Hello!

During the recent school break, while our younger classmates were busy with remedial classes and final exams, we decided to embark on a trip together, just like we do every year. Last year, we explored the breathtaking Doi Inthanon National Park (https://th.readme.me/p/6037). This year, we were torn between several destinations, with some friends suggesting a trip to southern Laos. However, logistical challenges, including financial constraints and the need for passports (some of us didn't have one yet), threatened to derail our plans. Ultimately, we all decided to get passports, opting for them over the 3-day border pass we initially considered, based on online recommendations suggesting the advantages of a passport.

Here's a rough outline of our itinerary:

November 30, 2015:

• Travel from Ubon Ratchathani to Pakse
• Explore Pakse city
• Stay overnight in Pakse

December 1, 2015:

• Visit waterfalls in Pakxong (Tad Fane, Tad Yeuang, Tad Champee)
• Stay overnight in Pakse

December 2, 2015:

• Travel to Don Det, Don Khon, and Li Phi waterfall
• Stay overnight in Don Det

December 3, 2015:

• Return to Ubon Ratchathani

Video link

Watch the travel video
Click on the image above.

Southern Laos Trip, November 30 - December 3, 2015

Photos by:

• Suwat Niramon (Canon Kiss X7i)
• Natthatida Phahui (Nikon D5300)

Note: Edited with Lightroom.

For further inquiries, please visit our Facebook page: Khunjao's Backpacker

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Note: The original text includes HTML tags, which have been preserved in the translation.

November 30, 2015
The first day of the trip, we met at the Ubon Ratchathani Bus Terminal at 9:00 AM.
We traveled by van for 100 baht and arrived at the Chong Mek checkpoint around 11:30 AM.

After that, I went through immigration control on the Thai side and filled out the immigration form as usual.

We then walked through the underground tunnel to the Lao side and stamped our passports at the Vang Tao checkpoint for 40 baht each.

There will be many older siblings who will offer to take you to Pakse city by car. You can negotiate a price with them to take you directly to your hotel for 100 baht per person.

Upon arriving in Pakse, we checked into Alisa Guesthouse, which was mentioned in a forum as offering affordable motorbike rentals.

The next step was to rent a motorbike (motorcycle) with a manual transmission for 50,000 kip per day.

We did not stay at Alisa because of budget constraints. We used Booking.com to find nearby and affordable accommodation and found Noknoi Guesthouse. We walked in and inquired about the price, which was around 200 baht per room. We chose a room that was basic and sufficient for sleeping, with a shower.

Alisa Guest House

Map of Noknoi Guesthouse

Nong Noi Guesthouse

We then drove around looking for a money exchange. We were able to exchange at a rate of 228.5 kip to 1 baht.

Afterwards, take a scenic drive through the city of Pakse.

Internet!!!
For this trip, we opted for a unitel SIM card priced at 20,000 kip with a 2 GB data package valid for 5 days. We shared it via mobile Wi-Fi for everyone's use.

First stop!!!

"Wat Luang" is located in Pakse city, right on the banks of the Se River.

Then head to the Parisian cafe for a relaxing coffee break.

Sweets

Next, ride a motorbike to Wat Chom Phet, on the way to Pakse Airport.

After leaving Wat Chompet, we stopped for a bite to eat at a roadside restaurant. We ordered fried rice and pho, which cost 15,000 kip each.

The next destination was Wat Phou Salao, located in Phou Salao before crossing the Lao-Japanese Bridge. There are two ways to get to the temple: driving up the mountain or taking a shortcut by stairs. However, we chose to drive up because it was already dark when we arrived.

December 1, 2015

The plan was to leave the guesthouse at 8:00 AM to visit the various waterfalls in Pak Song. After enjoying a slow-paced morning, it was finally time to depart Pakse at 11:00 AM. The first stop was Sabai Dee Valley.

Next, we headed to Tad Fane Waterfall. The entrance fee was 5,000 kip per person, and parking was also 5,000 kip per vehicle.

And after driving about 2-3 kilometers, we arrived at Tad Yeung Waterfall. The entrance fee is 10,000 kip per person, and the parking fee is 10,000 kip per car.

