Pakse

Essentials

Banks

BCEL (11 St., Pakse. 31/212770).

Emergencies

Provincial Hospital (Ban Pakse, Pakse. 031/212018).

Visitor & Tour Info

Champasak Provincial Tourism (Th. 11, Ban Naheak, Pakse. 031/212021. ou_thai@hotmail.com) can organize half-day tours to the Boloven Plateau, ethnic villages, and a tea-and-coffee plantation ($180 for two), and boat trips to Champasak and Wat Phu, and Don Kong for $120.

Cruising on the Mekong

A luxurious double-decker houseboat, the Vat Phou, operated by Mekong Cruises (23 Ban Anou, Haengboun Rd., Chanthaboury, Vientiane. 021/215958. www.mekong-cruises.com), plies the southern length of the Mekong between Pakse and Si Phan Don. The cruises, which last three days and two nights, depart from Pakse every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday in high season, and cost $591.