The far south - The Rough Guide to Laos - page 348

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: CHAMPASAK
By bus and sawngthaew Sawngthaews from Pakse should let you off at Champasak's tiny
roundabout, towards the north of town. They may drop you at the Anouxa Hotel , 1km north of
the roundabout, claiming you're in the centre of town; it's a peaceful enough location, but the
bungalows here are overpriced. Three sawngthaews run through Champasak each morning
(between 6.30am and 9am), charging 20,000K for the journey to Pakse. For bus connections
to and from Si Phan Don, you'll need to cross the river to Ban Muang (7000K). Tickets to
Si Phan Don sold at the tourist office in Champasak (70,000K) include a pick-up from your
hotel, the ferry crossing and a minibus ride to either Ban Hat Xai Khoun or Nakasang, where
you can catch a boat to the islands.
Byboat If there is sufficient demand, two or three Pakse-bound tourist boats leave the dock,
roughly 2km north of town, each day (the first is at 1pm), taking two hours to reach Pakse
(70,000K). Travelling to Si Phan Don by boat is an altogether more complicated process.
Unless lots of other travellers have the same idea, you'll need to hire the entire boat for the
six-hour journey, and stump up around $250. To get yourself on either of these services, call
in at the tourist office.
INFORMATION
Tourist office The tourist office, just off the roundabout (no phone; Mon-Fri 8am-11.30am
and 2-4.30pm; also open weekends in high season with same hours), has a few useful maps
and handouts, and is the best place to arrange bus rides and boat trips. Staff here are very
helpful and are working hard with limited resources to develop new treks and tours in the
area - ask for details, as by the time you read this, they may be up and running.
Services You'll find almost everything you need near Champasak's roundabout, including a
bank, 100m to the west, where there's an ATM and exchange desk.
GETTING AROUND
Bybikeandmotorbike The Inthira rents out bicycles (15,000K) and motorbikes (80,000K),
as do most of the guesthouses in Champasak.
By tuk-tuk Tuk-tuks can be hired for trips to Wat Phou. You may not be able to find one on
the street, so just ask at any guesthouse.
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
Champasak With Love North of the roundabout 030 926 5926. Fresh and funky with its
own terrace and a tree swing, Champasak With Love stands out among the town's riverside
restaurants. The iced coffee (15,000K) is very good, but the food menu is a little uninspiring.
Free wi-fi. Daily 7am-10pm.
Inthira Around 500m south of the roundabout 031 511011, inthirahotels.com . Comfort-
able, central accommodation with a hint of Lao styling. The best rooms - duplex suites with