The Last Waterfall of the Day: Tad Tham Champee

The final waterfall of the day was Tad Tham Champee. Entrance fees were 5,000 kip per person, and parking was 5,000 kip per vehicle. Originally, the plan was to continue on to Pha Suam Waterfall, but due to the late hour, the decision was made to return to Pakse instead. We spent another night in Pakse.

December 2, 2015

After enjoying a night out in Pakse, we had plans to visit Don Det the next morning. At 7:00 AM, we returned our motorbike to Alisa Guesthouse and purchased bus tickets to Don Det for 65,000 kip per person (including the boat fare to Don Det). The bus departed at 8:00 AM. As we boarded the bus, we were surprised to see that it was filled with foreigners. We were the only four Thai people on the bus.

The group arrived at Ban Nakasang around 11:00 AM. They then walked directly to the pier to travel to Don Det.

Upon arrival at the pier, exchange your bus ticket for a ferry ticket to Don Det.

Upon arriving in Don Det, we walked in to find accommodation (having read in a book that there would be budget-friendly options around 20,000 kip per person). We inquired at various places and came across a guesthouse (name omitted) with a beautiful view. Situated by the river, it offered hammocks on the balcony and a terrace for enjoying the scenery. The price was 40,000 kip per night (including Wi-Fi).

Floor plan...

Inside the room

After securing our accommodation, our plan for the day was to cycle through the countryside on Don Det-Don Khon, visit the French Land Bridge, the ancient locomotive, Li Phi Waterfall, and Kon Phapeng Waterfall. We rented bicycles for 10,000 kip each.

After crossing the bridge by bicycle, a Lao official approached us to sell tickets to visit Li Phi Waterfall for 35,000 kip.

Official: Are you Lao?

Friend: Yes!!!

Haha!!! The "yes" was loud and clear. (Because Lao people don't say "yes" / "ค่ะ", so we tried to sound Lao to get the cheaper ticket price.)

We then told the official that we wouldn't buy tickets yet, we just wanted to see the old locomotive.

Then, continue cycling to Li Phi Waterfall.

While stopping to buy drinking water, the shop owner asked me who I was and why I spoke Lao so clearly. I told him that I was from Ubon Ratchathani, and he said that I should act like a normal Lao person so that I would only have to pay 5,000 kip to enter Li Phi Waterfall. I then headed to Li Phi Waterfall and bought a ticket for 5,000 kip.

Map of Li Phi Waterfall

A series of cascading waterfalls.

Walk a little further and you will find a beach with a beverage shop, free Wi-Fi, free bungalows, free sunbeds, free beach volleyball, and a swimming area.

Translation:

After that, we went our separate ways. My friend and I continued on to Kon Pla Soi Waterfall, while the other two friends relaxed, ate, and enjoyed the view.

The last set of photos before leaving Li Phi Waterfall.

While cycling to Kon Pla Soi Waterfall, I felt hungry and stopped for a papaya salad. It was called "Tam Suk," a papaya salad without papaya, similar to a mixed salad. It was delicious with sticky rice and came with a side of soup.

Following directions to Kon Pla Soi Waterfall, I enjoyed a scenic bike ride, taking in the fresh air and beautiful surroundings. Upon arrival, I encountered suspension bridges, wooden walkways, and the French Dam, about which I confess to having limited knowledge.

Translation:

After that, we cycled back to our accommodation in Don Det, arriving just as darkness fell.

At night, we all went our separate ways to eat dinner in our own styles. My friends and I went to a restaurant... and had fried rice, garlic bread, and Lao beer.
Lao beer is a very delicious beer. It has a sweet taste and is not very bitter. It's easy to drink. I love it! 555

After that, we returned to our accommodation and lay down on the balcony to stargaze. The sky was pitch black, and the stars were stunning. It was pure bliss.

December 3, 2015
We were told that there would be a bus to Pakse before noon.
However, we were living the slow life and enjoying the refreshing morning air in Don Det so much that my friend wanted to stay another day. By the time we checked out of our accommodation, it was almost noon. We took a boat to the pier in Ban Nakasang for 15,000 kip each. When we arrived, there were no more buses!

