Si Phan Don - 4000 islands

Once you start your journey to Champasak in the South of Laos, Si Phan Don will be undoubtedly on your not-to-be-missed attractions list. Si Phan Don is a riverine archipelago in the Mekong river, near the Cambodian border. There are three main tourist islands within Si Phan Don are Don Khong, Don Det and Don Khone and each island has its own attractions.

Among these 3 islands, Don Khong is the largest and also the closest to Pakse. Along the way from Pakse to Don Khong, you’ll pass 2 tourist attractions which are Wat Phou Temple and Ban Khiet Ngon.

The island of Don Det is located south of the 4000 Islands, next to Don Khone. You’ll have 2 options to get to Don Det and Don Khone which are from Don Khong (2 hours cruising) or from Ban Nakasang (20 minutes transfer by boat). This island has many cheap bungalows, hotel rooms and also restaurants for tourists with a limited budget. The atmosphere here is ideal to take a moment to rest while enjoying a Mak Tum tea on the shore at sunset, or to stop at a small beach to bathe or go for a walk in a small fishing village to discover local life.

The island of Don Khone, connected to Don Det by an old french bridge, is a quiet island. Only 5 km long and 3 km wide, it is very easy to take a walk or bike ride on Don Khone. Besides, if you like waterfalls, go to the west of Don Khone to explore the Li Phi waterfalls, or in the east to the Khone Phapheng waterfalls, both of them are very impressive for their intensity and their surroundings shaded.

An unique experience that can only be found at Don Khone is to observe the rare Irrawaddy dolphins. From Ban Hang Khone situated in the south of this island, you can easily rent a boat to see this magnificent animal, in their natural environment, within the Mekong River.