Tranquil southern Laos (09 days)
Highlights
- Visit to the Hinboun nature park and Kong Lor cave
- Possibility to hike at the Bolaven plateau
- Island hopping ‘Si Pan Don’ area
Price:
Prices on request
Day 01) Arrival Vientiane
On arrival at the airport or Lao land border at the Friendship Bridge you are transferred to your centrally located hotel. Vientiane is a friendly sleepy town resting on the shores of the mighty Mekong River. In the afternoon we include a sightseeing tour around the city. We’ll explore some of the best sights including the Victory Gate (Arc de Triumphs), the Wat Sisaket, and the impressive That Luang Stupa, the country’s most important monument. Also visit the ‘morning market’ where you can wander around and buy silver, silk or other items you like to take back home. In the evening you can stroll along the banks of the Mekong River.
Day 02) Vientiane – Hinboun ( B/L/- )
Today we change the city for the local rural life in the Nam Hinboun river valley. Khammouane province is noted for it’s magnificent zigzag limestone formations, exciting caves, underground rivers and traditional villages. We spend the night in tastefully built Lao-style wooden bungalows. In the evening the ringing song of cicadas can provide a pleasant serenade.
Day 03) Hinboun, excursion to the Kong Lor Cave ( B/L/- )
After breakfast we leave by local boat for an excursion to the Kong Lor Cave. On the banks of the river you’ll see sheer limestone cliffs reach upwards. Each twist during our boat ride will bring new fresh vistas into view. The cave, a tunnel of limestone, over eight km in length, is threaded by the Nam Hinboun River. It is the only mountain cave in South East Asia that can be crossed underneath. Kong Lor features rare birds, spiders and many bats. In the late afternoon you can explore surrounding villages by foot and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of rural life in Hinboun .
Day 04) Hinboun – Savannakhet ( B/L/- )
Leaving the Hinboun Valley, we head for Savannakhet, a town situated on the banks of the River Mekong. Although the town’s industry is booming, it still feels as though the country life has never left: buffaloes and chickens graze and wander through the town center. Before arriving in Savannakhet, we’ll visit the That Inheng, a holy 16th century temple.
Day 05) Savannakhet – Bolaven Plateau ( B/-/- )
The drive of today will take you to the Bolaven Plateau in Southern Laos. The eco-resort, where you will spend the night, overlooks the Tad Fane Waterfalls, thundering down in a 200 meter deep gorge. From here you can explore diverse nature trails. You may like to hike up to the Dan Sin Say Plateau. Passing a hanging bridge, this walk goes through coffee plantations and local villages. Ethnic tribes living in this area include the Laven, the Alak, the Katu and Suay people.
Day 06) Bolaven Plateau – Champasak – Don Khone Island ( B/L/- )
After breakfast we drive and travel on a wonderful bridge over the Mekong River to Champasak. Here we visit the sacred Khmer temple of Wat Phu. This complex represents the most eastern border of the Khmer Empire in the 4th centurary. Later in the afternoon we take a scenic drive and boat trip and disembark at Don Khone, one of the smaller islands in the ‘Si Pan Don’ area. It is the site of the Li Phi Falls, the remains of a 12-km railway built by the French, and an old steam locomotive which once plied this unique railway (the only rail transport ever constructed in Laos.
Day 07) Don Khone Island – hike to Khong Island ( B/L/- )
Done Khone offers you fascinating glimpses of river-oriented village life. It’s also here where you can spot the rare Irrawaddy dolphin. Later on, we start an island hopping walking tour, visiting some of the four thousand islands spread in the mighty Mekong River. On the way we’ll pass some charming villages where local people live from making rice paper. We stay the night at Khong Island, one of the larger permanently inhabited islands. Aside from temples and interesting villages dotted all over the island, Muang Khong is best enjoyed for its pleasant atmosphere.
Day 08) ) Khong Island – Pakse ( B/-/- )
We leave early morning for Pakse by private vehicle. Our activities today include visiting the villages. We spend the night in Pakse.
Day 09) Pakse – Departure ( B/-/- )
Following breakfast and transfer to the airport for the departure
Tour information
Depart from: Vientiane
Arrival at: Pakse
Start time: at your request
End at: Pakse airport
Terms and conditions
Please read our term and conditions page (on this website) carefully
Rates include:
- Accommodation based on double or twin sharing room with daily breakfast ( 2-3* )
- English speaking guide through out the trip
- Private vehicle transfer and tour as mentioned in the programme
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
- Boat trip to Kong Lor caves
- Boat trip in the south as per programme
- Entrance fee during guided time
- All service charges and government taxes
Rates exclude:
- International airfares and taxes
- Visas and visa fees
- Personal expenses such as bar, telephone and laundry bills.
- Foods and drinks not mentioned in the itinerary.
- Tips and gratuities
- Entrance fees during free time
- No other optional tours not mentioned in itinerary
- PERSONAL travel insurance ( Compulsory )
- Bank surcharge and transferred
Additional days
Adding extra days is simple – by arrangement before or after the tour. If you need advise, please do not hesitate to ask us.