Simply Southern Laos 6 Days

Tour Code: 7TLM515XUNFI 

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Pakse, Wat Phou, Champasak, Don Khong
Land tour From: $335
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Duration

6 days

Tour Type

Specific Tour

Group Size

1 person

Languages

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About this tour

Our Indochina Revolves Around You
Vietnam Tour Packages specialises in tailor-made holidays and private tours for discerning travellers seeking authentic experiences around the Indochina

Highlights

  • * Pakse: Situated in southern Laos, Pakse serves as a gateway to the Bolaven Plateau and the impressive Khone Phapheng Falls, providing opportunities for exploration and adventure.

Included/Excluded

  • * All accommodations (with Twin/Double rooms) while on tour
  • * Accommodation based on twin or double sharing room
  • * All transfers and road transport in modern, air-conditioned vehicles if specified in the program
  • * Meals as mentioned in the program. B-Breakfast, Br-Brunch, L-Lunch, D-Dinner
  • * Your tour guide is a professional, fully trained employee of Vietnam Tour Packages ( Vietnam Tour Packages)
  • * All sightseeing as specified including entrance fees
  • * Airfares if specified in the program. ( E-Economy class, B-Business calss)
  • * Visa Approval Letter if specified in the program
  • • Compulsory tips for tour guide and driver
  • • Meals not mentioned in the program
  • • Any flights (Domestic and International) and airport tax
  • • Single Supplement. Early check-in and late check-out. Hotel/Room upgrade
  • • Drinks, personal expenses and any services not clearly mentioned in the program
  • • Surcharge for the festive seasons
  • • Applicable Government Taxes and other service charges.
  • • The tour cost does not include POE charges and passport charges.
  • • Porterage Facility

Itinerary

<span> Day 1</span>Pakse Arrival – Transfer to Wat Phou - Champasak (Own tickets)

Upon your arrival at Pakse Airport, you will be greeted by your guide and transferred by road to Champasak, a charming town situated on the banks of the majestic Mekong River. The highlight of this town is the captivating Wat Phou Temple, a remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site that beautifully harmonizes with its natural surroundings. Spend the night at the enchanting The River Resort in Champasak, enjoying the breathtaking views of the Mekong River. Meals: None Accommodation: The River Resort

<span> Day 2 </span>Champasak - Bolaven Plateau

Embark on a scenic 1.5-2 hours drive from Champasak to the captivating Bolaven Plateau, where the refreshing cool air awaits. This ancient volcanic region is renowned for its lush coffee and tea plantations, as well as its vibrant tribal villages. Explore the enchanting waterfalls of Tad Fane and Tad Lo, and delve into the secrets of the area's thriving tea and coffee industry. Relax and spend the night at the serene Sabaidee Valley Resort. Meal: Breakfast Accommodation: Sabaidee Valley Resort

<span> Day 3 </span>Bolaven Plateau – Ban Kiet Ngong – Phou Asa Mountain Trekking

Embark on a 1.5-hour journey to Kingfisher Ecolodge, nestled between Xe Pian NPA and the charming Kiet Ngong village. Embark on an invigorating trek through the lush Xe Pian tropical forest, reaching the historic Phu Asa archaeological site with its panoramic vistas. Spend the afternoon exploring the forest and the ancient stone structure known as Vat Phou Asa before returning to the tranquil Kingfisher Ecolodge for a peaceful overnight stay. Trekking: Approximately 3.5 hours Meal: Breakfast, Dinner Accommodation: Kingfisher Ecolodge/ Comfort bungalow (Fan, no air conditioning)

<span> Day 4 </span>Ban Kiet Ngong - Wetlands Birdwatching Safari

Embark on an early morning trek with your knowledgeable guide along the Ramsar protected Ban Kiet Ngong Wetlands. Explore the untouched swamps, lakes, and marshes at the base of Phou Asa, witnessing the vibrant birdlife in their active state during the daybreak. This pristine wetland is a haven for a diverse range of water birds, including rare species such as the Giant Ibis, White-winged Wood-Duck, Sarus Crane, Lesser Adjutant, and White-shouldered Ibis. With over 320 bird species present, it is a paradise for birdwatching enthusiasts. Meal: Breakfast Accommodation: Kingfisher Ecolodge/ Comfort bungalow (Fan, no air conditioning)

<span> Day 5 </span>Ban Kiet Ngong – Don Khone – 4,000 Islands

Depart from Kingfisher Ecolodge and travel south to the enchanting 4,000 Islands. Hop on a long-tail boat to reach Don Khone, a picturesque island nestled in the heart of the Mekong River. Explore the island on foot, taking in the captivating Liphi Falls and discovering the area's rich history, including old French colonial buildings, a railway, and a pier. As the sun sets over the Mekong River, savor the relaxed pace of life while enjoying a refreshing drink. Walking Distance: Approximately 7km Meal: Breakfast Accommodation: Sala Done Khone Hotel

<span> Day 6 </span>Don Khone – Khone Phapheng Waterfall – Departure from Pakse (Own tickets)

Bid farewell to your hotel and embark on a boat journey back to the mainland. Take a short drive to witness the majestic Khone Phapheng Waterfall, the largest waterfall in Southeast Asia. Marvel at the stunning natural landscape along the Cambodian border before transferring back to Pakse. Meal: Breakfast

