tour of plateau

Explore Plateau Mont-Royal & Mile End - MTL Detours

Characteristics

• Walking tours

Montréal’s Plateau Mont-Royal and Mile End neighbourhoods are two of the city’s trendiest places to hang out for an afternoon of shopping, people watching, eating and more. See the area on foot with a guided tour that highlights the neighbourhood's artistic spirit and multicultural roots. Break the tour up into a deep dive into either of the neighbourhoods or combine a look at both areas with a break for lunch in between. A walking tour of the area is the best way to see how the locals live, work and play.

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Walking tour of Plateau Mont-Royal and Mile-End

• 2-hour guided tour of the Plateau and Mile-End with a guide holding a permit issued by the city
• Bottled water
• Square Saint-Louis, 312 R. du Square-Saint-Louis, Montréal, QC H2X 1A5, Canada The starting point is at the foot of the fountain in the center of the square.
• St-Viateur Bagel, 263 Rue Saint-Viateur O, Montréal, QC H2V 1Y1, Canada
• Wheelchair accessible
• Stroller accessible
• Service animals allowed
• Near public transportation
• Transportation is wheelchair accessible
• Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
• This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• You'll start at Square Saint-Louis 312 R. du Square-Saint-Louis, Montréal, QC H2X 1A5, Canada The starting point is at the foot of the fountain in the center of the square. See address & details
• 1 Le Plateau Mont-Royal Stop: 2 hours 2-hour walking tour of the Plateau Mont-Royal and the Mile-End Read more
• You'll end at St-Viateur Bagel 263 Rue Saint-Viateur O, Montréal, QC H2V 1Y1, Canada See address & details

• Lelly48 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles We found out why Lord Nelson is celebrated in Montreal as well as Norfolk and London! We thoroughly enjoyed our walking tour. Our guide was very engaging and was skilled at relating what she had to say and show us to the oldest (75) and youngest (about 9/10 years). We learned a lot about the foundation of the city, the culture and how it has developed over the centuries. As someone who loves history, this was fun. She also pointed out good places to shop and eat - some of which we did use. Read more Written November 29, 2023
• NorthStar601672 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Tour worth the time and money Our tour guide on a cold November day was Christian, who kept us entertained and interested enough that we felt we could hold the cold at bay for a bit longer. He was able to convey a lot of the history of the town as well as some background on more contemporary issues in Quebec City and surroundings. He was articulate and well-informed. He also carried a pack of hats/mittens/etc. to help out any unprepared participants. I would happily recommend to anyone looking to understand exactly what they are seeing when visiting Quebec City. Read more Written November 26, 2023
• Mbeoris 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Educational and fun walking tour! We had a great time on the walking tour. It was raining but was still well worth it. We learned a lot about the city and got some amazing food recommendations. Highly recommend! Read more Written November 20, 2023
• jpalmason 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great way to see and learn about Old Montreal Our guide was fabulous! She was engaging? Funny and so knowledgeable of Montreal and its complicated history. To be a tour guide she had to take a course for 240 hours. It was a great way to get a feel for the city (Old Montreal) and to see and learn about things we never would have noticed. She was also eager to provide names of restaurants, museums etc. Highly recommend!!! Read more Written November 11, 2023
• NorthStar64431634242 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great Introduction to Montreal. We really enjoyed the tour and highly recommend it. This is a great way to get familiar with the city and to plan where you’d like to visit. Read more Written November 4, 2023
• Balsher 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Interesting tour of Old Montreal Our tour guide was excellent. I think her name is Clara. She was very knowledgeable about the history of Montreal, took time to answer questions, and her presentation was lively and interesting. I recommend this tour. Read more Written October 31, 2023
• lindaeP5346DA 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Well spent 2 hours We did this tour while on a train trip in Canada. Christian was our guide for our private group of 3. He was well informed, knowledgeable and entertaining. He took us around Old Montreal and explained sights, architecture and history of Montreal plus suggested places to go later on our own with directions. So much information and had the answers to all our questions. We all recommend Christian. Well done & thank you! Read more Written October 26, 2023
• Elowden 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great way to spend a few hours in Old Montreal Booked this tour last minute as we had some time to kill in Montreal between flights. Our tour guide Francoise was great, very knowledgeable and friendly. It is a great way to see the sights of Old Montreal, learn a bit of history, and go for a nice walk. Thank you! Read more Written October 25, 2023
• happyclient49 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Historical Montreal The tour was a great introduction to old Montreal and its history. The tour guide was knowledgeable and personable. She recommended that we go back to the basilica to see the inside and also that the Museum of Archeology and History was worth visiting. Both were amazing. Read more Written October 25, 2023
• alankR9820VM 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Montreal Clara was a great guide and we had a lovely time with our group being shown around. Montreal is such a beautiful interesting city Read more Written October 16, 2023
• tammybC5903LE 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Old Montreal charm Chantelle was a great guide whose passion for her home city really came through in our Old Montreal tour. From her fun facts and in depth knowledge to her patience with all of our groups questions, she was a true professional. I highly recommend. Read more Written October 15, 2023
• elizabethdE5144DF 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Excellent tour! Excellent tour - very knowledgeable and entertaining tour guide, we learned a huge amount about the history of Montreal as well as recommendations for activities and hot spots to add to our itinerary. A+ tour & guide! Read more Written October 15, 2023
• Sonja C 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Lovely guide, fun and informative. The tour guide, Elise, was very friendly! She was knowledge and really welcomed questions. She was fun and adapted well the group dynamic. Her recommendations for places to eat, visita and shop were very appreciated. I would really recommend this tour! Read more Written October 13, 2023
• Y2519LOneilf 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Walking Tour of Old Montreal with tour guide Fran We had a wonderful afternoon walking around Old Montreal with our tour Fran. She was very knowledgeable and informative. Highly recommend this tour Read more Written October 12, 2023
• mehrakm2015 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Montreal walking tour The guide was perfect. Although it was rainy and bad weather, she did so good that it didn’t disturb. Very acknowledged and professional. Thank you. Read more Written October 11, 2023

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Walking tour of Plateau Mont-Royal and Mile-End provided by 16/42 tours

18 places you can’t miss in Plateau Mont-Royal, Montreal

N o longer just the “most European city of North America,” Montreal is home to many thriving neighbourhoods – including Plateau Mont-Royal – that are just waiting to be discovered by visitors who’d like something other than the usual sights of Old Montreal.

Just north of downtown Montreal, it sprawls from the edge of the emblematic mountain to the colourful, picturesque tree-lined streets that have taken over every Montrealer’s Instagram feed.

Often regarded as one of the hippest, prettiest and overall most fun areas of the city, Plateau Mont-Royal has plenty of photogenic staircases, tastefully decorated eateries, passionate residents, and heaps of charm.

+ montreal travel tips

Montreal in winter isn’t as bad as you think, scout the colourful murals.

Plateau Mont-Royal is home to some of Montreal’s most striking frescoes, notably as part of the well-respected Mural Festival . Only in Montreal could you host an event where people are encouraged to literally paint the town. The 10-day affair is largely based in the vicinity of Saint-Laurent Boulevard and features free outdoor concerts, an art fair and guided tours.

That is in addition to the dozens of occasional commissioned works by local artists across the neighbourhood as well. Definitely something for your Instagram stories!

Book a Plateau Mont-Royal & Mile End food tour

Montreal is frequently cited as one of the most inventive, seductive places in North America as far as gastronomy is concerned, among other things. And its supporters aren’t wrong; Montrealers are a demanding hungry bunch and they will not settle for anything ordinary. Waves upon waves of immigration — from Jewish to Portuguese to Japanese — have brought invaluable traditions to the city for a truly diverse, complex heritage that has now become the city’s signature.

And only a proper Mile End food tour (which is a district within Plateau Mont-Royal) with a knowledgeable, equally glutton guide can effectively dive in the heart of the matter that is food in Montreal. The 2.5-hour walking tour (vegetarian friendly) encompasses 5 food stops and includes at the most emblematic restaurants, including a bagel shop and a fine chocolate boutique!

From a local: 14 essential things to do in Montreal

Grab a coffee.

Travelling solely to try out new coffee shops is something more and more 20-somethings do nowadays, and Montreal certainly hasn’t missed the memo. With seemingly one or two new coffee shops opening up every week, even Montrealers have a hard time keeping track!

Some of my favourite coffee shops in Plateau Mont-Royal:

• Réplika / 252 Rachel Est
• Dispatch / 4021 St Laurent
• Café Myriade / 4627 St Denis
• Café Nocturne / 19 Prince Arthur West
• Le moineau masqué / 912 Marie-Anne Est
• Noble Café  / 430 Laurier Est

The 19 most photogenic coffee shops in Montreal

Explore parks.

Although not quite as leafy as, say, London, Montreal does quite well nonetheless in terms of green grassy spaces, especially in Plateau Mont-Royal.

Oftentimes, locals will gather friends (along with a couple of bottles of wine for good measure) for an afternoon of leisure in the sun at any given park in the neighbourhood — although most would argue that Parc Sir Wilfrid Laurier is the de facto picnic capital of the city.

Other great parks to discover in the area?

• Try reading a book in the shadow of centennial trees by the serpentine in Parc Lafontaine
• Admire the view of Mont-Royal mountain in Parc Jeanne-Mance
• Watch locals go about their daily business in compact but picturesque Parc Lahaie , flanked by St-Laurent Boulevard and the stunning Saint-Enfant-Jésus du Mile End church
• And, lastly, with its perfectly aligned rows of Victorian houses, Square St-Louis is another photographer’s paradise that is not to be missed.

Go on a Plateau & Mile-End Montreal bike tour

With a bike lane network comprising several hundred kilometers, Montreal is a well-known bike city. It was even crowned the “best major cycling city across the continent” courtesy of an annual raking from PeopleForBikes!

No wonder booking an afternoon with locally-owned Fitz Montreal Bike Tours have quickly become one of the trendiest things to do in Montreal.

Why not see it for yourself on a Plateau & Mile-End Montreal Bike Tour to immerse yourself in the city’s lifestyle and trendy hoods? Explore areas such as the Plateau Mont-Royal in a whole new way, along with visits in nearby Mile End, Little Italy and Outremont areas. Learn more about the musical heritage of Arcade Fire and Leonard Cohen. Sample some of Montreal’s impressive collection of murals, too!

