Six days in Laos for people who like history: the Plain of Jars, temples from before Angkor, and the Vieng Xai caves, where people lived during the war. The drives in between are long, but the roads are quiet and the countryside is nice.
Brief Itinerary:
Day 1: Pakse Arrival
Day 2: Pakse – Bolaven Plateau | Coffee Plantations and Dramatic Waterfalls
Day 3: Pakse – Don Khong | Ancient Khmer Temples and Southeast Asia’s Largest Waterfalls
Day 4: Don Khone – Vientiane | Explore the Mekong’s ‘4,000 Islands' Archipelago
Day 5: Vientiane | City Tour
Day 6: Vientiane – Xiang Khoang – Phonsavan | Explore a Megalithic Archaeological Landscape
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1: Pakse Arrival
Pakse is the capital of Champassak Province in southern Laos, near the Thai border, where the Mekong and Se Don rivers meet. The colonial imprints on Pakse are most evident in its historic riverside old quarter. Spend the remainder of your day at your riverside lodge situated on the delightful, car-free island of Done Daeng, often referred to as the "Red Island". Relax on the white sand beach along the Mekong, with a view of the old Vat Phou temple (Wat Phu). Southern Laos is quiet and green, with few tourists.
Day 2: Pakse – Bolaven Plateau | Coffee Plantations and Dramatic Waterfalls
The Bolaven Plateau is a large highland made by an old volcano, with jungle, rivers, farms and villages of different ethnic groups. Spend the day up on the plateau, where the air is cooler.
Visit tea and coffee plantations on the volcanic soil. The coffee beans cultivated in this area are esteemed for their premium quality. On the way, stop at waterfalls, some falling into ravines 200m (656ft) deep.
Day 3: Pakse – Don Khong | Ancient Khmer Temples and Southeast Asia’s Largest Waterfalls
Built between the 6th and 13th centuries, the pre-Angkorian Vat Phou temple (Wat Phu) stands as a testament to the grandeur of the Khmer Empire, intricately connected to Cambodia's Angkor Wat through ancient highways. Known as the birthplace of Khmer Hindu architecture, this Hindu temple complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walk around the old temple ruins and learn about their history.
Venture onward to the Khone Pha Pheng Falls, a staggering 10km (6mi) stretch of cascades, marking Southeast Asia's largest waterfalls and one of Laos' most remarkable natural wonders. The water is very loud here, millions of liters pouring over the rocks.
Day 4: Don Khone – Vientiane | Explore the Mekong’s ‘4,000 Islands' Archipelago
Si Phan Don, also called ‘The 4,000 Islands’, is a group of mostly empty islands spread over a 14 km (8.5 mi) wide, winding stretch of the Mekong River. Board a traditional long-tail boat to cruise through the Si Phan Don riverine archipelago, navigating south of Don Khong, the largest inhabited island in this archipelago. Life is slow and simple on the islands. Once a modest 19th-century French Indochina settlement, Don Khone still preserves remnants of its colonial past, including an old French railway station.
Continue your journey to the magnificent Liphi Waterfalls, affectionately known as the "Corridor of the Devil," serving as a natural boundary between Laos and Cambodia and a habitat for freshwater dolphins. In the afternoon, arrive in Vientiane, Southeast Asia's smallest capital city. On the Mekong River near the Thai border, this old French trading post is quiet and relaxed.
Day 5: Vientiane | City Tour
A day to see some of the main landmarks and old buildings of Vientiane. Begin at Wat Sisaket, one of the oldest temples still standing in the capital, known for its cloister wall with thousands of small Buddha images.
Venture into downtown Vientiane to witness the grandeur of That Luang, a remarkable 44m (147ft)-high Buddhist stupa adorned with golden coverings, recognized as the nation's most pivotal monument. Take some time to look around this holy place.
Make a stop at the iconic Patuxai Victory Monument, reminiscent of an Arc de Triomphe, embellished with Lao mythical designs. Dedicated to those who fought in the struggle for independence from France, this monument stands as a testament to the nation's history and resilience.
Day 6: Vientiane – Xiang Khoang – Phonsavan | Explore a Megalithic Archaeological Landscape
Spread across the undulating terrain of the Xiang Khoang Plateau, the mysterious "Plain of Jars" stands as one of Southeast Asia's paramount prehistoric sites. The site has about 2,500 stone jars in groups, spread over a large area. Varying in height from 1m to 2.5m (3ft to 8ft), these colossal jars, believed to be 1,500-2,500 years old, trace their origins back to the Southeast Asian Iron Age. Despite intensive archaeological study, the precise purpose of these ancient cylinders remains shrouded in mystery, though most likely linked to prehistoric burial practices.
The historical significance of the Plain of Jars is tinged with the unfortunate legacy of the so-called "Secret War" when the area was heavily bombed by US forces during the 1960s and 1970s. As a consequence, the countryside is now littered with thousands of unexploded ordnance. If time allows, a visit to the Mine Advisory Group is on the itinerary. This group is engaged in a project to render the area safe from the risks posed by the remnants of unexploded ordnance, highlighting the lasting impact of past conflicts on the region.
