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SOUTHERN LAOS

Overview

Being neglected much more than Luang Prabang and Vientiane because of the lack of direct flights connecting with Asian travel hubs, the South of Laos was nearly forgotten for a long time. More a bless than a curse, this unpopularity leave the area a lot of untouched green rivers, fish source, shadowy plain highland, divine waterfalls and many hidden river isles. Recently, good straight tarred roads have made Southern Laos much more renown to young travelers, especially in its possibilities to connect with Cambodia to the far South and to accommodate grand caravan trip going thru all Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand.

The facilities of the South, indeed, are less standardized than those of the North but it’s totally capable to develop now. Those looking for ecotours will also find the South a paradise, especially if you are lucky to meet an endangered Irrawaddy dolphin on the Mekong at the bend near the Cambodia border, or have long time enough to to stay in one ò "thoudsand isles" near the border.

Food & Drink

Southern Laotian food undergoes the influence of its neighbor countries – Thailand and Vietnam. The region’s fertile soil and favorable climate enable local people to grow and harvest a variety of good quality fruits, vegetables, herbs, grains, meat and fish. Popular national dishes of Laos can be easily found in the southern part of this country, too.

Travel Guide

Southern Laos is located near the Laos-Cambodia border and consists of eight main divisions: Pakse, Champasak, 4000 Islands, Bolaven Plateau, Xe-Pian, Sekong, Salavan and Attapau. The region offers exotic and many off-the-beaten-track travel routes and experiences and luckily, it has not been touched by mass tourism. However, Southern Laos is no longer the realm of active backpackers only, as rural lodges and boutique hotels are already scattered over the area.

 

Activities

Our pick: Strolling around Pakse or Champasak by bikes or on foot, visits vestiges in the town and intermingling with the locals in their daily life.

Boat trip

Boat trip at the Si Phan Don and waiting to meet Irrawaddy dolphine in the late morning; biking on the islets at Si Phan Don. 

Culture visits

Visits to Wat Phu Champasak to admire Khmer culture’s traces and great view from the hill top. 

Caravan tour

Caravan tour in the highland from South to North, capable to link with Vietnam via landway. 

Relaxing

Enjoying great Laos coffee and tea.

Recommended Tours

7 days / 6 nights

Fr$730

Savour in the quintessential religious traces of Laos culture as you make your journey through impressive and mysterious temples, pagodas and caves from South to North of Laos. Mingle with local life in an unspoiled nature and get to know their handicraft making before exploring the peaceful Don Khone Island by motor boat and visit the most beautiful Liphi waterfall. Book our Essential Laos tour package and Visit the major sights of Vientiane capital and enjoy the sunset by the Mekong riverside.

10 days / 9 nights

Fr$1199

Laos is famous for nature, ancient sites with high architecture value in good preservation, warm-hearted but deliberate local people. Starting from historic and cultural Luang Prabang, the best reserved ancient town in South East Asia, then discovering mysterious sites and spending time with own leisure at Southern Laos. Tour focuses on experience and interaction with locality beside numerous sightseeing excursions.

11 days / 10 nights

Fr$990

Adventure through hidden Laos reveals the incredible charm of its landscape, history, and culture as well as a daily lifestyle. Trek across rice paddies, farmland, and forest and experience the true natural beauty of Luang Prabang Province. This tour also provides a great amount of variation as it takes you into several fascinating villages of the most prominent ethnic groups in Northern Laos.

4 days / 3 nights

Fr$616

A trip gives you great chance to observe the cultivation of coffee, tea, cardamom, bananas as well as to venture off the beaten track with this private 4 day tour in southern Laos.