4000 islands 2 days with Vat Phou temple
Si Pan Don (Lao language and means “4000 Islands”) is a unique landscape made of several thousand little islands and sandbars, spread out over 100 km down the Mekong river in the Southern most part of Laos. Larger islands like Don Khong, Don Det and Don Khone have become famous tourist destinations, with their laidback, sleepy charm and the amazing waterfalls created by the mighty Mekong. Many of the smaller ones are flooded during rainy season, the best time for a visit is from October to May.
DAY 1: PAKSE - 4000 ISLANDS
Departure: 08.00 hrs
Return: 19.30 hrs
08.00 hrs – 10.30 hrs
Drive by minivan through beautiful landscape to Ban Nakasang, where you change to ferry boat.
Ban Nakasang or Nakasang, it is one of the main stations for boat and bus services into and out of Don Det and Don Kon, the two most popular of the "4,000 Islands".
Passing numerous small islands and sandbars your boat will take you to Don Khone pier, where history and nature meet.
11.10 hrs – 11.40 hrs
Arrive at the pier of Ban Don Khone near the old colonial bridge connecting Don Khone and Don Det. Built in the 1800s by the French colonialists it was part of the railway trying to circumvent the impassable rapids and cascades around Don Khone. There is an old rusty locomotive with a detailed historic explanation just 100 meters down from the bridge.
12.30 hrs – 13.30 hrs
A Lao style lunch will be served at local restaurant in Ban Don Khone near the concrete bridge connecting Don Khone and Don Det.
13.35 hrs – 14.00 hrs
Check-in at Seng Ahloune resort.
Afterwards, a three wheeler takes you to the entrance of Liphi Waterfall, passing through rice fields and bamboo forest.
14.20 hrs – 15.40 hrs
Crossing the wooden bridge over a small tributary you discover that this park has much more to offer than just gazing at the cataracts of the Liphi Waterfall. The absolute highlight is the Zipline crisscrossing the turbulent water gushing down the rocks (Optional). There are also two small sandy beaches down from the falls, a vast bamboo garden and a beautiful restaurant with good views of the rapids.
15.50 hrs – 16.20 hrs
Three wheeler returns you to your hotel.
The resort situated on river right and just 2-minute walk to old French railway bridge.
Overnight at Seng Ahloune resort.
DAY 2: 4000 ISLANDS - VAT PHOU - PAKSE
08.00 hrs – 08.30 hrs
The boat will be waiting for you at your hotel pier to transfer back to Ban Nakasang.
08.50 hrs – 09.50 hrs
Continue to visit thundering Khonephapeng waterfall, the largest one by water volume in south-east Asia. Wandering along a meandering boardwalk under a canopy of trees on the edge of the roaring falls is an impressive sight to remember.
11.50 hrs – 12.10 hrs
Cross the Mekong by old traditional ferry.
12.20 hrs – 13.20 hrs
Continue to Champasak, a Lao style lunch will be served at the local restaurant. Overlooking the Mekong to Don Daeng Island. You can refresh body and mind with their exquisite food in the shadow of a curtain of bamboo.
13.40 hrs – 16.40 hrs
After entering VAT PHOU temple, it is recommended to visit the museum first. An electric shuttle vehicle will take you for free from the museum about 1 km to the first level of structural remains. Following the ancient causeway upwards past partially reconstructed ruins decorated with stone carvings of Hindu deities and demons, you climb up steep rocky stairways to reach the sacred spring, inviting you to taste the clean, fresh holy water.
17.20 hrs
Arrive in Pakse.
TOTAL COVERED DISTANCE: around 343 Kilometers.