Pakse, the Champasak Province capital, sits about 245 km downriver from Savannakhet, 135 km by road from Ubon Ratchathani City, and some 150 km from the Cambodian border. The luxury Vat Phou cruise boat offer trips from Pakse to the river’s main attractions. The Pakse Pier, just north of town, and Pha Pin Village near Champasak Town serve passengers visiting upriver handicraft islands and the main Vat Phou sites, as do ferries from a landing near Route 13 at Km 30.

Champasak Town and Don Daeng, an island with accommodation inside the Vat Phou UNESCO World Heritage Landscape, presents cycling and motorbike circuits that stop at temples, an ancient forest stupa, and basket weaving village. Tomo Tha pier, just off southern Don Daeng Island, which offers homestays, and near Route 13 (Km 40), leads to the 9th-century Oum Muong ruins. Upriver from Pakse, the pier at Ban Boungha offers boats to Singsamphan and the Kong Mountain trek, and Don Ko Island’s attractions can be accessed by boat from Ban Saphai.