Cambodia Canoeing & Kayaking
After flowing thousands of kilometres from the Yunan-Tibet plateau in China, passing through Burma and Northern Laos along the border with Thailand, the mighty Mekong River goes through a sudden transformation just before it enters Cambodia. Hundreds of islands split the river into numerous channels, complete with raging rapids and thundering waterfalls.
The are on the Laos side of the border is known at Si Pan Don - or 4,000 islands. In colonial times, the French attempted to create a cargo route through the islands by building a narrow gauge railway across 2 of the islands. Goods were hoisted from boats sailing up through Cambodia from Vietnam and then reloaded onto new boats above the falls on the Laos side.
Nowadays the tracks have gone and the islands offer visitors a beautifully tranquil view of rural Laos.
On the South side of Si Pan Don in Cambodia, the river spreads out to become a massive wetland with thousands of sand banks that come and go as the water levels rise and fall with the seasons. Low human populations make this a lost, unspoiled wilderness and a haven for bird life. Pods of rare and endangered Irrawaddy freshwater dolphins inhabit deeper pools.
The Mekong Explorer is a sample day 4 adventure tour taking in the Mekong in all its glory, the ancient World heritage site of Wat Phu in Champasak, Si Pan Don, where the Mekong is at it widest, and the Ramsar flooded forests in Stoeung Treng (Stung Treng) Province, Cambodia.
On this adventrure, there are opportunities - depending on the eason and the water levels - to raft the rapids of Si Pan Don, to kayak in the flooded forests, moutain bike and trek thorugh rural countryside and villages.
Follow any of these suggested itineraries with a visit to the ancient, World Heritage, Angkor Wat and the enigmatic capital of Phnom Penh. See here for some ideas.
Notes
Departure Schedule | |||||
| Departs | Days | Itinerary | Price | Note | |
| 9 | Pakse to Phnom Penh | £805 | Enquire | ||
4D Raft, Bike & Kayak
The Mekong Explorer is a sample adventure involving mountain biking, kayaking and rafting along the Mekong in all its glory. It includes a visit to the the ancient, pre-Angkorian World heritage site of Wat Phu in Champasak, Si Pan Don, where the Mekong is at it widest with 4000 Islands all along the river, and the Ramsar flooded forests in Cambodia's Stoeung Treng (Stung Treng) Province.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Day 1 Pakse – Wat Phu – Don Khong (L)
8am departure from Pakse to the town of Ban Muang where you will cross the Mekong by ferry to Champasak and then drive to Wat Phu, this Natural Heritage Site was built in the 6th century by the Khmer's and was originally used to worship the Hindu God Shiva and other deity's before being converted into a Buddhist temple in later centuries. Wat Phu was considered the centre of the Khmer kingdom until it was moved to Angkor Wat in the 12th century. After exploring this temple return to Champasak where you will have lunch; before crossing back across the Mekong and traveling south to the 4000 Islands.
Stop at Hat Xay Khun opposite the main island in this natural wetlands Don Khong, from here you will take a scenic boat ride through the 4000 Islands passing Don Det and the old ferry before arriving at Don Khone, which is linked to Don Det by the old French railway bridge built to ferry goods across the mighty waterfalls here by train.
Accommodation: Villa Muong Khong
Day 2 Don Khong (B/L)
Take a boat ride to Don Det and Don Khone passing the 4000 Islands, visit Liphi waterfall and the old French locomotive before heading out to see the rare Irrawaddy dolphins.
Please see the three options below for this each returning to Don Khong from Veun Kham at the end of the day.
Option 1: Kayaking (Available during low water level Oct – Mar)
Start kayaking after Liphi waterfall to see the rare Irrawaddy dolphins on the Cambodian side of the border where you will have a picnic lunch (no Cambodian Visa necessary). Continue kayaking to Veun Kham another 5km away which is the official Laos / Cambodian river border.
Option 2: Rafting - Minimum 4 pax (Available during high water level July – November)
From Don Khone take a motorboat back to Don Det where we will start our rafting trip after a thorough safety briefing. Meander down the river through the islands in simple grade 1-2 water giving us plenty of time to take photographs and swim in the Mighty Mekong River. After 50 odd minutes of paddling we drop of the main river and head down between two of the 4,000 Islands into a run known as Don Sadam.
