Travelling through Laos is an educational adventure for the entire family. Experience the local culture, meeting and interacting with friendly Lao families to better understand their lifestyles. Spend time in the great outdoors encountering Asian elephants and explore pristine landscapes unlike those found back home. Every day brings a new experience so that the little ones do not get bored and hotels are carefully selected to please both adults and kids.
Itinerary Highlights
Enjoy Family-Friendly Touring
Connect with Local Lifestyles
Explore Laos’ Natural Playground
Discover Laos’ own Jurassic Park
Explore amazing caves by small boat
What’s included
Completely private tours for all activities included
Meet & greet airport service
Family friendly accommodation at your chosen level
Expert guides in each destination
flexibility
This is an example itinerary. It is fully flexible; you can add or detract days and add hotels at your chosen budget. It departs daily.
10
Nights
Price Guide
FROM $7200 per family (2 adult + 1 child)
Our quotes are bespoke for your customised trip. The prices displayed are indicative only, read more
Day 1
Fly to Luang prabang
Day 1
Luang Prabang – Arrival
Upon arrival to Luang Prabang, our guide and driver will be waiting to provide the family transport to the hotel for check in. After relaxing at the hotel for a bit, take off for an afternoon orientation tour.
Along with your local guide, get to know this UNESCO-celebrated town with a short tour. Soak up the French colonial buildings and traditional architecture on the way to a game of petanque. The perfect way to interact with the locals is take part in this favourite activity with some snacks and Beerlao (for the adults).
Dinner this evening will be at Coconut Garden, offering a great introduction to Lao cuisine and which caters to children and western tastes.
Day 2
Luang Prabang City Tour
Today, take a half-day guided tour of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The guide will pick the family up at the hotel after breakfast. Start the city tour at the former Royal Palace, now the National Museum, to discover the history of Laos. Continue on foot to Wat Mai, a temple renowned for its golden bas-relief, and Wat Sensoukarahm, which features a beautiful dazzling golden façade. Finish the tour at Wat Xieng Thong, the most revered temple in Luang Prabang.
Lunch will be held at the renowned Tamarind Restaurant. Enjoy a menu of Lao dishes in a family run restaurant dedicated to promoting a greater understanding of the local cuisine. The friendly staff will happily explain the ingredients and customs of the cuisine during the meal. (Note: closed on Sundays)
This afternoon is free at leisure.
Day 3
Luang Prabang – Manda Lao Elephant
Spend the morning interacting with elephants, with an in-depth introduction into elephant behaviour and communication. Start with “Cooking for Elephants”. Prepare special treats for the elephants that help in their digestion. Fun hands-on time preparing tasty food that is fed the elephants in the afternoon. You then head over to the Nam Khan river to feed the elephants a variety of special snacks. Watch the elephants and Mahouts interact and bonding in the river, while the bath them. Take a short trek 1 Km trek up stream side by side with these gentle giants. This trek is flat and can be catered to your needs. After a few more treats head back across the river to Manda Lao. Relax – Enjoy the afternoon with snacks on the beautiful deck. Head back to Luang Prabang, arriving approximately 1:30 pm.
NOTE: In line with WAP-World Animal Protection Guidelines, Manda Lao does not allow customers to bathe the Elephants directly. The elephants are free to choose if they enter the river or not and the only people that will wash the elephants would be their mahout.
Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to relax at your hotel pool or explore at your own pace.
Day 4
Luang Prabang – Kuang Si – Vang Vieng
After breakfast transfer to the Kuang Si Waterfalls. Stop en-route to visit a small ethnic village to learn about the local traditions and culture, much of which has remained unchanged for centuries. Upon reaching Kuang Si Waterfall, enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings or explore the surrounding dense jungle on foot. After a morning exploring, enjoy a delicious picnic lunch next to the falls. After lunch, make an optional visit to the Free the Bears sanctuary, housing 23 Asiatic Bears which were rescued from poacher. Also make a stop at the unique Lao Buffalo Dairy Farm, a social enterprise that produces sustainable and delicious cheese while giving back to the community and environment. While the buffalo may be the stars, there are also playful pigs, as well as chickens and rabbits that are just as fun to interact with for the young and young at heart. Enjoy a homemade ice cream at the cafe before saying goodbye. From here head to Luang Prabang Train Station for the train to Vang Vieng. Suggested train:C83 18.30 – 19.20. Upon arrival at the train station, your driver will be there to pick you up.
