Laos 5 days 4 nights in Southern Laos, Wat Phou, 4000 Islands, Bolaven Plateau

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Pakse

You will be warmly welcomed at Pakse Airport. Your guide will meet you at the airport and transfer to Done Daeng, and home to La Folie Lodge where you have the rest of the day to relax or to explore the island. Overnight on Done Daeng

Day 2: Wat Phou (B, L)

After spending a relaxing morning in Don Daeng, we visit the fascinating pre-Angkorian ruins of Wat Phu, one of Southeast Asia’s most dramatically situated temples. We have time to explore these intriguing Khmer ruins, which are perched at the base of Mount Phu Kao.  Following lunch, we continue our journey to the extreme south of Laos in the area of the 4000 islands. It dues its name because the Mekong becomes extremely wide and hosts many islands. On the way, visit the pre-Angkorian site named Wat Tomo (Uo Moung). Get on board a traditional boat to the peaceful islands of Don Khon and Don Det. 

Day 3:  Khong Islands 4000 Islands (B, L)

In the morning, we begin by re-tracing the French colonial-past, where some old colonial houses still stand and glimpse the first Lao railway with its own locomotive. We continue our exploration of the area of the 4000 islands by boat and visit the beautiful Liphi waterfall, also known as the Samphamith, which forms a natural border between Lao and Cambodia. We return to Ban Nakasang and drive to the famous waterfall of Khone Phapeng – the largest waterfall in South East Asia, also known as the ‘Niagara of the east’.

Day 4: Bolaven Plateau – Pakse (B, L)

Upon leaving Khong Island we continue our journey towards the Bolaven Plateau, located in the Annamite Mountain Range, which runs along Laos’ eastern border with Vietnam. The renowned coffee of Lao PDR is produced in this region. The climate of the plateau, with its cooler temperatures and abundant rainfall, make it the perfect place for coffee production. After viewing several cascading waterfalls — including the famous Tad Lo and Tad Fan Waterfalls — we’ll return to Pakse for an afternoon walk or visit to its local market. Transfer to your hotel in Pakse.

Day 5: Departure (B)

Enjoy free time in Pakse until it’s time for your flight to your next destination. Our vehicle will send you to the airport. (End of service)

Accommodation

Flight information

Arrival

Vientiane – Pakse: Lao Airline QV305 Daily 8:05-9:05, QV303 Mon, Wed, Fri & Sun 15:30 – 17:00, QV515 Tue, Thu & Sat 7:30 – 8:45
Luang Prabang – Pakse: Lao Airline QV513 Tue, Thu & Sat 8:30 – 10:10
Siem Reap (Cambodia) – Pakse: Lao Airline QV514 Tue, Thu & Sat 12:25 – 13:25
Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam) – Pakse: Lao Airline  QV516 Tue, Thu & Sat 12:00 – 13:25

Departure

Pakse – Vientiane: Lao Airline QV306 Daily 9:50-10:50, QV304 Mon, Wed, Fri & Sun 17:40 – 19:10, QV515 Tue, Thu & Sat 14:20 – 15:35
Pakse – Luang Prabang: Lao Airline QV514 Tue, Thu & Sat 14:10 – 15:50
Pakse – Siem Reap (Cambodia): Lao Airline QV513 Tue, Thu & Sat 10:50 – 11:50
Pakse – Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam): Lao Airline  QV515 Tue, Thu & Sat 9:45 – 11:20

When traveling in southern Laos, a good starting point and next destination would be Vientiane and Luang Prabang, or Siem Reap in Cambodia or Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. These cities have scheduled flights with Pakse. If you are coming from Thailand, you will need to go through Vientiane or take a domestic flight from Bangkok to Ubon Ratchathani and then a bus to Pakse.