Top 5 things to do in 4000 Islands, Laos

Situated on the Mekong river, the 4000 Islands are a group of (you guessed it) 4000 small islands situated at the foot of Laos on the Cambodian border. There are a number of different islands that are populated, with no shortage of places to stay and things to do. Life on the 4000 islands is slow, laid back and relaxed, and it is the perfect place to finish your tour of Laos. Read on for our list of best things to do in the 4000 islands, Laos.

Top 5 things to do in 4000 Islands

1. Take a kayak or boat tour on the Mekong

This is one of the most unique things you can do on the 4000 islands. Kayaks are available for rental at most homestays and tour offices on Don Det, the main island, and other larger islands. Boat tour packages are also available, and will take you to some of the natural highlights of the area, such as the Khone Phapheng waterfalls (see more below). The Mekong river is also home to the rare Irrawaddy dolphin, and if you’re lucky you can see one on many of the boat and kayaking tours available here. 

We weren’t so lucky, but we had a great time exploring the river around the islands and soaking in the views.

2. Rent a bicycle and explore the islands

Most of the islands are so small you can walk from one side to the other in a matter of 30 minutes. The best way to explore the island you are staying on and the surrounding ones is to rent a bicycle for the day and go for a ride. 

From Don Det you can cross the bridge to Don Khon to explore the Li Phi Somphamit waterfalls. And you can get a ferry over to the slightly larger island of Don Som to extend your cycle trip. We rented bikes from our homestay Souksanh Guesthouse, for about 20,000 kip, roughly 1 euro, for the full day!

3. See the Khone Phapheng Waterfalls

A short boat trip to the island of Don Phapheng will take you to the Khone Phapheng waterfalls. These are actually the largest waterfalls by volume in all of South East Asia, and really are impressive.

4. Watch a sunset

No day is truly complete without watching the sun set over the horizon. The 4000 islands have no shortage of great viewpoints to watch the sunset from, and the light reflecting off the still and serene water really makes this a special place to experience it. You can do this as part of a sunset boat tour on the river, or simply find a good viewpoint to grab a few beers and watch it yourself. 

We booked a beautiful waterside homestay with a balcony facing West, and every day we had an incredible view of the sun setting over the Mekong. We stayed in Souksanh Guesthouse and recommend it if you want a peaceful spot on the river in Don Det. 

5. Enjoy the slower pace of life and relax!

This is the main appeal of life on the 4000 islands. Chances are you’ve started your Laos travels in the north, and the 4000 islands is your last spot before continuing on to Cambodia or Thailand. Life on the 4000 islands is slow, calm and peaceful; the perfect peaceful end to your Laos adventure, and gives you the time to relax and recover before moving onto more intensive travel activities. 

Whether it’s with a book, or laptop, you can park yourself in one of the numerous riverside cafes and enjoy a smoothie or coffee, and unwind and reflect on your travels so far. We spent a total of about 5 days relaxing on Don Det and taking leisurely walks to the nearby islands and chatting to new friends we made in hostels and homestays. For those wanting something to do in the evenings, a lot of the hostels and homestays have entertainment and pool parties you can attend. Enjoy the sweetness of doing nothing!

How to get to the 4000 Islands

The closest main city to the 4000 Islands is the city of Pakse to the north. There are a number of buses a day from Pakse to the 4000 Islands, and they only take around 3 hours to reach the area. 

Once you arrive you will have to swap from the bus to a boat, which will take you to the island of your choosing. It is possible to book combined bus and boat tickets from most hostels, hotels and tour operators in Pakse. You can also check bus times and prices from Pakse to Don Det here.

Where to stay on the 4000 Islands

There are 3 main islands with accommodation that make up part of the 4000 islands. The main island is Don Det. This is by far the most populated island with the most restaurants and accommodation options. For those wanting to stay in hostels with other travellers we recommend Don Det over all the others. Or for people wanting the most choice of places to eat and drink, Don Det is the obvious choice.

One other choice is the sleepier island of Don Khon. This island is quieter than Don Det, but has a good selection of accommodations and restaurants still. Don Khon is a better choice for those who want to experience absolute peace and quiet, and get away from the rest of the tourists.

The final island to consider is Don Som. This island isn’t connected to the other 2 listed above by land or a bridge. Don Som is very sparsely populated and offers just a few secluded homestays for the ultimate peaceful getaway.

Here are our recommendations for where to stay;

1. Don Det

• Souksanh Guesthouse – Best for sunset riverside views
• Namknong View – Cosy homestay with a bar on the river
• Moon By Night – A slice of luxury with garden view bungalows

2. Don Khon

• Bontai Resort – Luxury garden view rooms with balconies
• Lao Long Guesthouse – Cheap, nice rooms on the riverfront 
• Pomelo Guesthouse – Quaint homestay with a really nice restaurant

3. Don Som

• Don Som Riverside Guesthouse – Amidst nature and tranquillity

Best time to visit the 4000 Islands

The best time to visit Don Det and the other islands is between November and April. This is the dry season when the weather is at its best, humidity levels are low and rainfall is a rare occurrence. This however is the “high season” so expect accommodation and transport prices to be higher than outside of this period, as well as there being more tourists.

Travellers wanting cheaper prices and fewer tourists can consider the periods just before or after this, so May to October. You will find much more competitive deals on hotels and homestays, as well as having the islands almost to yourself. You can enjoy the peacefulness of this place all year round in our opinion so don’t let occasional rainfall deter you from visiting.

Where to visit after the 4000 Islands

From the 4000 islands you can continue your journey to the South and cross the border with Cambodia. Alternatively you can return to Pakse and cross the Laos – Thailand friendship bridge back into Thailand.