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where the Mekong cascades into Cambodia
Southern Laos offers much to explore including the beautiful Khmer temple of Wat Phou at Champassak.
This area was part of the former Kingdom of Chenla- pre Angkor period. (5th-7th century). Believed to be under the continued protection of Shiva and the Linga mountain, the temple of Wat Phou was constructed later in the 11th century. The jump off point to visit Wat Phou is the town of Pakse with direct flights from Luang Prabang, Vientiane, and perhaps flights again from/to Siem Reap.
Exploring the southern Mekong by boat from Pakse to Champassak, you can continue to visit the 4000 islands of the Mekong (Si-phan Done) and down to the waterfalls on the Lao-Cambodia border where you may be lucky to spot Irrawaddy dolphin!
A Liveaboard Cruise is a luxury option for a few nights.
Hopefully these cruises have restarted Post-Covid
https://www.vatphou.com/
Accomodations on Land and explore by local boat:
Pakse town– close to where the airport is located:
Le Jardin Hotel de Pakse:
https://www.lejardindepakse.com/
Downriver:
Boutique accomodation close to Wat Phou:
The River Resort:
https://theriverresortlaos.com/
La Folie Lodge on quiet Don Daeng Island 5km from Wat Phou: https://www.lafolie-laos.com/
Don Khone and Dondet Islands have become another little mecca for travellers. Convenient to Lipi Falls by the Cambodian border, there are lots of budget accomodations available. On the islands you can explore at a relaxed pace on foot or on bicycle.
Sala Done Khone- close to the rapids at the Cambodia border:
https://salalaoboutique.com/
Bolaven Plateau:
also a fascinating area to visit- waterfalls, coffee plantations and ethnic villages.
Travel to and from Pakse:
Lao Airlines operates flights to Pakse from Luang Prabang, Vientiane, and see if seasonal air service is available from Siem Reap and Ho Chi Minh City: www.laoairlines.com
VIP Overnight buses also available from Vientiane via Savannakhet.
Overland Border Crossings:
to/from Thailand:
Pakse to Ubon Ratchathani in Thailand- approx 3 hours drive.
from Ubon airport ( UBP ) flights to either Bangkok Suvarnabhumi airport or to Don Meuang Airport .
or take a night train between Ubon and Bangkok.
NOTE: if crossing overland into Thailand, visitors may only receive a 15-day tourist stamp as opposed to 30 days when flying into Thailand.
