12 Days - Laos Family Explorer

Welcome to Laos! On arrival at Luang Prabang Airport, you are greeted by our representative who assists with arrival formalities before introducing you to your private guide and driver. The short transfer to your hotel takes between fifteen and thirty minutes, depending on location, and along the way you’ll get your first impressions of this tranquil riverside town.

Settle in at your hotel and take time to rest after the journey. Depending on your arrival time, you may wish to take a short family stroll around the quiet streets near your accommodation. Luang Prabang is small and easy to explore, with tree-lined lanes, traditional wooden houses, and the gentle flow of the Mekong never far away.

In the late afternoon, enjoy a relaxed orientation walk with your guide. This is a chance to stretch your legs and begin discovering why Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage site. You might stop by small temples, explore the banks of the Nam Khan River, or watch locals playing pétanque as the sun sets.

Dinner is included this evening at a family-friendly local restaurant. Sample a selection of Lao dishes suited to all tastes, from fragrant soups and grilled meats to sticky rice, the staple of every meal. Your guide will explain the traditions around sharing food and show children how to eat sticky rice the local way, by rolling it into small balls with their hands.

After dinner, return to your hotel for an early night. The peaceful atmosphere of Luang Prabang makes it easy to adjust to the slower pace of life, and the comfort of your hotel will ensure a good rest before the adventures ahead.

Note: Accommodation suggestion is based on 2 adults and 2 children above 2 years old and below 12 years old.

After breakfast, meet your guide at your hotel and transfer into the centre of Luang Prabang, a drive of around ten to fifteen minutes depending on your hotel’s location. Begin the day at Wat Xieng Thong, the city’s most revered temple. Built over 500 years ago, its sweeping multi-tiered roofs and glittering mosaics are a masterpiece of Luang Prabang architecture. Continue to nearby Wat Mai, where delicate golden bas-reliefs depict scenes from Buddhist legends, and then on to Wat Sene, noted for its ochre walls and elegant symmetry.

From here, explore on foot through the narrow alleys and hidden corners of the old town. Luang Prabang is designed for slow discovery, and a walking tour reveals charming details: monks moving between temples, children playing in shaded courtyards, and locals preparing food for the day ahead. Your guide will encourage interaction, helping you connect with people and their stories.

Continue to the National Museum, once the Royal Palace, where you learn about the country’s royal heritage through regalia, photographs, and everyday objects from the past century. Just opposite the museum rises Phousi Hill. A climb of 328 steps leads you to the top, where children often delight in counting the stairs. The reward is a panoramic view of rivers, rooftops, and mountains stretching into the distance, a true highlight of the city.

Enjoy lunch at leisure before returning to your hotel for a short rest. In the afternoon, the program offers a choice of optional activities designed to suit a range of interests and family dynamics.

Optional Activity 1: Traditional Saa Paper Hands-On Workshop

Travel fifteen to twenty minutes outside Luang Prabang to Ban Xang Khong, a village known for preserving the ancient craft of Saa paper making. Using the bark of the mulberry tree, artisans create sheets of durable, decorative paper that is used for lanterns, cards, and journals. In this hands-on workshop, you will learn the process step by step and create your own piece to take home. Children especially enjoy the chance to decorate their sheets with flowers and leaves. The visit also supports the local community and helps sustain a craft that has been practised for generations.

Optional Activity 2: Natural Dyeing at Ock Pop Tok

A ten to fifteen minute drive brings you to Ock Pop Tok, a cultural centre devoted to Lao textiles. Here, you can join a natural dyeing workshop, beginning in the garden where you gather plants, roots, seeds, and leaves. Guided by experts, you learn how these natural materials are prepared to create vibrant colours, each with its own meaning and history. Using traditional recipes, you will dye your own fabric, choosing from a scarf, a t-shirt, or a set of napkins. This interactive experience gives you a meaningful souvenir and offers insight into one of Laos’s most valued traditions.

Optional Activity 3: Nam Dong Park Family Day

For a full afternoon adventure, head thirty to forty minutes from town to Nam Dong Park, a nature reserve set across eighteen hectares. Families can explore waterfalls, gardens, and sensory trails designed to engage all five senses. Children can join cultural workshops such as mulberry paper making, bamboo weaving, dream catcher crafting, or embroidery, while parents enjoy shaded forest walks and scenic viewpoints. Swimming pools fed by natural springs offer a refreshing break, and the on-site café serves herbal drinks and traditional Lao dishes made from organic produce grown in the park. Ethnic houses from different regions of Laos provide a window into the country’s diverse cultural heritage, making this visit as educational as it is fun.

