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Laos Family Adventure

This Laos family adventure is a harmonious combination of stays in the former kingdoms of Luang Prabang and the mountainous northern Laos. You will get a unique chance to experience Lao culture and tradition with hands-on activities, hosted by local passionate people. Be amazed by different food experiences, involved in the local rural daily life, and get a real and original tribe stay with a local family. You will cruise both the Mekong and the Nam Ou, 2 most important rivers in Laos, to explore some hidden treasures. All in all, a perfect combination of discovery and relaxation!

HIGHLIGHTS

Various activities on sites

  • Exploring the must-see attractions inside the city of Luang Prabang
  • Easy walk or trek to explore the nature of Nam Dong Park, Hillside Resort, and Kamu Lodge
  • Local interaction in Kamu Lodge & Nong Khiaw
  • Cruising the Mekong River & Nam Ou River, 2 most important rivers in Laos

Unforgettable moments

  • Playing petanque with a local team and joining the private Baci ceremony
  • Playing with the buffalo and various animals at Laos Buffalo Dairy Farm
  • Cruising the Mekong River & admiring the local life along the riverbanks
  • Staying with the local family in Muang Soune and learning about the culture of the rural northern Laos village

Nature exploration

  • The exciting Kuang Si waterfall and the nearby Buffalo Dairy Farm
  • The evergreen nature of Nahm Dong park and the surrounding of Hillside Resort
  • The untouched nature of along the riverbanks of Mekong & Nam Ou

Culture experience

  • The never-fading culture of Luang Prabang and the history of Lane Xang kingdom
  • The culture of various tribe people in the northern Laos
  • The unique way of life of the Khmu villages living near Kamu Lodge
  • The real culture experience with a local family at Muang Soune village

Map

Detailed schedule

Day 1 - Welcome to Luang Prabang

On arrival at the Luang Prabang airport, you will be met and transferred to check in the hotel.

Situated in the centre of northern Laos, Luang Prabang is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding cultural, historic and architectural values and its harmonious relationship between the natural and built environment.

After a soft rest, our guide will walk you through the small streets of Luang Prabang to admire the local life. We will make a stop at one of the petanque courses, where we will join a game with a local team.

Late afternoon, join a private Baci ceremony at a local family. The Baci ceremony as a traditional ritual of the Lao people expresses the spirituality of the country and is a highly memorable experience and a deep insight into Lao culture for the participants.

Dinner will be served after that for you to share with the host family, that gives you the best start of Laos culture exploration.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Notes
  • In the evening, we recommend joining the Royal Ballet Theatre at the National Museum to watch the traditional show of Phralak Phralam and learn about the history and culture of Laos (not included – payable on spot)
  • There is also the chance to join the Garavek Traditional Storytelling, which also focuses on showing the history & culture of Laos. (not included – payable on spot)
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Day 2 - Kuang Si Waterfall - Buffalo Dairy Farm

Wake up as the sun rises, we will prepare to join the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning alms giving, which dates to the 14th century. More than 200 Buddhist monks depart from various temple to gather their daily meal from the faithful residents sitting quietly on the streets.

We then visit the temporary morning market near the former Royal Palace. Just set on the ground, the local people come here to barter their day’s catch from rice, to vegetable, to fish, or chicken. 

After breakfast, we visit Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts.  

Our next stop in the city is the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture. 

We then transfer to the beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall where you can cool off with a refreshing swim in the pools or walk along the forest trails. 

You have the rest of the afternoon to refresh at the waterfalls. If you wish, we also see up close Asiatic bears at the Bear Rescue Centre along the jungle walk to the waterfall.

On the way back to city center, you can visit the Buffalo Dairy Farm on the way to Kuang Si waterfalls, which offer the fun and interesting experience for the kids.

Late afternoon, we ascend the 329 steps to the top of Phousi Hill for a beautiful sunset view of the city and its glowing reflection on the Mekong River. 

The tour ends after a visit to the famous Night Market, where you can find a lovely selection of handmade textiles made by local and hilltribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Notes
  • If you are fond of various ethnic cultures, you can visit Traditional Art and Ethnology Center (closed on Monday).
  • For the dinner, we recommend at White Lotus Restaurant with the colorful Ethnic Fashion Show. This is the good chance to learn about the various ethnic customs in Laos.
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Day 3 - Luang Prabang - Nahm Dong Park - Hillside Resort

After departing at 8:30 am from your hotel, transfer to Nahm Dong park, which locates in Ban Xiengmouk, 10Km from city center.

Arriving at the park, we will have a short welcome by the park manager before joining the morning activities here.

First, we will join the cooking class, by which you can discover the Lao cuisine through several traditional dishes. Not only can you learn techniques and recipes, but you can visit the gardens of the park and pick your own ingredients.

