Spend five days and travel south in Laos to experience areas seldom explored on a Laos tour. Witness the coffee production process on the Bolaven Plateau, explore breathtaking waterfalls such as Tad Fane and Li Phi Waterfalls in the 4,000 Islands region along the Mekong River. Travel through the enchanting Champasak region and see the famed Wat Phou temple. This unique Laos tour can also be combined with travel to Siem Reap in Cambodia.
Highlights
Explore the Mekong River and its waterfalls and the 4,000 Islands region
Visit the region's small villages which still carry on ancient traditions
Interact with Asian elephants and meet the mahouts, the elephant trainers
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive to Pakse today where you are met by your guide and transfer to your hotel for the evening.
Day 2: Bolaven Plateau
1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch
Today travel towards the Bolaven Plateau, located between the Mekong River and the Annamite mountains. This region was largely inhabited by the Laven ethnic group in the past, and their traditions still carry on in some minority villages in the plateau. Visit the village of Katu, Ta Oyh, Ngai and some Lao lum villages today. Learn a bit about the tribes and their cultures, as well as visit the famed waterfalls of Tad Fane and Tad Phasuam in this area. The Bolaven Plateau is more recently known for its agricultural production, namely its Arabica coffee. Settle into your hotel this evening.
After breakfast, meet your guide at the hotel lobby. Then take a private transfer to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Wat Phou, an ancient Khmer temple that predates Angkor Wat. Listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, Wat Phou boasts a pre-angkorian temple structure built upon three levels. In its early days, this temple served as the region's primary economic and political hub. The lower level emphasizes the baray (water reservoir) and the promenade connecting to the second level, which includes galleries and quadrangular pavilions. The upper level houses the sanctuary itself.
Following your visit to Wat Phou, you'll continue by minivan to the Don Khong boat pier, where your boat is waiting. You'll cruise on a private local boat (long trail boat) to the serene islands of Don Det and Don Khone on the Mekong River. The journey takes approximately 2 hours to reach Don Khone, providing a relaxing experience.
Don Khone Island was pivotal in the French colonization of South East Asia. However, the waterfalls of 4,000 islands posed a significant barrier to French naval ambitions. During this half-day exploration led by your guide, you'll embark on a biking journey through rice paddies, small villages, and organic gardens. This tour includes visiting the old narrow-gauge railway, constructed by the French colonists to bypass the waterfalls, the Liphi waterfalls themselves, and an exploration of an old railway engine car. Additionally, you'll embark on a river cruise to Cambodia, where you can enjoy an Angkor Beer and take in the scenery. As the day comes to a close, you'll bike back to the village center to savor a delicious and authentic "Kao Piak" noodle soup before returning to your hotel.
Day 5: Return Pakse
1 Breakfast
This morning, check out and take the ferry boat to meet your driver and transfer to Pakse Airport for your flight onward.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Initial deposit is 30% ($400 minimum) + Internal flight cost, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 70 days (10 weeks) prior to departure by bank transfer, check, or credit card. Final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum charge of $20,000
The trip might have been the absolute best of our lifetime (thus far). We particularly want to commend our guide Peter in the Guilin area-he was so incredibly attentive, energetic, enthusiastic-and absolutely dedicated to ensuring that our meals were 100% vegetarian.
I selected Adventure Travel as I was not satisfied with the responsiveness of the agent for the cruise I was trying to book and it had good recommendations. So far, I am quite happy with my agent, Betty, very responsive and accommodating.
charles
4 hours ago
Jess was great. Our plans changed and we had to make some adjustments and she was super helpful. Finding us a cost-effective alternative to our original trip plan.
Glenn
5 hours ago
Erin was great to work with! Very quick with her replies and provided all the information I needed, no matter how many times I changed my request! This was my first time ever planning a trip like this and it couldn't have gone better.