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Pro
Everything
Con
A little dificult to reach and come back
In a nutshell
I'm afraid to post this place on here - I don't want it to change.
DSwede Says: Prices may fluctuate during the seasons, but we rented for 10,000 kip for the whole day. Do not pay more than 15,000 kip.The entire island of Don Khong is 18km x 8km. The road circling the island is flat and travels the entire distance about 40km. Pedaling at a leisurely...
Old French Railroad and Bridge
DSwede Says: Laos has only had one functional railway in its history. It was installed by the French as a means to ease the passage over the waterfalls along what is not the Cambodian boarder.They railroad could unload cargo and passengers on the low side of the falls and then climb the...
DSwede Says: The Mekong meanders around the 4000 Islands and drops into Cambodia along a fairly wide, yet short waterfall. There are several to choose from, but the Somphamit is the easiest to access from Don Det and/or Don Khone islands.It is about a 10~15 minute walk from the Rail Road...
Biggest waterfalls of S.E. Asia: Khonphapheng
Lunaina Says: On the border of Cambodia and Laos are the Khon Phapheng waterfalls, they are the biggest of S.E. Asia and also a very popular attraction for the locals. The entrance is 10,000 Kip and it is sure worth a visit!
Visit the beuatiful temple Tham Phu Khiaw
Lunaina Says: The island of Don Khong has a few temples that can be visited. We found the Tham Phu Kiaw in the small village of Ban Xieng Wang the most beautiful. The buddha is covered in a giant snake!
Lunaina Says: The large island of Don Khong is easy to go around by bicycle. We only managed to do half the island because of the high temperature (37 degrees). We were everywhere greeted by children and if you are thirsty, you find many houses that offer refreshments and also things to...
Hire a bicycle, see the sites..
steevie_wanders Says: Hire bikes and cycle south along the path, to the southern end of the Island. You'll see the unfinshed railway bridge over to Don Khon. Pass over the road/footbridge to Don Khon, and head towards the Somphamit Waterfalls. Lots of nice places to swim, amongst the rocks, and...
steevie_wanders Says: Hire a dug out canoe, and paddle upstream/downstream. Paddling upstream is surprisingly hard, as the current will continually try to push your bow to port or starboard. The best advice is to heave to, splice the mainbrace and make someone walk the plank. Alternatively, pull...
steevie_wanders Says: When staying on an island, swimming is a great idea! During the dry season the currents arn't too strong, though swimming against it for long is tiring! This tree was stuck in the bottom near my bungalow. A helpful soul had attached some bits of wood to make climbing up...
Seng Ahloune Restaurant: Riverfront view and good Lao Lao cocktail
DSwede Says: Don Det and Don Khone have countless restaurants to choose from. They all serve roughly the same menu at the same prices. However, we found this to be quite satisfactory both with the view on the Mekong directly next to the old French Railroad bridge, the portion sizes and...
Mekhong Restaurant: Possibly the cheapest, and definately good
DSwede Says: I'm not sure how the restaurant closest to the most expensive hotel on the island could be so cheap, but I believe it was cheapest menu on island. The restaurant did not have an outdoor seating area like the others closer to the "bridge", but they big windows still allowed...
Phoukhong Restaurant: Great food right on the water
DSwede Says: Many of the menus in the restaurants are copied from one to another. The prices vary only a little, but the quality can change greatly. This little restaurant has a wonderful outdoor patio, sitting directly over the water of the Mekong. You can sit outside, having a...
a restaurant/bar on the sunset side: Night jumps
steevie_wanders Says: Drink lots of lao-lao (potent rice whisky), pick a partner, then jump 20ft into the warm Mekong.. fun! especially during a tropical storm!From this self same location, after midnight (when the generators have gone quiet) you can hear the roar of the waterfalls, 5 miles away....
steevie_wanders Says: Watch some superb fire tricks from talented people who know how to do it. Whilst sat around a fire with friends having drinks.. Beach wear, or anything non flammable.
Don Khong to/from Don Det & Don Khone
DSwede Says: There are countless minivan services for hire from nearly all guest houses and travel agencies. You can get transfers between the larger Don Khong island to/from the smaller islands in the south of Don Det & Don Khone for about 40,000 kip. Travel time is about 30 minutes....
DSwede Says: You can travel to Pakse by public bus. However, the cost will be nearly identical to a mini-van ride if you find a good price. But the real savings will be time! The public bus will take ~40 minutes longer than the mini-van, and there is no idea how long you will have to...
Lunaina Says: To Don Khong you can easily travel. At several places you find boats that will take you to the mainland. If you travel by car you can take a carferry, otherwise you can just hop on almost every boat.
RB_Oakes Says: Again, there is not much public transport in southern Laos. There are one or two tuk-trucks heading to Veunkham (border crossing for Cambodia) but usually you'll have to hire a vehicle. The tuk-trucks that do run do so early in the morning. I wanted to see the waterfalls so...
Helpfulness
Fried frogs is a local speciality that you see quite a bit around Don Khong.
I guess they have taken a liking to them cause they are all over the place and this is your chance to try something you have most likely not tried before.
I have tried it, but i am personally not too keen on the taste of frog.
Written Feb 28, 2010
Helpfulness
Don Khong Island is 18 km long and 8 km wide. If Laos is quiet in general, life on the island is very very quiet. Anybody can loose its stress there.
Biking tour of the island is very pleasant as the distance can be done within one day.
Have a strong breakfast in Muang Khong and then take the road to the North, up to the end of the island, even if you have to take a very small path. Then you will come back by the western side, passing through villages, until you reach Muang Saen. Have lunch (chinese soup and soya milk) on the beach (it should be the afternoon).
From there you can choose either to follow the river, either to take the direct road to Muang Khong. All the way, it’s flat, so it’s quite easy for anybody and you do not need any guide.
Equipment: Any kind of bicyle
Written Nov 1, 2004
Address: Don Khong (Khong island)
The largest of the Si Phan Don (4000 Islands)
Si Phan Don, or otherwise known in English as "Four Thousand Islands", is the cluster of islands and islets in the the lower Mekong River, just above the Cambodian border. The islands vary in size......
Don Det - It's near Don Khong!
I had heard a few things about Si Phan Don (Si = Four, Phan = Thousand, Don = Island), and read a few things, but it was like nothing I could imagine. The words go: an area of the Mekong river, which...
River island in southern Laos.
Don khong is the largest river island in Laos and is located in the Mekong river just before the border to Cambodia. It´s a nice place to hang out for a few days and chill out. The pace of life is...
I departed first thing the next morning, unable to stomach being in such a place. The lifestyle in rural Lao is a little rough on me, too. Early to bed, early to rise is just not my thing. Especially...
Build your own Don Khong page
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