Duration
9 days / 8 nights
Price Per Person
Interests
Destinations

Explore beautiful Southern Laos on this 9-day luxury journey through sleepy cities, coffee plantations, temple ruins, and river villages. Enjoy breathtaking mountain scenery by visiting the stunning Tad Fane waterfall, with its dizzying drop, and taking a dip in the pools of Tad Yeung. In the 4,000 Islands, enjoy the laid-back pace of Don Khone and Don Daeng Islands, explore local villages, and gain an inside peak into local Lao culture.

This itinerary is an example. It’s designed to inspire you and provide you with thoughtfully curated ideas. You can choose to do this exact itinerary or completely personalize it. All trips are 100% bespoke.

Highlights

  • Waterways: Hike to Tad Fane Waterfall from Pakse, stay on the banks of the Mekong at Don Daeng (4,000 Islands), then kayak and cruise looking for endangered Irrawaddy dolphins.
  • Coffee: The Bolaven Plateau is home to a number of coffee plantations and therefore the best place to sample a cup of Lao joe.
  • Ancient Temples: Given the nod by UNESCO, the temple remains of Wat Phu predate neighboring Cambodia's Angkor Wat by some 500 years.

Day-by-Day

Day 1

Pakse

You'll start your 9-day luxury tour of Southern Laos in Pakse. This former administrative French colonial city is located at the junction of the Mekong and Xe Don rivers, and sports stunning water and mountain views. Home to ancient temples, French colonial architecture and lazy riverside restaurants, Pakse is a fantastic launch point for exploring the laid-back Southern Laos region. There is a selection of international hotels here – we recommend the Champasak Palace Hotel or the Champasak Grand Hotel. 

Hotel Options
About

The most modern hotel in Pakse, the four-star Champasak Grand is located on the banks of the Mekong and the perfect base for exploring the city, as well as the beautiful surrounding countryside. The property's 214 guest rooms and suites come with a king-size bed or two queen-size beds for twin occupancy.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

About

Originally built as a palace for the last king of Laos, this three-star hotel features unique hand-painted art-deco tiles and hand-carved motifs. The property is also home to the only glass lift in Laos.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Day 2

Pakse

The Bolaven Plateau, which presides over Pakse, is home to a growing number of coffee plantations, and today you'll embark upon an excursion to the agricultural village of Ban Katuu. Here, you'll get a glimpse of local coffee production and sample fresh Lao coffee. Go on to visit Talat Dao Heung Market near the Japanese Bridge, where you can bargain for coffee and browse colorful stalls of spices, dried fish, fresh fruits, and Lao sweets. In the evening, relax and enjoy a dinner at a local restaurant before retiring to your hotel.

Pakse
Pakse

Day 3

Pakse

Today you'll explore another of the Bolaven Plateau's famous features: Tad Fane waterfall. Situated in dense rainforest, this waterfall has twin streams that plunge from an impressive height of 800 feet. Next you'll drive to Tad Yeung waterfall and the surrounding coffee plantation and enjoy a swim in its cool, clear waters. Return to your hotel in Pakse this evening.

Day 4

Champasak

Make your way to Champasak today (1 hour's drive) to visit the ancient ruins of Wat Phu. Outdating Angkor Wat by almost 500 years, these ruins offer insight into the region's cultural heritage and still function today as a Buddhist worship site. This UNESCO World Heritage Site features intricate stone carvings bearing Hindu deities and moss-covered remains of shrines and courtyards. After exploring the site, you'll make your way to La Folie Lodge, on the banks of the Mekong. La Folie Lodge's wooden bungalows offer fantastic water, garden, and mountain views.

Hotel Options
Why We Love This Hotel

Location: La Folie Lodge is positioned on a picturesque section of Mekong riverfront, offering guests direct access to a secluded beach.

History: Just across the Mekong are ancient Khmer temple ruins for guests to admire and explore.

Service: Warm and welcoming Khmer hospitality ensures guests enjoy world-class care in a stunning natural setting. Staff are employed from nearby villages and trained onsite in an initiative to improve community welfare and eradicate local poverty.

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La Folie Lodge Preferred Hotel
Champasak
Champasak

Day 5

Champasak

Today, intrepid travelers can enjoy a tour of the river communities of Don Daeng. This area in the Mekong comprises more than 4,000 islands of various sizes, characterized by their laid-back pace the rustic wooden bungalows that comprise them. You'll get a rare glimpse of river life by visiting one of these communities, touring a local school, and meeting village elders. You'll eat with the residents, enjoying a traditional local meal of papaya salad (som tum), sticky rice, and grilled fish. 

Day 6

Don Khone

The tiny island of Don Khone is your destination today. Measuring only 1.5 by 2.5 miles, this sleepy village sports thatch-roof huts and swaying palms, as well as a collection of old colonial buildings.  Take a tour of the colonial holdovers today, visiting old French villas and the narrow gauge railway that was constructed during World War II. Check into the Auberge Sala Don Khone tonight, a beautiful riverfront property that boasts a restored French colonial house and a floating restaurant offering wide views of the Mekong. 