And yes, bagels are included.

Instagram picturesque streets

In addition to vivid murals, Montreal is a sight for sore eyes with perfectly aligned rows of houses, colourful windows and twirling iron staircases.

If I had to pick one social media platform, it would probably be Instagram. I often use it to scout locations when I plan my travels; to me, it’s easier to get a real sense of a place from a local’s point of view through Instagram than through any other medium.

There’s a myriad of ways the shutterbug in you can capture the essence of Montreal in these Insta-friendly streets, in the stretch wedged between Prince-Arthur Street and Laurier Avenue:

• Drolet Street
• Henri-Julien Street
• Laval Avenue

Also worth a stroll: Gilford Street, rue Garnier close to St-Joseph Boulevard.

Montreal bike tour: hoods & hidden gems

Scooter tour of plateau mont-royal, plan for a nightcap.

It comes as a surprise to absolutely no one that Montrealers like their drink in the evening. And Plateau Mont-Royals bars are quite abundant, and rather attractive, too.

While most tourists will mistakenly opt to stay downtown or in Old-Montreal for a nightcap, there are true gems to be found just a bit further up north where the locals go and gather to celebrate a birthday, a milestone or just a plain old Tuesday.

• Bar à flot (cool, trendy natural wine bar with small shareable plates) / 4857 Parc
• Réservoir (brewpub with craft beers) / 9 Duluth Est
• Bar Henrietta (Portuguese eatery with fantastic cocktails and wine list) / 115 Laurier Ouest
• Buvette chez Simone (great charcuterie plates and wines, a local’s favourite) / 4869 Parc
• Bar Suzanne (leafy, mismatched type-place with a large offer of dumplings) / 20 Duluth Est
• Rouge Gorge (excellent list of French wines) / 1234 Mont-Royal Est

Take part in special events and festivals

There are plenty of festivals and special events to take part in on Plateau Mont-Royal and not just in the warmer months, but in fact year-round.

Summer is, however, arguably the best time of the year to visit with major happenings like:

• Mural Festival (see above)
• POP Montréal in mid-September (vibrant multi-day festival championing independence in the arts by presenting emerging talents from around the world)
• The entire Mont-Royal Avenue is pedestrian-only from June to September, and dotted with 7 themed parks that were carefully designed for the occasion.
• Winter also brings Nuit blanche  to the area for those brave enough to face sub zero temperatures.
• Plus, the district’s team put together a series of lovery themed itineraries (French only, but Google Translate is your friend here) to explore the area with specific interests in mind: vinyls, used bookshops, vintage boutiques, sunny patios to get a drink. Enjoy!

Venture into the Mile End

Call it hipster capital, call it the artsiest district in Montreal — eclectic Mile End Montreal doesn’t care for labels.

Technically part of trendy Plateau Mont-Royal but infinitely more diverse, this effervescent district covers just about 10 blocks but is incidentally home to Canada’s largest concentration of artists, in addition to some of Montreal’s most acclaimed restaurants. This also is where some of the most interesting shopping in Montreal can be accomplished.

Where to hang out in Mile End Montreal

Catch a show.

Downtown Montreal is where the major arena shows will be performed; Plateau Mont-Royal, on the other hand, will welcome intimate gigs and open the stage to up-and-coming artists of various backgrounds and mediums with a promising future.

Casa del Popolo and sister establishment Sala Rossa , as well as Rialto Theatre  and Fairmount Theatre , are great places to catch live music shows while The Wiggle Room is dedicated to burlesque entertainment; Montreal Improv is quite self-explanatory, while endearingly outside-the-box  Mainline Theatre  is indie theatre’s home in the neighbourhood.

If your French allows, don’t miss out on the chance of seeing a play in one of the area’s many legendary theatres, like La Licorne , Espace Go , Théâtre d’Aujourd’hui or Théâtre du Rideau Vert .

Put on your eating pants

Rumour has it that Montreal has the second highest amount of restaurants per capita in North America – is that the best reason to wear your eating pants or what? But with so many eateries on offer, it can be hard to pick the right ones to visit during a short trip so I’ve done the legwork for you!

Here are some of my favourite restaurants in Plateau Mont-Royal:

• Majestique  / 4105 St-Laurent
• L’Express / 3927 St-Denis
• Tri Express  / 1650 Laurier Est
• Byblos le petit café  / 1499 Laurier Est
• Noren  / 77 Rachel Ouest
• Pâtisserie Rhubarbe  / 1479 Laurier Est
• Schwartz’s Deli  / 3895 St-Laurent
• Yokato Yokabai Ramen  / 4185 Drolet
• Restaurant HÀ / 243 Mont-Royal Ouest

The 18+ best restaurants in Montreal

Indulge in retail therapy.

Sure, you could stick to the high-street and the Gaps and H&Ms of this world. But what if I told you there are plenty of cute boutiques where you could get staple pieces made with love by a local Montreal designer?

Several of the best boutiques in Montreal are located in the Mile-End area adjacent to Plateau Mont-Royal; while you’re there, make sure to head slightly east in order not to miss out on these beautiful shops:

• Bleu et persillé (cheese) / 1475 Mont-Royal Est
• Naïf (women clothing) / 1557 Laurier Est
• BKIND (vegan skincare) / 3455 St-Laurent
• Les chocolats de Chloé  (fine chocolates) /  546 Duluth Est
• 33 tours  (vinyls) /  1373 Mont-Royal Est
• Buk & Nola  (home decor & fashion accessories) /  1593 Laurier Est
• m0851  (leather goods) / 3526 St-Laurent
• L’intervalle (shoes) / 806 Mont-Royal Est
• Magasin Général Lambert Gratton (vintage home decor) /  4051 de Bullion

All photo credits: Gaelle LeRoyer

Get the book!

Find out where I go in Montreal for a romantic date, for little-known artsy museums, for designer splurges, and for Instagram-friendly cafés. Inside this eBook you will find 40+ pages full of preciously handpicked, highly curated Montreal travel tips with underrated attractions, off-the-beaten path itinerary ideas, and neighbourhood highlights that locals love!

Marie-Eve is a native Montrealer trying to balance a deep love for her hometown and an unquenchable thirst for travel and discovery. She has been to more than 36 countries, lived abroad in both France and the U.K., and is always on the lookout for authentic experiences wherever she travels -- especially if it involves wine.

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The Travels of BBQboy and Spanky

BBQboy’s Walking tour of Montreal’s Plateau Mont-Royal

Every guide to Montreal recommends a visit to the Plateau Mont-Royal . But I’ve yet to see anything detailed on what you should actually do or see. Having lived on the Plateau for the last 25 years, I’ve decided to make up my own detailed guide on the highlights of the area. Click on the map below for a full-sized copy and print it out.  Follow it to see the best of what the Plateau Mont-Royal has to offer.

The tour starts at Sherbrooke metro . When you come out of the metro you’ll find yourself on Saint Denis street. Walk up one block and turn right on Cherrier (note: Café Cherrier is a great spot for breakfast or Brunch). Cherrier is a pretty street lined with trees and Victorian homes. The bicycle path also runs along it. Follow the street until you get to Parc Lafontaine, it won’t take you more than 5 minutes.

Parc Lafontaine is one of the nicest parks in Montreal. Lots of trees, a man-made lake (where people skate in the winter), and benches where you can sit and watch people, dogs, or the ducks on the lake. A very popular place for picnics.

Walk through the park and cross the street at the other side, on the corner of Chambord and Rachel . There’s a little café there which also contains the office of Velo Quebec . If you’re a cyclist they’ll give you all kinds of recommendations on bike tours in Montreal and  Quebec. They even organize bike tours internationally.

If you’re a cyclist I recommend this bike tour which covers many of Montreal’s highlights including the Plateau.

Walk along Rachel until you get to Christophe Colomb . You’ll see a fire station on the corner. Turn right and head up Christophe Colomb, one of the prettiest streets on the Plateau.

Continuing along Christophe Colomb, you’ll get to Avenue du Mont-Royal . It’s young and trendy and full of restaurants, bars, cafes, and boutique stores. You’ll find a place where they sell only cupcakes, another where they have only macaroons. You can sit down at an outdoor terrasse and watch the beautiful people walk by in the summer. A lot of Montrealers come here on weekends just to stroll around and window shop.

A few recommendations on Avenue du Mont-Royal: Have brunch at L’Avenue (where there’s always a line up), bagels at St. Viateur Bagel & Café (bagels with salmon and cream cheese is a favourite), or go to Premiere Moisson where you can get baguettes, breads, pastries and premade sandwiches. Visit La Maison du Rôti near Lorimier even if it’s only to look – it’s the most impressive meat shop in Montreal. Barracca is a great stop for drinks and tapas and Restaurant les Héritiers is a typical French BYOB (get your wine at the large SAQ on the corner of Mont Royal/Papineau)

Continue down Mont-Royal until you get to Fabre street and then turn left. Fabre is another residential street  lined with large trees. You’ll see three-story homes with winding staircases, and large balconies.

Turn left on Gilford , another quiet street. Gilford has some very good restaurants which you should consider going to if staying the night on the Plateau. Behind one of these, the Quartier General (pictured below) is Ruelle Modigliani   (Modigliania alley) which is popular with organized walking tours. Check it out, it is one of Montreal’s “green alleys” and has colourfully painted doors and a few installations created by neighborhood artists. One of Montreal’s best BYOB restaurants is on Gilford (the Quartier General ).

Passing through the alley, you’ll end up on St.Joseph . Walk 2 blocks east, passing St. Stanislas church (below) built in the early 1900’s. Cross the light at Garnier and walk up a block to Laurier Avenue .

