Undiscovered Southern Laos & Cambodia

Upon arrival at the Pakse Airport, you will be welcomed by our Asia Senses guide then be transferred to your hotel for check in. Pakse is the capital of Champasak province. It's one of the biggest cities in Laos and a major transportation hub for southern Laos.

After a short rest, we take a short transfer (36km) to visit Baan E Tu and Tad E Tu waterfall in Bolaven Plateau. The plateau is located in an ancient volcano which erupted millennia ago and is full of lush vegetation, rich soil and a year-round temperate climate that is the perfect environment for growing Arabica and Robusta coffee. Along the way, you could see lush, beautiful coffee farms.

Ban E-Tu Waterfall is located between Pakse and Paksong, offers a serene place for refreshing swimming. Then we visit Tad Fane Waterfall which is 3 km far from Ban E Tu Waterfall. It is the tallest waterfalls in Bolaven Plateau and probably in Laos. We also stop to visit villages of ethnic minorities.

After that, we drive back to Pakse City for dinner. Relaxing at the hotel and enjoying coffee - specialty of Bolaven Plateau.

Overnight in Pakse.

Today, we will head south to Champasak to visit Wat Phou - one of the oldest archaeological site in Laos built about 200 years before Angkor Wat. Located at the base of the Phu Kao mountain, the temple has a unique structure, in which the elements lead to a shrine where a lingam dedicated to Lord Shiva was bathed in water from a mountain spring. The site later became a centre of Theravada Buddhist worship, which it remains today. Wat Phou has been designated as the World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001.

Next, enjoy a meal in Ban Wat That Village, a laidback township with friendly people and beautiful scenery, where you can enjoy a leisurely afternoon. Tonight you’ll check into the charming La Folie Lodge on Don Daeng Island, complete with river views and manicured gardens.

Overnight in Champasak.

Explore more of Champasak today with a hike to the ruins of Um Tomo Temple, a Khmer-style temple located on the bank of the Mekong amid trees and rice fields. Next, it’s on to view traditional wood carvings in a local village.

After that, return to Don Daeng Island where you will end the day’s expeditions with a tour of the river communities of Don Daeng. This area in the Mekong comprises more than 4,000 islands of various sizes, characterized by their laid-back pace the rustic wooden bungalows that comprise them. You'll get a rare glimpse of river life by visiting one of these communities, touring a local school, and meeting village elders. There is a chance to enjoy a traditional local meal of papaya salad (som tum), sticky rice, and grilled fish.

Overnight in Champasak.

The tiny island of Don Khone is your destination today. Measuring only 1.5 by 2.5 miles, this sleepy village sports thatch-roof huts and swaying palms, as well as a collection of old colonial buildings.

Upon arrival, check in the hotel then take a tour of the colonial holdovers today, visiting old French villas and the narrow gauge railway that was constructed during World War II.

In the afternoon, you'll take a local boat ride past the tiny islands dotted throughout this tropical paradise to Khone Phapheng and Li Phi Falls. If you’re lucky, you might see some of the rare and elusive pink Irrawaddy dolphins. Numbers of Irrawaddy dolphins in the area are critically low, but tourism drives support to conserve these friendly creatures, who can most typically be seen at the southern tip of the island.

Overnight in Don Khone.

Today you'll visit nearby islands, and take a day-trip to the silk weaving village of Ban Saphai. Ban Saphai is the historic capital of weaving in Champasak and it's here where you'll get a demonstration in "mut mee" weaving from local craftspeople and have the chance to pick up a traditional shoulder sash or skirt.

Afterwards, explore the islands at your leisure by bicycle – the islands' most popular form of transport.

Overnight in Don Khone.

This day, we bid farewell to Laos, crossing the border into Cambodia at Stung Treng border. From the border, we will travel to Banlung, the capital of Ratanakiri Province in northeastern Cambodia. The drive takes us through rural area of the remote Ratanakiri province which boasts some of the more striking landscapes of the area and is home to several ethnic minority groups and natural attractions. You could watch scenes of rural life play out amidst a hazy, visceral sunset. Have lunch on the way at a local restaurant.

Upon arrival Banlung, you will be transferred to the hotel for check in. The rest of day, you could relax at hotel or stroll around town and discover Banlung on your own. Over the next few days we will venture out to discover attractions of this remote area.

Overnight in Banlung.

