Average rating Southern Laos Mekong Cruise.

Discover the ancient grandeur and mythical landscape of the Mekong River basin in Southern Laos on board the Vat Phou, a luxurious 34-metre Teak river cruiser. Visit villages and temple ruins half-hidden in the tropical landscape, and explore the “4,000 Islands” of one of Asia’s largest rivers.

The Mekong river winds its way along the border of Southern Laos like a vast sleepy serpent, its broad, smooth waters helping to fertilize one of the richest areas of biodiversity in the world. At Pakse, where the Xedone river flows into its waters, it makes one last loop deep into the Southern end of the country as if persuaded by the lesser river. There, amid the sprawling jungle, lie villages where life still continues exactly as it has for centuries, while the ruins of temples built more than seven hundred years ago gradually succumb to the softening persuasion of time.

Near Champassak, you will walk among the Ruins of Vat Phou, built between the 11thand 13th centuries on the site of a still-older temple complex, and predating the famous Angkor Wat. This is one of the definitive examples of Khmer architectural magnificence, with its relief carvings displaying a mixture of Hindu iconography and later Buddhist images, all interpreted in distinctive Lao style. A World Heritage site, its air of bygone splendour is only enhanced by the jungle’s inevitable encroachment.

The nearby Oum Moung temple, dated around 13th century, was most likely built to house pilgrims and visitors to Vat Phou, and is itself another impressive testament to a long-dead empire. Further downstream, where the vast smooth flow of the Mekong is broken up by the only islands in this landlocked nation, you will encounter the thundering Khone Pha Pheng, the largest waterfall in Asia.

If you feel you’d like to explore a place filled with astonishing raw natural beauty while being assured a relaxing, comfortable experience -with a heady dose of ancient archeological history thrown in for good measure- then you might consider this tour. Large areas of the Champassak region, including Vat Phou temple complex itself, have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the well-preserved remains of an ambitious planned landscape symbolically linking the human and Natural orders, and the cruise boat and onboard services are of the highest standard. This tour promises to deliver both comfort and adventure in one seamless package.

Getting there

You need to get to Pakse, Laos. There are no direct fights from the UK, but indirect flights go via Bangkok and Vientiane. Transfers available from Ubon Rachatani, Thailand, at extra charge.

Price includes

3 day cruise with stops and visits as described, with English and French-speaking escorts, 2 nights’ accommodation on board the Vat Phou, meal plan as mentioned in the tour program, coffee, tea & drinking water on board and during meals, admission fee at visiting points as mentioned in the program, the services of a Laotian crew during the cruise, group insurance.

Price details

Prices are based on 2 people sharing
01 Oct 09 - 30 Apr 10
$591
$206 (single supplement)



01 May 10 - 30 Sep 10
$443
$180 (single supplement)

When is best

From May to October: Departures every Saturday.



From November to April: Departures every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Available

May—Nov

Typical Duration

3 days

Comfort level

Refined (boutique or luxury accommodation and food)

Experience required

A reasonable interest is all that is needed