Laurier is in my opinion the most interesting street on the Plateau with some good restaurants like Byblos (inexpensive Iranian food, very popular) and Tri Express (excellent Sushi restaurant). It has a few cafes (like Montreal café) and some popular ice cream parlors. The 5 blocks between Fabre and Chambord are also one of the best places in Montreal for a self-made food tour : within these few blocks you’ll find stores selling a large variety of cheese, meats, and breads (the best is Le Fromentier). There’s also a new SAQ (ie. booze store) right on the corner of Chambord. If you feel like eating well and not spending too much money I suggest picking up a few things at the stores along this stretch, getting a bottle of wine, and having a picnic in nearby Parc Laurier (photos further below). You might as well be eating in Paris.

Best Accommodation on the Plateau Mont-Royal?

Auberge de la Fontaine – luxury inn right on Parc Lafontaine. Excellent.

Hotel de l’ITHQ – 4 star hotel in the same building (right at Sherbrooke metro) as the institute of tourism of Quebec.

Armor Manoir Sherbrooke – charming old style hotel on Sherbrooke St. near Sherbrooke metro station.

Continuing west along Laurier you’ll get to Laurier Park. This park is very popular in the summer and is full of families having picnics or going to the pool. There are a couple of baseball diamonds and a large dog park.

Coming out of the park, descend   Christophe Colomb to Mont-Royal, turn right for a few blocks before getting to the intersection of St. Hubert. Turn left on St. Hubert .

St. Hubert is full of Victorian houses, most built in the late 1800’s by well-off French Canadian families. Huge, stone houses with intricate staircases, large stained-glass windows, and green gardens characterize the street.

A block down St. Hubert, turn right on Marie-Anne (another residential street) and continue to St. Denis . Turn left. St. Denis is very popular for its many restaurants, bars, and shops. There are many little boutiques as well as larger retail stores (the Gap, Mountain Equipment Co-Op, Zone etc). One of the great things to do on St.Denis is to go to one of its many outdoor cafes or bars and watch the world go by.

Continue all the way down St. Denis. You’ll see Sherbrooke metro not far away. But before you go there, turn right on Avenue Des Pins and walk for 3 blocks (you’ll pass the cool fort-looking Les Fusiliers which is an infantry regiment of the Canadian army). You’ll come to Laval Avenue . Turn left and walk down Laval. It is a gorgeous street, housing some of the most impressive graystones in Montreal (it is Spanky’s favorite steet in the city).

A long block will bring you to Square St-Louis . Turn left, you’ll see some pretty building adjacent to the park.

Walking through the park will bring you right in front of Sherbrooke metro, where you started this tour. It is also the ending point. There are a few bars and restaurants along this stretch, including the previously mentioned Café Cherrier (a nice spot for a late afternoon drink on the terrasse). Hope you enjoyed the best of the Plateau!

Related: See our detailed Guide on what to See and Do in Montreal

Related: The Best Views on Montreal’s Mont-Royal

More: More Great Views in Montreal (not just Mont-Royal)

Ps. If you find our blog helpful, please consider using our links to book your flights, hotels, tours, and car rentals. Have a look at our  Travel Resources page .

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Reader interactions.

September 1, 2022 at 3:03 am

Thanks so much for this blog post. We spent 10 hours doing your route in reverse! I think it took us 3 hours just to leave Rue St Denis thanks to a coffee and lunch break. We also added a stop at a playground and for poutine at La Banquise. Your tour was perfect for our last full day in Montreal. We wish we had more time to spend in the Plateau.

September 1, 2022 at 8:37 am

Thank you very much Chris. Glad you enjoyed. I moved away from Montreal 4 years ago and the Laurier street area was getting increasingly popular. Will be going back in November and will rediscover this route 🙂

June 6, 2022 at 12:39 pm

Great – and long overdue – guide & tour of the Plateau – ! (We) Montrealers take so much for granted – like the Plateau,- ‘dropping in’ to taste & enjoy, without really seeing, visiting or “knowing” the area at all ! Your tour makes the Plateau’s ambiance highly palatable & illustrates perfectly the area’s attraction & variety.

March 11, 2019 at 6:35 pm

We had a 2nd article published on the Vancouver Sun last Friday that might interest you: https://vancouversun.com/travel/local-travel/quebec-travel-bucket-list-10-places-you-must-see-in-la-belle-province Lots of beautiful geography in Quebec 🙂

March 5, 2019 at 5:55 pm

Thanks so much Gilda 😉

March 4, 2019 at 9:08 pm

Thank you for the kind words Anita! We’ll have to go back one day – if you ever want to visit Montreal we’d be happy to show you around.

July 14, 2014 at 11:33 am

Great! Happy to be of help Dave!

June 11, 2014 at 12:49 pm

Hi Mary. I’m guessing it’s about 3 miles or a little over 4km. I usually take a run couple times a week from Laurier down to Park Lafontaine, around the park, and back, and it takes about 30 minutes. Walking all of the above at a leisurely pace would probably take about 2 hours, not counting stops for coffee, beer, lunch etc.

June 8, 2014 at 10:39 pm

Thanks Dennis! Glad you’ve enjoyed Montreal; not such a great place in winter but everyone loves it in the summer.

June 5, 2014 at 7:08 pm

Hi Judy! Thanks. Nice site by the way, enjoyed going through it. Even clicked on your WSJ article and chuckled about your comment that ‘winters are inhospitable”. And we’re Communauto members too, no better way to go in Montreal 😉 .

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Dieng Plateau Java Indonesia: Lakes, Sunrise & Volcanoes

Dieng Plateau is a natural wonder tucked in the highlands of central Java , Indonesia , not too far from the city of Yogyakarta.

This former caldera complex has everything from active volcanoes to ancient Hindu temples, smoking sulfuric springs, multicolored lakes, fresh mountain air, sunrise views, and endless terraces covering the hills in every direction.

Me and a buddy spent a full day exploring Dieng last summer, and we were blown away by this hidden gem and how few international tourists seem to know about it. The Dieng Plateau sunrise is especially good.

Dieng means ‘Abode of the Gods,’ and that name seems about right for the incredible scale and mystery of this place! This travel blog will explain how you can get to Dieng Plateau, and everything you need to know before you go!

Where Is Dieng Plateau?

Dieng Plateau is located 115 kilometers (70 miles) west of Yogyakarta city in central Java, Indonesia.

The nearest airport is also in Yogyakarta (YIA), and it’s served by a bunch of budget friendly airlines with good ratings. You can shop for flights to Yogyakarta at Skyscanner.

Despite the short distance, the drive from Yogya to Dieng Plateu takes much longer than you would expect — about 4 hours — because of the winding mountain roads. I don’t think I’ve ever come so close to throwing up in a car.

Still, don’t let the long drive put you off from coming here, because Dieng Plateau was honestly one of the coolest highlights of our time in Java !

How To Get There

The easiest and best way to visit Dieng Plateau is with a shared tour or a private driver from Yogyakarta for the full day.

If you want to do this with a vetted tour company, GetYourGuide has high rated day tours to Dieng Plateau from Yogyakarta .

The tours include hotel pickup and drop-off, all entrance fees, and an English speaking tour guide. We’ve used GetYourGuide for lots of tours and activities around the world, and they’re great. Highly recommended!

Another option is to hire a local driver from Yogya yourself and negotiate the terms directly, and that way you can try to add some extra sights if you have any in mind.

It’s almost 8 hours of roundtrip driving, and we spent another 5 hours exploring the sights!  

Dieng Plateau: What To Expect

Sunrise on the volcano is one of the highlights of a trip to Dieng Plateau, but unfortunately the 4 hour drive from Yogyakarta means you’ll need a very early start.

Our driver picked us up at 11:00 PM (yes you read that right), but this was overkill. We arrived at Sikunir hill with time to spare and ended up sleeping in the van for something like 2 hours.

Do take a big nap on the day before, and ask your driver for the latest start possible!  

Dieng Plateau Java

What To Bring

• Jacket: It’s chilly, so definitely bring a jacket or hoodie. You can shed it after sunrise. This is a higher elevation than most of Indonesia, so temps before sunrise can be as low as 8 C (47 F).
• Long Pants: See above. Pants are a good idea to stay warm.
• Hiking Shoes: The sunrise hike is not sandal friendly, and may be muddy. Wear shoes.
• Flashlight: You’ll want a flashlight (or your phone will work) for hiking in the dark before sunrise.
• Camera: Duh! You will definitely want a camera and drone to capture the scenery of this place.

Things To Do & See At Dieng Plateau

• sikunir sunrise.

One of the main attractions of Dieng Plateau is watching the sunrise over Mount Sundoro, one of Java’s active volcanoes.

The popular spot to do this is on Sikunir Hill, at the eastern edge of the plateau. Your driver can help you find the trailhead, and the path itself is pretty easy to follow. From the car park, it’s a steep but short hike to the top of the hill, and only takes about 30-45 minutes.

Keep going until you reach the highest point for photos. If the sunrise in Dieng Plateu is at 5:20 AM, then you want to be at the top of the hill no later than 5:00, or maybe even 4:45 so you can find a good spot for taking photos.

At the top, we hunkered down with a bunch of friendly Indonesian locals who wanted to take selfies with us since they rarely see bule-bule (westerners) here. The sunrise was foggy, but beautiful.

• Telaga Warna Lake

This is a pair of sulfuric lakes that turn weird shades of green and yellow.

You can view the lakes from above for 30k Rupiah, or pay 100k to walk down to the bottom. When we went, there was no one at the ticket booth so we got to see the upper lakes for free.

My advice: skip the lower viewpoint, it’s overpriced and the best views are above the lakes anyway.

• Hill Terraces

Dieng Plateau is loaded with terraces of potatoes, strawberries, and other crops.

You can hike around to some of these hills if you have extra time, but the roads and hills at Dieng are not very pedestrian friendly.

The very best way to see the terraces is by drone . This place is drone heaven.

• Sikidang Crater

This is a big smoking sulfur crater accompanied by lots of smaller bubbling geothermal pots.

You can expect the usual stinking sulfur smell, and there are also a bunch of tacky ornaments and gaudy selfie spots (including a big stuffed gorilla) that kind of cheapen the experience and make it even weirder.

• Arjuna Temple

Dieng Plateu has a bunch of 7th century temples that are actually some of the oldest surviving buildings on the island of Java.

Arjuna Temple is in the best condition, and entry is included for free as part of the ticket you already bought for Sikidang Crater.