The course is minimum 5 dishes depending on the season. A booklet with all recipes is provided.

The lunch will be served with what you have created.

In the afternoon, we will start exploring the beauties of the park with the Zipline flying over the jungle and the waterfalls admiring the amazing evergreen scenery. The zipline will take about 1 hour. 

Then we will walk back via the jungle trail crossing some flying bridges, small streams, and clear natural pools, where you can take a refresh splash if you wish so.

You can either spend the rest of the afternoon stroll around the park, relax by one of the huts at the camp, or enjoy the fresh cool clear natural pools.

Late afternoon, we walk to the nearby Hillside Resort, where we will spend the night

Notes

Zipline in 1 hour, trekking min 1 hour - max 3 hours depending on the route that you choose

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Day 4 - Hillside Resort - Self-exploration

You are free to stroll around the resort for your own exploration.

There are various activities offered by the resort ranging from walking around the village of Ban Xiengmouk to visiting the local school (supported by the resort); from hiking to the nearby viewpoint via the bamboo forest to riding the pony to the nearby area (suitable for your kids only).

Check the Resort website for more detail.

Overnight at Hillside Resort

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Day 5 - Mekong River Cruise - Kamu Lodge

We take the early transfer back to Luang Prabang and board on a traditional Long River boat at Kamu Lodge pier at 08:30am and take a leisurely cruise upstream while enjoying the refreshments served on the boat.

Marvel at the thousands of gold Buddha statues placed in sacred Pak Ou caves by devotees. Most people failed to marvel at Pak Ou towering limestone cliff.

Continue upriver and you would reach Kamu Lodge around noon. A Refreshing welcome drink is served. You can check into your super-size tents with attached modern bathroom amenities and facilities. You will enjoy lunch in an airy SALA settled in the middle of rice paddy fields.

After lunch, you can choose to either relax or to enjoy the traditional Kamu lifestyles and activities such as rice planting and harvesting in surrounding rice fields, gold panning in the Mekong (anything you find is Yours!), traditional fishing techniques (you can sample your catch for dinner!), visit of the Kamu village, archery contest.

Dinner is a feast by Kamu tribe standards. We want you to see the world from the Kamu's eyes.

After dinner, retire to your tent

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Day 6 - Kamu Lodge - Ban Pak Ou - Nong Khiaw

In the morning, you are free to stroll around the lodge or the nearby village. We will take the boat back to Luang Prabang after lunch.

We arrive in Ban Pak Ou around 3PM, where we will hop on the minivan to transfer directly to Nong Khiaw

Arriving in Nong Khiaw just in time to catch the sunset, check in your hotel in town.

Overnight in Nong Khiaw

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Day 7 - Nong Khiaw - Tad Mork - Muang Ngoi - Nong Khiaw

We begin at 8am and start off by boarding a local Long boat and head off upstream through some fantastic landscape before making our first stop of the day at a small riverside village. 

Here we take some time to look around and if during a weekday pay the local school a visit to see the charming children as they take part in their classes.

After this we continue onwards to Tad Mork which locates close to the ethnic Khmu village of Ban Sop Kong, an hour trek from the river. At the waterfall we shall have time to swim and enjoy a picnic lunch.

After enjoying our time at the waterfall we head back to the river where we will cruise further upstream to visit Muang Ngoy, which sits nestled amongst some amazing scenery! 

This small town has long been famous amongst backpackers yet remains truly unspoilt! If there is time we can stop for a drink at one of the riverside restaurants before the return journey down the river back to Nong Khiaw.

We will head off down the river through a narrow gorge where we stop at another small but fascinating village.

The estimated arrival time in Nong Khiaw is around sunset. 

Overnight in Nong Khiaw

Notes

Approximately: 2.5-hour boat trip, 2.5-hour walk

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Day 8 - Nong Khiaw - Muang Soune (Homestay)

After breakfast, we will transfer by car to Ban Muang Soune, which locates about 70Km from Nong Khiaw on the way back to Luang Prabang.

Upon arrival in the village, you will be welcomed by the host family, before strolling around the village to see the life of local people. We then visit the house of the chief of the village, and talk with him about the living condition, the history, or anything about the village.

The lunch will then be served at the house of the host family.

In the afternoon, you can choose to either relax or to enjoy agricultural activities such as rice planting and harvesting in surrounding rice fields (depending on the season); Traditional fishing techniques (you can sample your catch for dinner!); or walk around the farm and rice field.

If you wish, the dip in the Nam Ou river is very inviting and worth a try.

You may wish to join and help the host with preparing the dinner. This is the chance to learn about Lao cuisine.

Before the dinner, we will join the Baci Ceremony, held by the elders of the village. The Baci ceremony as a traditional ritual of the Lao people expresses the spirituality of the country and is a highly memorable experience and a deep insight into Lao culture for the participants.

