Exploring the romantic, beautifully preserved town of Luang Prabang with your expert local guide
La Folie Lodge
Highlights
Scenic riverside setting,
Bikes for local discovery,
Close to Wat Phou
Best for
Couples,
Families
La Folie Lodge is located on the banks of the Dong Daeng island in the middle of the Mekong River in southern Laos.
The lodge is thirty-five kilometres from Pakse, the heart of the south and offers an attractive base for exploring this fascinating area of the country. Access is by boat which lands on the sandy banks of the river.
Within easy reach are the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Wat Phou, the Bolaven Plateau and a variety of spectacular waterfalls.
As with the rest of Laos, exploring remote villages can be as much fun as the well-known sites, and La Folie’s remote location is perfect for this.
Ideal for couples, families and solo travellers looking to unwind in nature while exploring southern Laos.
La Folie Lodge offers a peaceful riverside setting with cultural depth. Its location on Dong Daeng Island allows for quiet bike rides, scenic views and easy access to nearby heritage sites like Wat Phou. Perfect for those seeking a slower, more soulful travel experience.
The Rooms
The lodge has 24 spacious and well-equipped bungalow rooms, each with its own balcony with stunning views over the Mekong and the sacred hills of Wat Phou. Beyond the restaurant, the main feature is an excellent swimming pool with panoramic views of the river. The lodge also has bikes for guests to use free of charge to explore the island.
What You'll Find:
- Riverside swimming pool with panoramic views
- Restaurant serving local and Western cuisine
- Boat access from the mainland
Why You’ll Love It:
- Relax by the river with wide-open views of Wat Phou’s sacred hills
- Explore Dong Daeng Island by bike at your own pace
- Use the lodge as a base to visit UNESCO sites, waterfalls and villages
Explore ETG's Sample Itineraries in Laos
A few of our favourite routes – hand-picked by the team and ripe for tweaking.
Think of them as conversation starters. Curiosity sparkers. Not fixed plans – just ideas for what your holiday could look like, shaped by years of local know-how and the kind of immersive experiences that live long in the memory.
Explore Full Itinerary
Laos
Mountains & Hill Tribes in Northern Laos
Explore Northern Laos with hill-tribe treks, river journeys, and Luang Prabang’s UNESCO charm on this 14-day adventure.
Highlights
Local life
Chance encounters with local villagers while trekking in the mountains
Nam Ou River
Take in the remarkable scenery as you journey down the Nam Ou River aboard your private boat
Luang Prabang
Gallery
Explore Full Itinerary
Laos
Hanoi to Luang Prabang Overland
Travel overland through Vietnam and Laos, from Hanoi’s street food and Ninh Binh’s peaks to jungle safaris and Luang Prabang’s golden temples.
Highlights
Street food tours
Discover Hanoi’s lively street food culture while sipping a cold local beer at a roadside stall
Wildlife experiences
Track animals on a night safari in Laos’s jungle
Beautiful scenery
Trek past cascading waterfalls and hill-tribe villages
Explore Full Itinerary
Laos
Laos Encompassed
Experience Laos in depth with Luang Prabang, Kong Lor caves, the Bolaven Plateau and the 4,000 Islands on this 22-day immersive trip.
Highlights
Nam Ou River
Taking in the remarkable scenery as you journey down the Nam Ou river aboard your private boat
Incredible experiences
Visiting waterfalls, searching for dolphins and taking time to relax in the 4000 islands
Lovely Luang Prabang
Exploring the romantic, beautifully preserved town of Luang Prabang with your expert local guide
Gallery
Explore Full Itinerary
Laos
Laos Highlights & Beyond
Highlights
Kuang Sii Waterfalls
Enjoy a private breakfast at Kuang Sii Waterfalls before the crowds arrive.
Nam Ou River
Cruise the Nam Ou River, stopping at remote villages and caves.
Lovely Luang Prabang
Explore Luang Prabang’s temples, markets and charming backstreets.
Explore Full Itinerary
Cambodia
Rural Indochina Family Adventure
This holiday idea is an excellent opportunity for adventurous families to get under the skin of Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
You will see a few of the famous landmarks, but the primary focus is on the countryside, which you’ll explore with ease by bike, kayak, quad bike, and even Vespa! See the well-known highlights and what lies beyond as you cycle through hidden jungles, raft past dramatic river gorges, and get an authentic taste of the local lifestyle from a range of perspectives.
Highlights
Angkor Wat
Soaking up the atmosphere of Angkor Wat before sunrise; an early start for a magical experience
Lovely Laos
Marvelling at the dramatic riverine scenery and feeling the adrenaline as you kayak past jungles and caves in the remote Laos countryside
Vietnam adventures
Nipping along the narrow backroads of Hoi An, passing school children and farmers
Gallery
La Folie Lodge on the map
In Our Travellers’ Words
An Epic Adventure Across Southeast Asia
There were moments while I was out and about where I thought that everyone should experience this kind of mindful travel that Experience Travel organises, as it's not backpacking where you tick off the standard party hotspots, and it's not the typical cruise for tourists to visit the standard sightseeing destinations, but an experience where I really felt I got to know the countries, meet great people and do fun stuff that most people miss.
With ETG, we have visited extraordinary places
... stayed in wondrous hotels, met fascinating everyday people, listened to varied opinions, and learned much about places far away. I couldn't do that on my own.
The Curious Traveller’s Guide to Laos
Discover a peaceful culture, beautiful scenery and exciting adventure, all in one handy guide.