Entrance Fees

• Sikunir Hill: Free
• Telaga Warna Lake (Upper): 30k IDR
• Telaga Warna Lake (Lower): 100k IDR
• Sikidang Crater + Arjuna Temple: 30k IDR

Hotels Near Dieng Plateau

If you feel like staying longer in the area, there are a bunch of homestay options in Dieng Plateau and the nearby city of Wonosobo .

We decided to base ourselves in Yogyakarta instead, and visit Dieng on a day trip. There are lots of great hotels , restaurants, and malls in Yogya with very affordable prices!  

Where We Stayed

We stayed at stepHouse Homestay in Yogyakarta . It was $17 USD per night for a clean twin room with A/C, private bathroom, and fast WiFi.

One of the biggest positives of this homestay is the location. It was walking distance to the Malioboro mall and train station, which is perfect if you're planning to take the train to Malang to visit Tumpak Sewu and Mount Bromo like we were!

Prices may fluctuate from time to time, so just keep an eye out for a good deal.

Our Yogyakarta hotel

Is Java Safe?

I’d say definitely yes , Java is safe, and I’ve visited the island many times over the years.

Indonesia has one of the lowest violent crime rates in the world . We walked around Yogyakarta at all hours of the day and night, and always felt safe.

Nowhere in the world is perfectly safe, but Indonesia gets millions of tourists every year, and many of them visit Java.

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit Java (and most parts of Indonesia) is from April to November.

The rainy season runs from November to April. You can still go to Dieng Plateau during this time, but it won’t be ideal for the mountains or sunrise because fog is more common.

Happy travels!

• 1-Week East Java Itinerary - Temples, Waterfalls, & Volcanoes
• Mount Bromo Volcano Sunrise - Complete Travel Guide
• Kawah Ijen Crater Lake - Complete Travel Guide
• Best Hikes In Indonesia - Volcanoes, Jungles, & Waterfalls
• Most Beautiful Indonesian Islands - Best Places To Visit In Indonesia
• Indonesia Waterfall Guide - Best Waterfalls In Indonesia
• Indonesia Beach Guide - Best Beaches In Indonesia
• Indonesia Travel Guide - Tips, Info, & Photos

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WoW!! so amazing, I would love to stay there!

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THE 10 BEST Walking Tours in Le Plateau Mont-Royal (Montreal)

Walking tours in le plateau mont-royal.

• Sightseeing Tours
• Walking Tours
• Up to 1 hour
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• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
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• Likely to Sell Out

• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Old Montreal Food & Drink Tour by Local Montreal Food Tours

2. Old Montreal Private Walking Tour

3. Beyond the Basilica Walking Tour by Spade & Palacio

4. Montreal's RESO Underground City + Downtown Tour by MTL Detours

5. Quebec City and Montmorency Falls Day Trip from Montreal

6. Mile End Montreal Original Food Tour - by Local Montreal Tours

7. Walking tour of Old Montreal - 16/42 Tours

8. Montreal's Mount Royal Tour

9. Old Montreal walking tour By FITZ MONTREAL

10. History Walking Tour of Old Montreal

11. Jewish Neighborhood Food Tour

12. Montreal: Private Tour with a Local Guide

13. Montreal's Sin City Era & Golden Age Walking Tour by MTL Detours

14. Haunted Old Montreal

15. Beyond the Market Food Tour by Spade & Palacio

16. The Montreal Craft Beer Tour / Brewpub Experience

17. Old Montréal VIP Semi-Private Walking Tour

18. Explore the Underground City with a local comedian

19. The Original Montreal Mural Arts Tour by Spade & Palacio

20. Haunted Montreal Pub Crawl

21. Montreal Small Group Walking Tour with River Cruise + Notre Dame

22. Best of Montreal Small Group Tour with River Cruise + Notre Dame

23. Old Montreal East to West - Walking Tour

24. Old Montreal Ghost Walking Tour

25. Under the Surface of Montreal's Chinatown: Guided Food Walking Tour

26. Old Montreal at Twilight Walking Tour Semi-Private

27. Jean-Talon Market & Little Italy Small Group Walking Tour

28. Mont Tremblant Private Day Tour from Montreal

29. Welcome to Montreal’s Old Town: Private 2-hour Walking Tour

30. Montreal Queerstory Tour

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How to Visit the Bolaven Plateau Laos – Itineraries & Routes

The cooler temperatures and the higher altitude of the Bolaven Plateau will bring you blessed relief from the heat of Laos.  Combine that with a plethora of waterfalls in the region and the fact that this is Lao’s main coffee region and you have a great place to explore.   Aside from waterfalls and coffee plantations, you’ll find small villages teeming with local life, fresh food, and lush jungle.  Depending on the time of year, the additional altitude will give you a definite chill too!  While using a motorbike as transport brings freedom, flexibility, and a welcome breeze, it’s also possible to explore this area by public transport and also by organized tour. Welcome to our guide to the Bolaven Plateau.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED AND AFFILIATE LINKS MORE INFORMATION IN  OUR DISCLAIMER

Where is the Bolaven Plateau Laos?

The Bolaven Plateau is an elevated region in central Laos.  It’s about 85km from Pakse.  While the majority of the Bolaven Plateau is located in the Champasak province of southern Laos, there are also areas of it within other provinces.

This famous plateau in Laos sits at between 1,000m and 1,350m above sea level and is located between the Mekong River and the Annamite Mountains.  It’s most famous for its waterfalls, jungle, and coffee.

#1 TOUR TO DO

Best Bolaven Plateau Tour

This excellent Bolvaen Plateau tour includes visiting a coffee plantation, admiring the Tad Fane and Tad Yuang waterfalls, and visiting rural villages to learn about local life and culture. With a local English-speaking guide you’ll get the benefit that most visitors miss.

The Bolaven Plateau History

The area of the Bolaven Plateau was named after an ethnic group who lived here, the “laven”.  Back in 1893, the French annexed this area.  It was after this time that the French planted coffee.  Roll forward some 70 years and the Plateau suffered greatly during the Vietnam War.  It was one of the most heavily-bombed areas as it was strategically vital to both the Americans and the North Vietnamese.

Now it’s a favored route for those going a little off the beaten track, in an organized sort of a way.

How to get to the Bolaven Plateau

Most people will approach the Bolaven Plateau from Pakse.   It is certainly the largest town in the area.  Pakse is near to the Bolaven Plateau and it takes just a short time to get there, the length of time depending on how you travel.  Pakse is the town where you will take a bus to go to the south to Si Phan Don (four thousand islands) or north to Luang Prabang .

Maps of the Bolaven Plateau

Pakse, wat phou and bolaven plateau map.

The map above is from the Nang Noi Guesthouse in Pakse, which we recommend, and where we rented our motorbike from.  These further detailed Bolaven Plateau maps are from the Fandee Family Guest house, where we stayed at Tad Lo.

If you want to pre-book somewhere to stay on the Bolaven Plateau – then the Tad Lo Lodge is a great option and you can check prices here.

Bolaven Plateau Map Overview

Map of Tad Lo, Tad Huong, and Tad Soung Waterfalls

Tad Lo Waterfall Map

How to visit the Bolaven Plateau without a Motorbike

There are very few options for touring the Bolaven Plateau without a motorbike, but this great one-day tour covers the plateau, explores a coffee plantation, includes lunch, and comes with all transport and an English-speaking local guide. You can see what else is included here.

The Bolaven Plateau Loops

There are two Motorbike loops of the Bolaven Plateau.  They are sometimes known as the Pakse Loop or the Bolaven Plateau Motorbike Loops as they are easiest to navigate by motorbike.  Bolaven Plateau loops assume a starting point of Pakse and a return to there.  The short Bolaven Plateau Loop takes 2 days and 1 night and the longer one can take up to 5 days depending on how many stops you want to make.  We took the short loop on a 100cc Honda Wave semi-automatic bike rented from Pakse.  You can see the route of the loops on the maps above.

I couldn’t have attempted the larger loop even if I wanted to, because while being completely numb my bottom is also painful to the point of mutiny.

7 Things to do on the Bolaven Plateau

1. ride a motorbike around the bolaven plateau loops.

I do think that this is the best way to see the Bolaven Plateau.  You’ll have the freedom to explore at your own pace and stop a little longer if you like somewhere.  The roads are quiet here, and while there are some unpaved roads, most of them are in reasonable condition.

Pakse Motorbike rentals can be made from any guesthouse or there are also shops on the main street to enquire with.  Most bikes will take two people.

2. Visit the Waterfalls of the Bolaven Plateau

It is the waterfalls of the Bolaven Plateau that are famous. A 2-day itinerary to the Bolaven Plateau will take you easily to the most impressive and famous of the Bolaven plateau waterfalls.  The major waterfalls of the Bolaven Plateau are:

• Tad Lo (sometimes Tat Lo)
• Tad Hang (good for swimming in the pools)
• Tad Tayicseua
• Tad Fane (sometimes Ta Fan)
• Tad Phasouam (sometimes Tad Pha Suam)
• Tad Katamtok
• Tad Gneuang

3. Swim in the Waterfall Pools of the Bolaven Plateau

While it is important that you observe and pay attention to any safety signs it’s possible to swim in the pools of Tad Hang and Tad Lo waterfalls.  Be aware of your surroundings and any local sensibilities.

4. Shop in Markets or Along the Roadside of the Bolaven Plateau Loops

There are roadside stalls everywhere.  Selling everything from vegetables to machetes.  You’ll also find markets in the villages and towns of the Bolaven Plateau.  You’ll find traditional crafts such as weaving being sold along your routes too.

5. Stay with the Fandee Family

The Fandee Family Guesthouse has something of a cult following and I can’t deny it is an interesting social experiment.    The Fandee Family Guesthouse is located in Tad Lo, near the waterfall of the same name.  The village of Tad Lo is considered the traditional stop for those taking the small loop of the Bolaven Plateau on a motorbike.

Loic and Laure, the Fandees, first arrived here in 2007 and moved here permanently in 2012. They run the guesthouse (four wooden bungalows) and the restaurant, but they also sponsor, pay for, and school 7 local boys, who also live with them alongside the menagerie of cats, dogs, and the world’s cutest puppies.  Of course, we were sold on the bungalow when it came with a sleeping cat and a horse outside. It’s not currently possible to book their places online, you have to turn up and hope that they have space.

