Done Khone

Don Khon is an island in Si Phan Don.

This is a relatively small island (approx 4 km by 3 km) next to and connected to the even smaller but better known Don Det, but is more upmarket, quieter and with less of the party crowd found on Don Det.

Note that this is not the same island as Don Khong.

Done Khone or Khone Island, is reputed for its coconut groves, the French explorer Francis Garnier called it "The Fluvial Lao Tahiti". If you wandering around the peaceful village you will discover typical Buddhist temples and the remnants left by the French expeditionary troops: an old Pier, a decayed railway bridge and some colonial villas.

Further downstream, a raging "Devil Corridor" Li Phi Waterfalls where you can enjoy swimming, sun bathing on the white sandy beach and spotting the rare Irrawaddy Dolphins.

Hotel: Sala Done Khone, situates on the Mekong River and right in the heart of Ban Khone village where you ride a bicycle over the French Railway Bridge to Done Deth Island which is only a short distance. You will find yourself soaked in the colonial ambience of our hotel which provides the most comfort and full facilities in the whole island.

Get in

From Ban Nakasang you can reach Don Det in 10 minutes by longtail boat, and then walk or tuk tuk to the south end of the island to the bridge (3k nice walk along the west side of the island)

The current "list price" for the transfer is 15,000 kip one way, but most bus tickets include the transfer (save you ticket!)

Crossing the old French railway bridge from Don Det will cost tourists 35,000 kip and 5,000 kip for locals. However this will gain you access to the Li Phi falls for no additional cost.

The toll is not always enforced on the bridge itself, particularly between late afternoon and early morning, but if you want to visit the falls then you may as well pay here as tickets are checked (but are also available) at the falls themselves.

Get around

On foot or rent a small bike for 10,000 Kip a day.

See

Visit the spectacular Li Phi waterfalls (Tat Somphamit) which are on the North West corner of the island. These falls carry the nickname of the Devil's Corridor. They are 2 km west of the French railway bridge that connects Don Det and Don Khon.

There is also a picturesque, small but steep stretch of sandy beach close to the falls, but this is reportedly dangerous to swimmers.

A safer (but less sandy) "beach" exists a little further to the south.

There is another set of falls on the eastern side of the island (known as Khon Pa Soi), which are much smaller in volume and grandeur, but which include a pedestrian suspension bridge over a cataract gorge on its approaches. A small restaurant is situated next to the bridge.

You can often see the rare freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins just off the south coast of Don Khon, and small boats leave from the picturesque village of Ban Hang Khon to give tourists closer views. The cost of a boat is 70,000 kip for a maximum of 4 people. If the boats cross into the waters of Cambodia an additional 20,000 kip is charged.

Ban Hang Khon is itself on the southern end of the old and disused French colonial railway track, which is now a major "road" on Don Khon and which connects to Don Det via the old railway bridge.

Do

Apart from the scenic attractions on the island there is little to do - but that is the major attraction.

Most of the guest houses are on the northern side of the island (opposite Don Det), many offer hammocks and "lazy" views of the water.

You can cycle or walk around the island, which is often along relatively shady and pleasant tracks.

You can take full or half day kayak tours to see waterfalls and the dolphins. The tours can easily be booked at any guesthouse or travel agent in the main street (full day: 180.000 kips, including breakfast, lunch and ticket to the Khone Pha Pheng waterfalls).

Source http://wikitravel.org/en/Don_Khon