(Departures January – November)
Little-visited Southern Laos is a hidden treasure, which reveals temples and mountains, the endangered Irrawaddy River Dolphin, as well as the idyllic 4,000 Islands, a great contrast with touring in Luang Prabang and the north. Visit the Bolaven Plateau at an elevation of 4400 feet. The plateau is crossed by several rivers and has many waterfalls making it quite scenic. See Wat Phou and take an elephant ride. Take a boat through the south Islands and explore the border region near Cambodia. Laos 4000 Islands is a nice addition to either a private trip or small group journey.
DAY 1 – Pakse & the Bolaven Plateau
This morning you will be met at either your hotel (at 8:30am) or the Pakse airport (if you arriving on a morning flight from Vientiane) for a short guided tour of Pakse town and market, followed by a drive to the Tad Lo and Tad Fane waterfalls. As you continue on to the lush Bolaven Plateau, Laos’ premier coffee growing region, you will notice a change in both temperature and landscape. Encounter some of the plateau’s Laven minority people and sample some of the beans which many consider to be the world’s finest. Spend the night in the rustic and charming Tad Lo Lodge where you can soak up the serene surrounds.
Overnight at Tad Lo Lodge, Bolaven Plateau (1 night)
DAY 2 – Wat Phou & Elephant Trek
After breakfast, transfer by road to Champasak and continue to Wat Phou, a pre-Angkorian Khmer temple and UNESCO World Heritage site. This temple used to be the capital of the once-powerful Khmer Empire and is set on the end of a hill, overlooking the surrounding countryside. From here continue to Ban Kiet Ngong, a small Lao village where you will go for a 90 minute elephant ride through the forest up to Mount Asa for panoramic views of the National Protected Area. On the edge of this nature reserve is the famous Kingfisher ecolodge, where you will spend the remainder of the day relaxing with nature. Breakfast included.
Overnight at Kingfisher Lodge (1 night)
DAY 3 – 4000 Islands
After breakfast you will drive south to 4000 Islands and check into your hotel on Khong Island, the biggest island in southern Laos and home to interesting fishing villages and a handful of dilapidated French colonial houses. In the afternoon take a local boat to the peaceful islands of Done Det and Done Khone, sites of the only railway in Laos, built at the end of the 19th century. Take a stroll through the packed dirt footpaths and palm-fringed villages and enjoy the serenity of an Asia lost in time. Walk to the beautiful Li Phi falls where you can sip on a fresh coconut as you take advantage of the numerous photo opportunities of the rocky falls. In the late afternoon return to Khong Island to enjoy the sunset in this tranquil water paradise. Breakfast included
Overnight at Senesothxuene, Khong Island (2 nights)
DAY 4 – Pakse
This morning travel to the southernmost part of Laos, near the Cambodian border, and visit the imposing Khonepapheng waterfalls. These are the largest falls in Southeast Asia in terms of water volume. From here you will take a trip on a local boat on a search of the illusive Irrawaddy freshwater dolphin, a species which is unfortunately becoming increasingly rare. Spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure relaxing or riding around the islands on a rented bicycle as you reflect on your journey in this magical part of Laos. Breakfast included.
Overnight at Senesothxuene, Khong Island
DAY 5 – Pakse
This morning transfer to either your Pakse hotel or the Pakse airport for your ongoing flight. Breakfast included.
