Southern Laos in 5 Days: Pakse, Bolaven, Wat Phou & Si Phan Don

1. Wat Luang (Pakse)

ວັດຫຼວງ ປາກເຊ

Temples & Stupas Pakse CityMiễn phí

Begin at Wat Luang on the Sedone, the main temple in central Pakse.

2. Daoheuang Market

ຕະຫຼາດດາວເຮືອງ

Markets Pakse CityMiễn phí

Browse Daoheuang Market; pick up a sinh for temple visits and a local SIM card if you need one.

3. Wat Phou Salao

ວັດພູສະລາວ

Temples & Stupas Pakse CityMiễn phí

Rest through the afternoon heat, then cross the Lao–Japan Bridge for sunset at the hilltop golden Buddha.

4. Pakse Riverside Night Food Market

ຕະຫຼາດອາຫານກາງຄືນ ແຄມຂອງ ປາກເຊ

Entertainment & Nightlife Pakse CityMiễn phí

Dinner by the Mekong, then overnight in Pakse.

5. Tad Fane Waterfall

ນ້ຳຕົກຕາດຟານ

Nature & Waterfalls Bolaven Plateau (Paksong)

A charter van with driver for the Bolaven day (Pakse–Tad Fane 38 km) is the easiest option for groups.

6. Tad Yeung (Tad Yuang) Waterfall

ນ້ຳຕົກຕາດເຍືອງ

Nature & Waterfalls Bolaven Plateau (Paksong)

Swim and have lunch at Tad Yeung.

7. Paksong Coffee Plantations

ສວນກາເຟປາກຊ່ອງ

Food & Coffee Bolaven Plateau (Paksong)

Coffee tasting on a farm near Paksong, then drive back down to Pakse (about 50 km) for an early start south tomorrow.

8. Champasak Old Town

ເມືອງເກົ່າຈຳປາສັກ

Heritage & UNESCO Southern Champasak (Wat Phou – Si Phan Don)Miễn phí

About 40 km south of Pakse to old Champasak. Drop your bags at a riverside guesthouse and walk the colonial street.

9. Vat Phou (Wat Phou) Temple Complex

ປາສາດຫີນວັດພູ

Heritage & UNESCO Southern Champasak (Wat Phou – Si Phan Don)

Climb Wat Phou in the morning before the sun is fierce; overnight in Champasak with sunset over the Mekong.

10. Nakasang Market

ຕະຫຼາດນາກະສັງ

Markets Southern Champasak (Wat Phou – Si Phan Don)Miễn phí

Minibus from Champasak (via the Ban Muang ferry onto Route 13) reaches Nakasang late morning. Withdraw enough cash before the boat.

11. Si Phan Don (4,000 Islands) – Don Det

ສີ່ພັນດອນ - ດອນເດດ

Nature & Waterfalls Southern Champasak (Wat Phou – Si Phan Don)Miễn phí

An easy afternoon on Don Det: kayak or hammock time, and sunset from the west shore.

12. Don Khon French Railway & Bridge

ທາງລົດໄຟຝຣັ່ງເກົ່າ ດອນຄອນ

Heritage & UNESCO Southern Champasak (Wat Phou – Si Phan Don)

Cycle across the old French railway bridge to Don Khon (about 2 km).

13. Li Phi (Somphamit) Falls

ຕາດລີ່ຜີ (ຕາດສົມພາມິດ)

Nature & Waterfalls Southern Champasak (Wat Phou – Si Phan Don)

See Li Phi falls, then take a boat from Don Khon back to Nakasang and a tuk-tuk on to Khone Phapheng.

14. Khone Phapheng Falls

ນ້ຳຕົກຕາດຄອນພະເພັງ

Nature & Waterfalls Southern Champasak (Wat Phou – Si Phan Don)

End at Khone Phapheng, then about 3 hours (165 km) back to Pakse by pre-booked van or minibus.