Laos Family Adventure 9 Days, 8 Nights

Upon arrival to Luang Prabang, our guide and driver will be waiting to transfer you in private car to the hotel for check in. After checking in to the hotel, time to relax.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

(Check in time is 14.00 – Early check in is upon availability)

Rise early this morning to witness the Buddhist ceremony of Takbat, when the monks of Luang Prabang’s monastic communities collect alms from locals. These lines of silent saffron robe-clad monks will be an enduring image of your trip. See Wat Sene and the National Museum:

Wat Sene: A Buddhist temple (wat), located in Luang Prabang, Laos. It was built in 1718 by King Kitsarath with 100 000 stones from the Mekong River. It literally means ‘Temple of a 100,000 treasures’. It was restored in 1957 commemorating the Buddha’s birth 2,500 years earlier. National Museum – Built in 1904 in the French colonial era, the original building was the Royal Palace but was later converted into a museum.

National Museum: Built in 1904 in the French colonial era, the original building was the Royal Palace but was later converted into a museum.

Visit the traditional H’mong village of Ban Na Ounae, before walking to the cascading turquoise waters of delightful Kuang Si Waterfalls for a picnic lunch. Kuang Si is a breathtaking waterfall you shouldn’t miss. A three tier waterfall about 29 kilometres south of Luang Prabang. The falls begin in shallow pools atop a steep hillside. These lead to the main fall with a 60 metres cascade. The falls are accessed via a trail to a left of the falls. Water collects in numerous turquoise blue pools as it flows downstream. The many cascades that result are typical of travertine waterfalls. There are walkways and bridges for your enjoyment. Most of the pools are open to swimming please remember to bring along your swimsuit and a towel. Changing rooms are available on site. Enjoy your time in Kuang Si then return to Luang Prabang.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

After breakfast, start the morning with a visit to Wat Xieng Thong, the most photographed temple in the city. Afterwards, board a traditional wooden boat for a relaxing cruise along the mighty Mekong River. Enjoy the beautiful passing scenery before reaching the Pak Ou Caves.

Sitting at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou Rivers, these twin caves are carved into the surrounding limestone cliffs, filled with hundreds of ancient Buddha images and statues. After visiting the caves, moor near the cliffs for a local-style lunch, featuring a range of traditional Lao dishes. After lunch, cruise back to Luang Prabang.

Returning in the afternoon, climb to the top of Phousi Hill and enjoy panoramic views of the city and Wat Mai, with its beautiful gilded facade. Later visit Wat Visoun, one of the oldest temples in the city, followed by Wat Aham.

As the day comes to a close, participate in a traditional Baci ceremony. These ceremonies are deeply rooted in Lao culture, and are used to celebrate a special occasion- whether a wedding, an annual festival, or as a welcome.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Today, follow the footsteps of explorer Dr. P Neis, a renowned 19th century French explorer in Luang Prabang.

Depart from the hotel around 08:30 alongside the English-speaking guide for a transfer to the Explorer Camp, located 15km outside the city. Before having the chance to interact with the elephants, the guide and local veterinarian will provide an introductory lesson.

Then it’s time to start a 1.5-hour elephant ride on a ‘howdah’ (elephant seat) through forests and over hills to the protected Huay Sae hidden valley. After leaving the elephants behind in their nightly resting place, enjoy a luxurious lunch of traditional Lao food alongside a secluded waterfall. Depending on the water levels, it may be possible to swim in the natural pools.
After lunch, continue trekking for 1.5 hours on foot. The adventurous trail crosses bamboo bridges and passes waterfalls with blue pools in dense jungle. Upon reaching the end of the valley, traditional horses from the hill tribes will be waiting to help carry bags. The trek will continue on for another 30 minutes to the Nam Khan River.

Board a luxury bamboo raft and slowly float downstream for a relaxing 1.5-hour journey with an optional 30-minute stop at the Tad Sae Waterfall.

In the afternoon you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Breakfast at hotel then, depart for a drive down to Vang Vieng. Stop in Kasi, a fruit-growing area along the way. This journey passes through spectacular scenery and there will be plenty of opportunities to stop for photos. Please be aware that there are numerous sharp bends, steep climbs and descents along these mountain roads.

Arrive in Vang Vieng, a small town on the banks of the Nam Song River surrounded by spectacular limestone karst scenery.

The rest of the afternoon is free at leisure.

This morning, begin with a short journey across the Nam Song River before driving to the Tham Pou Kham (Golden Crab Cave) and the Blue Lagoon. For those who don’t mind the cold, a dip in the waterhole of the Ka River is very refreshing. There is a slide for kids and life jackets are available.

Transfer back to the center of Vang Vieng, with an optional stop at a local village where women still weave on traditional looms. Afterwards, take a local longtail boat (two people per boat) to cruise for approximately one hour upstream on the Nam Song River, enjoying the beautiful scenery along the way.

Arrive at the area’s extensive Organic Farm, which specializes in refreshing mulberry tea as well as having a range of livestock and organic crops. Take a short tour of the Organic Farm and enjoy a delicious lunch there.

In the early afternoon, the guide will provide transport back to the hotel.

The rest of the day is free at leisure.

Overnight in Vang Vieng.

After breakfast, take the 45-minute drive to Buddha Park. On the way, stop and take photos of the Friendship Bridge linking Thailand and Laos.

Arrive at Buddha Park and enjoy a stroll around the park. Also known as Xieng Khuan, this unusual park is filled with over 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 visiting Buddha Park, start the drive back to Vientiane. En route, stop at the Lao Disabled Women Development Center. This center aims to bring practical skills to disabled women so that they can become self-sufficient, confident members of the community.

Lunch is at local restaurant. After lunch, start with a tour to the 16th century That Luang, the holiest site in Laos. Then enjoy a panoramic view over the city after climbing the stairs to the top of Patuxai, Vientiane’s own “Arc de Triomphe”.

Continue to Wat Sisaket, one of the most beautiful temples in the capital, followed by a visit to the nearby Wat Phra Keo. Used as a religious museum, Wat Phra Keo displays a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art.

Overnight in Vientiane

After breakfast, the driver and private car will be waiting at the hotel to take you to the airport for your flight home..