- Island Walks & Bicycle Rides
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Community Lodging
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Villager of Don Daeng making a fishing boat |
This peaceful island is located inside the Champassak Cultural and Natural Heritage Landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The island is located across the Mekong River from Champassak District and offers alternative activities and community accommodation. Enjoy Don Daeng’s tranquil environment and sandy beaches; visit its pre-Angkorian ruins; stay overnight in the community lodge or with local families; and learn about traditional livelihoods such as basket weaving, fishing and rice farming.
The Don Daeng area has a rich heritage of many culturally important sites, including an ancient brick stupa, a collection of stone Buddha images, and the nearby ruins of Tomo Temple. Tours to these sites can be arranged by village guides or with the boatmen’s association.
TOMO TEMPLE
This monument complex is said to have been originally built as early as 7th – 8th centuries AD and later rebuilt in the 11th-12th centuries at the same time as the construction of Vat Phou. The temple is considered to be the female counterpart to the Temple of Shiva at Vat Phou, as an inscription indicates that it was dedicated to Rudrani, the shakti of Shiva (Rudra). |
Don Daeng is an ideal location for walks and bicycle rides. A country path can be followed around the island, which is shaded by a variety of trees. Along the way stop and enjoy the sweet taste of coconut or sugar cane juice and eat the fresh fruits that the island is famous for. Other sites along your walk or ride include traditional Buddhist temples, an ancient forest stupa, basket weaving villages and a protected forest. Local guides and bicycles are available in Hua Don Daeng Village.
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Villager take you to nearby Vat Phou sites. |
Itinerary #1: Arrive at Don Daeng in the morning. Take a locally guided tour of the island. Stay overnight in the community lodge or with homestay families. Day 2- After breakfast in the village, visit Tomo Temple by boat with village guides. After returning for lunch in the village, cross the Mekong River to Champassak District and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Vat Phou Temple Complex. Stay overnight in Champassak or a second night on Don Daeng.
Itinerary #2: Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Vat Phou Temple Complex in the morning and have lunch in Champassak District. Cross the Mekong River to Don Daeng in the mid-afternoon. Stay overnight in the community lodge or with homestay families. Day 2 – In the morning, tour the island with a local guide or visit Tomo Temple by boat. Return to Pakse or travel south to the 4,000 Islands.
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Enjoy family-style Southern Lao cuisine. |
The villagers of Ban Hua Don Daeng invite you to stay overnight in their community lodge or with local families and enjoy Southern Lao hospitality. Included in the stay is a family-style meal of Lao cuisine prepared and hosted by the villagers. Food typically includes fresh Mekong fish and locally grown organic vegetables. Vegetarian food is also available.
You can visit the island on your own. Click here for a map and directions:
Don Daeng Island Brochure.
For more information contact the District Tourism Office in Champassak or the Provincial Tourism Office in Pakse (+856-031) 212 021. |
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