Laos for Families: An 8-Day Blend of Wonder and Connection

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Join us on an enchanting 8-day family vacation as we explore the diverse landscapes and rich cultural tapestry of Laos! This meticulously planned itinerary takes your family on an unforgettable journey through Vientiane – the captivating capital city, Luang Prabang – the old town of heritage and serenity, Xieng Khouang – the land of ancient mysteries, and Vang Vieng – a region of nature's tranquility and hidden gems. This family adventure through Laos promises a perfect balance of cultural exploration, historical wonders discovery, and immersive experiences in Laos' breathtaking natural beauty. Prepare for a journey filled with shared travel experiences, family laughter, and remarkable memories that will last a lifetime. Welcome to an immersive and heartwarming exploration of Laos with your dearest ones!

OVERVIEW ITINERARY

Here is overview itinerary. Please contact for more details and better offers. 

Day 1: Vientiane: Capital Arrival & Cultural Welcome

Day 2: Vientiane → Luang Prabang: High-Speed Journey & Waterfall Wonders

Day 3: Luang Prabang: Heritage City & Mekong Mysticism

Day 4: Luang Prabang → Vang Vieng: Scenic Train & Cave Adventures

Day 5: Vang Vieng → Vientiane: Market Discoveries & Healing Stories

Day 6: Vientiane → Xieng Khouang: Capital Sights & Flight to Ancient Lands

Day 7: Xieng Khouang → Vientiane: Plain of Jars & Return Flight

Day 8: Vientiane: Departure

DETAIL PROGRAM:

Day 1: Vientiane: Capital Arrival & Cultural Welcome

• Meals: Dinner (D)

• Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane

• Activities:

  • Upon arrival at Vientiane's Wattay International Airport (VTE), your family will be warmly welcomed to Laos' charming and fascinating capital. Vientiane boasts an interesting mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and American influences, creating a unique atmosphere.

  • You will be transferred to a local restaurant for a delightful welcome dinner, complete with a captivating traditional dance show, offering a perfect introduction to Lao culture.

  • After dinner, transfer to your hotel for check-in and overnight stay.

Day 2: Vientiane → Luang Prabang: High-Speed Journey & Waterfall Wonders

• Meals: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D)

• Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

• Activities:

  • Early Morning (approx. 06:00 AM): Check out from your hotel and be picked up for your transfer to the High-Speed Train station.

  • Embark on a comfortable high-speed train journey to Luang Prabang (approximately 2.5 hours), enjoying the scenic views as you travel north.

  • Mid-day: Upon arrival at Luang Prabang Train Station, you will transfer for lunch at a local restaurant.

  • Afternoon: After lunch, you'll have the opportunity to visit a local village of ethnic minority groups at Ban Ouay, known for its traditional handicrafts, offering insights into local artistry.

  • Continue to the picturesque and beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall, nestled in a lush tropical forest. This is the biggest waterfall in the Luang Prabang area, featuring three tiers leading to a 50-meter drop into spectacular azure pools before flowing downstream. The pools also have smaller cascades up to 5 meters high, perfect for a refreshing swim and family fun.

  • Late Afternoon: Return to Luang Prabang town.

  • Evening: Visit the vibrant Luang Prabang Night Market, where you can browse local handicrafts and experience the lively atmosphere. Overnight in Luang Prabang.

Day 3: Luang Prabang: Heritage City & Mekong Mysticism

• Meals: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D)

• Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

• Activities:

  • Optional Early Morning: At dawn, you may wish to start the day early to join the locals in the revered morning alms giving ceremony (Tak Bat). Monks from various monasteries walk through the streets, silently collecting alms of sticky rice. This tradition is unique to Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving these peaceful rituals.

  • Morning: Continue to the local Phousi Market where you'll find an array of local items such as dried buffalo skin, various local teas, fresh produce, and colorful hill-tribe weavings.

  • Next, visit the Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts from Laos's royal history.

  • Explore Wat Kili and the magnificent Wat Xieng Thong, with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, beautifully representing classical Laotian architecture.

  • Mid-day: Enjoy a scenic cruise upstream on the Mekong River, offering breathtaking views of the tranquil countryside.

  • Afternoon: Reach the mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked limestone caves crammed with thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes, left by devoted pilgrims over centuries.

  • En route back, stop at the village of Ban Ting Keoi and Ban Xanghai, known for its local rice wine production.

  • Take a short drive to Ban Phanom, a village renowned for its intricate hand-weaving, and then visit Ban Xangkhong and Ban Xienglek, small villages famous for their silk weaving and traditional Saa paper making processes.

Day 4: Luang Prabang → Vang Vieng: Scenic Train & Cave Adventures

• Meals: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D)

• Accommodation: Hotel in Vang Vieng

• Activities:

  • Morning: After breakfast, transfer to the train station to take a comfortable train to Vang Vieng (approximately 1 hour), enjoying more of Laos's beautiful landscapes.

