Laven tribe – Largely populated by the Laven tribe, who are thought to number about 30,000, the Bolaven Plateau is dotted with numerous small villages. Traditional houses are suspended on stilts and built with bamboo walls and roofs made from dried grass or leaves, although more modern ones may have tin roofs.

A plateau's cascades – At 120 meters, Tad Fane waterfall (right) is one of the highest in Laos, dropping over a cliff at the plateau's edge. The smaller but arguably more picturesque Tad Yuang (left) is easier to reach, with nearby restaurants and a picnic area.

Coffee cradle – The Bolaven Plateau is the heart of Laos' coffee industry, producing the lion's share of the national crop, most of which is exported. Coffee is one of the country's most important revenue sources. According to the Lao Coffee Association, exports of 30,000 tons generated about $72 million for the country in 2013.

"Home of the Laven" – Many workers on the Bolaven coffee plantations are members of the Laven tribe. It was the Laven people, whose ancestors were part of the great Khmer empire that flourished from the ninth to the thirteenth centuries, who gave the Bolaven its name -- which means "home of the Laven" in Lao.

Other yields – The plateau's climate and fertile soil means agriculture is the main industry here, followed by a burgeoning eco-tourism sector. Besides coffee, local crops include tea, rubber, pineapples and bananas. Roadside markets generally offer a wide selection of fruits.

Katu weavers – Located on the road from Pakse to Tad Lo waterfall, the small village of Ban Houay Houn is home to around 100 Katu families, many of whom are weavers. Katu textiles often feature motifs created by weaving beads into the fabric. They're typically hand-made with back strap looms operated by a female weaver sitting on the floor.

The cooperative – Coffee plantations on the Bolaven Plateau range from garden-sized plots to huge commercial ventures. Founded in 2001, the Jhai Coffee Farmers' Cooperative helps protect small growers' rights and increase individual incomes. It's currently the only organization owned by farmers in Laos. It also offers tours that allow tourists to experience every stage of the coffee production process.

Caffeine kick – Today, Laos produces between 20,000 to 25,000 tons of coffee per year, of which just under half is Arabica, and the rest Robusta. While Robusta is easier to grow, Arabica beans yield better-tasting coffee. Arabica is generally used for espresso and quality coffee blends, and Robusta for instant coffee as well as the typical Lao coffee made with sweet condensed milk. It's certainly an acquired taste, but for many, it makes the perfect complement to an early-morning Laotian baguette.

The gateway – The small city of Pakse lies on the Mekong River in southern Laos. As the gateway to the Bolaven Plateau, it has a wide range of accommodation. One of Pakse's most important Buddhist temples, Wat Luang, stands beside the Sedone River, just before it merges with the Mekong. It hosts a monastic school and features some of the most intricate interiors in southern Laos.

Hitting the road – In the past, many travelers in Laos would skip the Bolaven Plateau en route to the Si Phan Don region and Cambodia to the south, or Vientiane to the north. Today, a growing number are choosing to explore the region's awe-inspiring scenery, fascinating culture and great coffee.