Family Travel

For family vacations, Remote Lands organizes insider access to remote communities, cultural events, ceremonies and much more, providing family holidays that are unique, profound, and unlike anything most people have ever experienced. Travelers are introduced to the traditions and customs of Asian families as they are welcomed into private homes, schools and small businesses. They witness first-hand everyday Asian life, work, educational, cultural and social activities, with the kids taking part in sports and games, while the parents learn about the adults' livelihoods and household duties. This cultural immersion provides families with an inside view of the world's largest and most diverse continent, and a much deeper understanding of Asian people.

Elephant Camps in Laos and Thailand

Ten miles outside of Luang Prabang, Laos's former capital, is an Elephant Camp where elephants freed from the brutal work of logging timber are brought to live out their days in a happy, safe and loving environment. Participants assist mahouts, or elephant minders, in bathing and feeding the magnificent animals, including the camp's adorable baby elephants. Guests have the opportunity to ride the elephants through the jungle, passing the picturesque Tad Sae waterfall before joining the animals for a refreshing swim in the Nam Khan River.

At the Anantara Resort in Chiang Rai, Thailand, there is a similar Elephant Camp — the Thai Elephant Conservation Center (TECC). The Center was set up under the auspices of the royal family and Thai government, and brings city elephants back to their rightful home in the jungle, where they are properly cared for.

Balinese Kite Making

Clients of Remote Lands are invited to the palace of the Prince of Bali, where they join him and his family in building and flying traditional Balinese kites. A picnic is arranged on the lawns of the palace, where families participate in a kite-blessing ceremony, followed by a visit to the nearby beach to test their kites in the warm sea breeze.

Bhutan Remote Village Visit

Guests are invited to one of Asia's remote farming villages, where they are welcomed by a traditional Chipdrel marching procession with flags. The Bhutanese children are happy to play host, guiding visitors through the village and introducing them to their school activities, games and sports. Adults chat with their Bhutanese counterparts, who demonstrate their cooking techniques and their other household duties. The visit culminates in a traditional, home-cooked lunch of red rice, momo dumplings, cheese with chili and curried yak meat.

Bali Orphanage Visit

Visit the Franciscan Orphanage at Tuka Dalung in Bali, where children are paired with Indonesian children for a firsthand learning experience inside the orphanage. The Balinese children demonstrate their culture and involve their counterparts in their daily customs, with traditional music, sports and games. A lunch of nasi goreng fried rice, bakso beef soup, vegetables and chicken satay is served in the dining room.

Borneo Orangutans

Visit the Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary in Sarawak in northern Malaysia, and the nearby Probiscis Monkey Sanctuary, where orphaned and abandoned orangutans are raised before being reintegrated into the wild. In both places the guests can see the animals up-close, but still in a natural habitat.

Cambodian Floating Village Visit

Tonle Sap, Asia's largest lake, where houses, shops, schools, churches, temples, farms and gardens literally float on the water's surface, is the site of this cultural journey. Clients cruise on their own private wooden boat around the lake, visiting fascinating villages, temples and shops, and enjoy a traditional Khmer lunch with a local family in their floating home.

All travel is bespoke and completely personalized. Please read about how we work, and contact us for a complimentary consultation so we can create the perfect experience for your own highly discerning needs and desires.