This stretch of water gradually increases its tempo the further we go. In the main run the river flows with great tempo. Once through the rapids we can relax a little as the pace drops off back into the meandering Mekong. We then take out by the side of the river and join up with some locals and a motor boat.
This easy access boat gets us across the river to visit the rare Irrawaddy dolphins. Whilst sitting in Cambodia with no visa hassles we eat a scrumptious lunch and take in the mighty Mekong and its splendour.
Once sated with the experience we head back to the raft to paddle our way downstream towards the Southern Laos / Cambodian boarder crossing of Veun Kham.
Option 3: Boat Trip to see the Irrawaddy Dolphins
Depart from Don Khone after breakfast by bicycle or by tuk tuk and visit Liphi waterfall before heading to the southern tip of Don Khone known as Han Khone here you will take a boat to see the Irrawaddy dolphins where you will have lunch then continue by motorboat to the Lao / Cambodian border at Veun Kham.
From Veun Kham transport will be waiting to return to Don Khong. Stop off along the way at the
Mekong's largest waterfall, Khon Phapheng. This is part of the Mekong fault line which stretches across the entire Mekong River and has been formed by the river eroding the softer rock down stream.
Day 3 Don Khong – Stoeung Treng (B/L)
The Flooded Forest Kayak trip: A day trip that can be started from Stoeung Treng or from the Laos side of the border just 20mins from where we start kayaking at Oh Svay.
Depart from Si Pan Don to the Cambodian border, stopping at Khon Phapeng Waterfall along the way. Khon Phapeng is known as the Niagara of Southeast Asia and supports the huge biodiversity downstream by reoxygenating the river.
After Immigration procedures drive to Oh Svay from where you will start kayaking through the flooded forests to Veun Sien village, located in the extremely remote Ramsar wetlands. The flooded forest supports a large variety of birds along the river. Enjoy the remoteness of the area feeling completely at one with nature, stop for a picnic lunch on one of the many sandy beaches before continuing to Koh Ky where the car will be waiting for you to take you the last few kilometres to Stroeung Treng (Stung Treng).
Day 4 Stoeung Treng - Kratie (B/L)
Starting in Stoeung Treng, jump on your mountain bikes and ride along some fun gravel roads with river views to Srae Krasang, this is a great place to cycle off the main road enjoy the scenery and remoteness of the area before arriving at Koh Preah. Kayak from Koh Preah and right at the start you should have a good chance to see the rare Irrawaddy Dolphins. Continue through the wetlands and enjoy a barbecue lunch on a sandy riverbank. Finish the trip at Koh Khnhear, where a car will be waiting for you to take you to Kratie or return to Stoeung Treng (Stung Treng).
Sample price
| Persons | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4-6 | 7-9 | 10-14 | 15+ | Sgl Sup |
| Price (USD) | 692 | 440 | 346 | 252 | 215 | 191 | 177 | 21 |
Notes
This itinerary can be included as part of a longer Symbiosis Custom Travel holiday to visit Laos and Cambodia and can be modified to suit your interests and aspirations.Pakse to Phnom Penh + Ratanakiri
This version of the Mekong Explorer is a sample adventure involving mountain biking, kayaking and rafting along the Mekong, and also includes a visit to the northeast highlands of Cambodia's Ratanakiri Province, home to several indiginous tribal minority groups, rainforests and waterfalls. In Laos it includes a visit to the the ancient, pre-Angkorian World heritage site of Wat Phu in Champasak, Si Pan Don, where the Mekong is at it widest with 4000 Islands along the river.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Day 1 Pakse - Wat Phu - Don Daeng (D)
Traveling by shared boat from Pakse to Champasak and spending the morning at Wat Phu, in the afternoon cross over the river to the pristine Island of Don Daeng. Enjoy the sandy beaches and in the evening have a Baci Ceremony interacting with the local villagers. Spend the night at the lovely La Follie Lodge.
