Laos Family Tour

Upon arrival at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane, transfer to your hotel in town (early check-in upon availability).

From its sleepy tuk-tuk drivers to its location on the right bank of the Mekong River. 

Indeed, despite being the capital and largest city of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, there's not a whole lot to do in Vientiane. But that is also, quite honestly, its selling point.

There is no activity planned for today, so you can stroll around the town for your exploration.

Overnight in Vientiane.

In the morning, we will first visit Wat Si Muang, which is very famous for its supernatural power. 

After that drive to Buddha Park with over 200 Buddhist and Hindu statues which is around 45 minutes away.

We then visit Lao Disabled Women Development Center. Spend time watching the video and learn about the effort to earn their daily living. You can support them by buying some small handicrafts at the shop.

Start the afternoon with a visit to That Luang, the holiest site in Laos.

Then, enjoy a panoramic view over the city as you climb the stairs to the top of Patuxai, Vientiane’s own “Arc de Triomphe”. 

Continue down Lane Xang Avenue to the serene Wat Sisaket, the only temple left intact after the Siamese (Thai) invasion in 1828. 

Continue on to the nearby Wat Phra Keo, which displays a collection of both Lao and Khmer works of art. 

End your tour along the banks of the Mekong River as the sun begins to set. Stroll along the river, stop to enjoy a cold drink, or sample a snack from one of the many local food stalls.  

Overnight in Vientiane.

Tips: 

- You can also visit Sinouk Coffee Pavilion to discover the Lao coffee, stroll around the mini coffee gallery, view the in-house coffee roaster, and try a cup of delicious and unique coffee or tea. Discuss with our guide about this. Entrance fees and extra coffee/drinks are payable on the spot.

- There is also the chance to visit Ban Hom, where you can visit the farmers working in the field and learn about the rural local life. Just 12 km from the old quarter!

Our tuk-tuk driver (also our guide) will pick you up at your hotel after breakfast, and take you to an organic rice, fish, and vegetable farm on the outskirts of Vientiane. Here, you can try your hand at rice farming. The farmers will show you how to plant rice seedlings (during rainy season), or if it’s harvest season then cut and thresh your rice for lunch! 

Also, you can do a spot of fishing, collect fresh duck eggs, learn about organic fertilizer and how it is made, and harvest fresh seasonal organic vegetables and bamboo (if in season).

Once you’ve finished in the field, you’ll cook up a traditional Lao lunch. Learn how to cook sticky rice and make papaya salad and sit down to enjoy a picnic-style lunch and rest.

On the way back into town, we’ll take you to a local fresh food market to check out the amazing diversity of Lao food. Stop for a while in the market for a traditional Lao coffee or sample some delicious Lao sweets.

Transfer back to your hotel late afternoon. Overnight in Vientiane.

We leave the capital early for our journey northbound to Ban Thaheua via the highway Vientiane - Vang Vieng.

We will arrive in Ban Thaheua around noon.

In the afternoon, we will have a 2-hour kayaking around Nam Ngum Lake to explore some islets and local fishing villages. We then will stop at Huay Samom village, chat with the host family, and learn about the weaving techniques.

We are then free to stroll around the resort or the nearby area for our exploration.

Overnight in Ban Thaheua.

Optional: Wake up early today, you never want to miss the sunrise over the peaceful lake. Our guide will escort you to the nearby area to watch the local villagers preparing for their busy day.

After breakfast, we start the cycling tour exploring the nearby villages & the famous Nam Ngum dam. We will first pass through the local primary school, which is livelier during school time. 

We then set off toward Nam Ngum dam through the small village roads whilst admiring the life of local villagers. Stop at one of the villages to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. Relax and talk with the villagers about their daily life.

If time permits, we will stop at another village to watch the rooster fighting in around 30 minutes.

Arrive back at the resort around noon time.

In the afternoon we will transfer directly to Vang Vieng.

Check in your hotel upon arrival and free to stroll around the town for your own exploration.

Overnight in Vang Vieng.

The limestone cliffs and valleys surrounding the resort complex of Vang Vieng are home to numerous caves and caverns. 

