See the Pakse Weather Forecast
Picture magical-worldBoats in the evening sun
"Si Phan Don" in Lao means "4000 islands". Around 110 to 60 kilometres down from Pakse the Mekong River forms different streams and these form hunders of islands. More than 60 000 people are living here, mainly from fishing. And here you find also the Irrawaddy Dolphins. See a picture by peterjones79. The best time to see the Irrawaddy dolphins is in the morning or in the late afternoon. But: Be aware: The Mekong Dolphin is endangered. Read: Is there a future for the Mekong Dolphin?
The best time to visit Si Phan Don is between November and January when the weather is cool and dry.
Picture PretreMekong River at Si Phan Don
Picture takwing.kwongHow to arrive
By bus:
Pakse-Don Khong: From Southern Bus Terminal in Pakse buses or Songthaews leave several times between 10 am and 3 pm. After 120 km (three hours) you arrive by ferry in Muang Khong.
Pakse-Don Khon/Don Det: From Southern Bus Terminal in Pakse buses or Songthaews for Ban Nakasang leave several times between 7.30 am and 3 pm (three to four hours), then you take the longtailboat to Don Khon or Don Det.
Ubon Ratchathani-Pakse-Khon Phapeng Waterfalls: Air-conditioned buses operate on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. The bus leaves Ubon Ratchathani at 0730 and arrives at the waterfall in southern Laos around noon. From Khon Phapeng it departs at 1400 and arrives in Ubon Ratchathani around 1830. The bus stops in Pakse for people who want to overnight there. For more information call Ubon Ratchathani’s bus station (045 314 299) or the Transport Company at 1490.
By car: There is a car ferry from Ban Hat to Ban Na on Don Khong island.
Don Khong ດອນ ໂຂງ - the big island
See the locations on Don Khong Google Map
Picture mypfuffinRice field
Don Khong is the main island, the big one, as lokal people say, when they want to prevent you from mistaking it with Don Khon, which lies near the Mekong waterfalls. Don Khong is 18 km long and 8 km wide. The island can easily discovered by bicycles, which can be rented from a woman on the street near the pier of Muang Khong or also in the guesthouses. On the bike you will discover a quiet rural life. But don't forget a hat, to protect your head from the strong sun. Read, what Stevie_Wes saw on a bike tour.
Muang Khong
Muang Khong is the main village - a former French settlement. A large gold Buddha in the subduing Mara pose is overlooking the Mekong at Vat Phuang Kaew, also known as Vat Kan Khong:
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Picture marhas1Vat Chom Thong at the upstream end of the village dates from the Chao Anou period (1805-1828). You find a Khmer-influenced sim with an unusual cruciform floor plan and carved wooden window shutters:
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Picture marhasKhmer influenced door
The naga heads on the roof of the main sim spill water from their mouths during raintime. Coconut and betel palms and Mango trees give the temple grounds some shade.
View across the Mekong towards Hat Xai Khun and its temple:
Picture marhasA more detailed picture of the temple by Jo
Muang Saen
Muang Saen is a little village with view to the Cambodian boarder across the Mekong.
By bicycle it's about 45 minutes from Muang Khong. About 6 km north of Ban Muang Saen Nua you arrive at Wat Phou Khao Kaew (Glass Hill Monastery):
Picture patrikmioeffWat Phouang Keo
An entrance leads to the underground location of the nagas (Muang Nak). The legend says, the nagas will come to the surface to protect the Lao poeple when the country is in danger.
Ban Hua Khong
Ban Hua Khong at the north-western end of Don Khong was in 1924 the birthplace 0r Khamtay Siphandone, who became a postman and later the president of Laos. He has renovated Wat Hua Khong Pha Nyai with a cement seated Buddha image in the main sim.
At the southern tip of the island you discover two small villages: Ball Huay and Ban Hang Khong. Here Wat Thepsulin Phudin Hang Khong, also known as Wat Hang Khong, has spacious grounds and a small sim. Nearby is a carved and painted wooden Buddha sanctuary and the dharma sermon hall. Then there is Wat Sllimangkhalaham in Ban Huay.
Where to stay on Don Khong:
In Muang Khong:
Auberge Sala Done Khong: Closed in December 2010 - for renovation? No information on their website. From 26 USD. Air-con rooms with hot shower in wooden french colonial houses. Veranda areas to relax. "Popular with tour groups", notes travelfish.org. Very good reviews on tripadvisor.com. See picture by June.
