An overnight stay in the city of Pakse is a must. Pakse is the largest city in the Champasak Province and was the former capital of the Lao Kingdom of Champasak. Accommodation choices are plentiful, ranging from guesthouse, backpacker and then more up market to The Champasak Palace Hotel, formerly the palace of the King of Champasak. Pakse is the springboard to the many wonders of Southern Laos namely the 4000 Islands. Travel by minibus from Pakse, the journey is rather smooth and easy and takes on average three hours.
Don Khong Island and the town of Muang khong
A sleepy relic of French history and the typically slow, easy life of Laos this island can be easily navigated. To capture the real essence of the island hire a bicycle and ride west across to the other side of the island (8 Km – flat, good surfaced road), leave early in the morning so that you can visit the morning market at Muang Sen, Even though named the morning market it is known to still be operational well into the afternoon. Not a tourist destination the traveller can be rewarded with observing the Lao people at their most resourceful. For touring, the Island can be divided into two loops, southern and northern, each beginning at Muang Khong, which is the islands small town nestled right on the Mekong and offers restaurants and guesthouses. The island can be circumnavigated in one loop and will take approximately 3 hours.
Don Det and Don Khone Islands, Southen Laos
The islands of Don Det and Don Khone are reached by travelling on a slow boat from Don Khong (Muang Khong). The trip gives a peek at the life of Lao people and the means by which they live, fishing from a small dug out boat or ferrying people and vehicles across the Mekong on a bamboo raft. Both islands offer accommodation which is generally bungalow style. Bicycle is the easiest and most common mode of transport on the islands which are connected by a bridge, a relic left from French Colonial days. A railroad once linked the two islands, the steam engine can be seen rusted and alone in a field. A reminder of how industrious the islands once were. Colonial French architecture is dotted over Don Khone Island, unfortunately now in disrepair. Don Khone boasts some magnificent natural beauty, Li Phi waterfalls are an amazing natural site located just north of Khone Phapeng waterfall and are best seen during the months of December - March when the cascade's clear waters are tinted emerald green. The Irrawaddy dolphin (pink river dolphin) can be spotted in a few clusters in the Mekong River from Don Khone Island, the dolphin is classified as a critically endangered species with only about 100 left in total.
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