Laos5 days
Southern Laos: Temples, Plateau & Mekong — 5 Days
Wat Phou, Bolaven Plateau coffee region, and the 4000 Islands by boat and bicycle
This five-day route moves through three distinct regions of southern Laos, each with its own geography and history. The itinerary begins at Wat Phou, an 11th-to-13th-century Khmer temple complex and UNESCO World Heritage site near Pakse. From there, it ascends to the Bolaven Plateau, where cooler temperatures and monsoon rainfall support Laos's coffee production alongside several major waterfalls. The final two days visit the 4000 Islands section of the Mekong River—first by bicycle and on foot across Don Khong and Don Khone, then by boat to view the wide, island-studded channels and the colonial-era railway infrastructure built to bypass the region's rapids.
Highlights
- Wat Phou Khmer temple complex (11th–13th centuries), designated UNESCO World Heritage site in 2001
- Tad Lo and Tad Fan waterfalls on the Bolaven Plateau, within the Annamite Mountain Range
- Coffee plantations and production on the Bolaven Plateau's cooler slopes
- Bicycle and walking exploration of Don Khong island in the 4000 Islands region
- Li Phi falls and French colonial railway bridge on Don Khone
- Khone Phapheng cascade falls, where the Mekong River widens to 12 kilometers during rainy season
- Boat journey through Si Pan Don, the 4000 Islands section of the Mekong
Day by day
1Pakse and Wat Phou Khmer Temple ComplexPakse · Wat Phou · Pakse airport
Your guide meets you at Pakse airport and drives south to Wat Phou, a Khmer temple complex built on a site occupied since the 5th century. The ruins visible today date to the 11th through 13th centuries and were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2001. The temple reflects the cultural reach of the Khmer Empire into present-day southern Laos. After exploring the site, return to Pakse for the night.
2Bolaven Plateau: Waterfalls and Coffee RegionBolaven Plateau · Tad Lo · Tad Fan
A morning drive takes you to the Bolaven Plateau, a highland region within the Annamite Mountain Range that runs along Laos's eastern border with Vietnam. The plateau's cooler temperatures and heavy seasonal rainfall create ideal conditions for coffee cultivation; most of Laos's renowned coffee is produced here. The day includes stops at several waterfalls, particularly Tad Lo and Tad Fan, where their cascades feed the region's river systems. Overnight on the plateau near the falls.
3Don Khong Island: Bicycling and Temple RuinsDon Khong · Wat Tomo
A scenic drive south leads to Don Khong, one of the larger permanent islands in the 4000 Islands region (Si Pan Don). En route, you stop at Wat Tomo, another temple ruin that contains pre-Angkorian sculptures, including a Mukhalinga (a human-headed linga) now housed in the Vat Phou Museum. Don Khong can be explored on foot or by bicycle, allowing for a slower pace through its villages and landscape. Overnight on the island.
4Don Khone and the Li Phi Falls by BoatDon Khone · Li Phi falls · 4000 Islands section of the Mekong River
An early morning boat excursion visits the 4000 Islands section of the Mekong River. During the rainy season, the river widens to approximately 12 kilometers, and as waters recede, numerous small islands emerge—the origin of the region's name. From a distance, the roar of Li Phi falls grows louder as you approach. You'll also see the old locomotive and colonial-era railway bridge built by the French to circumvent the rapids and waterfalls that otherwise obstruct passage downstream. Overnight on Don Khone.
5Khone Phapheng Falls and DepartureKhone Phapheng cascade · nearby restaurant · Don Kalor
A final boat journey returns you to the mainland and the Khone Phapheng cascade, one of the region's most substantial waterfalls. After a meal at a nearby restaurant, the route continues to Don Kalor at the border, where you can arrange onward travel to Cambodia or return to Pakse.
Where you go
- 1Pakse
- 2Wat Phou
- 3Pakse Airport
- 4Bolaven Plateau
- 5Tad Lo
- 6Tad Fan
- 7Don Khong
- 8Wat Tomo
- 9Don Khone
- 10Li Phi falls
- 11Khone Phapheng cascade
- 12Don Kalor
Included
- All sightseeing as described in program above
- Transportation in private AC vehicles
- Accommodation in hotels (twin shared)
- English-speaking guide
- Admission fees to sights described above
- Meals: B= breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner
- Lao PDR governmental tax and service charge
- Luggage handling
Not included
- International air tickets to/from Laos
- Visa fee (US $40/pax)
- Travel insurance of any kind
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Tips, drinks, personal expenses and other expenses not described in the program above
- Single room surcharge on request