After breakfast, meet your guide at 8:15am for a short drive to the Living Land Farm, located just outside Luang Prabang. This half-day experience is designed to be interactive and fun, giving families an engaging introduction to the importance of rice in Lao culture. Over the course of the morning, you will learn the thirteen stages of rice cultivation, from planting to harvesting, with demonstrations and hands-on opportunities guided by the farm staff.

One of the highlights for children and adults alike is ploughing the paddy field with Susan, the resident water buffalo, a memory that often becomes the favourite story of the trip. Afterwards, enjoy a tasting session of rice-based snacks, including sticky rice with dipping sauces, rice crackers, and sweet treats. Around the farm, traditional crafts are also on display: a blacksmith forging blades and weavers making baskets from natural fibres. A short walk through the organic vegetable gardens completes the experience, before sitting down to a hearty Lao lunch prepared on site.

In the early afternoon, travel south by minivan to Kuang Si Waterfall, one of the most beautiful natural sites in Laos. A 40 to 45 minute drive brings you to the forested park where turquoise water tumbles over limestone terraces into pools perfect for swimming. Families can relax on shaded pathways, take photographs, or simply enjoy the refreshing atmosphere. Nearby, the Sun Bear Refuge offers insight into conservation efforts to protect these endangered animals from poaching and trafficking.

On your return to Luang Prabang, stop at the Lao Buffalo Dairy Farm, a project that combines fun, education, and community support. The guided tour includes feeding and bathing buffalo, bottle feeding calves, and watching a milking demonstration. Children especially enjoy meeting the smaller farm animals such as pigs, rabbits, and chickens. The experience highlights how the farm works with local families to provide income and sustainable practices.

End the day at the farm’s café with a treat of homemade ice cream and cake served with tea or coffee, a fitting conclusion to a day full of activity and learning. Return to your hotel in Luang Prabang by late afternoon, with the evening free to relax or explore the town at leisure.

After breakfast at your hotel, prepare for an early start as you meet your guide and driver for the ten to fifteen minute transfer to the boat pier. Depending on the season, the Shompoo Cruise operates on specific days: from October to April departures run from Monday to Saturday, while from May to September departures are offered on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. The boat departs promptly at 7:00am, so it is best to be ready in advance. Upon boarding, you are welcomed by the crew and shown to your seats before the journey upstream along the Mekong begins.

As the boat glides away from Luang Prabang, a continental breakfast is served on board. The morning is spent watching the scenery unfold: mist rising from the mountains, small fishing boats navigating the currents, and villages tucked along the riverbanks. The Mekong provides a natural highway through Laos, and travelling at this pace allows you to see the landscape from a unique perspective that few other modes of travel can offer.

Mid-morning, the cruise stops at the Pak Ou Caves, also known as Tham Ting. These limestone caves are filled with more than two thousand Buddha statues, ranging from tiny carvings to larger images, all left as offerings by pilgrims over many centuries. It is a place of deep spiritual importance, and wandering through the cool interior while spotting the statues is both fascinating and memorable, especially for children. Your guide will explain the history of the caves and their role in Lao religious traditions before you continue upstream.

Back on board, a Lao lunch is served, featuring sticky rice, fresh vegetables, and regional dishes prepared with local ingredients. The afternoon is then yours to relax on deck, read, or simply enjoy the passing views of river life. Along the way, your English-speaking guide will host a short presentation about the many ethnic groups that inhabit Laos, introducing their customs, languages, and ways of life. This informal talk is engaging for adults and accessible for younger travellers, helping to bring context to what you see along the journey.

Arriving in Pakbeng in the late afternoon after seven to eight hours of travel, disembark and transfer by vehicle for ten to fifteen minutes to your hotel. Families can choose between Sanctuary Pakbeng Lodge, a three-star property offering comfort and excellent river views, or Le Grand Pakbeng, a four-star resort with spacious Mekong Villas that include extra beds. Dinner is provided at your hotel, and the evening is free to relax after a full day spent on the Mekong, one of the great rivers of Asia.

After breakfast at your hotel, cross the Mekong River by boat with your guide to reach the Mekong Elephant Park. On arrival, you are welcomed by the sanctuary team, who introduce their mission to protect and care for elephants in an ethical, sustainable way. An in-depth presentation explains the history of each elephant, their family ties, and the unique bond they share with their mahouts. This is a chance to understand the challenges elephants face in Laos and the positive impact of responsible tourism.

