LAOS ADVENTURES > MEKONG EXPLORER 4 DAYS / 3 NIGHTS (USD414 PER PERSON)
TRIP PROFILE:
The meeting point is in Pakse, Laos's southern city where our adventure guide will welcome you and brief on the tour. Accessing Pakse, just take international flight from most neighboring countries or by domestic flights from nothern Laos or by bus. The finishing point is in Kratie, the Mekong town in north-east Cambodia. Cambodian visa will be issued at the land border with Laos and costs USD20.
Mekong Explorer is a 4 days adventure trip taking in the Mekong in all its glory, the ancient World Heritage site of Wat Phu at Champasak, Si Pan Don, where the Mkong is at it widest with 4,000 islands all along the river and the Ramsar flooded forest in Stung Treng (Cambodia). The trip is designed for those who like multiple adventurous activities.
Day 1: Pakse - Wat Phu - Don Khong (L)
08h00am: Departure from Pakse to the town of Ban Muang where you will cross the Mekong by ferry to Champasak and then drive to Wat Phu. This World Heritage Site was built in the 6th century by the Khmer's and was originally used to worship the Hindu god Shiva and other deity's before being converted into a Buddhist temple in later centuries. Wat Phu was considered the center of the Khmer kingdom during the 12 th century when it's capital was at Angkor. After exploring this temple, return to Champasak where you will have lunch; before crossing back across the Mekong and travelling south to the 4,000 islands.
Stop at Hat Xay Khun opposite the main island in this natural wetlands Don Kong. From here, you will take a snenic boat ride through the 4000 Islands passing Don Det and the old ferry before arriving at Don Khone, which is linked to Don Det by the old French railway bridge built to ferry goods across the mighty waterfalls here by train. Overnight in Villa Muong Kong.
Day 2: Don Khong (BL)
Take a boat ride to Don Det and Kon Khone passing the 4,000 Islands, visit Liphi waterfall and the old French locomotive before heading out to see the rare Irrawaddy dolphins. We will do one of below adventure activities depends on the season. Then return to Veun Kham the border town at the end of the day.
Kayaking (Option 1) (Available during low water level Oct - Mar)
Sart Kayaking after Liphi waterfall to see the rare Irrawaddy dolphins on the Cambodian side of the border where you will have a picnic lunch (no Cambodian visa needed). Continue kayaking to Veun Kham another 5km away which is the offical Laos / Cambodia river border.
Rafting (Option 2) Minimum 4pax (Available during high water level July - November)
From Don Khone take a motorboat back to Don Det where we will start our rafting tirp after a thorough safety briefing. Meader down the river through the islands in simple grade 1-2 water giving us simply of time to take photographs and swim in the Might Mekong River. After 50 odd minutes of paddling we stop at the main river and head down between two of the 4,000 Islands into a run known as Don Sadam.
This stretch of water gradually increases its tempo the further we go. In the main run the river flows with great tempo. Once through the rapids we can relax a little as the pace off back into the meandering Mekong. We then take out by the side of the river and join up with some locals and motor boat.
This easy access boat gets us across the river to visit the rare Irrawaddy dolphins. Whilst sitting in Cambodia with no visa hassles, we eat a scrumptious lunch and take in the mighty Mekong and its slendour.
Once sated with experienc we head back to the raft to paddle our way downstream towards the Southern Laos / Cambodian border crossing at Veun Kham.
Boat Trip to see the Dolphins (Otion 3)
Leave from Don Khone after breakfast by bicycle and visit Liphi waterfall before heading to the southern tip of Don Khone known as Han Khone here you will take a boat to see the Irrawaddy dolphins where you will have lunch then continue by motorboat to the Laos / Cambodian border at Veun Kham.
From Veun Kham, transport will be waiting to return to Don Khong. Stop off along the way at Mekong's largest waterfall, Khon Phapheng. This is part of the Mekong fault line which stretches across the entire Mekong River and has been formed by the river eroding the softer rock down stream.
Day 3: Don Khong - Stung Treng Flooded Forest Kayak Trip: (B,L)
Depart from the 4,000 Islands to the Cambodia border. Stop at Khon Phapeng Waterfall along the way. Khon Phapeng is know as the Niagara of Southeast Asia and supports the huge biodiversity downstream by reoxygenating the river.
After immigration procedures drive to Ou Svay from where you will start kayaking through the flooded forests to Veun Sien village, located in the extremely remote Ramsar wetlands. The flooded forest supports a large variety of birds along the river. Enjoy the remoteness of the area feeling completely at one with nature. Stop for a picnic lunch on one of the many sandy beaches before continuing to Koh Ky where the car will be waiting to take you the last few kilometers to Stung Treng. Overnight in Stung Treng.
Day 4: Stung Treng - Kratie (B,L)
Starting in Stung Treng, jump on your mountain bikes and ride along some fun gravel roads with river views to Srae Krasang, this is the great place off the main road enjoy the scenery and remoteness of the area before arriving at Koh Preah. Kayak from Koh Preah and right at the start you should have a good chance to see the rare Irrawaddy Dolphins. Continue through the wetlands and enjoy a barbecue lunch on a sandy riverbank. Finish the trip at Koh Khnhear, where a car will be waiting for you to take Kratie for overnight. TOUR ENDS.
Tour Cost |
USD414 Per Person based on 02 people in sharing room |
| Supplement single room |
USD99 |
| Bike Rental | $20 extra charge (Trek 4300- 4500) |
| Adventures |
Kayaking, Rafting and biking |
| Number adventure days | 4 days |
| Road Surface and river safety |
The cycling is mainly on back road, nice scenery of the Mekong. The kayaking and rafting is at easy level of water which can be done by all type of adventurer. Our adventure guide will brief on the safety, proving lifejacket and helmet before starting. |
| Support | Support car or van with cool box, first aid kit and tool kit for bike. |
| Group | Minimum 2. Maximum 12. |
| Staff | Groups of 6 or more, a Cycling Tour Leader, plus English-speaking cycling guide, drivers and assistants. Groups below 5 will be led by our local guide and our local support team. |
| Food | As mentioned in the itinerary (B: breakfast, L: lunch and D: dinner) |
Tour Inclusion:
Accommodation including breakfast
English speaking adventure guide
Transportation for transfer & tour
Boat trip and ferry fees
Mountain bike for biking days
All entrance fees
Meals as mentioned in the above itinerary
(B: for breakfast, L: for lunch, D: for dinner)
Tour Exclusion:
- International Flights
- Departure Tax $25 (international) in Cambodia
- Laos visa
- Cambodian visa USD20 (issued on arrival)
- Alcoholic, and other beverages
- Tips for guides.
- Personal travel insurance
- Any services not mentioned in itinerary