Guide to the 4000 Islands of Laos: Don Khong, Don Det, Don Khon (Part 1)

By Mark Wiens 39 Comments

This is Part 1 of the 4000 Islands (Si Phan Don) of Southern Laos covering How to Get to the 4000 Islands and the Island of Don Khong. Check out Part 2 for information on the popular Don Det and Don Khon islands.

4000 Islands in Laos
4000 Islands Laos Map (Si Phan Don)

There seems to be some confusion about traveling to the Southern portion of the country of Laos, an area known as the 4000 Islands (Si Phan Don) in the Champasak Region of the country. The name is derived from the mega Mekong River that spreads itself out, choosing hundreds of routes and forming a vast area of river islands, possibly 4000 of them (Si Phan Don means 4000 Islands in Laos)!

From the assortment of information scattered on the web, I was slightly confused myself, so I decided to check things out and relay on the information as clear as possible.

There are 3 main tourist islands to visit within the 4000 islands: Don Khong, Don Det, and Don Khon (I know it’s a bit confusing).

4000 Islands, Southern Laos
Sunset from Don Khon Island

Don Det and Don Khon are like sister islands (see map above), connected by a decent sized motorbike and foot bridge. Get to Don Det, and it’s not hard to WALK to Don Khon.

Important Information

How to get to the 4000 Islands (Si Phan Don)

It depends on what island your destination is, but it’s often most practical to start from Pakse, the largest Southernmost town of Laos. Pakse is easily accessible by bus from other parts of the country as well as from Thailand.

I personally took a bus from Savannakhet, Laos (after getting a Thai visa in Savannakhet) all the way to Muong Khong Town (on the island of Don Khong).

Once you are in Pakse, there are options to take transportation to the small town of Muong Khong Town (island of Don Khong) or to Ban Nakasong Town (entrance town to Don Det and Don Khon islands).

There are 2 Ways to Get from Pakse to the 4000 Islands

Pakse Truck Station
Songthaew Station in Pakse, Laos

About Don Khong Island

The island usually attracts an older, less party happy crowd of tourists. Despite the 10 or so guest houses on the island, there were only a handful of others when I visited (very nice!). Don Khong island is the biggest of the 4000 islands yet still remains sleepy, laid back, and extremely friendly.

Rice Field in Laos
Don Khong Island, Southern Laos

The size of the island makes it easier to get off the normal route of all travelers, cruise around on a rented motorbike and discover hidden coves or ancient rice farms. The main strip of guest houses is pleasant, extremely quiet, and also offers scenic restaurants overlooking the Mekong River.

Don Khong Island
Mekong River View from Don Khong Island

Places to Stay on Don Khong Island

1. Souk Sabay Guest House
I stayed at Souk Sabay Guest House, a decent clean place to stay with a river view dining area.

The guest house also offers a small store, a restaurant, and a motorcycle rental. They can easily help you arrange transportation for your next destination.

Guest House in Laos
Souk Sabay Guest House, Don Khong, Laos

2. Pon’s River Guest House
Located right next to the Souk Sabay Guest House, it offers nearly the same accommodation options and prices but offers more help in the tour planning area. You can check out there website.

3. Don Khong Guest House
Has some of the most complete information on traveling around the 4000 islands and is also the jump off for taking a boat to Don Det.

Things to do around Don Khong Island

4000 Islands in Laos
Rice Field on Don Khong Island, Laos

How to Get from Don Khong to Don Det and Don Khone

If you want to visit Don Khong Island first on your 4000 Islands itinerary, and then see the other 2 islands, there are 2 main ways to get from Muong Khong (Don Khong island) to Don Det and Don Khon:

4000 Islands
On a Boat

1. Direct Boat: the boat takes about 1.5 hours and the cost is 40,000 Kip ($5.00), usually leaves at around 8 – 9 am (depending on amount of people) from the front of Don Khong Guest House. All the tour groups sort of just pool together wherever you purchase your ticket.

2. Take a small boat across the river to mainland (15,000 Kip ($1.87)), take a songthaew (pickup truck) down stream to Ban Nakasong Town (see map). Once in Ban Nakasong, take a small boat on the river to the island drop off point of Don Det (15,000 Kip ($1.87)). If you want to avoid hassle, just take the 40,000 Kip ($5) boat ride down stream.

Continue to Part 2 for Information on Don Det and Don Khon!

39 comments. I'd love to hear from you!

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  • Sean Costa

    3 years ago

    Thank you for letting us know that there are NO ATM’s on the islands and that guest houses do offer money exchange but at horrible rates. I will carry enough when I visit this place.

  • Anna

    7 years ago

    I have to comment that post;) wifi is in almost every guesthouse, slow but free. Food bettter, cheaper and more to choose on Don Det peace, slow life, and total quiet darkness on Don khon! Didnt see Atm though on don det. Not many fruits to buy, but possible to get in few stores on Don Det. Thank u for that post it was really helpfull before i have got here, place to stay i can recommend is Pakha guesthouse (don khon) place to eat Crazy Gecko (don det). Ohhhh amazing beach on the Somphakit Waterfall worth of spending there a whole day!

    • Josh

      1 year ago

      The food is awful on Don Det nowadays. Bad tourist fare, mostly. Don Det overcowded. Much, much better on Don Khone.