From here, follow your guide into the surrounding forest where the elephants live freely. Unlike other experiences, the Mekong Elephant Park encourages only passive observation, allowing the animals to behave naturally in their environment without human interference. Walking along the trails used by the herd, you learn about their diet, behaviour, and social interactions. Watching the elephants move through the forest is a powerful reminder that you are a guest in their world.

The trek continues deeper into the forest, where your guide shares educational insights about conservation and the vital role elephants play in the ecosystem. You may observe them foraging, resting, or interacting with one another. Children and adults alike will enjoy watching the herd’s playful moments and the natural pace of their daily lives.

If the elephants choose, they may take to the water for a bath. Watching them roll, splash, and cool off is a joyful experience, though the decision is always left to the animals themselves. This respect for their independence is at the heart of the sanctuary’s philosophy. Afterward, return to the main lodge for a traditional Lao set lunch at the park’s restaurant, where ingredients are sourced from the botanical garden. Special dietary needs can be accommodated with advance notice.

In the early afternoon, say farewell to the elephants and the team who care for them. Return by boat across the river to Pakbeng, where the rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner is served at your hotel, and the evening is yours to relax after a day that has combined education, conservation, and close encounters with one of Laos’s most iconic animals.

After breakfast, meet your guide and driver at the hotel for the drive toward Oudomxay Province. The journey takes three to four hours and follows a scenic route through mountains, valleys, and farmland. Along the way, children will notice small villages, rice paddies, and farmers working with buffalo, giving the family a window into everyday rural life in northern Laos.

There will be stops in local villages to stretch your legs and explore. These breaks are a wonderful chance for children to see traditional wooden houses built on stilts and meet families who often welcome visitors with a smile. Your guide will explain how the different ethnic groups of the region, such as the Khmu and Hmong, live and work in harmony with the land. These moments help younger travellers understand and appreciate the diversity of cultures in Laos.

Lunch is taken at a local restaurant en route, where simple, freshly prepared Lao dishes are served. It is a chance to try regional specialities while also enjoying a family-friendly atmosphere. The stop provides a good opportunity for everyone to rest and refresh before continuing.

In the afternoon, continue the drive through winding roads lined with forests and rivers. The scenery grows more dramatic as you approach the Nam Kat Protected Area, a natural reserve of waterfalls, jungle trails, and rich biodiversity. Children will enjoy spotting the changing landscapes, from bamboo groves to lush green hills.

Arrive at Nam Kat Yorlapa Resort by late afternoon. Surrounded by forest, the resort blends comfort with adventure, offering family-sized rooms and space for children to explore safely. After checking in, enjoy a relaxed dinner at the resort restaurant. The evening is at leisure to settle into the peaceful surroundings, perhaps with a short walk around the resort grounds before bedtime.

After breakfast, enjoy a full day at leisure in Nam Kat Protected Area. Families can set the pace, choosing between gentle exploration and more adventurous activities. Complimentary bicycles are available at the resort, perfect for short rides along quiet paths surrounded by lush forest. On site, the Biodiversity Museum introduces the region’s rich ecological heritage in an interactive way that children often find engaging.

Nam Kat Protected Area itself is one of Laos’s most striking eco-tourism destinations, managed by the FACET initiative (Forestry Area Conservation Ecological Tourism). This project focuses on sustainable tourism, conservation, and cultural preservation. Exploring here not only provides families with memorable experiences but also directly supports the protection of the environment and the well-being of local communities.

The resort is family-friendly, with a playground and a children’s swimming pool located about 700 metres from the main hotel area. A free shuttle service makes them easy to reach. For younger travellers, there is also a wildlife spotting trail designed especially for children, with information available at the hotel lobby. These features make the resort itself a natural playground for families to enjoy together.

For those looking to add extra adventure, a range of optional activities is available. These experiences combine outdoor exploration, cultural immersion, and fun challenges, all designed to be accessible for families with children.

Optional Activity 4: Cycling, Trekking, Sky Bridges, Waterfall (4 Hours)
Cycle about 5km to Nam Lat Waterfall, then trek through the jungle and cross 13 flying bridges suspended in the canopy. Spend time enjoying the waterfall before cycling back to the information centre.

Optional Activity 5: Trekking, Sky Bridges, Waterfall (5 Hours)
Travel by resort vehicle to the Nam Kat Waterfall entrance, then trek 6km through forest trails and over 13 flying bridges. Enjoy the waterfall before trekking back and returning by car.