Day 5
Vang Vieng Discovery
Enjoy a leisurely morning before starting the drive to Vientiane. After driving for around 1.5 hours, reach Nam Ngum, the largest lake in Laos and the source of the country’s first hydroelectric dam. From here the drive to Vientiane takes around 2.5 hours and the rest of the day is free at leisure.
The next morning, head out to Buddha Park. Also known as Xieng Khuang, this unusual park is filled with more than 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues. The quiet and tranquil setting along the Mekong River is a contrast to the slightly eccentric sculptures which were built in 1958 by a Lao shaman.
After the park, pay a visit to the serene Wat Sisaket, one of the most beautiful temples in the capital. Continue on to the nearby Wat Phra Keo, which is used as a religious museum displaying a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art. Also nearby is the Presidential Palace, which offers some unique insight into the colonial history of Laos.
Day 6-7
Vang Vieng – Vientiane – Buddha Park
After breakfast transfer to the Kuang Si Waterfalls. Stop en-route to visit a small ethnic village to learn about the local traditions and culture, much of which has remained unchanged for centuries. Upon reaching Kuang Si Waterfall, enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings or explore the surrounding dense jungle on foot. After a morning exploring, enjoy a delicious picnic lunch next to the falls. After lunch, make an optional visit to the Free the Bears sanctuary, housing 23 Asiatic Bears which were rescued from poacher. Also make a stop at the unique Lao Buffalo Dairy Farm, a social enterprise that produces sustainable and delicious cheese while giving back to the community and environment. While the buffalo may be the stars, there are also playful pigs, as well as chickens and rabbits that are just as fun to interact with for the young and young at heart. Enjoy a homemade ice cream at the cafe before saying goodbye. From here head to Luang Prabang Train Station for the train to Vang Vieng. Suggested train:C83 18.30 – 19.20. Upon arrival at the train station, your driver will be there to pick you up.
Day 14
Day 8-9
Vientiane – Ban Kong Lor
Depart Vientiane south to Ban Kong Lor. This first leg of the journey takes around three hours and includes an interesting stop at Wat Prabath Phansane (Temple of the Footprint of Buddha) and lunch at a local restaurant. From here continue to the Phou Hin Poun NPA (National Protected Area). The scenery becomes much more spectacular, featuring limestone karsts, forests and rice paddies.
After breakfast on Day 9 drive to the Kong Lor Caves. Life jackets and head torches will be provided before a short walk to the main entrance of the cave. Upon entering the cave, board a longtail boat for a journey through the length of this spectacular cave, along an underground section of the Hin Boun River. It will be 7.5km before seeing daylight again! The vast stalactites and stalagmites can be explored partly on foot whilst inside the cave. Once reaching the other side of the cave, stop for refreshments and walk to local villages, enjoying the scenery and observing a more simple way of life. Return by boat, travelling ‘downstream’ through the cave to Ban Kong Lor. Enjoy lunch and take some time to relax. Later this afternoon take an (optional) guided walk through the villages surrounding Ban Kong Lor. The soft light of the late afternoon is arguably the most photogenic; there will be ample photo opportunities as the locals come home from the fields, school and the markets.
Day 10-11
Ban Kong Lor – Vientiane – Depart
After breakfast transfer to the Kuang Si Waterfalls. Stop en-route to visit a small ethnic village to learn about the local traditions and culture, much of which has remained unchanged for centuries. Upon reaching Kuang Si Waterfall, enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings or explore the surrounding dense jungle on foot. After a morning exploring, enjoy a delicious picnic lunch next to the falls. After lunch, make an optional visit to the Free the Bears sanctuary, housing 23 Asiatic Bears which were rescued from poacher. Also make a stop at the unique Lao Buffalo Dairy Farm, a social enterprise that produces sustainable and delicious cheese while giving back to the community and environment. While the buffalo may be the stars, there are also playful pigs, as well as chickens and rabbits that are just as fun to interact with for the young and young at heart. Enjoy a homemade ice cream at the cafe before saying goodbye. From here head to Luang Prabang Train Station for the train to Vang Vieng. Suggested train:C83 18.30 – 19.20. Upon arrival at the train station, your driver will be there to pick you up.
on to next destination
A note on price
The prices outlined above are a rough guide to give you an idea of costs and enable you to budget for your trip.
