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Vat Phou and the 4000 Islands |
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5 nights / 6 days |
| This one week trip to southern Laos was designed for two couples with older kids and two grandparents. Exploring southern Laos was the first part of the journey which ended with a week in a beautiful villa in the island of Koh Samui in Thailand. Southern Laos works very well for groups of friends and extended families. The area is awash with islands and has a wonderful peace and idyllic charm. From amazing waterfalls to the rare Irrawaddy dolphins. From the the temples of Vat Phou to the coffee plantations of the Bolaven Plateu; this journey explores southern Laos in a relaxed and interesting way. |
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Day 1
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The journey starts in Pakse. Situated at the confluence of the Mekong and the Sedone Rivers, Pakse is the provincial capital of Champasak. One night in Pakse is optional. Our choice of accommodation in Pakse is an old French colonial guesthouse located near the night market.
From Pakse we travel south following the course of the Mekong to the southernmost tip of Laos, close to the Cambodian border. Here the river splits into many channels separated by sandbanks and islands of various sizes, some inhabited, some the haunt only of wild animals and birds.
This untamed and remote region is known as the wild ‘paradise of 4,000 Islands.’ In high water, many of these islands are fully submerged.
Our destination is the island of Don Khong, the largest of the group of islands. We travel along RN 13, originally built by French colonizers to link Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) with Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Khong Island is the birthplace of the President of the Peoples Republic of Laos (Mr Khamtay Siphandone).
In Done Khong there are a few small villages. One fun thing to do is to rent a bike or a motorbike and spend anything from a few hours to an entire day exploring parts of the island. There are also a couple of fun half day walking trails crisscrossing the island. There are a few restaurants lined up overlooking the river great for enjoying some eats and drinks by the water side. Overnight accommodation is a basic but totally charming French colonial cottage owned and run by a local family.
Done Khong is very tranquil and well worth at least 2 nights if you have the time. |
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Day 2 |
Today we head even further south to visit the the only two other inhabited islands, Don Khone and Don Det. On route we visit the spectacular waterfalls of Khone Pha Pheng, the "Niagara of the East" and the fishing village of Xieng Di where you might like to have lunch at a local restaurant.
These two islands are linked by a concrete bridge built by the French.
Don Khone also has remnants of an old steam engine which is left over from the when the French built the only railroad in Laos. The railway was built as a way to transport goods from Laos to Cambodia without having to negotiate the Pha Pheng waterfalls. From the southern tip of Done Khone a small island is accessible from which Irrawaddy dolphins can be watched during the dry season. For those interested the it is possible to visit the Mekong Dolphin Conservation Center.
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In the afternoon take long tail boat to the Khong Island village of Ban Veuthong, where you will board the waiting Vat Phou for a sunset cruise and dinner, docked riverside for the night.The Vat Phou is a floating hotel, in which you can relax in comfort as you enjoy the ever-changing pageant of river scenery and life as you pass by. The boat has ten comfortable cabins, each with twin beds and an en-suite bathroom with hot showers. All cabins and the lower deck restaurant are air-conditioned. The open, shaded upper deck is equipped with rattan armchairs, sofas, coffee tables and loungers for absolute comfort. The galley produces the finest of Laotian, Vietnamese and Thai dishes, lovingly prepared and beautifully presented. The crew is on hand at all times to provide you with the finest service. Coffee, tea and water are provided free of charge, and there is also a selection of beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks. The boat was converted in 1993 it retained a character that is unmistakably oriental. |
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Day 3 |
| Breakfast on board Vat Phou as we set sail to Ban Dua Tae, and visit this traditional Laotian Village after the visit we sail North, past the island of Don Xai, and into a myriad of islands of all shapes and sizes.
Enjoy the lunch during cruising North to the island of Don Daeng, to visit the village of Huei Thamo and the mysterious Oum Moung forest temple, just a few minutes’ walk way. Dinner "Under the stars", aboard Vat Phou. |
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Day 4 |
While enjoying breakfast on board, the Vat Phou continues its cruise to Ban Wat Luang Kao, where we stop to visit the pre-Angkorian temple of Vat Phou.
Wat Phou (Vat Phu) is a ruined Khmer Hindu temple complex located at the base of mount Phu Kao, some 6 km from the Mekong River. The temple has a unique structure, in which the elements lead to a shrine where a linga was bathed in water from a mountain spring. The site later became a centre of Theravada Buddhist worship, which it remains today.
We overnight in a lodge on the tranquil island of Dong Daeng. Surrounded by lush gardens and with views of the river and distant mountains, travellers seeking solitude and tranquility will love the location. Each simple but comfortably appointed room is housed within a bungalow and affords magnificent views across the Mekong. The lodge offers a refreshing swimming pool (one of the few properties to do so in the
south) and also has bikes available to explore the traditional riverside life of the island. |
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Day 5 |
| Today we visit the Boloven Plateau, an area of highlands between 1000m and 1300m, with lots of rain and a relatively mild climate. The plateau is crossed by several rivers and has many scenic waterfalls. Due to its fertile soil and good climate the Bolaven plateau is farmed intensively and is particularly well known for its coffee plantations. Coffee was introduced to the Bolaven plateau in the early 20th century by the French Colons. Nowadays there are numerous coffee plantations, from small family-run farms to larger estates. We explore the cascading waterfalls of Tad Lo and Tad Fane, visit a local coffee plantation and visit off-the-beaten track local villages. |
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Day 6
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This morning pedal your way along shady paths as you take a biking tour around Don Daeng Island. Talk to friendly locals, relax on sandy beaches, and enjoy the laid back pace of southern Laos. A picnic lunch is served in the countryside with sweeping views of the Mekong. Along the way, you might have the chance to sample the local fruits or catch the locals at work on handicrafts such as basket weaving. The island also has a few pagodas which date back to the Wat Phou era and are entangled with the natural jungle.
As the evening approaches, return for a swim or relaxing massage. |
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Ballpark Cost: |
| The price of this trip varies depending on the accomodation, the category of toom, the type of vehicle, whether the guide is english speaking or any other language. Send us a mail and we will send you a detailed quotation. |
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Information and bookings: |
travel@indochinainstyle.com
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