Optional Activity 6: Khmu Cooking Class (5 Hours)
Depart at 1:00pm for a jungle trek along the Nam Kat River, including a traditional fish-catching and foraging activity. Later, join a Khmu cooking class where you prepare grilled and steamed fish in banana leaves, seasonal salads, and sticky rice. Dinner is enjoyed with a view before returning to your room.

Optional Activity 7: Orchid Trek (3 or 6 Hours)
Depart in the morning with a specialist guide to observe more than 70 species of orchids, depending on the season. Walk through the forest to giant trees, enjoy a picnic lunch, and return in the afternoon.

Return to your resort at the end of the day for dinner and a relaxing evening surrounded by the sounds of the forest. Families can share stories of their chosen activities, whether it was splashing in the pool, crossing sky bridges, or discovering wild orchids together.

Spend the morning at leisure enjoying the last moments in Nam Kat Yorlapa Resort. Families may take a short cycle ride around the resort grounds, enjoy the children’s playground, or simply relax by the pool before packing for the journey ahead. The tranquil atmosphere of the protected area provides a gentle farewell to northern Laos.

Late in the morning, meet your guide and driver for the transfer to Oudomxay railway station, a drive of about 30 minutes. The modern train service offers a fast and comfortable link to Vang Vieng, a welcome alternative to the long road journey. Your guide will assist with check-in and luggage to make the boarding process smooth and easy for the whole family.

Please note that certain items are not allowed on board the train. Prohibited items include explosives of any kind, dangerous objects, flammable materials, compressed gases, poisons, corrosives, sprays, knives, and strong-smelling foods. These rules are strictly enforced for passenger safety and comfort.

Board the train and settle in for the two hour journey south. The ride is scenic, with landscapes shifting from mountain forests to limestone cliffs as you travel closer to Vang Vieng. The modern carriages are comfortable and air-conditioned, and children often enjoy gazing out the window at rivers, farmland, and villages passing by.

Arrive at Vang Vieng train station in the afternoon. After disembarking, meet your driver and transfer about 20 minutes to your hotel. Check in and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Families may choose to relax with a swim, explore the hotel grounds, or take a short walk nearby while enjoying the dramatic karst peaks that surround the town.

After breakfast, meet your guide and tuk tuk driver at 9:00am for a full-day adventure into the countryside surrounding Vang Vieng. Known as the Rice Wine Trek, this experience combines cultural encounters with gentle trekking and scenic landscapes. A thirty-minute drive along a bumpy but rewarding road brings you to Tham Xang, or Elephant Cave, an important spiritual site. Children often enjoy spotting rock shapes that resemble elephants while your guide explains the legends and history connected to the cave.

From the cave, continue by road to a nearby Hmong village. Here you will wander through narrow alleys, meeting local families and seeing how daily life unfolds. The stop is unhurried, giving time to explore and ask questions. Soon after, drive on to a Khmu village, the home of Laos’s largest ethnic minority. Welcomed by a local family, you sit down together to enjoy a traditional Lao lunch. Sharing this meal is a highlight of the day, as it offers an authentic experience of local hospitality.

In the afternoon, set out on a trek of about two and a half hours. The trail winds through rice fields, vegetable gardens, and farmland, all framed by Vang Vieng’s dramatic limestone peaks. Children often enjoy greeting villagers or watching buffalo graze in the fields along the way. The pace is relaxed, with plenty of opportunities to pause, take photos, and enjoy the landscape at your family’s rhythm.

After the walk, stop at a traditional sala where you can taste lao hai, a Khmu-style rice wine typically shared at celebrations. Adults can sip the wine while children enjoy fruit juice or water, giving everyone the chance to rest and appreciate the moment. This cultural pause allows you to connect with the traditions of the community in a family-friendly way.

Finally, board a long-tail boat for a serene twenty-minute cruise along the river, drifting past farms and karst cliffs as the afternoon light softens the landscape. The boat journey ends at a riverside pier, from where it is just a five-minute transfer back to your hotel. Arrive by early evening with time to refresh and reflect on a day full of discovery, interaction, and family adventure.

Enjoy a relaxed morning at your hotel, taking time to soak in the spectacular limestone peaks that surround Vang Vieng. Families may want to enjoy a final swim, walk around the gardens, or simply rest and watch the changing colours of the mountains as the morning light shifts. It is a peaceful farewell to this dramatic landscape before heading south.

