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Irrawaddy Dolphin Boat TripView all 5 photos
4 hours4,000 IslandsBoat Trips

Irrawaddy Dolphin Boat Trip

Malaykham's longtail, a stretch of the Mekong, and the dolphins he's known by name since 1998.

4 hours·Max 8 travelers·Lao · English
Malaykham Phimmasone
Malaykham Phimmasone
Licensed since 2004

Forty years on this river. I know where the dolphins surface at 4:30.

What you'll do

What's on this trip.

  • Meet Malaykham at 2:00 p.m. Lao time — small group, no rushing
  • Small group of 8 travelers maximum — keeps the day feeling like a trip, not a tour
  • Half day through 4,000 Islands, paced by what's actually worth seeing
  • Licensed Lao guide with local knowledge — license, training and references on request
  • No commissions, no detours — you stop where you want, you skip what you don't

About this tour

In Malaykham's words.

Half-day boat trip from Don Khong out to the deep pool below the Khone Phapheng rapids where the Mekong's Irrawaddy dolphins surface. Malaykham will tell you which ones he's known the longest. No swimming with the dolphins (they're shy and there are only a few dozen left).

What's included

Everything in the price.

Included

  • Boat
  • Captain
  • Bottled water
  • Binoculars

Not included

  • ×Snacks
  • ×Tips

Where you meet Malaykham

Meeting point and logistics.

Meeting Point
Don Khong main pier, south end.
Pickup Window
2:00 p.m. Lao time
What to Bring
Sun hat, sunscreen, light camera (no flash).

About your guide

Malaykham.

Malaykham Phimmasone
Malaykham Phimmasone
Licensed Lao National Tour Guide · Don Khong

Boat captain on the 4,000 Islands. Born on Don Khong; learned to fish before he could read. The river is his map.

Specialties: Mekong boat days, 4000 Islands, sunset and dolphin trips.

Tour philosophy: The river sets the pace. I just steer.

LaoEnglish

Reviews · Coming soon

We launched in 2026.

Honest about what we don't have yet.

We don't have hundreds of reviews on this tour yet. We will. In the meantime: Malaykham is a licensed Lao National Tour Guide. License number, training records, and references are available on request.

Message Malaykham

Common questions

Before you book.

How do I pay?
You pay a small deposit online to confirm the booking. The balance is paid in cash or by transfer to Malaykham on the day — no surprises, no hidden fees.
Can I cancel?
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
How do I reach my guide?
Malaykham will message you on WhatsApp the day before to confirm pickup and meeting details. You'll have a direct phone number, not a call center.
What if the weather is bad?
If the weather makes the experience unsafe, your guide will reschedule or you'll get a full refund — your choice. Light rain doesn't cancel; we just plan around it.
What should I bring with me?
Sun hat, sunscreen, light camera (no flash).

Reviews

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