.png)
Each of our trips is tailored to your personal interests and preferences. Below you will find a sample itinerary to inspire your own tailor-made trip.
Southern Laos Exploration
Detailed itinerary
Day 1:
Landing in Pakse - Wat Phou - Dong Khong Island (B)
By the time you arrive in Pakse, the air already feels softer, as if the Mekong itself is quietly setting the pace for what lies ahead. Your journey begins toward Champasak, where echoes of a royal past linger in wooden homes and temple grounds shaded by ancient trees. At Wat Phou, time seems to loosen its grip. You walk slowly along stone pathways worn smooth over centuries, ascending toward sanctuaries that open to sweeping views of the Mekong plain below, the scent of incense drifting gently through the mountain air. As the day unfolds, the road carries you further south to Ban Hat Xaikhoun, where the river widens and life moves with a quieter rhythm. Crossing onto Don Khong Island, you enter a world shaped by water and tradition, where stilted houses rest beneath swaying palms and fishermen return home in the fading light. By the time you reach your hotel, the sun is slipping low, casting a golden sheen across the Mekong, and you find yourself settling in, not just for the evening, but into a slower, more thoughtful way of being.
Overnight on Pon Arena hotel, Khong Island
Overnight on Pon Arena hotel, Khong Island
Day 2:
Exploring The 4,000 Island - Don Khong (B/L)
The day begins on the quiet waters of the Mekong, where your boat slips gently between islands as morning life reveals itself in small, unspoken moments, a fisherman casting his net, a child waving from the riverbank, the soft rhythm of a world shaped by water. Arriving in Ban Khone, you wander through a village where time lingers, where weathered colonial houses and the remains of an old railway speak softly of a past that still feels close enough to touch. By late morning, a tuk tuk carries you deeper into the island, along shaded paths and through scenes of everyday life that unfold without ceremony, offering a rare sense of intimacy with the place. At Li Phi Waterfall, the mood shifts as the Mekong gathers force, rushing through rock and legend, its energy both powerful and quietly spiritual. As the afternoon drifts in, the island invites you to slow once more, to settle into its gentle rhythm, where the hours stretch easily and the simplest moments begin to feel the most meaningful.
Overnight on Sengahloun Resort, Don Khone
Overnight on Sengahloun Resort, Don Khone
Day 3:
Kayaking the Mekong Waters (B/L)
After breakfast, embark on a serene adventure to truly feel the rhythm of Si Phan Don, the legendary “4,000 Islands” of southern Laos. Paddle gently across calm waterways in a guided kayaking experience, led by a local expert who knows every curve and hidden channel of the Mekong. For the more adventurous, join an experienced kayaker to navigate lively currents and small rapids, where the river’s pulse reveals its playful, untamed spirit. Along the way, admire floating villages, fishermen casting nets in the early light, and children laughing along the banks, timeless scenes that capture the gentle soul of the Mekong.
Overnight on Sengahloun Resort, Don Khone
Overnight on Sengahloun Resort, Don Khone
Day 4:
From The 4,000 Island to Ban Kiet Ngong - The Spirit of the south (B/L)
After breakfast, take a boat back to Ban Nakasang, where your driver awaits for the journey northward.
Visit to Khone Phapheng Waterfall: Arrive at the magnificent Khone Phapheng Waterfall, often called the Niagara of the East. This immense cascade, the largest in Southeast Asia, thunders through the Mekong, a breathtaking display of untamed natural power.
Scenic Drive to Ban Kiet Ngong: Continue your drive through the verdant landscapes of southern Laos, where rice fields shimmer and water buffalo graze lazily in the heat of the day.
Reach Ban Kiet Ngong, a peaceful village known for its wetlands and traditional way of life. Take time to wander through the community, observe local customs, and soak in the serenity of rural Laos.
Check in at Kingfisher Ecolodge and relax amid nature’s quiet elegance, overlooking the tranquil Xe Pian wetlands.
