Mekong Adventure | South Laos Tour

Day 1 - Vientiane - arrival and Mekong sunset

Morning arrival in Vientiane and afternoon at leisure in the Lao capital. Explore the local markets, stretch your legs with a stroll along the Mekong waterfront or just sit back in a riverbank cafe and watch the world go by. An evening welcome dinner introduces you to the little-known but tasty cuisine in a local-style restaurant.

Overnight: Vientiane Transport: Walk,  Meals: D, 

Day 2 - Vientiane - tour of the city sights

Leisurely morning to acclimatise, before an afternoon tour of some of the city’s sites including Si Saket Temple with its 1,000 Buddha images and Vientiane’s most famous monument, Patuxay and the iconic That Luang Stupa. A less cheerful, but highly informative stop, will be made at the excellent COPE exhibition centre, highlighting a problem the local people face daily in the form of unexploded ordnance left over from the Vietnam War.

Overnight: Vientiane Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, D, 

Day 3 - On the road - to spectacular Khammouane Province

Leave Vientiane for a leisurely drive southeast to Khammouane, one of Laos’ most picturesque, yet least visited provinces. Stops along the way will include the highly unusual ‘Buddha Park’ and a traditional-style hill-tribe market. Afternoon arrival at Hin Boun, a remote village set among dramatic karst scenery for our night’s accommodation in a charming riverside eco-resort.

Overnight: Hin Boun Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, L, 

Day 4 - Hin Boun - boat journey along an underground river

Departure by boat for an exploration of the incredible Konglor Cave – a 7 km long cavern with spectacular stalactite formations and an underground river running from end to end. On leaving the cave we’ll hike through the hidden valley on the far side before completing our day with a transfer to the cute old French-era river port of Thakaek, in time perhaps for sunset on the waterfront.

Overnight: Thakaek Transport: Minibus, Boat, Walk,  Meals: B, L, 

Day 5 - Thakaek - hike through jungle and caves

Morning exploring some of the region’s limestone scenery including visits to a series of 300-year-old cave temples before an afternoon drive south to the historic, riverside town of Savannakhet.

Overnight: Savannakhet Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, L, 

Day 6 - Pakse - south from Savannakhet and afternoon at leisure

Time to check out some of Savannakhet’s French-period architecture or just soak up the river views from the Inn’s terrace before a drive south along the Mekong Valley to another old French period river port, Pakse. Late afternoon arrival, in time perhaps for sundowners on the hotel’s rooftop cafe?

Overnight: Pakse Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, D, 

Day 7 - Bolaven Plateau - coffee plantations and waterfalls

Tour of some of the sites of the Bolaven Plateau, home to numerous ethnic minorities and the centre of Lao’s coffee growing industry. The day will include a visit to one of the area’s coffee plantations, a fascinating local market and the spectacular Tad Yeuang Falls.

Overnight: Pakse Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, L, 

Day 8 - Champassak - boat trip down the Mekong

Back on to the Mekong for a boat trip downstream to the charming riverside town of Champassak. Afternoon stroll to discover the quaint town’s well-preserved French-period villas and ancient Buddhist wats.

Overnight: Champassak Transport: Boat, Walk,  Meals: B, D, 

Day 9 - UNESCO World Heritage Wat Phu

Morning visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Wat Phu Temple – a pre-Angkor, Khmer, Hindu temple dramatically situated on a mountainside overlooking the valley of the Mekong – followed by a short walk to visit some of the lesser-visited, outlying temple ruins. Afternoon at leisure in our riverside resort.

Overnight: Champassak Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, 

Day 10 - The 4,000 Islands - boat journey through the archipelago

Across the Mekong and time to head south to our embarkment point for an island hopping boat tour through the 4,000 Islands – a stretch of the Mekong of truly outstanding natural beauty. Our boat trip includes a stop for lunch courtesy of local villagers, with our day’s final destination being the picturesque Khone Island.

Overnight: Khone Island Transport: Boat, Walk,  Meals: B, L, 

Day 11 - Don Khone - morning island tour

The morning is spent exploring some of the sites of Khone Island on foot and by tuk-tuk including the Liphi falls and old WW2 Japanese railway. The afternoon is at leisure for you to explore further on foot or by bicycle or just sit back and relax by the resort’s pool.

Overnight: Khone Island Transport: Walk, Tuk Tuk,  Meals: B, D, 

Day 12 - Into northern Cambodia - freshwater dolphins

Time to head back to the mainland and cross the border into northern Cambodia and the remote town of Stung Treng. From here we continue south to Kratie town for an afternoon Mekong boat tour to see rare freshwater dolphins followed perhaps by sundowners in a Mekong-side Kratie cafe.

Overnight: Kratie Transport: Minibus, Boat,  Meals: B, 

Day 13 - South along the Mekong to Phnom Penh

Continue south through Kampong Cham Province with a stop at the well-preserved 12th-century site of Wat Nokor and afternoon arrival at our well-located Phnom Penh hotel. An evening farewell, Khmer-style dinner completes the tour.

Overnight: Phnom Penh Transport: Minibus,  Meals: B, L, D, 

Day 14 - Phnom Penh - morning at leisure and end of tour

Morning at leisure in Phnom Penh; some last-minute market shopping at the Russian market or just relax by the pool with a departure at your convenience.

Extra nights in Vientiane or Phnom Penh before or after your tour are available on request.

Airport transfers are included if you purchase the 'with flights' package. If you purchased your own flights, airport transfers can be arranged.

Overnight: Departure Transport: Walk,  Meals: B,