Southern Laos Adventure

After breakfast, we head east to Pakse and onto the Bolaven Plateau. The Bolaven Plateau is known for its cooler temperature being located high above the Mekong Valley. Stop at a tea plantation, followed by a brief visit to Tad Fan Waterfall, a picturesque twin chute waterfall. We then visit Tad Yeung, where we can take a refreshing dip before continuing further into the mountainous area. Visit Tha Teng colourful ethnic minority food market. Next, explore a couple of fascinating minority villages, Ban Bong Neua, an Alak village that boasts a sacrificial altar, and Ban Kokphung, a Katu village where they keep coffins under their houses. From there, we drive further to Tadlo Waterfalls, upon arrival, we will trek to visit waterfall and other minority village near by Tadlo area of Ban Kiengtanglae and Ban Nanong. from there, we will transfer to the nearby Fandee Island, where we will spend the night on a treehouse or the lake side bungalow.

The owner of the guesthouse is a French couple, who first came to Laos in 2007 an felt in love with the friendly hospitality of the local people here.

During the dinner, you have plenty of time to talk with them and learn more about their efforts in helping local people to cope with daily difficulties and have a better future.

Overnight at Fandee Island.

09:00Am, we will meet the Jeep tour specialist at Chai Coffee, and have some discussion with him there when enjoying a cup of coffee. After that, we will hop on the Jeep and drive 30 minutes to Tad Moun Waterfalls, where we can enjoy the fresh cool water, and visit the nearby vegetable farm. 11:00 Am, we continue driving to the Coffee Farm of Mr. Khamsone via the 10KM bumpy and muddy road, which will take you 01 hour with your special Jeep car. Upon arrival, Mr khamsone, the Coffee farm’s owner will take 1hr to demonstration about coffee Roasting step and finishing by a coffee cupping to Savor the different kind of coffee (Robusta, Arabica and Typica). We will have the picnic lunch on the farm at around 1:30PM before walking to the nearby refugee cave, which is used as the hidden place by the local villagers during the war time. After that, we will continue walking along the farm to see the volcano mountain named Phou Sanark where we can enjoy the view over the farm and the nearby villages during the sunset. You can learn to cook Lao foods with the wife of Mr. Khamsone while preparing the dinner with her. Overnight in a tent camp at the coffee farm.

09:00 am: After breakfast we continue driving by JEEP for 14km or 1hr to Laven village name’s B Setkhord. In this village there are 500 families living in around 100 years old. So, during the France Indochina, these plateaus call Laven plateau, which means: An area or the hometown of Laven people living. Upon arrival, we can walk around, and our guide can tell you more stories about this village. We then drive to Tad Say Waterfall where we will have the picnic lunch after that we will drive to a Suay Village named B Darsia, where you can see many traditional houses. 30% of the houses here are still the traditionally built long house, and 60% is the traditional house. The house is the place, where many generations will share together. The family uses the house for all daily activities such as cooking, eating, and sleeping. At around 4PM, we arrive in Paksong and hop on the waiting minivan to transfer to Tad Tayicseua, which locates in the remote area, so called the big Bolaven loop. The transfer will take around 1 hour.

Upon arrival, check in your simple guesthouse of Tad Tayicseua.

Free for the rest of the day to relax.

Overnight at Tad Tayicseua Guesthouse.

Wake up in the early morning and walk to the nearby Ja Rou Kiet Oak waterfall, where we will enjoy the view over the surrounding area.

After breakfast, we will continue with the official trekking route made by the guesthouse owner. The trek will take at least 3 to 4 hours depending on your level of fitness.

As you begin, you will hear Ja Rou Ha Lang, perhaps the most magnificent waterfall of the Bolaven Plateau, calling out to you. You can go so close to the falls that you can cool off in the refreshing mist. The journey takes you through vividly coloured flora and banana trees, which in the breeze seem to dance to the tune of the falling water.

Continue the trek and you can explore more elusive waterfalls nestled deeper in the forest like Ja Rou Man Druen! Further on, the canopy of the forest will open completely and lead you out into open valleys with great swimming options – such as Ja Rou Tha La Leui. Immersing yourself in the cool water truly enhances the experience.

The picnic lunch will be served in the middle of nowhere whilst the sound of nature is the only thing you can sense.

You have ample time to enjoy and take a dip if you wish before walking back to the guesthouse.

We then transfer back to Pakse to spend the night.

Distance: 98KM | 2-hour transfer

After breakfast, transfer by road to Wat Phou, an ancient Khmer religious complex dating back to the 5th Century. 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, which 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. Pass through the small town of Champasak, where French colonial buildings offer a great contrast to Wat Phou. Continue south, stopping at the wood carving village of Ban Nong Bune. From there, we will transfer further south to 4000 Island area. 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.

Today, we will stop at the biggest island of Done Khong, where we will spend the night

After breakfast, we paddle down the Mekong passing by peaceful island villages and forests until at a small island beach where we enjoy a picnic lunch and spend some time relaxing.

In the afternoon, we continue onwards to Don Khone Island passing plenty of small islands and islets. There are also many fishing boats of local people looking for the day catches.

We arrive in Done Khone around mid-afternoon, transfer to your hotel to take some rest.

If time permits, we head out for a walk around the island to see the local lives and admire the sunset along the bank of the Mekong River

Overnight in Khone Island

Approximately: 2.5 hours transfer, 4.5 hours kayaking

After enjoying breakfast, we take a short morning walk to visit some of the colonial buildings on the island before continuing onwards to the see the spectacular Liphi Waterfall.

Picnic lunch will be served near the waterfall.

We then paddle on downstream to Ban Hang Khone which takes us through some much more tranquil waters and through the gorges giving you the chance to take in the beautiful views.

Arriving at Ban Hang Khone, we paddle onwards for a short while to an area inhabited with dolphins.

After spending some time in the area and hopefully spotting some dolphins we return via boat back to Khone Island to spend the night

Approximately: 2.5 hours walking, 2.5 hours kayaking, 30-minute boat ride

After enjoying breakfast, we cycle to the end of Don Khone Island, from here we enjoy a short boat ride to Don en Island and begin paddling, from here we head downstream for around two hours to Thakhe village, passing through some exciting rapids along the way!

After stopping at the village for a while we board an awaiting tuktuk which transports us to the spectacular Khone Phapheng Waterfall, we take some time to take in the amazing views and enjoy lunch which is served amongst the breathtaking background!

After lunch we take a short walk to view the falls from above which gives a completley different perspective and another amazing set of views, the sheer power of the water at such a close range is truly staggering!

We then transfer back to Pakse to spend the night

Approximately: 2 Hours cycling, 2.5 hours kayaking and 30 minutes boat ride