  • Simone

    7 years ago

    Hi Mark, just about to plan our Laos trip which starts in may and these informations are very helpful, thanks a lot! Actually we will try out your tip of traveling from Don Khong directly by boat to Don Det 🙂 Take care and greetings from Germany Simone

  • Jon-Gil Ramadier

    8 years ago

    Heard lately about the 4000 island and photos and reading you inspired me for my next travel Thank you JG

  • Margaret

    8 years ago

    Hi! Do you know a way to go from the four thousand island to Pakse by boat? I’ve seen some expensive “cruises”, but I’d just like to go by boat (and not by bus)…
    Thanks

  • Dennis

    10 years ago

    Nice Adventure.. Question From Don Det or Don Khon its a possibility to reach Vientiane or Luang Prabang cause pakse would be my last destination before heading to Siem Reap? Does it cost a lot?
    I saw from lonely planet that only Don KHong is the one offering a bus trip to Vientianne..

    Appreciate for help

  • Dalvan Miotto

    10 years ago

    Can you say, more or less, how i find Souk Sabay Guest House?

  • Dave

    13 years ago

    Hey Mark, great article, very in-depth, brought back our memories of Laos and Don Det (for some reason your Part Two won’t load up). An awesome place to eat is the Veggie Patch on Don Det Island. Its maybe a little pricey for the budget traveller, but, the food is amazing. Home grown, home cooked lovelyness (Pumpkin Gnocchi with an aubergine and tomato sauce, salad and fresh bread was the daily special on Valentines night!). Here’s two posts from our time there… http://su.pr/1zVMLq and http://su.pr/2EizFa

    • Mark Wiens

      13 years ago

      Thanks for sharing Dave!
      Love your pictures and the food looks great. I’ll have to check out the Veggie Patch if I return for a visit – that pumpkin gnocchi sounds great. That’s incredible how they can make food like that in the middle of Don Det!

  • flip

    13 years ago

    nice post man, full of details about costing etc… makes me want to go to SOuthern Laos, since I skipped it and stayed in Luang Prabang for quite some time… saw your videos too of 4000 island… looks a nice place to relax and to forget all stress and hassles 🙂

  • Juno

    13 years ago

    Very well put together! What a beautiful place.. I’ve looked this place up a while ago, but I can take this as my guide when I go! 🙂 Great job Mark!!

    • Mark Wiens

      13 years ago

      Thanks Juno! Do you have plans to visit soon? I know you will enjoy it!

  • Tijmen

    13 years ago

    I had never heard of the 4000 Island before, but they do really look amazing. Definitely a place worth visiting and to relax for a while.

    • Mark Wiens

      13 years ago

      Yes! If you visit SE Asia and are looking for relaxation, Don Khong or Don Khone are great options!

  • Jeremy Branham

    13 years ago

    Wow, I knew nothing about Laos so this is interesting information. Mark, I end up learning a lot from you because you go to so many places I’ve never considered. Don Khong sounds like a great place to stay – just relax and explore and very affordable!

    • Mark Wiens

      13 years ago

      Thanks Jeremy! Yes, and Don Khong was the quietest of the islands, a wonderful place to spend some peaceful days. I’m hoping to see you and your family over in this part of the world sometime Jeremy!

  • jade

    13 years ago

    We didn’t make it to Laos on our last trip, but really want to get there sooner rather than later. The sunset is reason enough!

    • Mark Wiens

      13 years ago

      The sunsets over the 4000 Islands are enough to spend a few nights! Hope you have a chance to visit sometime!

  • David @ MalaysiaAsia

    13 years ago

    Totally amazing! I missed out on many of the other places in Laos so this gives me a chance to make another trip soon. Thanks Mark!

    • Mark Wiens

      13 years ago

      Great David! Living in Thailand I need to get Thai visas from time to time, giving me a great chance to easily visit Laos and do a bit of exploration every time. I’m sure you will enjoy Southern Laos as well! The temple of Wat Phu was especially incredible, I’ll write about that soon!

  • david

    13 years ago

    I really wanted to get to this area of Laos when I visited the country three years ago, but didn’t have enough time. I think it’s great that you are including prices for services in your post. Looking forward to the next entry.

    • Mark Wiens

      13 years ago

      Thanks David! I’m sure it was much less developed 3 years ago – that would have been really nice. Though it’s still incredible, it seems the 3 main islands are all changing everything – just to accommodate to tourists.

  • John in France

    13 years ago

    What a surprise this article. With prices and outlooks from hotels like that you could stay forever.

    • Mark Wiens

      13 years ago

      Pretty much! A small amount of savings will take you a long ways around the 4000 Islands! It’s also nice that the main activity is relaxing, and it doesn’t take too much money to do that!

  • paulo

    13 years ago

    It’s just so spectacularly beautiful.

    • Mark Wiens

      13 years ago

      Thanks Paulo, a definite ideal location in this world for ultimate relaxation! Have you spent time at the 4000 Islands?

  • Sophie | Sophie’s World

    13 years ago

    A thorough and comprehensive guide here – to a part of Laos one doesn’t hear much about. Well done!

    • Mark Wiens

      13 years ago

      Thanks Sophie!

    • naresh saxena

      9 years ago

      Thanks for all your efforts.

  • Jan Ross

    13 years ago

    Wow, those prices are incredible! No wonder so many tourists head to Laos. I’ll be interested to read your next post.

    • Mark Wiens

      13 years ago

      Thanks Jan! Yes, among the great things about traveling to SE Asia is that prices are often very affordable if not cheap. It’s definitely possible to get away with spending less than $10 per day around the 4000 Islands!