Bounma Guesthouse: Basic rooms in an old wooden house.
Picture marhasDon Khong Guesthouse: 20 USD. Choice of rooms with fan or aircon (upstairs). Upstairs you find a balcony with reclining chairs and you overlook the Mekong River. The guesthouse rents bikes and you can book transportation to Pakse and Si Phan Don. Good review by Captain_Bob on thorntree
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Picture Don Khong GuesthouseMali Guesthouse: 30 USD. Ban Kangkhong.
Mekong Inn: Ban Kangkong. 250m south of the boat landing. Fan rooms with shared bath are on the wooden second floor, air-con rooms with attached bath on the concrete first floor. Good review on travelfish.org. Read also the review by Free Pants.
Picture marhasVilla Muong Khong Hotel: From 43 USD. 22 rooms in bungalows with air-con and bathrooms with hot showers. Bicycles can be rented here. Good reviews on holidaycheck and virtualtourist. A "comfortable midrange option" according to travelfish.org
Picture Muong Khong VillaPon Arena Hotel and Pon's River Guest House: From 20 USD. "It feels more like a small hotel than a guesthouse", comments travelfish.org. In fact a hotel has been added not far from the guesthouse.
Picture marhasPon's Guest House with the small road along the Mekong
Picture marhasPon's Arena Hotel
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Picture Pon's Arena HotelSouk Sabay Don Khong: Next door to Pon's guesthouse. Good review by Tannith. "The rooms here are nothing special", comments travelfish.org. No good view according to visitasiatravel.com
Picture marhasSenesothxuen Hotel: From 50 USD. See picture by Diane and picture on tripadvisor.de. Critical review on holidaycheck
Picture Senesothxuen HotelSouksan Guesthouse: From 35 USD. One kilometer from the boat landing. With air-con and hot-water bath. The former dorm-style accommodation was replaced with a new building. There are also bungalows and a restaurant with Chinese, Lao and Thai food at the river. Critical review on travelfish.org
Villa Kang Khong: From 15 USD. Aircon from 15 USD. Resembles a traditional Lao wooden house, 12 rooms. They rent bikes. Good review on tripadvisor.com. "Try for an upstairs room though as the downstairs ones are a bit dark and cellar-like", is the advise of travelfish.org.
Picture marhas1See also pcitures by Karin 1, 2 and 3. And also pictures by Ben and mypuffin
In Muang Saen:
Say Khong Guest House: Opposite the boat landing. Cold shower.
Muong Sene Guest House: *Go there for the huge wooden rooms with charm and the relative tranquility (rooster around)", notes passplanet.com.
On Mekong River from Don Khong to Don Det
Picture marhasLeavinmg from Don Khong
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Picture marhasOne of 4000 islands
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Picture marhasCar ferry to Don Khong
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Picture marhasAnother of the 4000 islands...
Picture Naomi...and more of them
Picture marhasFrench Bridge between Don Khon and Don Det, with mountains in Cambodia
Picture marhasArriving at Ban Nakasong
Don Det
See the locations on Don Det Google Map
Map of Don Det
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Picture marhasThe French Pier on Don Det - the end of a railway, that started on Don Khon, to move goods from the lower side of the Mekong Falls to the upper side, because ships could not get trough.
Don Det can be quite full of backpackers you may have met before on Khao San Road in Bangkok. It's no longer the quiet spot you may be looking for. "The northern tip of Don Dhet - where the boats set down - has become very heavily developed towards backpacking tourism. Cafes, restaurants, pseudo-bars, tour and travel agents and (slooooooow) internet cafes", notes Stevie_Wes. But he adds, that it's relative here: "It is quiet. Super-relaxed. And not over-hustled or bustled by either touts or tourists. Yes ‘happy’ food stuffs and drinks and ‘buckets’ are available but not shoved down your throat." See a bike ride throigh Don Det on a video by iamgreg007
A guide for Don Det you find on travelfish.org
Where to stay on Don Det:
Billee's Guest House: See picture by fritz_da_kat
Cafe Don Det: Read about on passplanet.com
Cindy's Guesthouse: See picture by anlis
Hangdet Bungalow: Read about on passplanet.com
Little Eden: Good reviews on tripadvisor.com. Read how the Belgian Mathieu started the guesthouse and see pictures of Little Eden on Jenni & Michael's Blog
Mr. Mo Guest House:
Mr. Phao's Sunrise Bungalows: Read the review by Martin-Stefan in German.