The most famous of these caves is Tham Jang, which was used by the local people as a refuge from Chinese invaders 200 years ago. 

Your tour continues by crossing the Nam Song River for a short drive to Tham Pou Kham (Golden Crab Cave). After passing through a small entrance hole you descend 100 meters into the ground. 

You have ample time to visit Blue Lagoon, which is a great spot to relax and cool off before transferring to the train station to take the afternoon express train to Luang Prabang.

Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel in town.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

After breakfast, you will first visit the Royal Palace Museum built in 1904 during the French colonial era for King Sisavang Vong and his family. 

We then take a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which also gives us a breathtaking view of the tranquil countryside, before reaching the Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes.  

Along the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine. 

On arrival back in the city, we will visit the old Wat Sene and the nearby Wat Xiengthong a superb piece of Lao temple architecture, which presents a sweeping two-tiered roof and ornate mosaics including a beautiful ‘tree of life ‘glass montage on the rear temple wall.  

If time permits, we will drive out of the city to visit Ban Xangkhong, the Thai Lue village, which is famous for its arts and crafts. We also visit the nearby village of Ban Xienglek specializing in making the traditional Saa paper.

Late afternoon, we will make a stop at Wat Prabath to admire the sunset.

The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market in Luang Prabang. 

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Rise with the sun to participate in the sacred alms-giving ceremony, where hundreds of monks silently collect offerings from the townspeople, a profound cultural experience that connects you with the soul of Laos. Afterward, you visit the bustling morning market near the former Royal Palace.

After breakfast at the hotel, we ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a panoramic view of the city and the Mekong River. 

If time permits, we will visit the UXO Visitor Center (closed on Saturday & Sunday), where you can find the documentation about the secret war in Laos.

Your journey continues to the breathtaking Kuang Si Waterfalls, where you can swim in the cool, turquoise pools or explore the surrounding nature trails.

There is also the chance to walk to the nearby village of Ban Thapene and explore the hidden waterfalls, which other tourists rarely visit

If you wish, take a short visit to the Bear Rescue Center, which houses a couple of dozen animals rescued from the hands of poachers and traffickers.

On the way back to Luang Prabang, we will take a short visit to the Ock Pop Tock Living Craft Center, set serenely close to the Mekong, which offers free tours every half-hour.

Transfer back to your hotel late afternoon. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Today, we will visit the Namkhan Ecolodge and have a morning learning about their organic farm tour to learn more about organic farming, including insect repellents, the importance of plants and trees, and how the animals integrate with the green cycle agricultural practice.

The afternoon is your own free time to explore the ecolodge. There are plenty of activities on spots such as kayaking, Yoga classes, or bamboo weaving classes. For the kids, we recommend a 1.5-hour horseback riding class including a 15-minute pony ride. 

There is also a swimming pool if you just want to relax and cool off.

Check further information with our guide or the lodge.

Overnight at Namkhan Ecolodge.

10:00 AM: Departure from your hotel or guest house in Luang Prabang.

10:40 AM: Arrive in Ban Lae. Settle in your house.

11:15 AM: Visit the local school.

Noon: Lunch in the house and relax.

2:00 PM-3:00 PM: Have a walk with the locals in their gardens. Explore the river with a local boat. Have a look at the traditional charcoal oven. Enjoy a swim in the river.

5:00 PM: Back to the house, shower time.

6:00 PM: Visit a neighbor who will teach you Kaen (a traditional music instrument).

7:00 PM: Before having dinner, we will join a special Baci Ceremony at the house of the host.

Time to sleep.

5:30 AM: Time to wake up.

6:00 AM: Almsgiving in the village temple. Back to the house.

8:00 AM: Breakfast.

9:00 AM: Morning fishing in the Nam Xuang River.

Experience local handicraft traditional techniques by the locals such as:

- Bamboo weaving

- Silk weaving

- Fishing net-making

11:00 AM: Departure time

11:30 AM: Arrival in Luang Prabang and drop-off at your next hotel or guesthouse

The afternoon is free for your last-minute shopping around the various shops in the city's old quarter.

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

You are free to stroll around the town for your own exploration before taking the departure flight. End of services!