On arrival, we drive on the National Road No. 13th south to Champassak and to visit the fascinating pre-angkorian ruins of Vatphou temple complex is situated at the base of Phukao mountain which lay on the bank of Mekhong river directly east of mount Lingaparvata(now called Phu Kao) 6Km from the west bank. As suggested by an inscription of a king Devanika Vth century, found in Vat Luang Kau. Two inscriptions discovered as early as the end of the VIth century AD, it was the capital city of king Mahendravarman which text and inscriptions connect with Chenla and Champa. The mountain gained spiritual importance from the linga-shape, who later became the ruler of the Sambor Prei Kuk area. Later on, this City (often identified with Shrestapura) lost its role as political when the founding dynasties extended their rule over the completely Khmer territory. Vatphou was a part of the Khmer empire, centered on Angkor to the southwest. As early as the reign of YashovarmanI in the early 10th century Shrestapura was superseded by a new city in the Angkorian period, in the later period, the original buildings were replaced, re-using some of the stone blocks; the temple now seen was built primarily during the Koh Ker and Baphuon periods of the 11th century. Later period the temple was converted to Theravada Buddhist use. This continued after the area came under control of the Lao, and a festival is held on the site in full moon of each February of yearly, and was designated a World Heritage Site in 2001 by UNESCO.
You will have lunch at restaurant on Mekhong River side.
In the afternoon visit, Um Muang (more commonly called either Muang Tomo or Um Tomo). It is a Kmer temple ruin pre-Angkor period and continues to khietngong to do elephant riding up to Phou a sa in Xepian National Protected Area. You will see very interesting view because it is an ancient site. When you look down, you will see the forest, villagers, paddy rice fields and, wetland. We will spend overnight at a community lodge.
You will taste Lao traditional food such as grilled chicken, grilled fish. The community lodge was built close to the wetland there for it is a good opportunity to observe the birds fly back to the habitat as lesser whistling ducks, egrets.

In the early morning, you will hear both of domestic and wild animals call such as rooster, greater coucal and owlet. For breakfast is also Lao traditional food but it is probably different dinner, after breakfast, we will canoe to the birds watching tower which it was built inside the wetland. We will get off at tower to observe the birds as Purple heron, Common stonechat and, some time we will see Pheasant-Tailed Jacana. We continue to Ban Nong Bueng, it is a minority village of Ta oy, they produce the wooden masks and statues etc.
we will have lunch at local restaurant on the way to Pakse.
Arrival Ban Phiaphai to visit the processing handicrafts such as hand – weaving that they are planting the mulberries and feed worms for making silk before arrival Pakse.

Remark

Hotels and Guesthouses used on the tour:
Community Lodge in Khietngong Village