Laos Family Tour

Day 1 - Vientiane - arrival and waterfront stroll

Arrival in Vientiane and check in to our conveniently located downtown hotel. Time to stretch your legs with a stroll along the lively Mekong waterfront before a welcome, local-style dinner introduces you to the little-known but tasty, Lao cuisine.

Overnight: Vientiane Transport: Walk,  Meals: D, 

Day 2 - Vientiane city tour

Day tour of some of the city’s fascinating sites; Si Saket Temple with its thousand Buddha images and Vientiane’s most famous monument, That Luang, as well as the unusual ‘Buddha Park’. Less cheerful, but we feel important and informative stop, will also be made at the excellent COPE exhibition centre, highlighting a major problem many of the local people face daily in the form of unexploded ordnance as a result of the heavy bombing during the Vietnam War era.

Overnight: Vientiane Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, 

Day 3 - Morning Lao cookery and afternoon train to Luang Prabang

Morning cookery class at the home of your host Madam Phasouk who, after a guided tour of the local market to introduce you to the amazing array of local herbs and spices, will show you how to prepare some of the local specialities. An afternoon ride through the mountains on Lao’s new, spectacular high-speed railway takes you to the ancient capital, now World Heritage, Luang Prabang.

Overnight: Luang Prabang Transport: Train,  Meals: B, L, 

Day 4 - Walking tour of the World Heritage city

Nestled in the mountains, long isolated from the outside world, discover UNESCO-listed Luang Prabang’s fabulous temples and French period architecture. A morning walking tour of the town includes the former king’s palace, now National Museum, Wat Xiengthong and Phu Si Temple. Some time at leisure in the afternoon before an opportunity to join some locals for a game of pétanque or boules – a popular pastime left over from the French period. In the evening we’ll try out a traditional sindat, or Lao barbeque, restaurant – also hugely popular among the town’s residents.

Overnight: Luang Prabang Transport: Walk,  Meals: B, D, 

Day 5 - Luang Prabang - into the surrounding hills

Morning drive into the surrounding hills to visit the spectacular turquoise ponds, cascades and falls at Kuang Si as well as the nearby Free the Bears site which houses moon, (Asiatic black) and sun bears rescued from hunters, the illegal animal trade and private zoos. Return to Luang Prabang after a stop for a riverside lunch at the Ock Pop Tok community weaving project.

Overnight: Luang Prabang Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, 

Day 6 - Mekong River boat trip

Boat trip up the Mekong River where our first stop will be Ban Chan. The pottery village has produced earthenware for some 400 years and a master potter will talk you through the time-honoured techniques as well as allowing you to try your hand. After lunch we continue upriver to the spectacular Pak Ou Caves – overlooking the Mekong and full of thousands of Buddha images of all shapes and sizes. Late afternoon return by boat to Luang Prabang.

Overnight: Luang Prabang Transport: Boat, Bike, Walk,  Meals: B, L, 

Day 7 - Train to Vang Vieng

Morning at leisure; relax by the pool or perhaps check out the lively morning market before a short, midday train ride takes us south to Vang Vieng Town for accommodation at a beautifully situated chalet resort set in lush gardens.

Overnight: Vang Vieng Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, 

Day 8 - Village tour and cottage industries

A day spent visiting nearby Ban Viengsamai, a village of the local Khmu ethnic group. Meet the host family and take a walking tour of the village to discover their traditional culture, livelihoods and cottage industries as well as a hike through the surrounds to visit local farms and learn about village agricultural methods and crops. Lunch as guests of a village family with a mid-afternoon return to your resort.

Overnight: Vang Vieng Transport: Minibus, Walk,  Meals: B, L, 

Day 9 - Caves, kayaking and hill-tribe village

A chance to explore the region’s spectacular karst scenery including some of the spectacular limestone caves for which the area is famous as well as a hike to visit a village of the Hmong people. A kayaking trip down the picturesque Song River completes the day’s activities.

Overnight: Vang Vieng Transport: Boat, Walk,  Meals: B, L, 

Day 10 - Transfer to Vientiane International Airport

Short transfer from Vang Vieng to Vientiane International Airport.

Note that a variety of Thai island extensions are available with a flight from Vientiane to Bangkok

Transport: Minibus,  Meals: B,