After breakfast, we take a short transfer (approximately 38 km from Banlung) to Voen Sai Village which is located on the bank of Tonle San river. The headquarters of Virachey National Park are located in the village. Upon arrival, we will walk around and discover the unique cultures of the village where Khmer people live alongside Lao, Chinese and Kreung minorities.

From here, we start our trekking tour to Virachey National Park, one of the most important wildlife and forest preservation areas in the whole of South East Asia. Along the trails, our guide is very pleasant to give you information about plants and animals which are living in Virachey National Park. Keep an eye out and you might spot wild animals and birds. If you are lucky, you could see a clouded leopard, elephants or a tiger.

After the trek, you will be transfer back to Banlung then take a visit to Yeak Laom Lake, which was formed many centuries ago from a volcano. Swim in crystal clear waters and enjoy the beautiful scenery of this volcanic lake.

Overnight at hotel in Banlung.

This morning, we will travel to the small town of Borkeo to visit local mining communities and watch the precarious way the locals mine for amethyst and zircon.

We then continue our trip to Andong Meas, a district in Ratanakiri Province, north-eastern Cambodia. Upon arrival, we will take a private boat to broad along the Tonle San River up to visit the villages on two sides of river. Lunch will be served on a beautiful island.

After lunch, we visit Jarai ancient cemeteries which house ancient graves and authentic wooden carving representing the dead people. Carved wooden statues such as the pregnant woman, soldier and elephant tusk are placed around the grave.

After that we visit a village of Kachock people. Observe their daily activities, chat with locals. In the late afternoon, you will be transferred back to Banlung.

Overnight at hotel in Ratanakiri (Banlung).

After breakfast, visit Katieng Waterfall which lies just 20 km from Banlung town. In hot months, locals often swim at this beautiful waterfall. After the visit, we continue our drive to Kratie en route stop for a short break in a local market where people sell deep fried spiders and other insect as their local special delicacy.

Arrival in Kratie in late afternoon, then spend some time at leisure to discover the small town of Kratie independently. Lunch is served at Le Tonlé Tourism, where young locals are trained in the principles of hospitality to ensure a better future in Kratie. Dining here involves delicious Khmer food paired with personalised service.

Later in the afternoon, take a private boat to Koh Trong Island, only a short 10-minute boat ride from Kratie. This Mekong island displays typical Cambodian village life, where people’s livelihood largely depends on rice farming and fruits cultivation (Koh Trong is famous for its pomelo!). Upon arrival, check into the hotel and enjoy some time at leisure to enjoy the environment.

Overnight at hotel in Koh Trong Island.

Kratie today is a small riverside city which lies on the banks of the Mekong River and an emerging tourist destination in Cambodia. It is well-known for its French colonial buildings and the rare Irrawaddy dolphins.

After breakfast, we will drive to the Kampi Village, around 16 km north of Kratie. Here is the home of 80 of the dwindling population of Mekong Irrawaddy dolphins. The swirling waters here are considered one of the best places to observe these dolphins. Then, transfer back to Kratie around noon time. Have lunch and take a boat back to Koh Trong Island.

In the afternoon, join with us in a kayaking trip to big islands with white sand beaches within the Mekong. After an hour of kayaking, return to your hotel then relax at leisure. Those wishing to explore further can hop on a bicycle or horse cart to visit villages and observe daily life of villagers. At the end of day, watch the sunset from the island’s western banks.

Overnight at hotel in Koh Trong Island.

In the morning, we will drive to the capital of Phnom Penh via Kampong Cham City which is quaint and charming with its bustling morning river scene and wide boulevard streets beside the river. Arrive Phnom Penh at noon, you will be transferred to the hotel for check in.

After a short rest, start our half day tour of Phnom Penh. First, we visit the Cambodia's Royal Palace built in 1866 by King Norodom. It serves as the King's residence and is used as a venue for court ceremony. Then we move to Silver Pagoda which is located in the southern portion of the Royal Palace complex. The pagoda houses large collection of Buddha images crafted from gold, silver, jade or wood and stone including the "Emerald Buddha", which sits atop throne in the center of the pagoda.

Afterwards, we go to visit the National Museum, Cambodia’s largest museum of cultural history and is the country’s leading historical and archaeological museum.

In the late afternoon, take a walk along the riverside promenade, filled with food stalls, people exercising and courting couples.

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Depend on your actual departure time, some soft sightseeing for an orientation tour of Phnom Penh will be suggested. Or free at leisure before you are transferred to Phnom Penh International Airport for your onward flight.