Overnight at Kingfisher Ecolodge, Ban Kiet Ngong
Day 5:
Ban Kiet Ngong to Paksong: Journey to The Bolaven Plateau (B/L)
After breakfast, begin your ascent toward the Bolaven Plateau, where cooler air and emerald landscapes replace the warmth of the lowlands.
Arrive at Tad Fane Waterfall, one of Laos’s most dramatic twin cascades plunging into a lush jungle gorge. For those seeking adventure, take part in an optional zipline experience, soaring above the misty canopy for a thrilling perspective of the falls. Continue to Tad Yuang, another spectacular waterfall surrounded by tropical forest. Stroll down to the base for sweeping views and the sound of rushing water echoing through the trees.
Continue your journey through highland coffee country, passing verdant plantations and local villages. Arrive in Paksong, the heart of the Bolaven Plateau, and check in to your hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax and enjoy the tranquil mountain air.
Overnight at Sabaidee Valley Resort in Paksong.
Day 6:
Paksong: Exploring The Bolaven Plateau & Tad Lo Waterfalls (B/L)
After breakfast, set out to explore the Bolaven Plateau, a highland region known for its cool climate and fertile soil. As you drive through misty hills, the air grows crisp and filled with the scent of coffee blossoms and damp earth.
Scenic Drive Through Plantations: Pass vibrant stretches of coffee, tea, cardamom, and banana plantations, where farmers tend their crops amid the rolling green landscape. The plateau offers a refreshing contrast to the warmth of the Mekong lowlands.
Visit Tad Lo Waterfall: Arrive at Tad Lo, where cascading waters carve through dense forest. Enjoy a leisurely walk along the riverbank, taking in the natural beauty and peaceful rhythm of this remote region.
Visit Tad Lo Waterfall: Arrive at Tad Lo, where cascading waters carve through dense forest. Enjoy a leisurely walk along the riverbank, taking in the natural beauty and peaceful rhythm of this remote region.
Explore Ethnic Minority Villages: Visit nearby Alak, Nge, and Katu villages, home to ethnic communities whose traditional stilt houses and vibrant weaving reflect centuries of cultural heritage.
Drive back through the plateau, pausing to admire the shifting light over the highlands before returning to your hotel.
Overnight at Sabaidee Valley Resort in Paksong.
Day 7:
Paksong to Pakse: Handicrafts & Riverside Heritage (B/L)
After breakfast, leave the misty Bolaven Plateau behind and drive back toward Pakse, descending from the highlands into the serene Mekong valley.
Visit to Ban Saphai Handicraft Village: Arrive at Ban Saphai, a riverside village renowned for its traditional weaving. Watch artisans at work on wooden looms, crafting textiles that reflect generations of Lao artistry. Explore Don Kho Island: Take a short boat ride to Don Kho, a small island where time seems to slow. Wander through tranquil paths lined with stilted homes and observe daily life by the river.
Drive back to Pakse for a leisurely afternoon exploring the town. Visit Wat Phou Salao Temple: Climb to Wat Phou Salao, set high above the Mekong, where a golden Buddha watches over the city below, a peaceful place for quiet reflection.
Return to your hotel and unwind as the sun sets over the river.
Overnight at Champa Palace Hotel, Pakse.
Day 8:
Pakse travel to Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand (B)
After breakfast, meet your driver for the final leg of your journey. Travel south toward the Vang Tao border, where Laos gently gives way to Thailand. Complete immigration formalities and continue your drive into Ubon Ratchathani, a quiet province known for its temples, gentle pace, and warm hospitality. Arrival in Ubon Ratchathani, your guide will assist with local arrangements and suggest nearby hotels for your stay. The remainder of the day is at leisure to rest or explore the city’s calm streets and riverside temples. End of our service.
Need more inspiration?
- Day 1: Wat Phou
- Day 2: 4000 Island
- Day 3: 4000 Island
- Day 4:
- Day 5: Tad Fane & Tad Lo waterfalls
- Day 6: Bolaven Plateau
- Day 7: Pakse
- Day 8: Pakse
Southern Laos Exploration
Price guide
Contact us
pp
