Islands in the Mekong

Bite-sized trip

Itinerary:
Khone Island - Pakse (or vice versa)
Duration:
3 days / 2 nights
Price:
From £ 349.- per person (excluding flights)
When to go:
November - May

Float between the Four Thousand Islands, where time almost stands still. Impossibly laid-back and seriously daydreamy, Some islands are tiny specks, while others contain entire forests and mountains. In rainy season, many are totally submerged, appearing only when water levels recede, making it a mythical kind of place. You’ll spend two nights on Don Khone, one of the larger islands in the cluster, exploring the rice paddies by bicycle, swinging in a hammock and soaking up the slow pace of life.

Day 1 – Arrival on Khone Island (Siphandone)

You’ll travel to Don Khone today. We’ll arrange a transfer for you, whether you’re coming from Bolaven Falls or Pakse. At Don Khong you’ll board a boat and sail to Don Khone. Sit back and observe local life carrying on around you: fishermen in their small boat, children swimming and washing in the river, women doing laundry and small uninhabited islands.

Don Khone is one of the largest islands in the Si Phan Don area, and in our opinion, the best place to stay for a few days. Slow travel seems to originate here: cows trudge through the narrow streets, locals cycle to their rice fields and children walk to school. Your hotel is on the Mekong, close to the French bridge that connects Don Khong with Don Det. At the end of day, enjoy a beautiful sunset here. Tip: eat the best curry in the evening at Emily’s Noodle: a small restaurant within walking distance of your hotel. The beers are cold, the curry is just spicy enough and the service is friendly.

Day 2 – Don Khone – explore the island on your own

Today you can explore the island on your own. Don Khone consists mainly of rice fields, hills, vegetable gardens and small sleepy villages. You can easily arrange a bike at your hotel reception, and if you set off early in the morning, the temperature is still manageable. You can cycle to the southern tip of Don Khone in about 25 minutes. If you travel between November and March, the rice fields will be beautifully green. At the southern tip, you’ll find remains of an old French locomotive and a French port. On the other side is Cambodia, so close you can almost touch it. Want to go there? In the village, you can easily hire your own boat (with captain) for the crossing. Don’t expect too much here, the small restaurants can be counted on one hand, but it’s fun to pop into Cambodia for a few hours! Cycling back north, make a stop at the Li Phi Somphamit waterfalls. Walk along the river and admire the roaring waters from various points. Want an adrenaline rush? Then go ziplining to the other side.

Don Det

You can cycle to Don Det, via a narrow bridge. Don Det is known as the ‘back packers’ island: especially on the northwest side of the island, you can hear music blaring from speakers and rows of guesthouses. On the way expect to see rice fields, small villages, cows on the road, and waving locals. You’ll soon notice that Lao people are very friendly, always say sabaidi (hello) and like to chat. A great place to chill out is Mango Bar. Park your bike on the mainland and walk across the bamboo bridge to the tiny island. Tucked among palm trees, you’ll enjoy a cold drink and a relaxed atmosphere. For the most beautiful sunset, cycle north-west to Oi’s Place or enjoy the large terrace of Don Det Hotel.

Day 3 – Khone Island – Pakse

Today, you’ll buy your own ferry ticket to the mainland pier, where you’ll be collected by your minibus and guide. From here, you’ll set off on a trip to visit the amazing Khone Phapheng waterfalls, dubbed “The Niagara of the East”. Next, you’ll continue north and cross the Mekong by ferry to visit the famous Khmer Temple complex of Wat Phou, which predates even Angkor Wat! Finally, you’ll grab some lunch in Champasak before reaching Pakse, where this trip will end.