3 independent reviews for South Laos vacation, Mekong adventure
Reviews for South Laos vacation, Mekong adventure
Margaret Chung review 29 Jan 2026
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The trips by river boat.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Not particularly, except where we stayed in locally owned accomodation, and that tourism generally provides local employment.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Good; well managed; helpful, informative guides; but many of the places we stopped during the road trips were just local tourist spots, not always very interesting nor connecting with local people.Read the operator's response here:
Thank you for your comments Margaret. Glad that overall your enjoyed the vacation. We do indeed help to support the places we visit by as you say, staying in small scale locally owned family run hotels. In addition we use multiple local transport methods (tuk tuk, boats) owned by local families/villagers and you get a home cooked lunch on one of the lesser visited island which goes to support local villagers that don't ordinarily get tourists. All other meals are taken at local family owned restaurants. We also encourage small scale local business (eg coffee plantations) where possible along the way.
Michael Davis review 14 Feb 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The Kong Lor Cave and its surrounding forest were the most memorable locations. The trek in the forest and the picnic there were very enjoyable. All the waterfalls were amazing. Sailing along the Mekong and being aware of its size was breath taking too.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
- Make sure to be aware of the weather in that area, and pack accordingly. - Keep in mind that though the local guides are good, knowledgeable, and friendly, their accent might sometimes be difficult to follow. But you can get used to it ;-) - It's difficult to get non-spicey food. Let the guides know your needs/limitations.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Generally speaking -- yes.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Fascinating and enjoyable.Dara Morefield review 30 Nov 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
The boat trip through the 7km Kong Lor caves (a huge, pitch black natural tunnel in a very remote location) was spectacular. We were the only visitors that day, so had a much different experience from “peak tourist”. Great for us, but less so for owners of the dozens of other parked up boats.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Pack light, bulky suitcases & wooden plank jetties to small boats don’t mix. (even if someone else carries) Be prepared for bumpy roads and some long bus journeys. Be flexible. Don’t expect everything on menus to be available.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Most definitely. The hotels were all small, locally run, struggling to get back up to speed after Covid. We ate in locally run restaurants, often with only 2 or 3 staff!4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
We really enjoy the ethos & organisation of all these tour operators trips, with this being our 4th with them. It was truly an “off the beaten track vacation”, taking in some very remote sites (historic, scenic, cultural) which would be virtually impossible to do on your own (except by motorbike) and where there are (currently at least) very few (sometimes none!) other tourists. Traveling on small wooden boats on the Mekong is fun, and gives time to take in the jungle type scenery. Tourism in both Laos & Cambodia appears to have been much damaged by Covid, so facilities in many places are limited, and roads in remote places have not been maintained.Thus, at times, the days seemed long & the mini bus journeys arduous. The hotels, as ever, were small & quirky, with most owners/managers doing their very best to provide a good level of service.Holiday Reviews
You can trust Responsible Travel reviews because, unlike many other schemes, reviews can ONLY be written by people who we have verified have been on the holidays. In addition, we don't run these holidays ourselves - our only interest is giving you the best independent advice.
