jenmatt

Hi,
I am planning a trip to laos in December this year and was wondering how long was needed in some of the destinations. We are travelling as a family (mum & dad in our 50's, kids 18 & 20). At the moment I have planned 5 days in Luang Prabang seeing Kuang Si waterfall, elephant village & Tad sae waterfall,a cooking & weaving course and it goes without saying, time in LPQ itself.
Then a trek to Nong Khiaw and back to LPQ along the Nam Ou and Mekong rivers via Pak Ou caves. Before we head off to Xieng Khuang province and the south.
Does this sound like enough time or too much in Luang Prabang?

rhkkmk

3-7 days in LP is perfect.....don't pack too much into each day as there is so much to be said for just wandering around the town and enjoying it for what it is....

picking a well located hotel is quite important and its not too early to do that right now..

Kathie

I think it's about right. We spent a week, but we love to soak up the atmosphere.

Hanuman

December is perfect for LP, a bit cold at night but nice and warm during the day.

Smeagol

Totally agree with the above, just having time to wonder and not rush is perfect in LP

crellston

5 days is just about perfect but make sure you don't try to pack too much in as it really is the sort of place where it is great just to chill out and sit and watch the world go by. As Hanuman says it does get chilly at night and the early morning so take a fleece. The early morning is a great time for photography as the town often gets misty and it is very atmospheric.

jenmatt

Thanks it's great to have the reassurance.
Have you some suggestions for a well located hotel. We don't need top end, just clean and comfortable.
Is the elephant village worth going to visit if we don't intend to ride the elephants (my daughter spent time in Thailand at the Elephant Nature Park and was educated on the cruelty to elephants during their training - so no elephant riding). Is it worth staying the night at the Elephant Lodge or return to LP?

Vientianeboy

5 days is tons; actually too much for me. 2 days are needed in Phonasavahn - three if you count travelling times. And what about Vientiane? At least 2 days are needed there. Days will be pleasant and the nights cool. They will be cold in Xieng Khouan, where it can actually get below zero at night on rare occasions.
A guesthouse I like in LP is Villa Riverside Nam Khan. This is on the Nam Khan side, so quieter and more epaceful. Should you want something a bit more luxurious, I would suggest the Riverview, also on the Nam Khan side.

jenmatt

Thanks, Vientianeboy, yes we are thinking about 2 nights in Xieng Khuang, then 2 in Vientiane then fly down to Pakse with a night each at Tadlow and Tad Fane and finish with 2 days on Khong Island.
Has anyone trekked from Tadlo to Tad Fane or is it better to use transport between each centre?

crellston

jenmatt- http://www.travelfish.org/country/laos has some good info on Laos and the places you intend visiting. Also a link to our blog with some photos of laos - entry 9 covers our time on Don Khong. Don Khong is the quietr of the 3 main places to stay in Si Phan Don the others being Don Dhet which is now a backpackers party type island and Don Khone which has a lot of activities available. Don Khong is a great place to chill out and I highly recommend renting a bike and cycling around the island. The morning market is also worth a visit for some local colour.

We visited Tad Lo over New Year about 10 years go and had a great time (although I dare say it has become a little busier now. Tad lo and the bolavens plateau is a very scenic part of Laos and we did some great treks out of TL both on foot and by elephant. A great place to buy Lao tea and coffee direct from the farmers. I don't recall visiting Tad Fane but my guess is that you would be better getting transport between the to places and trekking out of each place rather than treking between the two. .