Southern Laos

Upon arrival, driving to the Bolaven Plateau, the renowned coffee of Laos is produced in this region. During colonization, the French promoted the production of high-quality Arabica and Robusta strains. Production declined during the war years, but is now experiencing a renaissance. The climate of the plateau with its cooler temperatures and abundant rainfall makes it the perfect place for coffee production. A chance to visit some coffee and tea plantations and taste the unique flavor of Lao coffee. This area is rich in ethnic groups, predominantly Laven. En route, the road between Pakse and Paksong on the western edge of the plateau, visit Tad E-Tu Waterfall. Continue to Tad Fane Waterfall, the highest in Champasak Province, and the nearby Tad Yuang Waterfall. Overnight in Paksong

After breakfast, drive from Paksong down into the Mekong plain and visit the town of Champasak, where we’ll explore the French colonial architecture dotting the town. Further south, we reach the ruined Khmer temple complex of Vat Phou and continue to Done Khong. Vat Phou is considered one of the oldest archaeological sites in Laos. One temple on the site was constructed around the 5th century but most buildings found in the complex are from the 11th to 13th centuries. Like other notable Khmer architecture in Southeast Asia, it was constructed using sandstone, laterite, and bricks. Among many of the outstanding carvings, there are Indra, the Hindu god of war, storms, and rainfall, riding a three-headed elephant, and Vishnu riding on a garuda, an eagle Overnight on Done Khong

Explore the area of ‘​​Si Pan Done’ (4000 Islands) by boat. The pace of life is slow in the rural area where local people live in small wooden houses on stilts and where cows, goats, pigs, and other animals roam around free. Meaning “Four Thousand Islands”, Si Phan Done is a group of islands in the Mekong River in the South of Laos. The area’s main attractions are its rural character, tranquility, the opportunity to watch the rare Irrawaddy dolphin, and the Khone Phapheng Waterfall. The most visited islands are Don Khone, Don Det, and Don Khong, which is the largest island. Don Det is a small island that offers the most choice of accommodation. The island attracts a large number of backpackers. The larger Don Khone Island, which is just one kilometer from the Cambodian border is less developed than Don Det. The Irrawaddy dolphin lives in the waters South of this island. The island is connected with Don Det with a bridge built by the French during the colonial era. During the rainy season, it is up to 12 km wide. When the water goes back, there are many small islands. It is this phenomenon that gave the region its name. Overnight on Done Khone

Return to the mainland and visit the legendary Tad Khone Phapheng Cascade Falls. A series of cascading waterfalls in the Mekong river is one of Laos’ most beautiful natural attractions. The impressive falls in Champasak province near the Cambodian border are the largest in volume in Southeast Asia. The falls, also known as Khone Phapheng, is located in the 4000 Islands. At this point the Mekong river broadens out; during the rainy season, the river and series of cascades are kilometers wide and extend over a length of almost 10 km downstream. Continue to the Xe Pian National Park area to the beautiful Kingfisher Ecolodge to relax or, alternatively, for some lighter activities; e.g. Hike or elephant safari to Phou Asa Mountain.

Free time in the morning; then return transfer to Pakse. Arrival in Pakse in the afternoon. Transfer to the airport for departure flight.