The Ultimate Serenity of Southern Laos Tour 5 days

On arrival at Pakse Airport, you will be met and transferred to Tadlo, passing many charming villages and rolling hills. The deep contrast between the lush, green vegetation and the red surface of the basaltic soil is an incredible thing to see as you pass along. You then stop at tea and coffee plantations, followed by a stop at Tad Fan Waterfall, a picturesque twin chute waterfall. You explore another interesting minority village, Ban Bong Neua, an Alak village boasting a sacrificial altar. You arrive at the beautiful Tadlo Waterfall in the afternoon, where you have the rest of the day at leisure for the stroll around, swim on the river, watch the elephant bath and enjoy the sunset over your Lao beer. Also, the option of a short elephant ride to take in the beautiful scenery. Overnight at Tadlo Lodge.

The scenic drive delivers you to the former royal capital of Champasak, a gateway to the pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Phu. The hillside edifice was once an important sanctuary of the Khmer Empire. The temple structure was partly destroyed during the areas turbulent history, yet it is still fascinating to walk among the ruins. You will follow the walkway from the lower to the upper section, which features various iconic forms, including Vishnu, Shiva, and Kala. The temple upper ground also affords a spectacular view of the surrounding valley and the mighty Mekong River. You will then visit Wat Phou Museum and Oum Moung Temple. Then drive to the 4000 Islands and 30 minutes by boat from the central market to Done Khone Island, you reach the picturesque island of Don Khone by afternoon just enough to watch the sunset over the Mekong River.

Overnight in Khone Island at Auberge Sala Done Khone.

Following breakfast, disembark at Don Khone for the option of exploring the island by bicycle, admiring some of the old French Colonial buildings and Liphi Waterfall or "the Corridor of the Devil". Lunch at local restaurant. You also have the option of taking a local boat out to search for the rare freshwater dolphins that reside in this area of the Mekong. Return to Khone Island for overnight.

After an early breakfast, take a long tail boat to Khone and head back to the mainland. Visit Khone Phapheng waterfall, considered the largest by volume in South East Asia; this is a really impressive site near the Lao-Cambodian border, set within an area teeming with wildlife, making this area one of the most breathtaking destinations in Laos. Lunch during visits. Then continue to Don Daeng Island where you have the afternoon at leisure, to explore the island by bicycle, or relax. Overnight on Don Daeng Island at La Folie Lodge.

After breakfasts, you are free at leisure until transfer straight to Pakse Airport for your departure flight to the next destinations: Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Siem Reap, Danang, Ho Chi Minh City or Bangkok.