Southern Laos Adventure | Experience Travel Group

Southern Laos Explorer

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On a tour of southern Laos, you'll experience a side of Southeast Asia that most tourists miss.

This part of the region is ideal for exploring the great outdoors - walking in nature, discovering ancient ruins, taking boat tours to subterranean caves, and traversing coffee plantations by jeep. The scenery is incredible and varied, ranging from limestone karsts to scenic forested trails, cascading waterfalls, and riverine islands.

Start the trip in the sleepy capital Vientiane before veering off the beaten track to the Kong Lor Caves and the town of Thakhek. As you continue to wind your way south, you'll spend time in the Boloven Plateau before relaxing for a few days at a lovely property on Don Daeng Island in the Mekong. Hotel accommodation is included throughout the trip, though for those who enjoy a real adventure, we can highly recommend including a simple camping experience near the Kong Lor caves.

Highlights include

Take a boat along subterranean rivers through jungle-clad caves
Visit waterfalls, search for dolphins and relax on an island in the Mekong.
Explore the cooler climes of the Bolovan Plateau, located high above the valley.
Experience the sleepy capital of Vientiane from an insider's perspective.

As with any of our suggested itineraries, we will design your trip to suit you.

DAY 1 Depart The UK

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Laos

DAY 2 -4 THE SLEEPY CAPITAL VIENTIANE

You can choose to head out to start exploring on your first day or just settle into your hotel and relax.

During your time in Vientiane, you'll experience the sleepy capital from an insider's perspective. With your local guide, you'll explore vibrant Chinatown, discover ex-residences of colonial rulers and follow the Mekong River downstream to the historical temple of Wat Inpaeng. Head to the top of Patuxai monument (a replica of the Arc de Triomphe) at dusk for a panoramic view of the city, and then take an evening tour of the food stalls where you can taste a traditional barbecue and experience typical Lao-style dinner culture.

DAY 5 THE BACKROADS TO HIN BOUN

Today you will drive along the backroads of Laos towards Hin Boun. Stop for lunch and see the 15th-century stupa of Prabat Phonsan and the interesting Ban Ton Na Mae Markets. Arrive in Hin Boun in the evening and check in at your hotel.

DAY 6 KONG LOR CAVES

After breakfast, take a private cruise to the stunning Kor Long Caves. This is a beautiful must-see destination with over 7km of subterranean rivers passing through jungle-clad caves. There is a spectacular cavern over 100 metres high and full of beautiful stalagmites.

Accommodation is in hotel accommodation, but for more adventurous travellers, it is possible to spend the night camping in this region. A fantastic experience for those who are up for it!

DAY 7 ONWARDS TO THAKEK

Today you'll continue your guided journey south, making the first stop at the Phou Pha Marn viewpoint, where you can enjoy some impressive vistas of the ancient Karstic forests. Daredevils can climb the Via Ferrata and cross the exhilarating suspended bridges. You'll reach Thakek in the afternoon to explore this riverside town and enjoy the sunset over the Mekong. Thakek was once a French trading post, and as such, the streets feature an evocative combination of faded colonial villas and Chinese shophouses.

DAY 8 TRANSFER TO THE BOLOVEN PLATEAU

Today is a full day's road journey through the countryside. You'll reach the small city of Savannakhet around lunchtime, where you can stop for noodle soup. Continue into the Bolaven Plateau, known for its cooler temperature and high above the Mekong Valley. At the village of Ban Beng, you'll be met by a Coffee expert, and you'll switch to a vintage jeep, an ideal vehicle for the next bit of terrain, which is on a route rarely visited by foreigners. By early evening, you'll arrive at the coffee plantation in time for a delicious home-cooked meal.

DAY 9 BOLAVEN PLATEAU JEEP TOUR

Wake up early if you'd like to see how pretty the sunrise is above the surrounding fields. Your host will roast some fresh coffee while explaining the coffee-growing process from seed to cup. After breakfast, begin your 1-2 hour trek. Along the way, you'll pass farms of lettuce, peppers, ginger, cucumber, cabbage and more. Later you'll take a jeep to Tad Moan waterfall, where there is time to relax and go for a swim. In the afternoon, head out by jeep, visit some interesting villages, and trek up to a mountain peak where you will be rewarded with beautiful views of the Plateau. There is even time to see a cave used as a shelter by villagers during wartime.

DAY 10 - 13 THE 4000 ISLANDS

Leave the Boloven Plateau and head to Pakse and then Don Daeng Island. Your accommodation for the next four nights is at La Folie Lodge, where you can stay in one of their delightful rooms or a beautiful private villa overlooking the Mekong River.

There will be plenty of time to rest and enjoy the peaceful islandor take a cycle along rice fields.

On your last day, cross by boat to the mainland for breakfast at Wat Phou Temple Complex. This is the oldest Khmer temple in Laos, with outstanding architecture. Stairs lead to the main sanctuary on a terrace, where you will be rewarded with stunning views over the surrounding land and the Mekong River. Enjoy a Picnic breakfast while enjoying the captivating landscape.

DAY 14 FLY HOME

Transfer to nearby Pakse to board your flight back to the UK.

As every holiday is bespoke, prices vary. To give you an idea, our holidays typically cost between £4,500 and £8,000 per adult depending on trip length and time of year and the hotels and flights involved. Child and seasonal discounts may bring the price lower than this. You can read our ultimate guide to holiday costs in Asia for more in-depth information.

To start your journey, talk to one of our friendly consultants today.

Since every traveler is unique - Call our experts on 1-888-577-8452 to create your personalised vacation itinerary.

Inclusions

Your bespoke proposal with Experience Travel Group will include:

International Flights (we can omit if you prefer)
Accommodation as described
Privately guided tours and transfers
Tips for guides and drivers
Original Experience Travel Group "signature" experiences
Full financial protection (ABTA and ATOL bonding.)
24-hour in-country backup while away
Your dedicated travel expert in the UK

You can book this holiday tour on its own, with flights or it can be tailored for you.

Here are the hotels and villas within this holiday as standard...

La Folie Lodge, Pakse

La Folie Lodge on the banks of Dong Daeng island. Remote island accommodation on the Mekong, that’s close to perfect.

Lao Poet Hotel, Vientiane

Unusual boutique hotel in a great location in the centre of Vientiane

Spring River Resort, Kong Lor Caves

Traditional-style Laotian bungalows set along the banks of the Hinboun River.

Tad Lo Lodge, Bolaven Plateau

A rustic lodge in an unbeatable location on the banks of the Sexet river.

You can book this holiday tour on its own, with flights or it can be tailored for you.

Here are the experiences & activities within this holiday as standard...

A Day in the 4,000 Islands, 4000 Islands

Explore the 4,000 Islands of the Mekong River, travelling by boat, bike and on foot.

Bolaven Plateau by Jeep, Bolaven Plateau

Explore the wondrous Bolaven Plateau in a vintage Jeep, stopping at a minority village & coffee plantation.

Exploring Kong Lor Cave, Kong Lor Caves

Cruise through the dramatic Kong Lor cave, one of Southeast Asiaâs geological wonders.

Vientiane Tuk Tuk Tour, Vientiane

Learn to make your own Mak Beng temple offering before presenting it at the Wat Simaung temple with your local guide.

Map showing Hotels & Experiences associated with 'Southern Laos Explorer'