Whether you want to spend an active holiday in Laos or are in search of nature-bound adventures in the countryside, no destination fits the bill quite like Luang Prabang. As a leafy oasis, the waterfall-laden landscapes of Luang Prabang may be just what you're looking for. Although there are a great many natural wonders and wildernesses to uncover in this corner of Laos, here's why the area's waterfalls should be the prime focus of those with a taste for adventure.

Image via Avani Luang Prabang

As a cascade that can only be described as an abandoned natural wonder, Tad Thong Waterfall is everything Kuang Si Waterfall is not. While the area is not part of a well-curated national park listed in most travel itineraries, the area is a haven for daring travellers hoping to uncover Luang Prabang's obscure natural highlights and activity options. Only accessible via mountain bike and motorbike, the dirt tracks that end at the base of Tad Thong Waterfall are a thrill seeker's dream come true. Uneven and dangerous on occasion, the trail is easy to follow at any hour of the day. Virtually ignored by the travelling masses, this concealed playground full of broken bridges and fallen trees is a destination thrill seekers can't miss. The best time to visit Tad Thong Waterfall is during the wet season from May to October when the water gushes down in all its frothy glory.

Occupying pride of place in Chompet, Luang Prabang, Hoi Khua Waterfall is another off-the-beaten-track destination adventurous visitors must discover. Plummeting down a distance of 100m, the Hoi Khua Waterfall is especially captivating during the rainy months of the year. Contained in a lush forest, the tranquil atmosphere around the waterfall is what makes its dramatic descent over a cliff's face all the more impressive. Locals who stop by the waterfall are happy to enjoy a quiet picnic or a leisurely swim at its base while tourists will find the hike up to the cascade a challenging and invigorating trek. Steeped in local legend, it is believed that a group of villagers hid behind the waterfall to avoid being captured by soldiers. The waterfall's proximity to Green Jungle Park nearby also makes it a great stopover for travellers on the lookout for more conventional holiday facilities in which to relax after working up a sweat.

If you're in search of truly out-of-the-way waterfalls in Luang Prabang, there's the off-shore gem that is the Tat Sea Waterfalls. Situated no more than 16km away from southeastern Luang Prabang, Tat Sae Waterfall can only be reached via a rental boat or by enlisting the services of a local tour operator. As a series of cascades that also include shallow pools ideal for swimming activities, reaching Tat Sae Waterfalls involves biking to Bak En town reaching its river bank and boarding a boat bound for the waterfalls. Trekking tours inside the forest are accessible to travellers based at Avani Luang Prabang and other hotels as it is among the best things to do in Luang Prabang for hikers. Welcoming visitors between 8 am and 5.30 pm daily, the best time to go for a hike or a swim at the base of the waterfalls is during the late morning period. Tourists should refrain from engaging in elephant treks organized by the elephant sanctuary near the waterfall as it is not entirely an eco-friendly operation.

There are plenty of other activities you can enjoy apart from swimming, picnicking and signing up for hiking excursions around these secret waterfalls. Due to their hidden locations inside dense jungles, there are also opportunities to spot local wildlife and exotic species such as sun bears during a hiking expedition. Photography enthusiasts will also find their fair share of awe-inspiring shooting locations around the waterfalls and the jungles where they are situated.