If you prefer to pre-book your accommodation , then the Tad Lo Lodge is a great option and you can see their availability here.

It’s more than a little disorganized and the experience tends to be a bit hit and miss, with some people having great experiences here and others not.

On the second day of our short Bolaven Plateau loop, I had a hangover.  I blamed it on the French. And the Dutch. There was a German involved and of course us Brits. But it was mainly the French.

It was almost 1 am before we got to bed and the incessant whine of motorbikes, tractors, and bloody roosters started at 5 this morning.

It all happened because “there is a Lao custom” said Loic Fandee of the Fandee guesthouse (where we’d stayed), that when the fridge starts to approach a certain low level of beer, you have to empty it. I’m pretty sure this emptyish state started around 10:30pm, so I’m not sure how we made it last out until 1 am.

6. Visit Wat Phou

Technically Wat Phou or Vat Phou isn’t on the Bolaven Plateau, but if you’ve taken the longer loop, you’ll pass not far from it.  Vat Phu is a UNESCO World Heritage site , inscribed onto the list in 2001.

The site of Vat Phou was originally part of the city of Shrestapura, but by the end of the 5 th century, it was the capital of a kingdom that was connected with Champa, now in modern-day southern Vietnam.   At the top of the mountain was a phallic-shaped object (a lingam) which meant that the mountain was associated with the Hindu God Shiva thus the early temples here were dedicated to Shiva and the spring behind the temple was considered sacred.

Vat Phou was part of the Khmer Empire focused around Angkor in Cambodia in the early 10 th century.   The remains of the temple that can be seen now date from the 11 th century, although there has been a little restoration done, the site is more in an arrested state of decay.

7. Taste Coffee of the Bolaven Plateau

While it was the French who introduced the concept of coffee to the Bolaven Plateau most of the coffee plantations here are now locally owned and managed.  There are several that you can visit while traveling around the Bolaven plateau.  You can even taste Luwak coffee here.

You’ll even spot coffee growing along the side of the road and small coffee stops along the way, generally around the area of Paksong.

Recommended places to try coffee near or on the Bolaven Plateau

• Koffie’s Coffee Workshop in Paksong.

Arrive by 10 am to take a tour of a coffee plantation, roast coffee beans and take home your own wok roasted coffee (costs 180,000 kip).  You can take this tour and make it back to Pakse before dark.

• The Thateng Integrated Organic Farm

Located between Paksong and Thateng stop here for a farm tour, tea, coffee or fresh juice.   This farm is a training center for young people and farmers in Laos’s southern provinces.

• Stay at the Sabaidee Valley Resort

Providing air-conditioned rooms in private chalets you’ll get free WiFi and private bathrooms.  This gorgeous resort has an outdoor swimming pool.  Seriously what more could you ask for (go for the suite rather than the double room and treat yourself!!) You can check prices and availability here.

Where to Stay on the Bolaven Plateau

You’ll find a town, village, or “resort” close to each of the major waterfalls of the Bolaven Plateau, or at least be able to easily travel between them.

Where to Stay in Pakse Laos

You will likely begin your explorations of the Bolaven Plateau from the town of Pakse.  Pakse is the main starting point for all visits to the Bolaven Plateau and it’s where you will catch buses, find a driver, or rent motorbikes.

• Sanga Hostel – great dorm rooms, good-sized beds, very clean – check prices now
• Chato Hostel – Modern, clean, well laid out great reviews – reserve a room now

Where to Stay in Tad Lo Laos

A great relaxed vibe here – quiet, and a good mix of backpacker hostels and bungalows to stay in.  Pleasant walks to waterfalls, where it’s also possible to swim.

• The Tad Lo Lodge – great room options and a fabulous location – reserve now.

Where to Stay in Paksong Laos

The heart of coffee country here on the Bolaven Plateau – stay here for coffee and to spend a second night on the plateau.

Push the boat out and enjoy the luxury of the Sabaidee Valley Resort – check availability and book now!

How to Rent a Motorbike for the Bolaven Plateau from Pakse

We rented a semi-automatic motorbike – a 100cc Honda Wave, from the Nang Noi Guesthouse Pakse (pronounced Pak-say), leaving our bags there and bringing just overnight things. Including a fleece, because apparently, it gets cold up here on the Bolaven plateau.  It turned out that it was freezing in December, but not at all when we were there!

You can rent motorbikes easily from any accommodation in Pakse.

This is a hint to be careful that you understand what cold is around Pakse. They say 25 degrees Celsius is cold here. The roads are all concrete or tarmac and the riding is easy, even through Pakse.

Other riders and drivers are considerate (for Asia, that’s something of a miracle) and we were taken through the operation of the bike and assured that it was only 2 hours to Tad Lo, some 85 kilometers away.

En route, There are roadside stalls everywhere.  Selling everything from vegetables to machetes.

We arrived in Tad Lo by around 2 pm, after a 09:20 start- but we weren’t hurried, and had stopped for a few cold drinks and lunch at a roadside shack.

The Waterfalls of the Bolaven Plateau

The tad phasouam waterfall.

This is the closest waterfall to Pakse and it is likely everyone’s first stop.  The Tad Phousam Waterfall is located inside the Uttayan Bajiang resort.  The waterfall is about 6 meters high and is a horseshoe shape.

There’s a restaurant here and you can view the falls from a bamboo bridge too.  There are also roasted almonds drying in the sun and quirky little cabins to stay in.  We also found a snake (no photo, unfortunately, too busy shrieking) and massive spiders.

A bamboo bridge and a herd of fake elephants completed our trip to this waterfall, which cost 10,000 kip each. Oh, plus 2,000 kip to bring in and park the motorbike.

The Tad Lo Waterfall

Tad Lo Waterfall is close to the village of the same name.  There are several places to stay here and a few places to eat also.  It’s a cute little place.

Tad Lo is the main waterfall here, but you’ll also find Tad Suong and Tad Hang waterfalls.  Check out the maps we included earlier in this post.

The Tad Gneuang Waterfall

We picnicked at Tad Gneuang, (10,000 kip each for us and 5,000 kip for the bike) and then hiked (ok, clambered) down for a soggy photo.

The Tad Alang Waterfall

You will find Tad Alang close to the Tad Tayicseua Waterfall, close to the town of Tayicseua.  There are a further 5 waterfalls close to this town.

The Tad Tayicseua Waterfall

You’ll find 15 waterfalls in total on this private land, although you’ll likely have to do a fair bit of walking to see them all.  Tayicseua claims to be the waterfall capital of Laos because of the sheer number of falls here.

The Tad Katamtok Waterfall

Tad Katamtok is the largest waterfall of the Bolaven Plateau.  It’s located on the road from Paksong to Tayicseua

The Tad Fane Waterfall

We saved the best till the last.  Tad Fane, the gorgeous double waterfall right in the middle of the jungle, with the Tad Fane resort conveniently available for views and photos.  The twin falls thunder down across the other side of the gorge and disappears into the jungle.

Bolaven Plateau Itineraries by Motorbike

2-day motorbiking bolaven plateau itinerary.

Day 1:  85 kilometers:  Pakse to Tad Lo:  Leave from Pakse mid-morning on your motorbike and head down route 16, until you reach the turnoff for Tad Phasouam Waterfall.  Enter the resort, pay your fee and enjoy the waterfall.  Buy some roasted almonds to snack on.  Stop for lunch along the way and arrive at the village of Tad Lo in time for a walk to the waterfalls of Tad Lo, Tad Suong, and Tad Hang.  Cool down with a cold Beer Lao and enjoy the social vibe of the area. If you’re traveling in high season we recommend booking your accommodation ahead of time.  In Tad Lo prebook your accommodation at the Tad Lo lodge

Day 2:  Breakfast and then on the road towards Paksong – enjoy riding past the coffee plantations, even stop off – perhaps at the Thateng Integrated Organic Farm for a fresh juice or a coffee en route.  Pick up a picnic in Paksong and head to Tad Gneuang Waterfall for a picnic.  Make the Tad Fane Waterfall your final stop as the piece de resistance before getting back to Pakse before dark.

3-day Motorbiking Bolaven Plateau Itinerary

Day 1:  Take the same route as our first day above.

Day 2:  Be sure to get up early enough on Day 2 to get to Paksong by 10:00 – so you can join the Koffie coffee tour – enjoy the coffee plantation tour and then roast your own coffee.  Stay the night in Paksong at the Sabaidee Valley Resort.

Day 3:  Have a leisurely breakfast in Paksong, perhaps enjoy a little more coffee from the plateau and then follow our directions for our second day in the 2-day itinerary, but add on a trip to Wat Phou before heading back to Pakse before dark

Major Sites and Locations to Visit in Laos

• What to see in Vientiane, Laos
• The best things to do in Vang Vieng
• What to see in Luang Prabang
• How to take the Mekong Slow Boat
• How to bike the Bolaven Plateau, Laos
• Don’t miss the Gibbon Experience in Northern Laos
• What to see in Si Phan Don – 4,000 Islands
• How to Ex plore the Plain of Jars

Travel Tips for Exploring Laos

• Considering travel insurance for your trip? World Nomads offers coverage for more than 150 adventure activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
• Get online immediately with an eSIM in Laos
• Book the best Laos tours and guides on Klook
• Here’s our guide to ATM fees in Laos
• Save money in Laos with a Wise debit card
• Read our Laos Transport guide here
• Here’s our guide to food and drink in Laos
• Book Buses in Laos with 12goAsia
• Book accommodation in Laos with Agoda

Final thoughts on our Bolaven Plateau Tour

Well.  That’s it.  Our guide to the Bolaven plateau.  Despite my hangover from excessive partying with the Fandees and friends, we had a fabulous time on the plateau.  Two days on a Honda Wave motorbike was tough on the bum, but it was a great experience!  Where you head off to after the Bolaven Plateau is likely to either be Si Phan Don – find out how to get there from Pakse here , or perhaps Vientiane and we’ve got all the details of the Pakse Vientiane route here.

We receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using our affiliate links. We do not represent World Nomads. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

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One thought on “ How to Visit the Bolaven Plateau Laos – Itineraries & Routes ”

• 1 comment

It seems that you really enjoy your trip in Laos. I also love the tranquil ambiance and fresh atmosphere in this country OMG, the wooden house is so scary and it looks like a load snakes which are crawling into the house. Anyways, thanks for your sharing.

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Things to do in Tennessee’s Cumberland Plateau

Tennessee’s South Cumberland Plateau surprises visitors with its scenic beauty, architecture, food and more.

Running diagonally across Tennessee, just east of Nashville and immediately west of the major Appalachian spine, the Cumberland Plateau is a comparatively shorter range - it rises roughly 1,000 feet above the surrounding countryside, as opposed to 4,000-6,000 feet, more common in the Great Smoky Mountains and the Blue Ridge - but no less beautiful. This plateau range consists of gorges, waterfalls, arches, sandstone outcroppings, natural bridges, and deep cut valleys, many of which are called gulfs and/or coves and contains much of the eastern U.S.’s forestland, filled with pines, hickory and oak trees. Crisscrossing the southern portion of this landscape are many preserved natural areas, the most notable of which are part of the South Cumberland State Park system.

Monteagle , perched on the ledge of the Cumberland Plateau, is your gateway to the entire southern plateau region. And amazingly, all of this is located within a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Atlanta, Nashville , Birmingham, Chattanooga and Knoxville .

Mountain Goat Market

The funky artistic renditions of goats participating in various forms of goat merriment that adorn the building’s exterior will be what draws you in to the Mountain Goat Market first. But it’s the food that’ll keep you coming back. They’ve got breakfast, an espresso bar, artisanal sandwiches, desserts and even awesome pizzas. And all around the store are eclectic finds of all kinds that you’ll want to bring home. When you roll into Monteagle - your best jump-off point for all the South Cumberland Plateau has to offer - snag your breakfast and coffee here. You’ll be fueled up and ready to kick the exploration into overdrive. 

Sewanee - University of the South

Stepping onto the 13,00-acre grounds of Sewanee really is like a walk through another time and place. This liberal arts college was founded before the Civil War by delegates from 10 dioceses of the Episcopal Church and while it retains a world-renowned School of Theology to this day, it is also well known for the School of Letters where students study creative writing and American literature. The handsome stone architecture (particularly the All Saints’ Chapel) and the Memorial Cross have become iconic photo spots. And conveniently to visitors, the on-campus Sewanee Inn may be the region’s best lodging option.

Dutch Maid Bakery & Cafe

The Dutch Maid Bakery & Cafe has a history as rich as its baked goods. First opened in 1902 by a couple of Swiss immigrants, it is Tennessee’s oldest family-owned bakery. Many of the tools of the baker’s trade - mixers, ovens - are original to the bakery’s early days, a nod to its heritage from the bakery’s new owner. Pastries, breads, eclairs, fritters and all else behind Dutch Maid’s glass counters are each made from scratch, on site and by hand. And the adjoining cafe’s soup, sandwich and salad offerings make this a perfect refueling stop after a trip hiking or climbing in the South Cumberland State Park.

Foster Falls + Denny Cove

Speaking of South Cumberland State Park - this 30,845-acre is really nine individual areas of preserved wilderness that constitute one of Tennessee’s greatest and most underutilized natural resources. The notorious Fiery Gizzard Trail is a 13-mile, one-way trail that Backpacker Magazine has listed as one of its favorite hikes in the US. Stone Door is a geological wonder that cannot be properly contended into words and featured in a photograph. And opportunities for rock climbing abound. At Foster Falls and Denny Cove are world-class sports climbing spots that range in grade across nearly 250 routes. These challenging sandstone bluffs attract climbers from all over North America, and for this reason, Tennessee State Parks requires all climbers to obtain a permit , which are available online or by calling the park office itself.

The Caverns

The Caverns , an underground music pavilion created by water over eons, is the new home of Bluegrass Underground, a nationally-syndicated, PBS television series featuring roots, country, bluegrass and folk artists from all over the world. Even when the series isn’t being filmed, a regular series of concerts are held. Attending a concert at the Caverns is an unforgettable experience, and the perfect way to end your visit to the South Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee.  

Unique structures both natural and man-made, homemade dishes and desserts, history and music are just waiting to be discovered in Tennessee’s South Cumberland Plateau.

Places in this article

South Cumberland State Park

South Cumberland State Park is located within four different Tennessee counties: Grundy, Franklin, Marion and Sequatchie. The park is composed of approximately 30,845 acres in nine separate areas and boasts some of the best hiking and backcountry camping

Bluegrass Underground

Bluegrass Underground is a PBS series that is taped live in The Caverns in Pelham, TN

Dutch Maid Bakery & Cafe in Tracy City. Near waterfalls and trails of South Cumberland State Park

University of the South

Rich in tradition and distinguished for its literary associations, collaborative scholarly community and academic success, the University of the South also inspires through its spectacular natural setting.

The Sewanee Inn

Southern hospitality meets Gothic Charm at The Sewanee Inn

Foster Falls Recreation Area

Experience and enjoy one of the most scenic, wildest areas in Tennessee with a visit to the Foster Falls Area, South Cumberland State Park.

Hancock County: Tennessee Legends, Waterfalls and Local Hotspots

The King of Bluegrass, waterfalls and lore can be found in the rolling hill country of Hancock County.

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Chattanooga is filled with Tennessee experiences. Just ask lifestyle blogger, Anna Liesemeyer of In Honor of Design, who recently took her family to experience them.

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Cookeville-Putnam County Visitors Bureau

Your Middle Tennessee Adventure Starts Here.

Whitewater Rafting on the Ocoee River

Offering three different trips down the Ocoee

The Inn at Apple Valley

Southern Charm in the Smokies, 1-800-233-3443

Discovery Park of America

Visit Discovery Park of America this spring.

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Paria Outpost & Outfitters

Your guides to the grand staircase-escalante & vermilion cliffs national monuments, coyote buttes, and white pockets.

• ABOUT PARIA OUTPOST
• THE WAVE – NORTH COYOTE BUTTES
• SOUTH COYOTE BUTTES

WHITE POCKET

Yellow rock, sidestep canyon, vermilion cliffs, grand staircase.

• OVERNIGHT TOURS
• PHOTO WORKSHOPS
• SOAP CREEK PHOTO GALLERY
• THE WAVE – NORTH COYOTE BUTTES PHOTO GALLERY
• SOUTH COYOTE BUTTES PHOTO GALLERY
• WHITE POCKET PHOTO GALLERY
• YELLOW ROCK PHOTO GALLERY
• SIDESTEP CANYON PHOTO GALLERY

VERMILION CLIFFS PHOTO GALLERY

• GRAND STAIRCASE PHOTO GALLERY
• PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS GALLERY

GET GREAT PHOTOS! GET AWAY FROM THE CROWDS!  SEE UNSPOILED NATURAL BEAUTY!

During the pioneer days they called it the “Sand Hills” because of the deep sand that covers the top of this 500 square mile plateau. The escarpment is surrounded by towering 2500 foot cliffs that line the Colorado River’s Marble Canyon , the magnificent Paria Canyon , and the deep and narrow slot canyon, the Buckskin Gulch .

Later they called it the Paria Plateau , and since 2000 it is now named the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument .

But if they had named it “A High Desert Wonderland of fantastically colorful shapes, formations and hoodos” , well, that is exactly what it is.

Legendary locations include the North Coyote Buttes , home of “The Wave” , the less famous but equally beautiful South Coyote Buttes , and the increasingly famous “White Pocket” .

But there are more photogenic treasures, largely unvisited, that decorate the Plateau, the majority of which remain largely unvisited to this day.

We can take you on an extensive scenic drive in our Suburban to show you some great photogenic spots, such as formation-rich Pinnacle Valley , the orange and white brainrocks of the Middle Reservoir , the extremely photogenic Double Barrel Arch , the huge area of linear white Brainrocks of Joe’s Ranch and the majestic, intriguing colors of Soap Creek , as well as Anasazi Petroglyphs and habitation sites. Because of our proximity to the Vermilion Cliffs , we are the only company who offers this tour.

We can customize this tour to fit your interests and hiking abilities.

If you’re looking for extremely photogenic examples of colorful and unusual landscapes and geologic formations in a remote, unvisited wilderness you will enjoy this day. It is a chance to experience natural beauty in the solitude it merits.

Our guides will share their knowledge of the plateau helping you concentrate on the best of the area.

$200 + TAX per person ($220 TOTAL)

To book a guided photography, scenic, adventure, or hiking tour, photography workshop, overnight camp out, or make a reservation, please call or email us directly so that we can discuss your personal itinerary, in order to customize to your emphasis, interests and ability.

Call us at  (928) 691-1047 or email [email protected]

IMPORTANT RESERVATIONS MUST CHECK IN WITH US 24-HOURS BEFORE THE DATE OF THE TOUR.

MEMORY MAKING MOMENTS

Tour details.

• A one hour drive to reach the Vermilion Cliffs from our location. Once on the plateau a spectacular drive that reveals the remoteness and beauty of the Vermilion Cliffs.
• We customize this tour to your interest and hiking ability. There is way more to see up here than you can see in a day, or even a lifetime, so we’ll talk to you first and plan from there.
• We can balance the hiking and driving times for your preference.
• All daytime and sunset tours are at least 8-9 hours.
• We bring lunch, water and cold drinks.
• Campouts and photo workshops are 24 hours.
• Available all year dependent upon weather and especially road conditions.
• No permit needed
• Price (same for all tours)
• Departure Times: Though somewhat flexible, departure times vary with the weather and the length of the day through the year. In spring we generally depart at 8 a.m., but when it gets really hot we recommend leaving by at least 7 a.m. or even earlier.
• Meeting Point: All our tours depart from the Paria Outpost , which is located directly on Highway 89 at mile 21 in Utah. GPS COORDINATES : 37.1075° N, 111.9109° W
• We are a thirty minute drive from Page, Arizona and a ten minute drive from Big Water, Utah. We are forty-five minutes from Kanab, Utah, and aa little over two hours from Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. We are located right on the highway and have a big sign out front.
• What to bring: You bring a backpack to carry lunch and water, sunscreen, and your camera.

