If you don't like rain, mud, or walking much, I suggest not to go to Pakse during rainy season (June-August). However, if you can stand all that, you might appreciate the jungles and waterfalls in southern Laos near Champasak and Pakse. I found it more beautiful walking around in the rain. Everything was green and the mud was...mud. It made it more fun. Everything gets wet and dirty and you might slip a little here and there. In my opinion rainy season is the best season. Just bring some extra clothes for changing. If you are scared of getting a cold, just wear a pancho and some rain boots and you'll be fine.

Really quiet, really relaxing... peaceful town on the Mekong River. I could have stayed here longer than I did.

This is a trekker's dream city. It remains very culturally true to its history but also has the luxuries of the French colonial influce which means you can get an incredible chocolate eclair in the middle of Laos! Many great guest houses located along the Mekong River. If they wash your underwear for you, expect to see it hanging on a clothes line near the road for all to see!

Cycle to waterfall and spend a night in the middle of no-where.

The town itself is a little depressing. CAN I SCREAM LOUDER I DIDN'T GO TO LAOS TO GET STONED EATING HAPPY PIZZA AND WATCH 'FRIENDS' REPEATS!!!!!!!!!!!! Got very very sunburnt- Don't do the inner tubing in the dry season! All that said, a walk to the caves through the farms against the beautiful limestone mountains and jungle backgrounds, waving to the friendly farmers as you pass is definitly wonderful.

Boten is the village right after the China/Laos border, on the Laos side. It consists of about 30 wooden shacks. If you arrive in Boten anytime after around 10 in the morning, you will have to either sleep there for the night or pay a special transport for yourself, about 10 times the price of the normal trip to Luang Namtha. But anyway, it's a relaxing place to sleep for the night.

When you cross over into Laos from Northern Thailand there are a few things to remember. 1.) The guesthouses in Thailand are way nicer than the guesthouses on the Laotian side of the border. 2.) Cross over early morning and just go straight to the slowboat dock and buy your own ticket. It may only save you a few bucks but if you buy it at a guesthouse all they do is put your money in an envelope minus their comission and send you to the boat dock to buy it yourself.

Hire a boat to take you to Pak Ou to see the caves. It's about $20-$30 US and well worth it - an amazing 4-5 hour trip.

Don't miss the daily market ! There is also a small nice temple to see and the view from the bus stop is really nice.

1. Must do in Vang Vieng- Tubing
2. Be prepared for the constant re=runs off friends in all the bars and restaurants