4 Days | 3 Nights Luang Prabang Family Explorer
Laos is made for family vacations with its temples, parks, museums, palaces, waterfalls and adventure around every corner.
WHY THIS TOUR?
Laos is made for family vacations with its temples, parks, museums, palaces, waterfalls and adventure around every corner. Asian Trails Laos’ 4-day Family Explorer is centred around the ancient town of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The programme includes visits to the three-tier Kuang Si Waterfalls, Asian Bears Rescue Centre and Nahm Dong Park for zip-lining and climbing – activities suitable for all. Luang Prabang’s collection of restaurants also offers suitable dining options for even the youngest traveller.
Above all, it is the hospitable, friendly Laotian people who make travel with children such a treat in this country.
TRAIL ITINERARY
Day 1
ARRIVAL LUANG PRABANG – LUANG PRABANG [-/-/D]
Arrival by your confirmed flight to Luang Prabang International Airport, followed by a private transfer from the airport to your booked accommodation by air-conditioned vehicle. Located 4 kilometres north-east of Luang Prabang, the transfer will take approximately 15 minutes to reach your accommodation in town.
Luang Prabang is an ancient kingdom of former Laotian kings, a stately royal palace and abundant glittering temples – reasons it was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Status in 1995. Situated in a deep valley alongside the meandering Mekong and with a dramatic mountain backdrop, this is the country’s leading tourism draw.
No lunch included
Depending on your arrival, the remainder of the day is completely at leisure.
Dinner and overnight in Luang Prabang
Day 2
LUANG PRABANG [B/L/-]
Breakfast is included at your hotel for the whole family
After breakfast, you are welcomed by your guide and driver for the morning before heading out into the countryside. The buffalo is a common sight in rural Laos, and two families have set up a project in Luang Prabang – Laos Buffalo Diary – around this trustworthy animal. The country’s first social enterprise of its kind, the concept is to create awareness of the buffalo’s multifunctional roles, from providing milk to ploughing the fields. Visits to this both educational as well as fun-filled morning do not only keep the kids smiling from ear to ear; this project to help the local communities support the buffalo population. Revenue generated also help fund local and regional workshops on animal care, organic ways to produce feed and milking methods, as well as improve children’s nutrition in rural villages.
After saying goodbye to the buffalos and the hosting family, we head towards the Kuang Si Waterfalls. Before reaching this natural phenomenon of natural splendour, lunch will be served at a local restaurant called Carpe Diem
The Kuang Si Waterfalls are the beautiful sight where you can hike, swim and soak up the beauty of surrounding area. The waterfall is the biggest in the Luang Prabang area with three tiers leading to a 50-metre drop into spectacular azure pools before flowing downstream. The falls begin in shallow pools atop a steep hillside which lead to the main fall with a three-tiered cascade. The water collects in numerous turquoise blue pools as it flows downstream. The many cascades that result are typical of travertine waterfalls with beautiful scenery; an abundance of flora and fauna surrounds the area.
Although pristine and lush as it was decades ago, the forests and mountains surrounding Luang Prabang are under constant pressure. Wildlife, and in particular the bear population in Laos, are under the careful watch of the country’s leading research and preservation centre, located near the Kuang Si Waterfalls. A visit the Asian Bears Rescue Centre is an educational visit where all members of the family are shown how local experts and volunteers take their expertise (and passion for the bear population) and translate this into conservation work. The day ends with a transfer back to your booked accommodation in Luang Prabang. Still energy left? Then the resort’s swimming pool or wandering around town may just be the remedy!
No dinner is included on this day, on own arrangement
Overnight at your booked accommodation in Luang Prabang
Day 3
LUANG PRABANG [B/L/-]
Breakfast is included at your hotel for the whole family
No trip in Laos is complete without trying out some of the local transportation and what else than the ubiquitous Laotian tuk tuk to start off your morning exploration of Luang Prabang. Your children will love it from beginning until the very end!
We start the morning with a visit to the country’s national museum. The former Royal Palace, which was constructed from 1904 to 1909 during the reign of King Sisavangvong, has now been converted into the National Museum. A collection of personal artefacts belonging to the former Royal Family, historical photographs, musical instruments and gifts to the nation from foreign countries are on display. After this visit, we enter the compounds of one Luang Prabang’s most famous temples – the Wat Xieng Thong is the crowning jewel in the town’s collection of temples. Built in the 16th century by King Saysethathirath, it is the last temple to be constructed before the capital moved to Vientiane. The temple is located close to the meeting point of Mekong River and Nam Khan River. It was used to organize the highest royal ceremony and houses the funeral vehicle of the former King.
At the end of the morning, we head over to Luang Prabang’s Discovery Centre. An interactive playground for young and old, this Swiss-managed initiative aims to educate in an entertaining and interactive way the challenges Mother Earth is facing on a daily basis and how it all works on earth. Dedicated to awaken the curious minds with interactive panels and displays, it is here in Laos where people can learn more about science, conservation and biology in an understandable way.
Lunch is included at a local restaurant
After lunch, we head out for an afternoon of zip-lining and climbing. Nahm Dong Park, about 10 kilometres from the Laotian city of Luang Prabang, is 12 hectares of lush greenery, diverse flora and fauna, stunning waterfalls, breath-taking valley views and many places to relax. The park is the perfect place for eco-tourism related events with nature as its setting. Depending on the participant’s age, the whole family is in for an afternoon of enjoying nature through many activities. The park has an unblemished safety record on climbing and zip-lining activities for young and old.
At the end of the day, we make our way back to Luang Prabang where you will be dropped off at your booked accommodation.
Day 4
LUANG PRABANG – DEPARTURE [B/L/-]
Breakfast is included at your hotel for the whole family
Matching breakfast with your scheduled departure time from your Luang Prabang hotel to our next destination will be something worth considering on the final day of this family adventure package. Following the hotel’s check-out times and conditions, our guide and driver will be waiting for you at the resort to bring you in comfort back to Luang Prabang International Airport.