How long do I realistically need to get from Don Det, Laos to Phnom Penh, Cambodia? I know I'll need to break the trip up; I'm hoping to make it to Kratie in one day.
I am just wondering if I can SAFELY get to Kratie if I leave Don Det early in the morning. The LP says that the river can be a dodgy proposition if I leave Stung Treng too late in the day - best to do that trip while there is plenty of light, it says. Are there boats that go directly from Don Det - border crossing - Stung Treng? (or better yet, to Kratie?)
What are my options?
Thanks.


The LP is out of date. I have no information about the route north of Stung Treng, but the road between Stung Treng and Kratie is in fine condition now. No need to take a boat.

Not only no need to take a boat but no regular boat transport between Stung Treng and Phnom Penh. You could charter a boat but it'd be very expensive. I was told 130USD a couple of months ago but that's completely off the mark. I spoke with two boat owners, one of them lost his boat because it sank, the other one is charging 500USD (though going from Stung Treng to pick up some people at the border and then only going down all the way to Phnom Penh, fuel cost is high the owner says...) and is willing to take western passengers. Here's the complete breakdown as I negotiated it:
Dom Kralor- Stung Treng: USD40, 1 hour
Stung Treng- Kratie: USD130, 3 hours
Stung Treng- Kg Cham USD310, 6 hours
Go by bus.