Days 1 – Arrival in Kratie
Today, you’ll journey through some of Cambodia’s most remote and beautiful landscapes to the small city of Kratie, perched on the banks of the Mekong River. It’s a lively but laid back place with stunning Mekong sunsets and crumbling French architecture. You’ll stay in a simple hotel set on a small island in the river, where you can literally watch Mekong life pass you by.
Day 2 – Kratie – free time
Today is free for you to explore Kratie at your own pace. Home to a handful of freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins, you can head out by boat in the late afternoon and with a bit of luck, see these gentle dolphins surfacing nearby. If you’d rather stay on land, Kratie is a great place to explore on food. Amble amongst the historic Khmer houses that were mercifully spared during the conflict and take in life in northern Cambodia, or hop on a bicycle and cycle across to the peaceful island of Koh Trong, where life moves as a slower pace and small villages line the dusty tracks. This evening, you’ll return to the same hotel on the banks of the Mekong, where you’ll sleep once more by the water.
Day 3 – Kratie – Stung Treng
Today, your journey along the Mekong continues towards Stung Treng. you’ll be collected from your hotel and travel by minibus 2.5 hours to the unspoilt riverside town. Just outside Stung Treng, you can visit the Women’s Development Center, where local artisans demonstrate the traditional art of silk weaving. It’s a great place to see the skill and care that goes into each piece, and if you choose to buy a souvenir, you’ll be directly supporting local livelihoods too. You’ll spend the night in a simple, but comfortable hotel, with views over the local market and the Mekong River flowing past.
Day 4 – From Stung Treng to Laos
Today, you’ll take a boat to one of the most secluded stretches of the Mekong River. Here you’ll spend around two hours gliding past river islands, sandy banks and lush riverside vegetation, soaking up the peaceful scenery as you go. Keep an eye out for local fisherman casting their nets the traditional way and hauling in their morning catch, getting a glimpse into the local way of life that has remained largely unchanged for generations.
Afterwards, you’ll continue your journey towards the Laos border, where you’ll arrange a visa on arrival for around $30 USD per person, before crossing into Laos and beginning the next part of your adventure.
Welcome to Laos! From here you can continue your journey in various ways. If you’re ready to head straight for the highlights of the country, you can fly from Pakse to either Luang Prabang or Vientiane. If you’re looking to slow things down, then you could stay in the south and explore more of this laid-back region, choosing between the islands in the Mekong, or heading inland to the waterfalls in Bolaven Plateau.
Accommodation
