Treasures of Southern Laos

📍 Pakse – Bolaven Plateau (38 km): 45 min Bolaven Plateau – Champasak (40 km): 1 hour

Upon arrival to Pakse, our guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to enjoy a short tour of Pakse. Visit Pakse’s colonial and Chinese-style buildings as well as the huge local market where fresh produce and local wares are for sale.

Afterwards, depart for the Bolaven Plateau, a mountainous region home to dozens of hill tribes, waterfalls and coffee and tea plantations.

The first stops are at Tad Fane and Tad Yuang waterfalls. Tad Fane is a set of twin 120-meter-high waterfalls formed by the merging waters of the Champy and Pak Koot rivers. These impressive falls are situated on the edge of Dong Hua Sao protected area, 38km from Pakse (Note: water levels may vary accordingly to the previous rainy season).

Make a short stop in Paksong, the ‘capital of coffee’ before heading onwards to the Sinouk Coffee Resort. Embark on an expert-guided tour of the plantation and its coffee trees, learning the different stages of processing the coffee along the way. Enjoy a local featuring organic produce from the farm, followed by a delicious coffee tasting session.

On the drive back to Pakse, two stops will be made. The first stop is the visit of Tad Lo waterfalls, a beautiful formation of three separate falls. The second stop is the small village of Ban Houay Houn, famous for its Katu textiles. Watch along as local women weave without the use of a traditional loom, using their legs instead to stretch the fabric.

Continue to drive south (about 1 hour) to Champasak. Check into the hotel along the banks of the Mekong River.

Overnight in Champasak

Inclusions:

🥘 Lunch

📍 Champasak – Wat Phou (3 km): 5 min Champasak – Kong Island (100 km): 1 hour 30 min

After breakfast, transfer to Wat Phou.

Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Wat Phou is a spectacular pre-Angkorian temple that sits amidst the rice fields and waterways of southern Laos.  The temple was constructed in three levels: the bottom level is focused on the baray (water reservoir) and promenade, the second level features pavilions and galleries of carvings, and the top level is the sanctuary. The temple served as the most important economic and political center of the region and still is one of the Lao people’s most revered temples.

Drive to Champasak, through streets lined with French colonial buildings, and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.

The rest of the day is free at leisure.

Overnight in Champasak

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Champasak – Ban Nakasan (130 km): 2 hours

Depart at 08:00 for a full day exploring the area known locally as Siphandon (‘4000 Islands’). In this beautiful area the Mekong River reaches 14 kilometers wide and thousands of small islands dot the waterway.

Travel first by car for around 2 hours to the village of Ban Nakasan. From here, take a local boat to the peaceful island of Don Khong. We believe the best way to explore the area is by bicycle, however a local tuk tuk can be hired as well.

Visit the impressive Lippi falls, which are on the west of Don Khong, very close to the Cambodian border. The islands played an important role during the French Colonial rule as they linked Laos to Cambodia and Southern Vietnam. To overpass the waterfalls, a railway and bridge were built, which today is the perfect place to soak in the panoramic views.

After visiting the falls and bridges, head out on a boat trip to try and spot the elusive Irrawaddy Dolphin. Please note that sightings are never guaranteed. After the boat ride, lunch will be included at a local restaurant.

Return to the mainland by boat and return to the hotel by car, arriving back in time for sunset.

Overnight in Champasak
 

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast, 🥘 Lunch

📍 Champasak – Pakse Airport (30 km): 1 hour

After breakfast, transfer back to Pakse for onward travel arrangements.

Inclusions:

☕ Breakfast