offers the best accomodation and food options. The downside is it requires 25 minute drive on dangerous roads to the crag.

• Hostels: Prices range from 3 USD to 10 USD.
• Hotels: Prices range from 10 to 45 USD.
• Long term: It is possible to rent a room or hotel for a month. Ask for discounts.

XIII. Getting to Thakhek:

Flying

This is the fastest and easiest way to get here. Thakhek does not have an airport. You must fly to the Nakhon Phanom (KOP) airport in Thailand and take a taxi or bus from the airport accross the border to Thakhek. The taxi is around 1 hour to Green Climbers Home and 30 minutes to Thakhek. Bus can take 3-4 hours.

Nakhon Phanom has 3 direct flights from DMK.

• Bangkok BKK DMK Everyday (3 flights per day)

Bus

There are no direct buses from Thailand to Thakhek, you must take a bus to Nakhon Phanom and then take a bus accross the border to Thakhek. The bus from Nakhon Phanom to Thakhek takes around 3-4 hours. There are direct buses from Vientiane to Thakhek, the road conditions are bad and the ride can be rough. Information on the bus from Vientiane to Thakhek is limited, you have to ask around.

Bus from Bangkok

Bus from Bangkok to Nakhon Phanom takes around 12 hours. The bus from Nakhon Phanom to Thakhek takes around 3-4 hours.

Bus from Chiang Mai

THe bus from Chiang Mai to Nakhon Phanom takes around 16 hours. The bus from Nakhon Phanom to Thakhek takes around 3-4 hours.

Bus from Vientiane

Bus from Vientiane may take around 8-12 hours. The bad road conditions make for a rought ride.

Getting to Green Climbers Home

TukTuk - You can take a tuktuk from the bus station to Green Climbers Home. This will charge you double to triple the normal fare , make sure to have KIP and negotiate.

Motorbike Rental - You can find motorbike rentals around town. Normally they will take your passport as insurance.

Travel Insurance

Climbing injuries happen and medical facilities in Laos are limited - serious injuries often require evacuation to Thailand. At the time of writing, I use SafetyWing Nomad Insurance for my climbing trips.

Check out SafetyWing Nomad Insurance(affiliate link)

If you are in the area, check out Chiang Mai in Thailand

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Mar 2, 2026

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Disclaimer

Disclaimer: Rock climbing is an inherently dangerous activity and can result in serious injury or death. The information provided in this blog is for educational and entertainment purposes only. While every effort is made to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we cannot guarantee the safety or accuracy of any content. It is essential to properly assess your own skills and fitness level before attempting any rock climbing activities. Always seek professional instruction and guidance, and climb at your own risk. The authors and publishers of this blog are not responsible for any accidents, injuries, or damages that may occur as a result of any information or recommendations provided. Please verify the information with the local authorities or businesses before planning your trip.