4D3N - 4000 Islands

Pakse – Bolaven Plateau (38 km): 45 min

Upon arrival to Pakse, our guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to the hotel for check in.

Begin the day with a short orientation tour of Pakse, the most important town in southern Laos. Explore its colonial and Chinese-style buildings, in addition to its huge local market. After the city tour, 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 before continuing east to reach the Sinouk Coffee Resort. An expert in coffee will lead a visit through the coffee plantation, explaining all about the indigenous coffee trees and different processing stages.

After the visit, enjoy a delicious lunch (Lunch not include). Most of the vegetables supplied to the meal come from the on-site organic garden. Following lunch, sample many different types of coffee.

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. From the bridge guests will first see Tad Hang and then Tad Lo in the distance. The most impressive of the three, Tad Suong, is located a further 10km upriver.

The second stop is the small village of Ban Houay Houn, famous for its Katu textiles. Observe the village’s women weaving without a traditional loom, using their legs to stretch the fabric.

Return to Pakse in the late afternoon and transfer to the hotel.

Overnight at Pakse

Pakse – Champasak (30 km): 50 min Champasak – Kong Island: 45 min

After breakfast, transfer by road 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 centre of the region and still is one of the Lao people’s most revered temples.

Pass through Champasak, driving through streets lined with French colonial buildings, and stop for lunch in a local restaurant.

After lunch, continue on to Khong Island, the biggest island in Southern Laos and the start of the 4,000 Islands Region. Called “Siphandon” in Lao language, this area is where the Mekong stretches over 14km wide and houses thousands of islands between its cascades and rapids.

Overnight in Khong Island

Khong Island – Pakse (130 km): 1 hour 40 min

Depart at 08:00 for a full day exploring the 4000 Islands (Si Phan Don)

Travel first by car (around 45 minutes) to the village of Ban Nakasan. From here, take a local boat to the peaceful island of Don Khone, home to plantations and simple villages. Bicycles are the best way to explore the area, but a tuk-tuk can be arranged as well.

Visit the impressive Lippi falls, which are on the west of Don Khone, very close to the Cambodian border. Their original name, Tad Somphamit, means “trap spirit” and the locals revere these falls as they believe they act as a trap for bad spirits.

The islands played an important role during the French colonial rule as they linked Laos to Cambodia and southern Vietnam. To cross the waterfalls, a railway bridge was built, which now provides an excellent viewpoint for visitors.

Follow up with a short boat trip, offering the chance to spot the rare Irrawaddy dolphin. After relaxing on the boat ride, enjoy a local-style lunch served in a nearby restaurant.

Return to Ban Nakasan by boat and then transfer to the hotel in Pakse by car, arriving back in time for sunset.

Overnight in Pakse

Pakse – Pakse Airport (3 km): 10 min

After breakfast, transport will be provided back to Pakse airport for the onward flight.

Note: This tour may be subject to change depending on weather conditions.