During the dinner, the folk tales will be told by the host family, and translated by our guide.

You may wish to stroll around the riverbank, and sense the nature, admiring the starry sky before going to bed

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Day 9 - Muang Soune - Luang Prabang

Wake up early, you never want to miss the chance to admire the sunrise over the Nam Ou river, and the nearby mountains.

After breakfast, the morning will be dedicated to the fishing by the stunning Nam Ou river, experience traditional fishing techniques. You will also take the boat trip exploring the surrounding areas.

We come back to the village at 11:00AM to join the transfer back to Luang Prabang.

Upon arrival, check in your hotel to rest and refresh.

After that, we will head to Lao Red Cross to enjoy a traditional Lao massage, which will help you recover from the exploration in the last some days. 

Late afternoon, join the cinema at Amalea Restaurant to watch the 100-year-old Chang Movie, which is the oldest film about Laos. This is a silent film about a poor farmer in northern Nan Province (northern Thailand) and his daily struggle for survival in the jungle. 

The dinner is recommended at the restaurant before returning to your hotel (not included – payable on spot)

Overnight in Luang Prabang

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Day 10 - Luang Prabang - Departure

You are free to stroll around the town for your own exploration before taking the departure flight

Notes

We recommend joining a morning Yoga class at Luang Prabang Yoga, which will take about 1 hour starting at 07:30AM at Utopia Bar & Restaurant before returning to your hotel for breakfast. Class fee is KIP40,000/person (payable on spot in KIP only – pre-reservation not accepted). Note: you need to come on time if you are interested. If you come late, you are not allowed to join. Here is the class schedule & pricing

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Check below our detailed tips & guide for every places to visit in Laos, recommendation regarding the inclusion in each theme you prefer, and what you can do based on the time frame you have.

PLACES TO VISIT IN Laos
Luang Prabang
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The ancient capital of Lane Xang Kingdom

Vang Vieng
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Vientiane
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The ancient capital of Lane Xang Kingdom

4000 Islands
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Phonsavan
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Nong Khiaw
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Laos PLANS BY TRAVEL THEME
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The combination of some must-see experience and the cruise tour along the mighty rivers

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Reveal off-the-beatentrack routes, least explored destinations, and unknown tribe groups

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Easy excursion combined with week-long beach break

Laos PLANS BY TIME FRAME
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Laos BLOG ARTICLES

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In early September 2022, we had the privilege of embarking on an Educational Tour organized by the esteemed Tetraktys Organization. Our objective was to delve into the wonders of this loop and promote its allure to international tourists.

During our expedition, we were awe-struck by the captivating sights and valuable insights we gained. The area boasts an abundance of captivating natural landscapes, rich traditional culture, and warm-hearted hosts.

We have compiled comprehensive information about this captivating region below.

Stay connected to discover more about this hidden gem!

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The romance of train travel is alive and well in Laos. The recently-completed high-speed railway that stretches from Vientiane, through Laos, and into southern China is operating ‘full steam’ ahead. 

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Luang Prabang will celebrate the boat racing festival (Boun Souang Heua) in Namkhan River during Buddhist Lent Period, on August 26th, 2022.

A notice issued by Luang Prabang provincial office says that Luang Prabang will arrange Boun Hor Khaopadapdin, an annual festival held to feed spirits with home-made parcels of food, and the boat racing activities along Namkhan River. 

The province intends to promote the traditional festival and practices in hopes of attracting more domestic and foreign tourists, generating revenue for locals.

Traditional racing boats are made of a single tree and can accommodate up to fifty rowers.

The boats are considered sacred, are cleaned, and are given offerings which are believed to bring victory to the team.

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The festival will be held on August 26th, 2022, the same day with Boun Khao Padapdine.

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The Rocket Festival (Boun Bang Fai) is a merit-making ceremony traditionally practiced by ethnic Lao people near the beginning of the wet season in numerous villages and municipalities, in the regions of Northeastern Thailand and Laos. Celebrations typically include preliminary music and dance performances, competitive processions of floats, dancers and musicians on the second day, and culminating on the third day in competitive firings of home-made rockets. Local participants and sponsors use the occasion to enhance their social prestige, as is customary in traditional Buddhist folk festivals throughout Southeast Asia.

The festival in Thailand also includes special programs and specific local patterns like Bung Fai (Parade dance) and a Beautiful Bung Fai float such as Yasothon the third weekend of May, and continues Suwannaphum District, Roi Et on the first weekend of June, Phanom Phrai District Roi Et during the full moon of the seventh month in Lunar year's calendar each year. The Bung Fai festival is not only found in Isan or Northeasthern Thailand and North Thailand and Laos, but also in Amphoe Sukhirin, Narathiwat.

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