Vat Phou Cruise

Itinerary

ITINERARY IN DETAILS:

Cruise Down River:

DAY 1: PAKSE/CHAMPASSAK/VAT PHOU
Early morning 10h30 a.m. departure from Pakse for Champassak, heading south aboard a local longtail riverboat, zigzagging through mild rapids and sand banks, arriving at Champassak in time for a riverside lunch, followed by a guided tour of the mysterious pre-Angkorian 10th century temple of Vat Phou, the boat’s namesake. As dusk falls board the Vat Phou for a relaxing cruise down-river, enjoying  the tropical sunset on the deck, dinner is served on board, while the boat docks for the night alongside a remote Laotian village.

DAY 2: HUEI THAMO / OUM MOUNG TEMPLE / KHONG ISLAND
Breakfast on board as we set sail for the village of Huei Thamo, only a few minutes walk away from the spectacular hidden forest temple of Oum Moung. Afterwards rejoin the boat for a cruise southwards and lunch on the deck, while we continue our leisurely sail further south to the wild paradise of the “4,000 islands”, arrived in the afternoon closed to Khong Island (the birthplace of the President of the Peoples republic of Laos) at Ban Dua Tae, and visit this traditional Laotian Village where the traditional way of life has not changed in centuries. Back on board for quiet dinner, under the stars, serenaded by the songs by the songs of the buffalo toads.

DAY 3: BAN VEUTHONG/ THE “NIAGARA OF THE EAST/ XIENG DI/ PAKSE
Breakfast on the deck, while cruising to the small village of Ban Veuthong where we will board a small long-tail boat to Khone Island. After visit, take a long tail boat back to the main land for lunch amid the by-gone splendid of another age; colorful French colonial houses and an old customs post, alongside a stone quay. Take a minivan to amazingly scenic splendor of the Khong Pha Peng waterfall, “the Niagara of the East“, close to the Cambodian border. Back to “civilization, for the two hours ride to Pakse, arriving in the afternoon, about 3:50 p.m.

Cruise Up River (the same tour but in reverse):

DAY 1: XIENG DI / KHONE ISLAND
On arrival at Pakse, drive to the spectacular roaring falls of Khone Pha Pheng, the “Niagara of the East” and the fishing village of Xieng Di for lunch at local restaurant and where you will board a long tail boat for a visit to Khone Island. After visit, take long tail boat to the Khong Island village of Ban Veuthong, where you will board the waiting Vat Phou for a sunset cruise and dinner, docked riverside for the night.

DAY 2:  KHONG ISLAND / OUM MOUNG TEMPLE / HUEI THAMO
Breakfast on board Vat Phou as we set sail to Ban Dua Tae, and visit this traditional Laotian Village after the visit we sail North, past the island of Don Xai, and into a myriad of islands of all shapes and sizes, the wild paradise of ‘4,000 islands.’ Enjoy the lunch during cruising North to the island of Don Daeng, to visit the village of Huei Thamo and the mysterious Oum Moung forest temple, just a few minutes walk way.  Dinner.  “Under the stars”, aboard Vat Phou.

DAY 3: BAN WAT LUANG KAO / VAT PHOU / CHAMPASSAK
While enjoying breakfast on board, the Vat Phou continues its cruise to Ban Wat Luang Kao, where you will join a guided tour by bus to the tenth century pre-Angkorian temple of Vat Phou, after which you will return by bus to Champassak in time for lunch, and the final cruise to Pakse, with arrival in the afternoon.