Late in the morning, meet your guide and driver for the overland transfer to Vientiane. The journey takes around two hours, passing through countryside dotted with small villages, rice paddies, and roadside markets. It is a comfortable drive with opportunities to stop for short breaks, stretch your legs, or take photos of the scenery along the way. Arrive in the capital by early afternoon and check in at your hotel.

After some time to rest, your afternoon is free to explore the city or relax as a family. Vientiane has a much slower pace than other Asian capitals, with tree-lined streets and French colonial architecture creating a laid-back atmosphere. Depending on your energy levels, you might take a short walk near your hotel or enjoy the hotel facilities until the evening program begins.

At 5:00pm, your guide and driver will collect you for a hands-on noodle-making workshop in Sisavath, about a 20 to 25 minute drive away. Here you join a local family to learn how to make Kao Piek Sen, a traditional noodle soup beloved across Laos. Begin by preparing the broth, learning which flavours and herbs create its distinctive taste. While the soup simmers, roll and cut the dough to create your own noodles, and chop fresh herbs to season your dish.

Finally, sit down together to enjoy the meal you have prepared, garnished with the herbs and toppings of your choice. The experience is informal, fun, and interactive, making it especially enjoyable for children who can get involved in the process. At the end, you will be given a recipe to take home so you can recreate the dish for friends and family. Return to your hotel in Vientiane in the evening, with the rest of the night free at leisure.

After breakfast, meet your guide at 8:30am in the hotel lobby and begin exploring the capital of Laos. Within fifteen minutes you arrive at your first stop, Wat Sisaket, the oldest surviving temple in the city and the only structure to remain intact after the Siamese invasion of 1828. Its cloisters contain thousands of small Buddha statues, which children often enjoy spotting and counting. Just across the street, visit Wat Ho Pha Kheo, reconstructed in the 1930s. Once home to the revered Emerald Buddha, today it houses an impressive collection of Lao religious art.

Continue your morning tour with a short drive along Lane Xang Avenue, the city’s main boulevard, lined with government buildings and French-inspired architecture. Stop at Patuxai, the Lao Victory Monument, often compared to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Families can climb to the top for panoramic views of Vientiane and its tree-lined streets. A further drive of around ten minutes brings you to Pha That Luang, the great golden stupa considered the most sacred monument in the country. Nearby is Wat Si Muang, a lively temple where locals seek blessings for fertility, good luck, or even their new cars.

Before lunch, visit the COPE Visitor Centre. Through interactive displays and exhibits, families gain insight into the Secret War, during which Laos became the most heavily bombed country in history. The centre also highlights the ongoing work to support survivors and raise awareness. It is an educational and moving experience suitable for adults and older children, offering important historical context in a thoughtful setting.

Lunch is arranged at a local restaurant where you can enjoy traditional Lao dishes in a relaxed environment. Meals are designed to suit a variety of tastes, making it easy for children and adults alike to find something enjoyable. This break is also a chance to reflect on the morning’s discoveries before continuing into the afternoon.

In the afternoon, drive about fifteen minutes to the Lao Disabled Women’s Development Center. This nonprofit organisation, run by and for women with disabilities, provides training, education, and opportunities to develop income-generating skills. Families are welcomed warmly, and children often enjoy seeing the creativity and crafts produced here. The visit is inspiring, showing how resilience and determination can overcome challenges while contributing to the empowerment of women in Laos. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon, with the evening free at leisure.

Enjoy your final morning in Laos with a relaxed breakfast at your hotel. Depending on your flight schedule, there may be time for a short stroll nearby or one last swim before leaving. The slower rhythm of Vientiane makes even a simple walk through its tree-lined streets a pleasant way to end your journey.

Your guide and driver will meet you at the hotel at the arranged time to begin the short transfer to Wattay International Airport. The drive usually takes no more than twenty minutes, though this may vary slightly with traffic. Along the way, watch the city gradually give way to the outskirts, with markets, cafés, and small temples marking the final glimpses of daily life in the Lao capital.

At the airport, your guide will assist with check-in and formalities, ensuring the process is smooth and stress-free for the whole family. This extra support is especially helpful when travelling with children, allowing parents to focus on the essentials while the details are taken care of.

Take a moment before departure to reflect on the highlights of your family’s adventure: the golden temples of Luang Prabang, a cruise along the Mekong, the elephants of Pakbeng, adventures in the forests of Oudomxay, the karst landscapes of Vang Vieng, and the cultural and historical insights gained in Vientiane.