Hotel Options
About

Known for its excellent service, the Auberge Sala Don Khone in Champasak offers both amenities and choices for the discerning yet adventurous traveler. Situated right along the Mekong River within a short distance of both Wat Phu and the “four thousand islands,” the resort offers three different types of rooms, each with their own distinctive design and allure: eight boutique, floating cabins with spacious rooms and verandas that offer beautiful vistas of the Mekong from your room while floating on the river; eight rooms in a traditional Lao residence built entirely of rosewood and decorated with local art and objects; and ten bungalow residences, which offer an experience closer to camping in their simplicity.

This accommodation has been personally vetted by the Remote Lands team and is the best available in the area. More information on this property is available on the “Hotels” tab at the top of the page.

Don Khone
Don Khone

Day 7

Don Khone

There's only one way to really explore the waters surrounding Don Khone and that's by kayak. Today you can do just that with the assistance of a local guide who can show you where the calmest and most picturesque waterways are. Alternatively, you take to the river with an experienced kayaker and tackle some of its more challenging eddies and rapids. In the afternoon, you'll take a local boat ride to spot Irrawaddy dolphins. Numbers of Irrawaddy dolphins in the area are critically low, but tourism drives support to conserve these friendly creatures, who can most typically be seen at the southern tip of the island. Return to your resort in Don Khone tonight.    

Day 8

Don Khone

Today you'll visit nearby islands, and take a day-trip to the silk weaving village of Ban Saphai. Ban Saphai is the historic capital of weaving in Champasak and it's here where you'll get a demonstration in "mut mee" weaving from local craftspeople and have the chance to pick up a traditional shoulder sash or skirt. Afterwards, explore the islands at your leisure by bicycle – the islands' most popular form of transport. Return to your resort on the riverside in Don Khone tonight. 

Don Khone
Don Khone

Day 9

Departure

Today you'll return to Pakse for your international departure flight. 

Suggested Hotels For Days 1–3

Champasak Grand Hotel

Champasak Grand Hotel

The most modern hotel in Pakse, the four-star Champasak Grand is located on the banks of the Mekong and the perfect base for exploring the city, as well as the beautiful surrounding countryside. The property's 214 guest rooms and suites come with a king-size bed or two queen-size beds for twin occupancy. All rooms are tastefully furnished and are appointed with standard modern amenities. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool with river views, a gym, and a business center. For dining, guests can choose from The Grand Coffee Shop for Lao and international cuisines, the Lobby Lounge for drinks and pastries (try freshly-brewed coffee from the Bolaven Plateau), Sa La Gang Kong for seafood on the Mekong, and Zhong Hua Lou for Chinese dishes. Champasak Grand Hotel is a 15-minute drive from Pakse International Airport.
Champasak Palace Hotel

Champasak Palace Hotel

Originally built as a palace for the last king of Laos, this three-star hotel features unique hand-painted art-deco tiles and hand-carved motifs. The property is also home to the only glass lift in Laos. There are 115 guest rooms divided between six different room categories, all with high ceilings; though befitting the building's history, no two rooms are the same. Hotel facilities include a gift shop, business center, and sauna. For dining, there is a restaurant and coffee shop that serves European cuisine. Champasak Palace Hotel is a 15-minute drive from Pakse International Airport.

Suggested Hotel For Days 4–5

La Folie Lodge
Preferred Hotel

La Folie Lodge

Located on the island of Don Daeng not far from Champasak and Wat Phou, La Folie is a French-run lodge situated on the banks of the Mekong. Guests arrive by boat onto a sandy beach. The lodge consists of 24 rooms housed in 12 charming wooden bungalows, all with balconies offering magnificent river views and equipped with air conditioning, TV, WiFi and en-suite bathrooms. The poolside restaurant, open-aired but sheltered by a graceful wooden roof, offers continental cuisine and Asian specialties, from early morning breakfast to late-night snacks, and there is also an excellent wine list.

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Suggested Hotel For Days 6–8

Auberge Sala Don Khone

Auberge Sala Don Khone

Known for its excellent service, the Auberge Sala Don Khone in Champasak offers both amenities and choices for the discerning yet adventurous traveler. Situated right along the Mekong River within a short distance of both Wat Phu and the “four thousand islands,” the resort offers three different types of rooms, each with their own distinctive design and allure: eight boutique, floating cabins with spacious rooms and verandas that offer beautiful vistas of the Mekong from your room while floating on the river; eight rooms in a traditional Lao residence built entirely of rosewood and decorated with local art and objects; and ten bungalow residences, which offer an experience closer to camping in their simplicity. Amenities include laundry services, a restaurant serving Lao, Thai and European food with jazz music, and a business center. The Auberge Sala Don Khone is approximately one hour by car from Pakse International Airport (PKZ), with daily service to Vientiane (VTE), Siem Reap (REP), and Savannakhet Airports (ZVK).

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Couple from New York City

It was the guides you selected in each city that made our trip so memorable. Each was superbly knowledgeable and extremely personable. They made our trip the most special event that we will cherish.

Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia

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Ralph & Orn - New York, NY

Sixteen days, four countries, eight flights, and six hotels without a hitch.

Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand

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Family from Houston

We had a wonderful time and pretty much every detail of the trip logistics went like clockwork... I am very appreciative to everyone on the Remote Lands team.

Vietnam, Laos, Thailand

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