Sounthern Laos Stopover, 4 days

On arrival at Pakse Airport, you are greeted by our guide and driven to  Khong Island. We follow the main roads linking Pakse Town and southern Laos. This scenic drive mostly goes along the Mekong River bank, giving us some fantastic views of the  stunning  scenery of lush jungle, rugged mountains, beautiful waterfalls,  and sleepy villages, which still set the tone for our days ahead. Along the way we can make some stop to watch the scenery and make friends with waving children. Today we reach Don Khong, which is  wholly embraced by the Mekong River and can be only accessed by boat in times gone by. However, the new bridge makes for an easy passage from the mainland to Don Khong Island. The riverine archipelago in southern Laos is a group of various islands, including Don Khong, Done Det, and Don Khone, of which Don Khong is the largest one but does not have  the waterfall, restaurants and activities of its counterparts. The major pastime in Don Khong is walking or cycling around  the countryside. We check in our hotel and may have time for a short bike ride along the village lanes to the  Wat Chom Thong. This attractive pagoda features the combination of Lao and Khmer architecture

Today, we embark on a traditional boat to venture into the widest reach of the Mekong River, from where are many islets jutting out in dry season. They give this area a lovely name four thousands of islands, locally called ” Si Phan Done ”.  The local boat passes by Don Det and Don Som before  racing against the water to Don Khone. These lush islands are mostly covered by coconut palms, flame trees, stands of bamboo, kapok trees, and hardwoods, but Don Khone still retains a more authentical Lao charm.  We anchor at the  peaceful island of Don Khone and stroll through Ban Khone Village, catching a great insight into the Lao rural life without hustle and bustle found in more built-up areas. Along the walkway, we make stop to see an old locomotive and some abandoned railways. They are proper relics of the bygone colonial area in this watery region. We start riding our bike along this village lane to the Liphi Waterfall, which also named " Corridor of the Devil". You have an option to discover the rare freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins that have been known to make its way upstream from Cambodia to frolic in the water of Si Phan Don Area in Laos. This boat trip usually starts from Ban Hang Khone and costs you some extra fee.  Upon leaving Don Khone, we travel by boat back to Khong Island and have free time for own exploration.

The exiting adventure in southern Laos would not be complete without a visit to the Khon Phapheng Waterfalls. This largest fall in southeastern Asia reaches 21 meter high at certain points and stretches 9.7 km of the river length, blocking all attempt of fluvial traffic from Laos to Cambodia. Upon leaving Khong Island we drive south to  the Khon Phapheng Waterfalls and catch a spectacular view that some million litres of water  crash over the rock formations. We continue travelling by roads to the former royal capital of Champasak, a gateway to the pre-angkorian Wat Phou Temple. The good introduction of this sacred site is a collection of recovered objects, architectural elements and sculptures, which are displayed  at the Wat Phou Museum. We pay a quick look at this museum before exploring the temple complex. This hillside temple has a unique structure with the elements leading to a shrine  where a lingam dedicated to Lord Shiva was bathed in water from a mountain spring. The original structure dates back to the fifth century but is deteriorated in turbulent history of Laos; however, it is still fascinating to stroll  among the ruins.  We follow a walkway from  the lower to the upper section and pass  various forms, including Vishnu, Shiva and Kala. The upper ground of Wat Phou Temple  also affords a spectacular view of the surrounding valley, rustic villages, and winding river. We leave Wat Phou Temple for Pakse Town, the  major transport and commercial hub for southern Laos.

There are no activities planned on this final day. You may have free time to continue your exploration of Pakse Town, do your last shopping or simply look back upon your trip images. The holiday comes to an end with a transfer to Pakse Airport for  your departure.