Where do the tours start? All tours start at the Paria Outpost on Highway 89 and Paria River , thirty minutes from Page, Arizona and forty five minutes from Kanab, Utah.

What should I bring? Enclosed hiking shoes, sunscreen, hat, backpack. Hiking poles if you use them. Lunch, water, and cold drinks are included.

Do I need a permit? Only in the Coyote Buttes, nowhere else is a permitted area.

How many in group size? Group size maximum is 5 clients per guide , with 10 clients and 2 guides max. We reserve the right to fill groups. If guests want “private tour” (a car and guide to themselves) they must pay for 4 seats 175×4=$700  in the car. We also have a 2 person minimum price, so if solo, cost is $350 minimum.

What time do we start? Starting times are somewhat flexible according to the heat factor as well as your preference. We can discuss this when you write or call to check in twenty-four hours or so before the tour.

Are we located in Big Water? Our mailing address is in Big Water but our business is located ten minutes or so farther down the highway toward Kanab, Utah, just across the Paria River,

How do I pay? Though we don’t take money upfront for reservations, we do not accept credit cards. We always accept cash and personal checks are fine, if from America.

In an effort to be as user-friendly as possible we do not take money up front for reservations. We put your name on our calendar and count on you to show up. Weather can be unpredictable and other factors can change your itinerary and we do not want your money, if we cannot do your tour.

TESTIMONIALS

BREATHTAKING VIEWS, ENTHUSIASTIC GUIDES!! We have taken full day excursions with Paria Outfitters for the past two years. All of the guides are long term residents with great knowledge of local history as well as the geology and natural history of the area. They have explored so much of the plateau that they can take visitors places the other outfits haven’t yet discovered. The rock formations are spectacular in shape and color, the likes of which we have seen nowhere else. Also, the guides are so enthusiastic they add excitement to the trip. We have been out with Steve, the owner, who as been in the area more than 20 years and Dallas who was born and raised in the Grand Staircase area. They are constantly exploring the area for new sites and have such a good time you can’t help having one.

LOS ANGELES, CA

LOOKING FOR MORE ADVENTURE? HAVE ANOTHER DAY TO SPEND WITH US?

Let us take you through the heart of the VERMILION CLIFFS out to the colorful, extremely photogenic formations of the remote, largely unvisited Soap Creek. A really great tour.

Take another day to visit the increasingly famous WHITE POCKET , an other-worldly formation of brain rocks and colors. World Class and World-Famous photography. Easy hiking. images.

If you’re a good hiker hike the three miles or so to see largely unvisited SIDESTEP CANYON , a giant green-colored valley full of literally hundreds of balanced rocks, from 3 feet tall to 150 feet tall. Great for viewing a spectacular example of unique geology and excellent photographic opportunities.

Again, if you are a good hiker, make the short but somewhat steep climb up to YELLOW ROCK , for lovely, stunning colors and great views of the Cockscomb area.mages.

NORTH COYOTE BUTTES & SOUTH COYOTE BUTTES

The famous NORTH COYOTE BUTTES or SOUTH COYOTE BUTTES . IF you can be in Kanab, Utah at 9 a.m., try the North Coyote Buttes  Wave Lottery at the Kanab BLM visitor Center on Highway 89, or be there at 10 a.m. to try for a permit to the South Coyote Buttes, which, though less known, is easily as good or perhaps even better than the famous “Wave” that everyone wants. It’s easier to get this permit as well. However, only ten permits are available for each area per day at the Visitor Center. Permits are issued for the next day.

If you don’t want to hike much we can take you on a mostly DRIVING TOUR OF THE GRAND STAIRCASE , the COTTONWOOD CANYON ROAD and the SMOKEY MOUNTAIN ROAD are unbelievably eye-catching and photogenic, with lots of short stops and short hikes.mages.

FREE CAMPING AND RV PARKING FOR OUR CLIENTS AT PARIA OUTPOST. GREAT PORCH & RESTROOMS.

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Giza Guided Tours

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A Walking Tour of the Giza Plateau

Khafre Pyramid

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Geologic Tour of the Colorado Plateau

We are a research and service division of:

Tour site types: • State Parks  • Federal Parks  • Other Features (Click map to hide/show the physiographic province overlay.)

Brief Description

The Colorado Plateau in the northwestern corner of New Mexico is part of a larger geologic feature of the same name that also covers portions of northeastern Arizona, southeastern Utah, and southwestern Colorado (Figure 2). The Colorado Plateau of the Four Corners region is on average 2.1 km (1.3 miles) above sea level. The Colorado Plateau is characterized by relatively flat-lying, red, white, gray, green, and yellow sedimentary rocks that have been sculpted into mesas, buttes, and badlands over the eons by the erosive effects of water (Figures 3 and 4).

The Colorado Plateau in New Mexico includes the San Juan Basin, a major source of oil , gas , coal , and uranium for our state. The northwest-trending Zuni Mountains form the southwestern margin of the San Juan Basin. Both the San Juan Basin and the Zuni Mountains are broad downwarps and upwarps that formed during regional-scale compression about 75 million years ago during the Laramide orogeny (e.g., Cather, 2004). The southeast margin of the Colorado Plateau is covered by <5 million year-old volcanic rocks that erupted along the Jemez lineament, a northeast-trending zone of weakness that likely developed about 1.6 billion years ago as the North American continent was forming.

• Cather, S.M., 2004, The Laramide orogeny in central and northern New Mexico and southern Colorado, in Mack, G.H., and Giles, K.A., eds., The Geology of New Mexico, A Geologic History: New Mexico Geological Society Special Publication 11, p. 203-248.

(435) 644-5506

Paria Canyon Wilderness / Vermilion Cliffs National Monument Tours

Even though the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument is seldom visited, the breathtaking landscape here rivals any national park in the U.S. Part of the monument falls in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, where you’ll find the exclusive Wave hike, the delicate and colorful sandstone formations of South Coyote Buttes and Buckskin Gulch, which is believed to be the world’s longest slot canyon. White Pocket is an otherworldly destination entirely. If you’re seeking solitude, indescribable beauty, a protected and wild landscape unscathed, you’ve come to the right place. We know the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument like few do and we can’t wait to share it with you.

The Wave Tour

The Wave w/ Wire Pass Slot Canyon Tour

White Pocket Tour

South Coyote Buttes Tour

Amazing Sandstone Teepees Tour

The Vermilion Cliffs National Monument is found just south of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in northernmost Arizona between Kanab, Utah and Page, Arizona. The monument is named for the spectacular 3,000-foot red cliffs that border the Paria Plateau.

Other than Jacob Lake Inn or Cliff Dwellers Lodge, the closest hotel rooms, restaurants and amenities are found in Kanab, Utah or Page, Arizona.

Most visitors to the area view the Vermilion Cliffs while traveling between Jacob Lake and Page on Highway 89A. It’s arguable one of the most scenic drives in the country. But, to truly appreciate the treasures of this remote space takes more effort and planning than a simple highway drive.

The main access point for most of the recreational opportunities in the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument is House Rock Valley Road, which is a 30-mile through road that runs north to south, connecting Highway 89 to Highway 89A. House Rock Valley Road is made up of gravel in some spots and clay in others. It’s often passable in a two-wheel drive car with good ground clearance, but when it’s wet, a beefy 4X4 with off road tires and clearance is needed, if the road is passable at all. Along House Rock Valley Road is a California Condor release site, the West Bench Pueblo, Maze Rock Art site, Wire Pass slot canyon trailhead, Buckskin Gulch trailhead and side roads that lead to the top of the Paria Plateau.

The elevation in Vermilion Cliffs National Monument ranges from 3,100 feet to 6,500 feet above sea level. On top of the Paria Plateau, the most commonly visited spots are White Pocket and South Coyote Buttes (which requires a day use permit). But many miles of deep, sandy “roads” on the plateau lead to unnamed rock formations, native American sites and remote camping opportunities.

The Wave in North Coyote Buttes is by far the most famous feature of Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. Wind, water and time sculpted this well-recognized formation out of Navajo Sandstone in the North Coyote Buttes where only 20 people per day may enter. The nearby South Coyote Buttes offers hiking and photography on the same rock formation that the Wave originated from. Our company offers tours to both the Cottonwood Cove and Paw Hole trail heads of South Coyote Buttes.

The Coyote Buttes are part of the 112,500-acre Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness that was designated by the U.S. Congress in 1984. Government rules in a wilderness area are strict in order to keep the land in a natural, pristine state. Human activities in wilderness areas are restricted to scientific study and non-mechanized recreation. Drones are not allowed. That’s why in North and South Coyote Buttes, entry is limited to only 20 people per day by special permit to reduce impact on the delicate landscape. Other highly-sought destinations within Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness are Buckskin Gulch and Paria Canyon. Dreamland Safari Tours does not offer tours to those slot canyons.

Vermilion Cliffs National Monument was designated by President Bill Clinton on Nov. 9, 2000 and is comprised of land that was previously managed by the federal government. Vermilion Cliffs National Monument is overseen by the Bureau of Land Management under the U.S. Department of the Interior. This is the same federal department that is in charge of the National Park Service. The land is managed from the BLM Arizona Strip Field Office in St. George, Utah, though permits for the Coyote Buttes areas and Paria Canyon are issued at the BLM Visitor Center in Kanab, Utah. The BLM Arizona Strip Field Office manages nearly 2 million acres in northwestern Arizona. Because the Grand Canyon isolates the Arizona Strip from the rest of Arizona, this region constitutes the most remote and rugged public land in the lower 48 states.

Dreamland Women's Adventure Award Application / Nomination

Know a woman who could use a fresh-air getaway to Southern Utah at close to no cost? Nominate her (or yourself!) today. You are welcome to nominate more than one individual by submitting multiple nomination forms. The Women's Adventure Award weekend takes place from March 1-3 2024 and includes a full-day hiking adventure with Dreamland Safari Tours, two nights of lodging, meals, and more. Adventure Award recipients are responsible for their own travel to/from Kanab and need to plan to arrive in Kanab by 4pm on the afternoon of Friday March 1.