Accommodation: La Folie Lodge
Day 2 Don Daeng - Don Khong (B/L)
Transfer across the river for your transfer to Don Khong on the way stop at Ban Kiat Ngong in the heart of the Xe Pian Protected area. Take a walk to the top of Phu Asa mountain through the forest and learn about the plants and some of the traditional medicine. Phu Asa offers great views of the area and is a great place for a picnic lunch. The walk is about 1 hour each way. Once returning to Kiat Ngong transfer to Don Khong. Spend the night at Don Khong
Accommodation: Pon Arena Hotel
Day 3 Don Khong - Don Khone (B/L)
Take a boat ride through the 4000 Islands to Don Khone. Cycle across Don Khone to visit Liphi waterfall before heading to the southern tip of Don Khone known as Han Khone where you will see the other side of the old French Ferry Terminal. Take a boat ride to see the Irrawaddy dolphins before returning back to Han Khone and by bicycle back to the old railway bridge. No Guide
Accommodation: Seng Alun Bungalows
Day 4 Don Khone (B)
Free Day in Don Khone. No Guide
Accommodation: Seng Alun Bungalows
Day 5 Don Khone - Stung Treng (B/L)
Cross over the river to the mainland at Nakasang and drive the short distance to the border stopping at Khon Phapeng Waterfall along the way. After immigration procedures, start your kayak trip from Ou Svay, kayak through the flooded forests a Ramsar Wetlands which supports a large variety of birds along the river. Enjoy the remoteness of the area feeling completely at one with nature. Stop near the village of Veun Sian on one of the many sandy beaches for a barbecue lunch before continuing by boat to Stung Treng. Spend the night at the Gold River Hotel.
Accommodation: Gold River Hotel
Day 6 Stung Treng - Mekong Blue - Ban Lung (B/L)
Visit the Mekong Blue part of an NGO developed to increase life skills which assist in breaking the cycle of poverty for vulnerable women in the Stung Treng region. It is now regarded as producing one of the finest silk products in Cambodia. They are 100% hand-woven and have even won 2 UNESCO awards. Most importantly they keep alive a 100 year old tradition of silk-weaving, continuing to Ban Lung. Drive to Ban Lung in time for lunch and spend the afternoon at Yeak Lom Lake, a volcanic lake in the middle of an extinct volcano surrounded by lush forest growth.
Accommodation: Treetop Bungalows
Day 7 Ban Lung - Kroeung Territory (B/L)
After breakfast, drive to Kreung Village in O Chom district about 15km from Ban Lung you can stop to see the dam and Vel Romplong (volcanic rock) visit Kreung village, La Ak village, and the Krala Kres Kheng people in poy commune continue driving along the Se San River to see Taveng before returning to Ban Lung and take in sunset from the top of Svay mountain.
Accommodation: Phnomyaklom Resort
Day 8 Ban Lung - Andong Meas (B/L)
Today visit a traditional long house about 70Km from Ban Lung at the town of Andong Meas. Take a boat ride from Andong Meas to see the traditional Jorai cementary at the Dai Village, visit the local gold mine before returning to Ban Lung.
Accommodation: Treetop Bungalows
Day 9 Stung Treng - Kratie (L/D)
After breakfast transfer to Kratie province and across the river to the lovely Mekong Island of Koh Trong where you have lunch with the villagers, after lunch cycle around the island and take part in a tree planting with the locals interacting with the community, spend the night in the community home stay. This area has been setup as part of Mekong Discovery trail
Day 10 Kratie - Phnom Penh (B)
After breakfast at the village transfer directly to Phnom Penh
Notes
Supplement for single room: $365Pakse to Phnom Penh
This is a scheduled, small group trip suitable for indviduals to join as part of their travels in Indochina. Arrangements to get to Pakse for the start are not included, but Symbiosis Custom Travel would be happy to advise and book as needed, plus any other activities in Laos prior to the trip or in Cambodia afterwards. The trip includes some optional easy mountain biking and kayaking.
Day 1: Ubon/Pakse – Champasak – Don Daeng [L]
Starting from Ubon Rathchathani (Thailand) or Pakse (Southern Laos), we travel over the Mekong Bridge and along the new road directly to Champasak, visit the ancient, pre-Ankorian temple of Wat Phu, a World Heritage Site. Built in the 6th century by the Khmers, it was originally used to worship the Hindu god Shiva and other deities before being converted into a Buddhist temple in later centuries. Wat Phu was considered the centre of the Khmer kingdom until it was moved to Angkor Wat in the 12th century. Have lunch in Champasak before crossing the river to Don Daeng. Spend the afternoon making a short cycle ride round the island.
