The morning market is a useful landmark when arriving in Khinak. The ferry landing is north of Khinak’s morning market and a small bridge. There is no fixed ferry schedule; the wait for it to arrive can range from five minutes to two hours. Allow for this possible time variation when planning your day rather than scheduling your arrival to the minute.
Khinak: Arrival and getting oriented
If you are travelling by songthaew, ask to be taken to Ban Khinak morning market. In the wider region, the songthaew journey from Pakse to Ban Khinak has been reported to take two and a half to four hours; the duration may vary depending on conditions. The stated fare of 200,000 kip was valid on 10 April 2026 and may change. Check the current arrangements and fare before travelling.
Champasak: Cultural and natural attractions in the wider destination
The wider destination of Champasak features a historic highlight: the cultural landscape, including the Wat Phou temple complex. The planned landscape is more than 1,000 years old and developed from the 5th to the 15th century. It is arranged along an axis from the mountain peak to the riverbank, with temples, shrines and waterworks stretching over about 10 kilometres. Wat Phou is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Champasak Province.
Waterfalls and hikes in Champasak
The Tad Fane waterfalls form where the Champi and Pak Koot rivers meet. Their twin cascades plunge 120 metres. Half-day and full-day hikes to the top of the waterfalls and nearby ethnic villages are available at Tad Fane. Duration makes a practical difference when choosing: both hike lengths lead to named destinations, while the one-day, village-guide-led hike in Pu Xieng Thong National Protected Area passes through natural and cultural sites on Pu Khong Mountain. Tad Champi offers a peaceful retreat in nature, suitable for picnics or quiet meditation.
Protected areas and active experiences
In Dong Houa Sao National Protected Area, visitors can hike from Nong Luang village and camp within the protected area. Tree Top Explorer is also located there, offering a combination of trekking, ziplines, treetop walkways and a via ferrata. Most of the protected area’s attractions can be reached via Route 16E. It runs from Pakse to Paksong and the Bolaven Plateau through Champasak and Salavanh provinces. Check current conditions on the route for a specific journey; local access and guide arrangements may change.
Another dimension of the landscape is offered by Xe Pian National Protected Area in southeastern Champasak. It covers 2,400 square kilometres and has globally significant biodiversity. The destinations described therefore offer a range of scales: from hikes with specific durations and destinations to a vast protected area defined by its biodiversity.
Islands, history and coffee
The region’s cultural themes are also diverse. Don Ko Island is known for silk weaving and was formerly a French colonial administrative centre. The Four Thousand Islands, also known as Si Phan Don, are a group of small islands scattered across the Mekong; Irrawaddy dolphins live in the surrounding waters. This information describes the island region and does not promise a dolphin sighting.
Coffee tourism in Champasak Province includes tours and cafés in and around the town of Paksong. Alongside cultural landscapes and protected areas, Champasak also offers weaving, islands and coffee as distinct regional themes.
Discover more destinations: Pakxong, Nakasong, Muang Khong, Champasak, Ban Gnik, Pakse.
Back to the wider travel overview: Champasak.