Guide prices are generally for private arrangements based on twin share, in well located, good quality accommodation (excluding international flights).
Please note costs are indicative and may vary due to a number of factors such as; travel date, hotel choice, room category, number of people travelling and prevailing exchange rates.
Price Guide – FROM $7200 per family (2 adult + 1 child)
When to travel
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The optimum time to visit Laos is between mid October and the end of February when the weather is time is generally very pleasant although it can get a little chilly in the mountainous north. (If entering Luang Prabang by boat from Northern Thailand or plan to undertake any river journeys in the North, remember to pack a warm fleece as the mornings on the river can be particularly cold). The hot dry season begins in February when temperatures can reach up to 40c and generally lasts through to April/May. Increasing humidity and temperatures bring on the wet season which lasts from June to October. During this time the Mekong River rises, and flooding of the surrounding area is not uncommon.
January is a dry and relatively cool month in Laos. The days are generally sunny, and the humidity is lower compared to other months. It's a great time for outdoor activities and exploring. Nights can be slightly cooler, so a light jacket or sweater will be needed, especially in the north. Temperature: 20°C - 28°C • Best
February is still dry and temperatures gradually start to warm up. The weather remains pleasant with comfortable temperatures, making it ideal for outdoor adventures and sightseeing. Evenings and early mornings can still be a bit cool, so packing a light layer is advisable. Temperature: 22°C - 31°C • Best
March marks the transition to hotter weather. Days become warmer, and the humidity begins to rise. It's advisable to carry sunscreen and stay hydrated while exploring outdoor areas. Light and breathable clothing is recommended. Temperature: 24°C - 34°C • Good
April is one of the hottest months in Laos. The weather is dry, and temperatures can reach their peak. It's important to protect yourself from the sun and stay hydrated. Light and breathable clothing, hats, and sunscreen are essential. Temperature: 26°C - 36°C • Good
May is characterized by high temperatures and increasing humidity. The rainy season begins towards the end of the month, leading to occasional showers. It's a good idea to have a raincoat or umbrella handy. Light and loose clothing is recommended to cope with the heat and humidity. Temperature: 26°C - 35°C • Mixed
June marks the start of the rainy season in Laos. Rainfall increases, and thunderstorms become more frequent. The temperatures are slightly cooler due to the rain, but humidity remains high. It's advisable to carry a raincoat or umbrella and plan outdoor activities accordingly. Temperature: 25°C - 34°C • Poor
July is part of the wet season with consistent rainfall and overcast skies. Expect frequent showers and occasional heavy downpours. It's recommended to carry rain gear, including a waterproof jacket and footwear, and plan indoor activities. Temperature: 24°C - 33°C • Worst
August experiences similar weather conditions to July, with regular rainfall and high humidity. Rain showers can be intense but are often short-lived. It's advisable to be prepared for wet weather, pack waterproof clothing and footwear, and plan indoor activities. Temperature: 24°C - 33°C • Worst
The rainy season continues in September, with occasional heavy downpours. The humidity remains high, and the weather can be unpredictable. It's recommended to plan indoor activities or visit locations that are less affected by the rain. Waterproof clothing and footwear are essential. Temperature: 24°C - 32°C • Mixed
October marks the transition period between the wet and dry seasons. Rainfall decreases gradually, and there are more sunny intervals. The temperatures become more pleasant, making it a good time for outdoor exploration. Light and breathable clothing is suitable. Temperature: 23°C - 31°C • Good
November is the start of the dry season in Laos. The weather becomes cooler, and rainfall decreases significantly. It's a great time for outdoor activities, as the humidity is lower, and the temperatures are comfortable. A light jacket or sweater may be needed for cooler evenings. Temperature: 21°C - 30°C • Good
December is part of the dry season, with cool and dry weather prevailing throughout the month. The humidity remains low, and there is minimal rainfall. It's an excellent time to explore outdoor attractions and enjoy the pleasant temperatures. A light jacket or sweater may be needed for cooler evenings. Temperature: 19°C - 27°C • Best
Add on’s
There are a multitude of add on holiday options to this Laos itinerary, for example you could head to Thailand for a beach stay or perhaps take a flight to Siem Reap and spend a few days exploring the magnificent temples of Angkor, the opportunities are really endless.
Laos is also easily accessed by the main flight hubs of Hanoi and Bangkok making city stopovers or beach extensions on Asia’s fabulous sandy shores easy to arrange.
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