Accommodation: La Folie Lodge
Day 2: Don Daeng – Don Khong [B, L]
Cross back over the river and drive to the town of Ban Kiat Ngong. Ban Kiat Ngong is situated in the Xe Pian National Protected area and a great place for bird watching enthusiasts. From Ban Kiat Ngong take a one and a half hour elephant ride which will take you to Phu Asa, a temple mount in the heart of the protected area. Enjoy a picnic lunch on the temple mount before returning to Ban Kiat Ngong. Then early afternoon drive and boat to Don Khong, the largest of the islands that make up Si Pan Don (the 4,000 Islands in the Mekong River).
Accommodation: Pon Arena Hotel
Day 3: Don Khong – Don Khone [B, L]
Kayak journey through the 4000 Islands taking in the beauty of these natural wetlands. Enjoy the hugeness of this river at its widest point, the Mekong Fault line. Whether it’s sunny or rainy this style of river travel is the quietest type on the river making your way sedately towards Don Det passing the old ferry terminal stop by the railway bridge at Don Khone, one of the small jewels on the Mekong. Have lunch in Don Khone before taking a short cycle ride to Han Khone via Liphi waterfall and the Southern most point in Laos, take a boat trip to see the rare Irrawaddy Dolphins before returning to Don Khone. Enjoy the views of the Mekong River and the old railway bridge from you bungalow.
Accommodation: Seng Alun Bungalows
Day 4: Don Khone [B]
Free Day in Don Khone
Accommodation: Seng Alun Bungalows
Day 5: Don Khone – Koh Ky [B, L, D]
Cross over the river for an early morning start & drive the 20 or so Km to the border, stop by at Khon Phapeng waterfall, part of the Mekong Fault line that crosses the Mekong River at this point. The dramatic falls are created by the erosion of the softer rock found downstream of the fault line.
After completing Immigration formalities at the Cambodian border continue the next 5 km to O’Svay where you will start kayaking through the flooded forests a Ramsar Wetlands which supports a large variety of birds along the river. Enjoy the remoteness of the area feeling completely at one with nature. Stop near the village of Koh Ky where you will camp for the night
Accommodation: Camping Ko Ky
Day 6: Koh Ky – Stung Treng [B, L, D]
Continue Kayaking to Stung Treng arriving around lunch time there is a support boat available for the last part of the journey to take you to Stung Treng. On arrival change and have a brief rest at your hotel before you visit the Mekong Blue, part of an NGO developed to break the cycle of poverty for vulnerable women in the Stung Treng region. It is now regarded as producing one of the finest silk products in Cambodia. The garments are 100% hand-woven and have even won two UNESCO awards. Have dinner at Tourism for Help where local villagers are training in hospitality.
Accommodation: Tonle Meas Hotel
Day 7: Stung Treng – Koh Khnhear [B, L, D]
Starting in Stung Treng, jump on your mountain bikes and ride along some fun gravel roads with river views to Srae Krasang, this trail follows the Mekong River and a great place to cycle off the main road enjoying the scenery and remoteness of the area before arriving at Koh Preah. Kayak or take a longtail boat from Koh Preah and right at the start you should have a good chance to see the rare Irrawaddy Dolphins. Continue through the wetlands and enjoy lunch on a sandy riverbank. Finish the trip at Koh Khnhear
Accommodation: Koh Khnhear Camping or Homestay
Day 8: Koh Khnhear - Kratie [B, L]
Transfer to Kratie stopping to visit the 100 Pilar Wat. Cross over the river and spend the night on Koh Trong Island enjoying the views and tranquillity of the Island.
Accommodation: Sala Koh Trong
Day 9: Kratie – Phnom Penh [B. L]
After breakfast take an ox-cart ride an activity developed by the Mekong Discovery Trail to promote sustainable tourism in the area. Take part in a tree planting activity helping to rejuvenate the forest on the Island. Have lunch with the locals to the island of Koh Trong, Have lunch with the locals before crossing back over the river and returning to Phnom Penh.
Accommodation: None
Price Includes:
- Air-conditioned Vehicle with driver
- Accommodation
- Boat travel mentioned
- English Speaking Guide
- Tours and admission fees as mentioned above
- Meals as specified above
Price excludes:
- Personal expenses
- Visa fees
- Airport tax
- Alcohol
- Tips
Departure Schedule | |||||
| Departs | Days | Itinerary | Price | Note | |
| 9 | Pakse to Phnom Penh | £805 | Enquire | ||
