Laos’ 4000 Islands: A 4-Day Journey of Tranquility & Nature

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Welcome to Laos’s captivating southern region, a land of tranquil beauty and natural wonders! This 4-day journey is specially curated for those who yearn to uncover the hidden charms of this landlocked nation. Starting in Pakse, the heart of Southern Laos, your adventure will weave through a tapestry of should-visit attractions, including breathtaking waterfalls, the venerable UNESCO Heritage Site of Wat Phou, encounters with exotic hill tribe villages, glimpses of old colonial architecture, verdant plantations, and the serene riverine archipelago of the 4000 Islands near the Cambodian border. If you are an adventure lover seeking a unique experience, a myriad of inviting outdoor activities awaits you in this untouched part of Laos. Join us to immerse yourself in the tranquility and nature that define this remarkable destination.

OVERVIEW ITINERARY

Here is overview itinerary. Please contact for more details and better offers. 

Day 1: Pakse & Bolaven Plateau: Waterfalls, Coffee & Hill Tribes

Day 2: Pakse → Champasak → Khong Island: Ancient Temples & Riverine Bliss

Day 3: Khong Island → Pakse: 4000 Islands Exploration & Waterfalls

Day 4: Pakse: Departure

DETAIL PROGRAM:

Day 1: Pakse & Bolaven Plateau: Waterfalls, Coffee & Hill Tribes

• Meals: None (Lunch on own as per itinerary note)

• Accommodation: Hotel in Pakse

• Activities:

  • Upon arrival in Pakse, the charming provincial capital of Laos, your guide and driver will be waiting to provide transport to your hotel for check-in.

  • Begin the day with a short orientation tour of Pakse, exploring its unique blend of colonial and Chinese-style buildings, in addition to its huge local market.

  • After the city tour, depart for the Bolaven Plateau, a mountainous region famed for its numerous hill tribes, stunning waterfalls, and fertile coffee and tea plantations.

  • Your first stops on the plateau are at Tad Fane and Tad Yuang waterfalls. Tad Fane is a spectacular set of twin 120-meter-high waterfalls, formed by the merging waters of the Champy and Pak Koot rivers, situated on the edge of the Dong Hua Sao protected area, 38km from Pakse.

  • Note: Water levels at the waterfalls may vary depending on the previous rainy season.

  • Next, make a short stop in Paksong before continuing east to reach the Sinouk Coffee Resort. An expert in coffee will lead a visit through the coffee plantation, explaining everything about the indigenous coffee trees and the different processing stages.

  • After the informative visit, enjoy a delicious lunch (lunch is not included in the package, allowing you flexibility). Most of the fresh vegetables for your meal come from the on-site organic garden. Following lunch, indulge in sampling many different types of locally produced coffee.

  • On the scenic drive back to Pakse, two significant stops will be made. The first is a visit to Tad Lo Waterfalls, a beautiful formation of three separate cascades. From the bridge, guests will first see Tad Hang and then Tad Lo in the distance. The most impressive of the three, Tad Suong, is located a further 10km upriver.

  • The second stop is the small village of Ban Houay Houn, famous for its distinctive Katu textiles. Observe the village’s women skillfully weaving without a traditional loom, using their legs to stretch the fabric, a unique traditional technique.

  • Return to Pakse in the late afternoon and transfer to your hotel for overnight stay.

Day 2: Pakse → Champasak → Khong Island: Ancient Temples & Riverine Bliss

• Meals: Breakfast (B)

• Accommodation: Hotel in Khong Island

• Activities:

  • After breakfast, transfer by road to Wat Phou.

  • Recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, Wat Phou is a spectacular pre-Angkorian temple complex nestled amidst the rice fields and waterways of southern Laos. The temple was constructed in three levels: the bottom level features the baray (water reservoir) and promenade, the second level boasts pavilions and galleries of carvings, and the top level is the sanctuary itself. This temple served as the most important economic and political center of the region during its time and still stands as one of the Lao people’s most revered temples.

  • Pass through Champasak town, driving through streets lined with charming French colonial buildings, and stop for lunch at a local restaurant (lunch on own).

  • After lunch, continue your journey to Khong Island, the largest island in Southern Laos and the gateway to the captivating 4,000 Islands Region (Siphandon). Here, the mighty Mekong stretches over 14km wide, housing thousands of islands amidst its cascades and rapids, creating a truly unique landscape.

  • Overnight stay on Khong Island, allowing you to immerse in its tranquil ambiance.

Day 3: Khong Island → Pakse: 4000 Islands Exploration & Waterfalls

• Meals: Breakfast (B)

• Accommodation: Hotel in Pakse

• Activities:

  • After breakfast at your hotel, depart at 08:00 AM for a full day exploring the stunning 4000 Islands (Si Phan Don).

  • Travel first by car (approximately 45 minutes) to the charming village of Ban Nakasan. From here, take a local boat to the peaceful island of Don Khone, a serene haven of plantations and simple villages. Cycling is the best way to explore the area's tranquil beauty, though a tuk-tuk can also be arranged.

  • Visit the impressive Lippi Falls (Tad Somphamit), located on the west of Don Khone, very close to the Cambodian border. Their original name, Tad Somphamit, means “trap spirit,” as locals revere these falls, believing they act as a trap for bad spirits.

  • Learn about the islands' significant role during French colonial rule, as they served as a vital link between Laos, Cambodia, and southern Vietnam. A railway bridge was constructed to cross the waterfalls, which now provides an excellent viewpoint for visitors.

  • Return to Ban Nakasan by boat and then transfer back to your hotel in Pakse by car, arriving in time to enjoy the beautiful sunset over the city.

Day 4: Pakse: Departure

• Meals: Breakfast (B)

• Accommodation: None (Departure Day)

• Activities:

  • After breakfast, enjoy some free time until your scheduled transfer.

  • Transport will be provided back to Pakse International Airport (PKZ) for your onward flight.

  • Note: This tour itinerary may be subject to minor changes depending on prevailing weather conditions to ensure the best possible experience.

  • Ends of services.