Don Khon Island, Champasack Travel Package Tours, Laos Tour Information Hotel Guide

DON KHON OVERVIEW

Far larger than Don Det, Don Khon is skipped by many budget travellers because most of the accommodation is mid-range. However although there aren't 40-odd places to choose from, there are budget options here and staying on Don Khon is far more of a Lao experience than Don Det. There is a better range of eateries than on Don Det and the options for cycling and walking are considerably more extensive. The main disadvantage (aside from the generally higher cost of accommodation) is that in early-to-mid afternoon the island is swarmed by day trippers from Pakse and Thailand who descend on the island in droves - fortunately they are only there for an hour or so. The island hosts quite a few reminders left behind by the French - several old colonial buildings, including the school, the French port and the hospital (now part of a resort) and the French embankment -- a series of concrete barriers built on the eastern side of the island. There are left of the light-gauge train track that used to traverse the island, now a long clear path of heavy gravel. There's a small engine and a length of the old train track on display to the west of the French bridge. Don Khon had a good deal to offer before the French ever showed up which is still on display - the powerful Liphee waterfalls on the eastern side of the island, the Irrawady dolphins (if you're lucky) off the southern coast, and scenes of pleasant village life that you can cycle or wander through at your leisure. The accommodation is restricted to a comparatively small portion of the island and the rest is essentially unadulterated Laos. There are no services on the island such as post, police, or hospital -- the nearest facilities are on Don Khong. Internet is available at Pan's Restaurant and at Auberge Sala Done Khone for 1,000 kip-per-minute.