  • Mid-day: Upon arrival in Vang Vieng, you will transfer for lunch.

  • Afternoon: Begin your Vang Vieng exploration with a visit to the famous Tham Jang Cave, historically used by local people as a refuge from Chinese invaders 200 years ago.

  • From there, drive further to Tham Nangfa or Angel Cave, which is filled with huge limestone formations and spectacular stalactites in various unique shapes, offering a fascinating visual experience for the family.

  • You'll have ample time to visit Blue Lagoon, a popular and great spot to relax, swim in its clear aquamarine waters, and cool off before transferring back to Vang Vieng town for overnight stay.

Day 5: Vang Vieng → Vientiane: Market Discoveries & Healing Stories

• Meals: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D)

• Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane

• Activities:

  • Morning: Early morning, begin your scenic drive out of Vang Vieng towards the charming capital city, Vientiane. Vientiane is known for its exotic imagery and a curious mix of Lao, Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, and French influences.

  • En route, you will make a short stop at the bustling H'Mong market at Km52, offering a glimpse into local ethnic minority trade and daily life.

  • Mid-day: After the market, drive approximately 45 minutes to Buddha Park, also known as Xieng Khuan. This unusual open-air park is filled with over 200 whimsical Buddhist and Hindu statues, offering a fun and quirky exploration for the whole family. You can see skeleton-thin Buddhas, a giant pumpkin with a demon head (which you can enter!), and a gigantic 40-meter-long reclining Buddha.

  • Afternoon: Returning to town, visit COPE (Cooperative Orthotic and Prosthetic Enterprise), a non-profit association dedicated to helping landmine victims in Laos. A visit to the center provides in-depth information about the history of the American/Vietnam war, the lasting impact of unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the area, and the ongoing efforts to clear them and provide support to those affected – a powerful and educational experience.

  • Overnight in Vientiane.

Day 6: Vientiane → Xieng Khouang: Capital Sights & Flight to Ancient Lands

• Meals: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D)

• Accommodation: Hotel in Xieng Khouang

• Activities:

  • Morning: Begin your Vientiane city tour by visiting the major sights of the capital. This includes Wat Sisaket, the oldest surviving temple with thousands of miniature Buddha statues, and the former royal temple of Wat Prakeo, which previously housed the famous Emerald Buddha Image.

  • En route to Laos’ national icon, the precious and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa, you will have the opportunity to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, famously known as Vientiane’s own Arc de Triomphe, from which you can enjoy panoramic city views.

  • Afternoon: Transfer to the airport to take your domestic flight to Xieng Khouang (Flight QV401 VTE XKH, typically 13:50 - 14:25, operating on Mon, Wed, Fri & Sun).

  • Upon arrival in Xieng Khouang, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in and overnight stay.

Day 7: Xieng Khouang → Vientiane: Plain of Jars & Return Flight

• Meals: Breakfast (B), Lunch (L), Dinner (D)

• Accommodation: Hotel in Vientiane

• Activities:

  • Morning: Enjoy a fascinating half-day trip to Muang Khoun, the old provincial capital that, remarkably, was not destroyed by the American bombings during the secret war. Muang Khoun is home to a unique sitting giant Buddha and several old pagodas that lie in ruins, offering a glimpse into ancient spiritual architecture. The foundation and columns of Wat Pia Wat are still standing, and nearby, there's an old 30-meter stupa constructed in the Lan Xang/Lanna period.

  • Afterward, drive back towards town to visit the legendary “Plain of Jars,” an impressive archaeological site where hundreds of massive stone jars are scattered across a plateau. These huge jars are supposedly over 2,000 years old, but their original purpose remains largely a mystery, intriguing historians and visitors alike.

  • You'll have time to explore Plain of Jars Site 1, the most accessible area, and visit some nearby villages populated by the Hmong hill tribe and Tai Dam people. These communities, though often modest, possess a vibrant local culture and an interesting history.

  • Afternoon: Transfer to the airport to take your domestic flight back to Vientiane, the capital city of Laos (Flight QV402 XKH VTE, typically 15:05 - 15:40, operating on Mon, Wed, Fri & Sun).

  • Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for overnight stay in Vientiane.

Day 8: Vientiane: Departure

• Meals: Breakfast (B)

• Accommodation: None (Departure Day)

• Activities:

  • After breakfast at your hotel, enjoy some leisure time in Vientiane for any last-minute souvenir shopping or to simply relax before your departure.

  • At the appropriate time, you will be transferred to Vientiane Wattay International Airport (VTE) for your onward flight back home, carrying with you wonderful memories of your family vacation in Laos.

Important Notes