Mr. Thos Bungalow: Read about on passplanet.com
King Kong Bungalows:
Picture marhasKing Kong Restaurant
Nouphit Guest House: See picture by fritz_da_kat
Paradise Guesthouse:
River Garden Guesthouse:
Picture marhasSantiphab Guesthouse:
Souksan Guesthouse:
Picture marhasThawan Daeng Guesthouse:
Don Khon
See the locations on Don Khon Google Map
Picture goflashbackerMekong sunset, seen from Salaphae.
Picture VeigoSunset in Don Khon
Picture NaomiFrench colonial railway bridge between Don Khon and Don Det
Picture marhas>What's left of the French railway
Picture marhasFrench school on Don Khon
Picture marhasChan Thouma Restaurant
Picture marhasWat Khon Tai
Picture mypuffinWat Khon Tai
Where to stay on Don Khon:
Bane Khone Guesthouse: Read about on passplanet.com
Mr. Bouaphanh Guesthouse: Two bungalows with shared bath on the river bank and more bungalows with private bathroom off the river. "One of the best budget locations", commemnts travelfish.org . Read about on passplanet.com. See a picture by Travels in Southern Lao
Kampheng Guesthouse: Wood and bamboo bungalow, no electricity, cold shower. See picture by Vix. Read review by TheSnowQueen
Mr. Bounh's Guesthouse: Read about on passplanet.com
Pakha Guesthouse: Read about on passplanet.com
Pan's Guesthouse: From 18 USD. Bungalows with river or garden view, at the riverfront, facing Don Det. Here you can book tours in and around Si Phan Don and rent bicycles or motorbikes and hire minivans and boats with drivers. Internet is available. See picture by Cecilia74 and planettreasures
Picture marhasSala Done Khone: From 22 USD. Spacious, nicely decorated rooms in an old teak house in French colonial style and three floating studios. All of the rooms have air-con plus private bath with hot showers. "The main building has been refurbished without interfering with its historic character", adds travelfish.org. Read more on passplanet.com. Good reviews on tripadvisor.com - except for one complaning about a house party all night long om opposite Don Det. Can arrange boat trips for Khonephapheng waterfall. Picture by June
Picture saladonekone.comSalaphae: From 25 USD. "Outstanding" according to travelfish.org. Raft houses with solar heating and more rooms in French Residence and Ban Lao Residence. Salaphae has also a camping with bungalows on Khone Pa Soi - with waterfall view. See pictures by umdiewelt.de
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Picture goflashpackerOutlook from the raft house
Picture goflashpackerBan Lao Residence
Seng Ahloune Guesthouse: Fro, 34 USD. Wooden bungalows are raised on stilts, set around the garden and on the river front.
Picture Seng AhlouneSee also picture by Uwe.
Somphamit Guesthouse: 10 USD. Six guestrooms in three wooden buildings on stilts with communal balconies. Simple fan rooms with mosquito net. Next door to Sala Dhone Khone. Go for one of the new bungalows, is the advise of travelfish.org. Read also review on passplanet.com
Picture Somphanit GuesthouseXaymontri Residence: From 09 USD. Good option off the river according to travelfish.org
Picture marhasKhon Phapheng Falls
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Picture patrikmloeffHow to arrive here: Take a boat to Ban Nakasong. (20 minutes from Don Khon, 5 minutes from Don Det). Take a Tuktuk to the falls, ask for at least two hours staying at the falls.
Somphamit Falls, also called Li Phi Falls
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Picture PretreLi Phi means "spirit trap" in local words. Many Lao people believe the falls catch ghosts and spirits. But there is also another explanation for the name: During the Indochina-war dead bodies were dumped in the Mekong and carried into the fish traps near the falls. This story was reported by The Nation
Si Phan Don by boat-tour:
Vat Phou Mekong Cruises:
Picture melomeloWhat's more funny?
Read more:
Trekking around Kiet Ngong and Phapho wetlands - in Xe Pian National Protected Area
Champasak, Vat Phou and Lingaparvata
Is there a Future for the Mekong Dolphins?
Don Sahon Dam project threatens Mekong Dolphins
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