This morning you will be met by your driver and guide in Vientiane, to begin the journey south along route 13. This first leg of the journey takes around 3 hours and it is interesting to have a quick stop at Wat Prabath Phonsane (‘Temple of the footprint of Buddha’).

Lunch will be included at a local restaurant (discuss with your guide where you would like to stop).

You will then leave the route 13 and enter the Phou Hin Poun NPA (National Protected Area). The scenery will become much more spectacular, featuring limestone karsts, forests and rice paddies. From leaving the main road to reaching your destination will take approximately 2 hours.

Once you arrive in the small town of Ban Kong Lor the rest of the day is at leisure to admire the views. You might like to take a walk through the surrounding villages. If so then your guide will be happy to accompany you.

We recommend a simple local restaurant called Kounmee, which is a 2 minute walk from Chantha House (dinner not included).

Overnight in Ban Kong Lor

Vientiane – Kong Lor Caves (290 km): 5 hours

For early risers we recommend a walk at around 06:30 to explore the villages as they wake up and prepare for the day. Discuss this with your guide.

After breakfast you will take a short drive (5-10 minutes) towards the Kong Lor Caves. You will be given life jackets and head torches before a short walk around to the main entrance of the cave. Upon entering the cave, you will board a long tail boat which will take you through the length of this spectacular cave along an underground section of the Hin Boun River - a length of 7.5km before you see daylight again!

The river flows all year and reveals vast formations of stalactites and stalagmites, which you will explore partly on foot whilst inside the cave. In places the cave is up to 90m wide and 100m high. The cave is still used by local villagers as an access route to the region beyond (it is far quicker than climbing over the mountains which this cave cuts through!).

Once out on the other side you can stop for refreshments and walk to local villages, enjoying the scenery and observing a simple way of life (discuss with your guide how far you would like to walk).

Return by boat, travelling ‘downstream’ through the cave, to Ban Kong Lor. Enjoy lunch on your own account before travelling south.

The drive to Thakhek will take approximately 4 hours so you will hopefully arrive in time for a stroll along the Mekong at sunset. Thakhek is a very sleepy town with some very attractive colonial buildings. Enjoy a relaxing evening.

Overnight in Thakhek

Ban Kong Lor – Thakhek (190 km): 5 hour

After a leisurely breakfast, your guide will meet you around 09:30 to continue your journey south. The drive to Savannakhet takes approximately 1.5 hours. Before entering Savannakhet you will make a stop at the beautiful 16thCentury temple of That Ing Hang. An impressive central stupa dominates a courtyard which is flanked by statues of Lord Buddha, in a style similar to Wat Sisaket in Vientiane. That Ing Hang is among the most revered temples in Laos and many Buddhists will travel here during December for the annual ‘Boun Phathat’ ceremony.

Continue in to Savannakhet. The city is most famous as the birthplace of the father of the Lao People’s Democratic Repulic (Lao PDR), Kaysone Phomvihane, who was born here in 1920. Take a short tour of the architectural highlights, which include various French villas and the striking St. Teresa Catholic Church.

Visit the small but very interesting Dinosaur Museum. Dinosaur remains are being found nearby which are between 150,000,000 – 250,000,000 years old. You can speak to the resident paleontologists about their work and the proceeds from your visit help to keep this project going.

After lunch in a local restaurant it will be time to hit the road again for the drive to Pakse, which takes approximately 3.5 hours. Check in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

On the confluence of the Mekong and the Sedone River, Pakse is the most important town in southern Laos. Pakse is the home a very important Vietnamese community, so if you visit this town during the Têt (Vietnamese New Year), do not be surprised if many shops are closed. This small city has a mixture of Chinese and French architecture and some lively markets.

Overnight in Pakse

Thakhek – Savannakhet (116 km): 1,5 hour

Savannakhet – Pakse (215 km): 3,5 hours

After breakfast you will transfer 1 hour by road to Wat Phou. Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Wat Phou is a spectacular pre-Angkorian temple that sits among 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. This site 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 the small town of Champasak, where French colonial buildings offer a great contrast to Wat Phou. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant.

After lunch, continue south, stopping at the wood carving village of Ban Nong Bune.

Then continue south to the 4000 Islands Region. Called “Sipandon” in Lao language, this area is where the Mekong stretches to over 14km wide. The river flows between an unknown number of islands, creating waterfalls and rapids. Take a short boat crossing to your accommodation, arriving in the late afternoon.

Overnight in 4000 Islands

Pakse – Wat Phou (30 km): 1 hour

Champasak – Don Khong: 1,5 hours

This morning you will explore on and around the peaceful islands of Don Det and Don 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.

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.

Start with a short boat trip will give you the chance to spot the rare Irrawaddy Dolphin. Please note that sightings are far from guaranteed, but the mornings and late afternoon are best, when the water is cooler.

The final highlight in this area is the imposing Khone Papheng waterfalls, where you can take your time to admire the view. This is the only section of the Mekong which is impossible to navigate by boat and you will see why!

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in 4000 Islands

Retrace your steps to Pakse. This will take approximately 2.5 – 3.5 hours, depending on which island you stayed on. You will be taken to the airport in time for your onward flight.

Don Khong – Pakse Airport (150 km): 2,5 hours