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• Tell us about your nominee. * Why should she (you?) receive the Dreamland Women's Adventure Award?
• The IWD Adventure Award intends to recognize women who are advocates for female participation and leadership in their community, and inspire others * What example of leadership accomplishments, community involvement, or impactful projects can you share with us that will give us a better understanding of how your nominee contributes to her community?
• Optional: What impact has the nominee had on your life? If you have a personal story to share, don't hold back. If you are nominating yourself, you don't need to answer this question (unless you really want to!).

The Fine Print

• Your nominee is in good physical condition and able to hike 5+ miles in a day.
• Your nominee would enjoy a desert adventure hike among a small group of like-minded women.
• Your nominee is in a position to travel to Utah and spend Friday March 1 - Sunday March 3 2024 in Kanab (must arrive by 4pm on Friday)

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• Maharashtra

Kaas Plateau and Panchgani 2 Day Sightseeing Tour from Mumbai

Trip Overview

Take a tour of the 'Valley of Flowers' in Maharastra and explore the scenic beauty of this mesmerizing place and also on the way briefly explore Panchgani.  Avail 700 kilometres of usage of a private car. 

• A tour of the 'Valley of Flowers' nestled in the Sahyadri range.
• Kaas Plateau is a  UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.
• A brief tour of Panchgani on the way to Kaas Plateau.
• Service of a professional driver and a well-maintained car. 
• Complimentary water bottles and newspapers.

Detailed overview

Kaas Plateau is a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in the Sahyadri range of Maharashtra. Kaas Plateau has volcanic soil and this aids in the growth of endemic flowers. The flowering season starts from July and undergoes serene changes till October. Only 4000 visitors are allowed per day in Kaas plateau, t here are 4 batches of 3 hours each starting from 7 in the morning until 7 in the evening.

Panchgani is a hill station in the Satara district of Maharastra. This gem of a hill station was established by a British officer as a summer resort. He is credited for planting many plant species from the western world in Panchgani, including Siver oak and poinsettia, these plants have flourished since then. 

Day 1: Mumbai - Panchgani - Panchgani

• Your tour begins with a pick up from your hotel/residence in Mumbai city limits.
• Post pick up you will be driven to Panchgani which is about 250 kilometres from Mumbai and would take you 5 hours to reach, we suggest to leave early in the morning so that few scenic spots in Panchgani can be covered.
• After your arrival in Panchgani, you may check-in to your hotel in Panchgani and proceed with the local sightseeing.
• You may choose to visit the following suggested places in Panchgani:
• Table Land: A perfect place to watch the sun goes down, it offers the visitors a panoramic view of the underlying areas.
• Parsi Point:  Popular scenic point with views of the Krishna Valley & Dhom Dam, plus a play area & food vendors.
• Sydney Point:  Scenic hilltop overlooks offering expansive views of the Krishna Valley & the surrounding waters.
• Kates Point:  Plateau on a mountain offering an observation terrace for sweeping valley & river views, plus cafes.
• At the end of the day's tour, you will be dropped back at your hotel in Panchgani.

Day 2: Panchgani - Kaas Plateau - Mumbai

• The second day will begin with a morning pick-up, post which you will be driven to Kaas Plateau.
• Your drive will be for two hours and you will be covering about 70 kilometres.
• Upon your arrival, you may hire a guide to identify the flowers in this serene valley and buy your tickets and select the batch you want to be a part of.
• The batch segregation is done based on the time you want to take a tour of the 'Valley of Flowers'.
• On this tour, while you explore the valley, you will be witnessing the varieties flowers, Vajrai Waterfall, Kaas Lake and many more scenic jewels of this volcanic land.
• After the completion of the tour, you will be dropped back at your hotel/residence in Mumbai city limits.

Basic Details

• Hotel pickup and drop (within city limits).
• Charges for the private air-conditioned cab.
• The driver and fuel charges.
• Usage of the vehicle for  700  kilometres as per itinerary.
• Airport Pick-up or Drop.
• All parking & toll charges.
• Guide charges (Kaas Plateau).
• Camera fees (Kaas Plateau).
• Entrance charges.
• Any meal or beverage.
• Anything else not specified in the inclusions above.

Why book with TRODLY

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• Free Cancellation on Most Trips
• No Convinience or Booking fees.
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Important Information

• This is a custom tour you may choose to skip or add places in Panchgani, however, the overall itinerary remains the same.
• Sedans (4-seater) models provided are Suzuki Dzire, Toyota Etios or similar.
• SUV (6-seater) models provided are Toyota Innova, Mahindra Xylo, Suzuki Ertiga or similar.
• Night charge of Rs. 300 is applicable if the cab service is used between 10:00 pm to 6:00 am.
• The tour has a kilometre limit of 700 kilometres.
• For Sedan (4-seater) - Rs. 12 per km (additional kilometer charge)
• For SUV (6-seater) - Rs. 15 per km (additional kilometer charge)
• Any extra applicable charges to be directly payable to driver in cash.
• This is not a guided tour.

Cancellation Policy

• Full refund if cancelled before* 3 days
• No refund after that

*Advance payment is non-refundable

Meet-up Information/Reporting Point

• Hotel/residence pick-up and drop (within city limits)
• The driver will pick you up directly from your hotel or specified pick up point. Please enter the full pick up address at the checkout page
• The driver and cab details will be shared with you 2 to 4 hours prior to the tour start time

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Need any help for your trip? Feel free to write to us at [email protected] or call us on +91-080-47096693

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Plateau Tours & Adventures

Who We Are?

Over the years working in travel industry before we established, we were often asked by our clients to come up with their dreamed trips to China, committed to taking care of all travel desires, to showing them staggering landscape and brilliant culture, to introducing them the fascinating people, and to sharing both passions and love for a spiritual journey. All of these brought us a deep sense of fulfillment that evokes Plateau Tours & Adventures a start from there since 2005, while ‘Travel with Your Dream’ becomes the company motto and our firmly creed, as well as the concept of travel that we truly appreciate and all time uphold. Gathering a small group of expertise in the travel industry with the same travel ethos and our wealth local knowledge, we therefore are dedicated to create bespoke trips with the different experience for every heart of journeys, from country’s iconic site in a unique way to a remote untouched landscape, from a comfortable sightseeing tour to an intrepid adventure challenge, and our aim is to keep it that way.

Our company name of Plateau means our tours are mainly available through Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, two of the three China’s largest highlands. Our exclusive travel knowledge is first started from the years’ experiences that we organize and operate travel groups across the Tibetan highland, include Tibet TAR, Kham and Amdo Tibetan regions, bringing the most intrigued journeys to a land of mystery and fantasy, some are rarely penetrated by westerners. As we has been a sustainable and enthusiastic travel organizer team, we expanded our tourism regions to we loved Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, where is Yunnan and Guizhou provinces located, diffused by a minority-rich presence. Long term local based among two plateaus with our team and joint expertise, our excellent relationships with local concerned government, hotels and other suppliers ensure that you will have an exquisite tour design, the perfect destination combination and an entirely smooth trip; you will get all of adventure travel without any of the hassle; you can relax knowing that you are in really good and safe hands.

As a young and innovative tour company, Plateau Tours & Adventures has no grand ambitions to expand huge business enterprises. In fact, we are proud to be here, to listen to your wishes and responsible for creating journeys that match personal interests attention to details. With the passion we have for what we do, we are very happy we could concentrate on the locations we know and love, also it is a way that we give back to the places we love by bringing in spirit of you to these amazing places. With this ethos, we offer tours and adventure trips focusing on China’s two great plateaus, that is the region of China’s Southwest, the remote China at its most diverse and exotic. At this lush and invigorating land, everything you expect a China trip to be is here: there’s history, yummy food, awe-inspiring landscapes, off-the-beaten track getaways, modern cityscapes, a rich and abundant ethnic backdrop, and the irresistible allure of the immense outdoors.

Constantly improving the way we do things, responding to changes and adding new ideas, our tours and adventures are designed in principle with the local people, culture and eco-system in mind. We believe that is the real experiences of a travelling, the true travelling! By staying true to our roots in the Southwest China, we are delightful provide you passionate and knowledgeable guides with our distinctive and original trips that allow our clients to take a journey inside-track of the region, and into those special and secret places we all love to discover, experience of cultures, cuisines, history, people, natural beauty and change.

What Makes Us Different?

We’re pioneers and specialists in creating original itineraries and wide range of adventure tours in Western China including Tibet. Before we established, one of our expert worked in the press as a tourism editor, and rest of our joint experts have been working in the travel industry for years, a superior expert even works as a travel advisor since 1979 that time China is still not fully open to the outside world. At 80 years age, the expert is still sharing his passion and travel experience with us. With extensive knowledge and experienced professions, our team has the prescient and unique insight for the travel scope, and this is our bedrock to know what and how to do the unparalled tours, to meet the challenges of the new age travel, and cultivated enough to gratify all savvy travelers. These are the reason we start the customized tours at the earliest and gains lots of ‘firsts’ in travel fields.

A few our ‘firsts’ that our experts and team have pioneered include:

• The First Sichuan - Tibet overland trip with group from Germany
• The First foreign expedition & scientific research to Namche Barwa Grand Canyon with group from United States
• The First Euro - Asian Continent Overland caravan group from Netherlands
• The First Birdwatching tour group from Great Britain
• The First Kham Tibetan area travel group from France
• The First Yunnan, Sichuan and Tibet overland group from France
• The First Tibet Mt. Kailash travel group with the 23 countries travellers

As the seasonal travellers of ourselves, we know how to travel and deeply realized that an unforgettable trip is not determined by which destination you travel to but the way you travel that makes the difference. We believe that a successful trip not only delivers an unsurpassable journey for travellers, but that it also about the truly experience to get you behind the scenes of a destination, with its places, people and authentic local lives, either for a tour or an adventure. We’re therefore excited to offer you types of tours to experience differently that are for the soul of journeys.

Destinations

• Tibet Tours
• Yunnan Tours
• Sichuan & Kham Tours
• Qinghai & Amdo Tours
• Guizhou Tours
• Trans China Tours

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