Laos - Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Northern Thailand - page 741

PARADISE RETAINED!

Don Det has distanced itself from its former stoner image by cultivating a range of activities like cyc-
ling and kayaking; these days you're more likely to see travellers fishing with locals than buying
joints from them. Villagers are grateful for your trade but there are a few things you can do to keep
your footprint positive. If partaking a little spliff, be subtle; and please, cover up beyond just a bikini
or bathing suit around the island. It's a pain because it's hot, but the Lao find it culturally offensive.

Sights & Activities

Most sights on Don Khon are accessible on a bicycle hired from just about any guesthouse
for 10,000K per day. When you cross the French bridge to Don Khon, you will be asked
to pay 25,000K. This covers the entrance fee to Tat Somphamit ( Click here ) (Li Phi Falls).
Full-day and half-day kayaking tours are widely offered. The full-day trips (180,000K
per person) take in the dolphin pool and Khon Papaeng Falls; you get picked up before the
falls at Don Khon and you and your kayaks are transported overland to Ban Hang Khon.
Wonderful Tours ( 020 5570 5173) is useful.
Renting a kayak to paddle around on your own costs 50,000K per day, but don't go past
the French bridge or you'll hit the fast currents that feed into the lethal falls. The same
rule applies to inner tubes, which cost 10,000K (avoid during the monsoon when the river
runs dangerously quick).
Guesthouses offer sunset boat cruises, full-day island hops, morning birdwatching trips
and fishing trips. Prices vary, but figure on 50,000K to 75,000K per person provided you
have a few people.

VIEWPOINT

Dolphins
A pod of rare Irrawaddy dolphins hangs out beneath the rapids in a wide pool known as
Boong Pa Gooang, off the south tip of Don Khon. Boats are chartered (60,000K, maxim-
um three people) for one-hour trips from the old French landing pier in Ban Hang Khon.
Sightings are usual year-round, but the best viewing is from January to May. Try to go
early evening or first thing in the morning, when sightings are more regular and the river
is at its most scenic.

WATERFALL

Tat Somphamit