Getting here
How to reach Don Det
Getting to Mama Leuah
We are on Don Det in the Mekong, southern Laos, near the Cambodian border. From anywhere, the final leg runs via Nakasong, from where a short boat crosses to the island.
From Bangkok
Night bus/train or flight to Ubon Ratchathani, then continue as below. (A direct bus is possible, but takes 12+ hours.)
From Ubon Ratchathani
Morning bus across the Chong Mek border to Pakse (about 3–4 hours), then continue as below.
From Pakse
VIP van/bus to Nakasong, then by boat to the island (about 2–3 hours in total).
From Cambodia
Bus/minivan from Stung Treng across the border to Nakasong (about 2–4 hours); from Siem Reap/Phnom Penh correspondingly longer.
Good to know: Unfortunately, we cannot pick you up ourselves, and the drivers are not always easy to reach by phone. Please allow some extra time for the last leg of your journey and let us know briefly when you expect to arrive.
The last few metres
You will find us on the eastern shore, in the quiet middle of Don Det, about 600 metres south of the old French loading ramp (in Lao called Taka-Pan, where the small lorries are parked). In Ban Nakasang there is an organised ferry connection with boats to Don Det or Don Khon.
Once you arrive in the north of Don Det (also called Ban Hua Det), follow the path along the eastern shore of the island for about 2 km heading south. When you reach the old French loading ramp, it is another 10 minutes or so to “Mama Leuah” — do not follow the main path there, but take the left path along the river.
If walking with your luggage through the Asian heat sounds too strenuous, look for a tuk-tuk at the boat landing. For a small surcharge, you can also be taken by boat from Ban Nakasang to the old French loading ramp (unfortunately this option does not always work). Anyone who wants to be brought all the way to the guesthouse by boat will need good negotiation skills.
