Rural Indochina Family Adventure
Bespoke Holiday Itinerary / Experience Tour

This holiday is a wonderful opportunity for adventurous families to get under the skin of Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. The holiday takes in a few of the famous landmarks but the primary focus is on the countryside which you’ll explore with ease by bike, kayak, quad bike and even Vespa!  See the well-known highlights and what lies beyond as you cycle through hidden jungles, raft past dramatic river gorges and get an authentic taste of the local lifestyle from a range of perspectives.

Highlights include

• Immersing yourself in rural Cambodian village life and the Khmer lifestyle at Bong Thom Homestay
• Marvelling at the dramatic riverine scenery and feeling the adrenaline as you kayak past jungles and caves in the remote Laos countryside
• Discovering what makes Luang Prabang tick whilst playing petanque with the residents or exploring the markets with a local chef
• Soaking up the atmosphere of Angkor Wat before sunrise; an early start for a magical experience
• Nipping along the narrow backroads of Hoi An, passing school children and farmers as you get a feel for rural Vietnamese life
• Carefully selected accommodation whether in town or on the beach, to ensure both comfort and a great location

As with all of our suggested itineraries, we can change this holiday to suit your budget, style and expectations. Find out about our exclusive ‘Journey Planner’ here.

Your personalised quotation with Experience Travel Group will include:

• International Flights (which can be omitted from your quotation if you prefer)
• Accommodation as described
• Privately guided tours and transfers
• Original Experience Travel Group "Signature" experiences
• Full financial protection (full ABTA and ATOL bonding)
• Meals as described
• 24 hour in-country backup whilst away
• Your own dedicated travel expert in the UK

For more on our pricing policy read here.

Day 1 Depart the UK

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to the Laos capital, Vientiane.

Day 2 & 3 Vientiane     Explore the sleepy capital

Upon arrival your guide and driver will meet you for the transfer to your hotel in Laos' sleepy capital. Spend the first evening visiting a local restaurant or relaxing in your hotel.

A fascinating half day tour takes you on an exploration of the city with its juxtaposition of faded colonial buildings and intricate golden stupas.

Day 4 & 5  Vang Vieng   Kayaking and picnics 

Travelling along picturesque backroads and stopping to explore villages and lakes en route,  your guide and driver will transport you to Vang Vieng. On arrival there should be time to visit the Tham Jang Cave, and to savour the views out across the Nam Song River and the surrounding karst countryside. The scenery is startlingly beautiful and there are some great activities to be enjoyed locally, from trekking and mountain biking to rock climbing.    

 Enjoy a fun adventure through the landscapes along the Nam Song River with a full day kayaking trip that includes jungles and caves, organic farms, a Lao style picnic and spectacular natural scenery. You’ll receive full instruction and safety equipment and travel in the company of expert river guides.

Days 6 - 8 Luang Prabang   town surrounded by nature

The journey from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang includes mountain photo stops and an option to visit a forest market, offering edible rats, snakes and other assorted reptiles!  

The city of Luang Prabang is a cluster of villages wrapped around the confluence of the Nam Khan and Mekong River. The town's well-preserved architecture and the surrounding green mountains and jungle forest make for a beautiful place to explore and to enjoy a range of adventures. You’ll have a chance to take in the area on a guided bicycle tour and get to grips with local life through activities as a diverse as a cooking class and market visit with a chef to a game of the popular local sport Petanque with your guide and his friends.

Days 9- 11 Siem Reap   Angkor Temple Adventures

It's a short flight to Siem Reap where you’ll begin your next adventure, exploring the magnificent sprawling Angkor temples. We tailor our family tours here very carefully to ensure you experience the temples at their best and learn a little whilst having heaps of fun.  Activities include a leisurely bike ride to jungle-clad Ta Prohm which continues on to intricate Angkor Thom - the flat trails make this a great temple to explore by bike.  An early start is best for Angkor Wat; if you arrive before sunrise you’ll beat the crowds and experience a truly fairytale-like moonlit scene.

You’ll also have the opportunity to experience a thrilling 12km quad bike ride through the countryside to catch a beautiful sunset across the rice fields. In the company of local guides, you’ll ride specially designed off-road vehicles through the villages and farmland around the city, on an unforgettable and fun adventure into the heart of the rural countryside.

Days 12 & 13 Bong Thom Homestay (nr Siem Reap)

It's a short road journey out of town to Bongthom Homestay - three traditional Khmer houses in a nearby farming village. Facilities are basic but this is a  fantastic place to spend a couple of days getting an authentic flavour of rural Cambodian life. You can visit the local village, school and pagoda, take an ox-cart ride to the palm sugar plantations, learn how to make lotus flower garlands and cook some delicious Khmer food.

Days 14- 18 Hoi An    Beaches and Local Life

It's a short direct flight from Siem Reap to Hoi An (Danang airport) in Vietnam. Here your guide and driver will transfer you along the coast to your beach hotel villa where you’ll stay for the next 5 nights - plenty of time is allocated for beach fun and the resort has an expansive swimming pool too.

During your stay there will be a chance to explore Hoi An itself, an old town whose streets are lined with hanging lanterns and a maze of shops, art galleries, restaurants and tailors. Activities include trips into the stunning countryside by Vespa and by bicycle. Meander along the narrow roads into quiet villages and beside waterways, learn how the villagers net fish and paddle a traditional bamboo basket boat along palm-fringed waterways.

Day 19 Fly Home

Depart Hoi An for your overnight flight back to the UK