I asked the locals if there were any cars going to Pakse. They told me I had to wait on the main road, which was 2-3 kilometers away. Luckily, a kind person offered me a ride.

After waiting for a long time on the main road, a Vietnamese car heading to Pakse passed by. We were lucky to have a Laotian man on board who acted as an interpreter for us, as the staff could not speak English or Lao. The fare from Ban Nakasang to Pakse was 50,000 kip per person.

Translation:

Upon arriving in Pakse, I met up with a friend (I had previously completed a one-month internship in Pakse) who kindly offered to drive me to the Daoreuang Market on his motorbike. From there, I boarded a van to the Chong Mek border crossing. The van fare from Pakse to Chong Mek was 25,000 kip per person.

Translation:

Upon arriving at the Mekong Channel around 5:00 PM, we rushed to the Vang Tao checkpoint to get our passports stamped. Initially, we offered 10,000 kip each for the border crossing fee, but the officer informed us that it was 100 baht per person. I responded that it was usually 10,000 kip (as I had previously lived in Pakse for a month and frequently crossed the Thai-Lao border). The officer insisted that it was not the usual rate. We then had a female friend speak with the officer, but he remained adamant about the 100 baht fee, citing overtime charges. Given the late hour and our desire to avoid further delay, we reluctantly paid 100 baht each.

Upon arrival at Thai immigration, I inquired with a fellow Thai traveler about the immigration fee in Laos. He informed me that it was only 40 baht! I realized then that I had made a mistake and overpaid. Oh, the regret!

We boarded the van at Chong Mek Bus Terminal for 100 baht per person. We arrived at Ubon Ratchathani Bus Terminal around 7-8 pm and then went back to our respective rooms.
Trip complete!!!!

Expenses

228.5 Kip = 1 Thai Baht

This is the cost per person after dividing the total expenses.

November 30, 2015

The bus fare from Ubon Ratchathani to Chong Mek is 100 baht.

Toll fee 40 baht

The bus fare from Chong Mek to Pakse is 100 baht.

The motorbike rental fee is 50,000 kip (219 baht).

Refill 10,000 kip (44 baht) of fuel.

The room rate is 100 baht.

5,000 kip (22 baht) for a SIM card with internet access.

Laotian lottery 750 kip (3 baht)

Food and beverage expenses: 64,250 kip (281 baht)

= 909 Baht

December 1, 2015

The room rate is 100 baht.

Glasses and hat 10,000 kip (44 baht)

Refueled for 6,250 kip (27 baht).

Entrance fee to Tad Fane Waterfall + parking fee 6,500 kip (28 baht)

Entrance fee to Tad Yeung Waterfall + parking fee 12,500 kip (55 baht)

Entrance fee to Tad Tham Champee Waterfall + parking fee 6,500 kip (28 baht)

Food and beverage expenses: 105,250 kip (460 baht)

= 742 Baht

Dec 2, 2015

Boat Trip from Pakse to Don Det: 65,000 Kip (284 Baht)

This sentence provides information about the cost of a boat trip from Pakse to Don Det in Laos. It specifies that the total cost is 65,000 Kip, which is equivalent to 284 Baht.

Room rate 20,000 kip (88 baht)

Rental fee for bicycle: 10,000 kip (44 baht)

The entrance fee to Li Phi Waterfall is 5,000 kip (22 baht).

Food and beverage expenses: 43,750 kip (191 baht)

= 629 Baht

December 3, 2015

The boat fare from Don Ded to Nakasang is 15,000 kip (66 baht).

The fare from Nakasang to Pakse is 50,000 kip (219 baht).

The cost of a bus from Pakse to Champasak is 25,000 kip (109 baht).

Entrance fee: 100 baht

The fare from Mek-Ubon is 100 baht.

Food and beverage expenses: 32,000 kip (140 baht)

= 734 Baht

Total 3,014 Baht!!!

For further inquiries, please visit our Facebook page: Khunjao's Backpacker