Arrive in Pakse, guests will be met by the guide and private car and transferred to the hotel for check-in.

Situated at the confluence of the Mekong and the Sedone Rivers, Pakse is the capital of Southern Laos.

In the morning enjoy a short tour of Pakse visiting its colonial and Chinese-style buildings as well as the huge local market where fresh produce and local wares are for sale.

Then 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 Paksé (Note: water levels may vary accordingly to the previous rainy season).

Make a short stop in Paksong, the small capital of coffee. Then, continue east to reach the Sinouk Coffee Resort. An expert in coffee will guide you through the coffee plantation and you will learn more about how the coffee trees are grown and the difference processing stages.

After the visit, enjoy a delicious lunch. Most of the vegetables supplied to the cuisine come from our home-grown organic garden. Following lunch, you will of course have the chance to taste 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 his Katu textiles. Here, you will have the chance to observe the women weaving without a traditional loom but using their legs to stretch the fabric.

From Pakse, continue to drive south to Champasak province for approximately 1 hour and take a short boat crossing to the island of Don Daeng.

Overnight in Champasak

Pakse – Bolaven Plateau (38 km): 45 min

Pakse – Champasak (30 km): 50 min

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 quadrangular pavilions and galleries of carvings, and the top level is the sanctuary itself.  The temple was built by the rulers of the Khmer empire before the construction of Angkor Wat. 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.

Drive back to Champasak.

The rest of the day is free at leisure, feel free to take a bicycle to explore the surroundings of Champasak.

Overnight in Champasak

Champasak – Wat Phou (9 km): 15 min

Depart at 08:00 for a full day exploring the area known locally as Sipandon (‘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 you will take a local boat to the peaceful island of Done Khone, where plantations and simple villages are almost all you will find. We recommend bicycles as the best way to explore, or a tuk-tuk if you prefer.

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 overpass the waterfalls, a railway and bridge were built, the perfect place to take your time and soak in the view.

Start with a short boat trip will give you the chance to spot the rare Irrawaddy Dolphin. Please note that sightings are never guaranteed.

Continue your exploration and ease in to the slow pace of life, observing locals and taking your time. Lunch will be included at a local restaurant.

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

Overnight in Champasak

Champasak – Khong Island (100 km): 1 hour 30 min

Enjoy a full day at leisure on the beautiful peaceful island of Don Daeng. If you can tear yourself away from the inviting pool then the best way to explore is by bicycle (provided free of charge by the hotel). You can pedal your way along shady paths, talk to friendly locals, relax on sandy beaches, and enjoy the laid back pace of life in southern Laos. Along the way, you might have the chance to sample the local fruits or catch the locals at work on handicrafts such as basket weaving. The island also has a few pagodas which date back to the Wat Phou era and are entangled with the natural jungle. There are 3 well-marked paths to choose from and you can take a map from reception.

Overnight in Champasak

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

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