Wonderful Laos Family Retreat 10 Days

Wake up as the sun rises, and we will prepare to join the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning almsgiving, which dates back to the 14th century. More than 200 Buddhist monks depart from various temples to gather their daily meals 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 vegetables to fish or chicken. 

After breakfast, we visit the 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 can also see Asiatic bears up close at the Bear Rescue Centre along the jungle walk to the waterfall.

On the way back to the city center, you can visit the Buffalo Dairy Farm on the way to Kuang Si waterfalls, which offer an enjoyable 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 hill tribe people surrounding Luang Prabang.

Overnight in Luang Prabang

Tip: 

+ If you are fond of various ethnic cultures, you can visit the Traditional Art and Ethnology Center (closed on Monday).

+ For the dinner, we recommend White Lotus Restaurant with the colorful Ethnic Fashion Show. This is a good chance to learn about the various ethnic customs in Laos.

+ Guide & Driver

+ Meal: Breakfast

+ Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

+ Pick-up: 05:30-06:30 AM depending on seasons

After departing at 8:30 AM from your hotel, transfer to Nahm Dong Park, which is located in Ban Xiengmouk, 10 km from the city center.

When arriving at the park, we will have a short welcome from the park manager before joining the morning activities here.

First, we will join the cooking class, by which you can discover 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 ingredients.

The course is a minimum of 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 waterfall, admiring the fantastic evergreen scenery. The zipline will take about one hour.

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

You can either spend the rest of the afternoon strolling 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

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

+ Driver & Guide

+ Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

+ Accommodation: Hillside Nature Resort

+ Pick-up: 08:30 AM

Note: Car & Guide from Nahm Dong Park

You are free to stroll around the resort for your 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 details.

Overnight at Hillside Resort

+ NO Guide & NO Driver

+ Meal: Breakfast

+ Accommodation: Hillside Nature Resort

+ Pick-up: 08:30 AM

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

Marvel at the thousands of gold Buddha statues that devotees have placed in sacred Pak Ou caves. Most people fail to marvel at Pak Ou's towering limestone cliff.

Continue upriver, and you will 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 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.

+ Guide & Driver

+ Meal: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

+ Accommodation: Kamu Lodge

+ Pick-up: 0707:15 AMNote: Joined boat Kamu Lodge with a private escorting guide

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 3 PM, where we will hop on the minivan to transfer directly to Nong Khiaw.

When arriving in Nong Khiaw just in time to catch the sunset, check in at your hotel in town.

Overnight in Nong Khiaw.

+ Guide & Driver

+ Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

+ Accommodation: Hotel in Nong Khiaw

+ Pick-up: 12:30 PM

We begin at 8 AM and start by boarding a local Longboat 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, on a weekday, visit the local school to see the charming children as they take part in their classes.

After this, we continue onwards to Tad Mork, which is located close to the ethnic Khmu village of Ban Sop Kong, an hour's trek from the river. At the waterfall, we will 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 fantastic scenery! This small town has long been famous amongst backpackers yet remains truly unspoiled! If there is time, we can stop for a drink at one of the riverside restaurants before returning 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.

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

+ Driver & Guide

+ Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

+ Accommodation: Hotel in Nong Khiaw

+ Pick-up: 08:30 AM

After breakfast, we will transfer by car to Ban Muang Soune, which is located about 70 km 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 town to see the life of local people. We will then visit the house of the chief of the village and talk with him about the living conditions, the history, and anything about the town.

Lunch will then be served at the host family's house.

In the afternoon, you can choose to either relax or 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 walking 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 nature, admiring the starry sky before going to bed.

+ Driver & Guide

+ Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

+ Accommodation: Muang Soune Homestay

+ Pick-up: 08:30 AM

Wake up early, and 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 fishing by the stunning Nam Ou River, experiencing traditional fishing techniques. You will also take a boat trip exploring the surrounding areas.

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

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

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

In the 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. 

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

Overnight in Luang Prabang.

+ Accommodation: Hotel in Luang Prabang

+ Pick-up: 08:30 AM

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

Tip: we recommend joining a morning Yoga class at Luang Prabang Yoga, which will take about 1 hour starting at 07:30 AM at Utopia Bar & Restaurant before returning to your hotel for breakfast. The class fee is KIP40,000/person (payable on the 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.

+ Guide & Driver

+ Meal: Breakfast

+ Accommodation: None

+ Pick-up: 2.5 hours before departure flight