Itinerary

DAY 01

PAKSE - BOLAVEN PLATEAU

Upon arrival, driving to the Bolaven Plateau, the renowned coffee of Laos is produced in this region. During colonization, the French promoted the production of high quality Arabica and Robusta strains.

Production declined during the war years, but is now experiencing a renaissance.

The climate of the plateau with its cooler temperatures and abundant rainfall makes it the perfect place for coffee production.
A chance to visit some coffee and tea plantations and taste the unique flavor of Lao coffee.

This area is rich in ethnic groups, predominantly Laven.

Enroute the road between Pakse and Paksong on the western edge of the plateau, visit Tad E-Tu Waterfall. Continue to Tad Fane Waterfall, the highest in Champasak Province, and the nearby Tad Yuang Waterfall.
Overnight in Paksong (L)

DAY 02

CHAMPASAK - VAT PHOU - DONE KHONG

After breakfast, drive from Paksong down into the Mekong plain and visit the town of Champasak, where we’ll explore the French colonial architecture dotting the town. Further South, we reach the ruined Khmer temple complex of Vat Phou and continue to Done Khong.

VAT PHOU

Vat Phou is considered one of the oldest archaeological sites in Laos. One temple on the site was constructed around the 5th century but most buildings found in the complex are from the 11th to 13th centuries.

Like other notable Khmer architecture in Southeast Asia, it was constructed using sandstone, laterite and bricks.

Among many of the outstanding carvings there are Indra, the Hindu god of war, storms, and rainfall, riding a three-headed elephant and Vishnu riding on a garuda, an eagle
Overnight on Done Khong (B/L)

DAY 03

4000 ISLANDS - DONE KHONE

Explore the area of ‘​​Si Pan Don’ (4000 Islands) by boat.

The pace of life is slow in the rural area where local people live in small wooden houses on stilts and where cows, goats, pigs and other animals roam around freely.

SI PHAN DONE

Meaning ‘Four Thousand Islands' , Si Phan Don is a group of islands in the Mekong river in the South of Laos. The area’s main attractions are its rural character, tranquility and the Khone Phapheng Waterfall.

DONE KHONE, DONE DET & DONE KHONG

The most visited islands are Don Khone, Don Det and Don Khong, which is the largest island.

Don Det is a small island that offers the most choice of accommodation.

The island attracts a large number of backpackers. The larger Don Khone Island, which is just one kilometer from the Cambodian border, is less developed than Don Det.

The island is connected with Don Det with a bridge built by the French during the colonial era.

During the rainy season it is up to 12 km wide.

When the water goes back, there are many small islands. It is this phenomenon that gave the region its name.

Overnight on Done Khone (B/L)

DAY 04

DON KHONE - KHON PHAPHENG FALLS - CHAMPASAK

Return to the mainland and visit the legendary Khone Phapheng Cascade Falls.

TAD KHONE PHAPHENG WATERFALL

A series of cascading waterfalls in the Mekong river is one of Laos’ most beautiful natural attractions.

The impressive falls in Champasak province near the Cambodian border are the largest in volume in Southeast Asia.
The falls, also known as Khone Phapheng, are located in the 4000 Islands.

At this point the Mekong river broadens out; during the rainy season the river and series of cascades is kilometers wide and extend over a length of almost 10 km downstream.
Continue to the north again to Champasak where you stay for your last night in southern Laos.
Overnight in Champasak (B/L)

DAY 05

CHAMPASAK - PAKSE

Free time in the morning; then transfer to Pakse.
Transfer to the airport for departure flight. (B)