Durations

5 - 8 days

Regional Tours

Laos

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Tour's Location

Pakse, Wat Phou, Champasak, Don Khong
Ba Chuc: A Haunting Memorial to Vietnam’s “Killing Fields” - Ba Chuc: A Haunting Memorial to Vietnam’s "Killing Fields" 📍 Location: 40km southwest of Chau Doc⏰ Opening Hours: Daily 9 AM – 5 PM💰 Entrance Fee: Free🚗 How to Get There: Take Highway 91, then Highway N1 along the Cambodia border toward Ha Tien, and turn south onto Highway 3T for the final stretch. You can hire a taxi or xe ôm (motorbike taxi) from Chau Doc, including waiting time if needed. A Tranquil Countryside with a Dark Past Nestled in the breathtaking landscapes southwest of Chau Doc, the peaceful village of Ba Chuc hides a history of unimaginable horror. In the late 1970s, as Cambodian refugees fled Pol Pot’s brutal regime, the region’s Khmer population swelled. Tragically, the Khmer Rouge pursued them into Vietnam, leaving behind a trail of massacres that still haunt this area today. The Ba Chuc Memorial: Remembering a Tragedy At the heart of the village stands a solemn memorial honoring the 3,157 victims of one of the worst massacres in Vietnamese history. Between April 18 and April 30, 1978, Khmer Rouge forces slaughtered nearly every resident, often in brutal and inhumane ways. Shockingly, only two villagers survived the bloodshed. The memorial structure, though simple in design, leaves a powerful impact. Beneath a stark concrete canopy lies an eight-sided glass enclosure, where skulls and bones of the victims are displayed, categorized by age—a chilling reminder of the innocence lost in this atrocity. Phi Lai Pagoda: A Silent Witness to Horror Many of the victims were mercilessly killed at the nearby Phi Lai Pagoda, which still bears visible bloodstains on its walls and floors. A small sign near the altar marks a tragic site where 40 villagers perished after a grenade was thrown into a tiny chamber beneath the shrine. Between the memorial and the pagoda, a small exhibition room houses harrowing black-and-white photographs taken immediately after the massacre. These images show scattered, mutilated corpses, offering an unfiltered look at the horrors inflicted upon Ba Chuc. Some pictures are extremely graphic and distressing, so visitors should be prepared before entering. Visiting Ba Chuc Today Despite its grim past, Ba Chuc remains an important historical site, attracting visitors who come to pay their respects and reflect on the devastation of war. A few cafés and food stalls nearby provide refreshments for those exploring the area. Ba Chuc stands as Vietnam’s own "Killing Fields", a stark reminder of the atrocities committed by the Khmer Rouge. While the site is not for the faint-hearted, it serves as a vital testament to history—one that should never be forgotten.The Hoa Hao Religion - The Hoa Hao Religion: A Unique Buddhist Sect in Vietnam 📍 Location: Hoa Hao Village, 20km east of Chau Doc👤 Founder: Huynh Phu So📜 Key Beliefs: Simplicity in worship, direct connection with the Supreme Being, ascetic lifestyle The Hoa Hao religion, a distinctive Buddhist sect, emerged in Vietnam in the late 1930s, originating from the small village of Hoa Hao, near Chau Doc. The movement was founded by Huynh Phu So, a visionary spiritual leader whose life story is deeply intertwined with the sect’s teachings. Origins and Core Beliefs Huynh Phu So, a frail child, was placed under the care of a reclusive monk, where he studied both traditional Buddhist teachings and mystical spiritual disciplines. In 1939, at the age of 20, he experienced a profound trance, during which a new form of Buddhism was revealed to him. Upon awakening, he was miraculously cured of his lifelong illness and began preaching his unique spiritual philosophy. Hoa Hao Buddhism promotes a stripped-down approach to worship, rejecting elaborate rituals, temples, and intermediaries such as monks and priests. Instead, it emphasizes direct personal communication with the Supreme Being. The faith also upholds strict moral values, discouraging alcohol, drugs, and gambling. These principles, along with Huynh Phu So’s reputed healing and prophetic abilities, quickly attracted a large following, especially among Vietnam’s rural peasant communities. Political Influence and Conflict Beyond its religious foundation, the Hoa Hao sect soon became a political force, forming a militia to support its nationalist, anti-French, and anti-Communist stance. During World War II, the Japanese occupation army supplied them with weapons, seeking to destabilize the French colonial administration. However, the French viewed the movement with deep suspicion, branding Huynh Phu So as the "Mad Monk." In 1941, he was imprisoned and later confined to a psychiatric hospital—where he astonishingly converted his doctor to Hoa Hao Buddhism. Upon his release in 1945, tensions between the Hoa Hao and the Viet Minh escalated, leading to Huynh’s assassination by Viet Minh agents in 1947. Despite fierce resistance, the sect’s influence waned over the following decades. In the 1950s, President Ngo Dinh Diem’s crackdown on dissident groups further weakened the movement, culminating in the capture and execution of Hoa Hao military leader Ba Cut in 1956. By the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, the Communist government had eliminated any remaining political or military presence of the sect. Hoa Hao Buddhism Today Despite its turbulent history, Hoa Hao Buddhism remains a significant spiritual tradition, with an estimated two million followers primarily residing in Chau Doc and Long Xuyen. Some devout male practitioners still wear long beards and hair tied in a bun, a traditional marker of Hoa Hao adherents. While the sect no longer engages in political activism, its legacy continues through its strong spiritual and ethical influence on local communities.

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Land tourFrom: $335
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Traveltui

Member Since 2024

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