Family Learning Adventures
and Bevin Clare presents:
Mekong
River Kingdoms
NOW FULL
Late January 2027
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Join a group of families on an adventure learning about the Mekong River Kingdoms as we travel from Northern Thailand along the Mekong to Laos, and then down to the ancient kingdom of Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
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Once you visit Southeast Asia for the first time, you will long to return again and again. The landscape, the people, the food, the history, the safety, and affordability – all come together to make one of the best places in the world to travel.From Thailand to Laos to Cambodia, this trip is designed to be a fun adventure with a focus on learning. Families travel and stay together and have daily adventures (as well as free time). The cost includes all comfortable lodging, breakfast, a 2-day river cruise on the Mekong, all transportation on the trip, and core activities daily. You and your family can just enjoy without all of the stress of planning and with the gift of community.Our extensive experience traveling in the region and love of learning and community mean a safe, comfortable, super fun trip!
Our 14-day Itinerary
Late January 2027Day 1-2: Bangkok, Thailand
Day 3-5: Chiang Rai, Thailand
Day 6-7: Mekong River Cruise
Day 7-9:Luang Prabang, Laos
Day 10-12: Siem Reap, Cambodia
Day 13: Bangkok
Day 14: Departure
Highlights
Visiting the countries of Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia as a group of families
Exploring the colorful and playful historic and modern temples of northern Thailand
A two-day riverboat trip down the Mekong from Thailand to Laos, where we will see traditional Hmong villages and river life in the wilderness on the riverside and spend the night high above the Mekong at a luxury hotel.
Explore the UNESCO city of Luang Prabang in Laos, with its hundreds of temples, monks, markets, and beautiful architecture.
Travel to Siem Reap, Cambodia, to learn about the impact of landmines on the people and culture of the region.
Visit the stunning temple complex of Angkor Wat, a magical collection of temples and experiences in the jungle, all with your private tuk-tuk drivers. A guide will also be provided on one of the days we visit.
Meet other families who value travel, education, play, and experience the world together to create community.
A relaxed flow towards the end of the day and evening, where you can chill or get out and about to see some optional sights.
Inclusions and Logistics
Included Before the Adventure
Facebook group (private) for travel logistics and community building
Reading and video materials suggested ahead of time (optional)
With sufficient interest, optional book club for teens / tweens /parents
WhatsApp community during the trip for logistics and community
Included during the Adventure
Summary: transportation once you are in Bangkok, all activities on the itinerary, lodging, breakfast, and visas.
Transportation: All transportation other than your travel to Bangkok and return from Bangkok. This means you will have someone meeting you at the Bangkok airport and will have transportation arranged for the rest of the time you are on the trip, including domestic flights in Thailand and international flights between Laos and Cambodia, and then Cambodia to Bangkok.
Cruise:A 2-day riverboat cruise on a comfortable longboat down the Mekong River. This riverboat includes a variety of stops and excursions to caves, a handicraft village, a traditional Hmong village, an overnight stop at a gorgeous riverside hotel to enjoy the area, and lunches both days. We loved this boat ride and can’t wait to go back!
Local transportIn each location, we will be walking on foot or will have private transportation arranged in vans or buses. In Cambodia, we will be using the local tuk-tuks to get around the city and ruins.
All lodging: (see below), including daily breakfast.
Activities: The admission cost for all of the activities listed on the itinerary, unless they are specified as “optional”. This includes admission to Angkor Wat.
Guide A private guide for one of our days at Angkor Wat.
Visas: Your visas and visa costs for Laos and Cambodia, including the application process for them (most passports do not need a visa for Thailand).
Communication:Clear, detailed plans for each day, adapted as needed and shared by WhatsApp along with a community chat so we can stay in touch.
What's not included
Flights: You’ll need to get to Bangkok and home from Bangkok. Once there, the 3 flights above are included.
Meals: All of your meals, snacks, and drinks other than breakfast.
Extended Hotel Nights:Any extra hotel nights before or after the trip
Extra Baggage:Checked luggage on the flights above 1 carry-on bag per person (usually about $35 for a checked larger bag if it isn’t already included).
Tips/gratuities: for your tuk-tuk drivers in Cambodia
Shopping and souvenirs
Other Activities: Activities that aren’t on the itinerary – this is especially relevant for nighttime activities, which are usually not planned to give families flexibility. Massages or wellness treatments, which are totally worth it in this part of the world if it’s your thing – but would be at your own cost.
Travel insurance: which is highly recommended. We use Allianz annual family policies, but they have single-trip policies as well, and there are many companies out there you can compare.
Visa exceptions: If you do not have a passport (such as a US, Canadian, or European) that is eligible for eVisas or visa waivers, please reach out to me to discuss any visa fees you will be responsible for above what is included.
Lodging and Transportation
I love looking for the perfect spot! Balancing atmosphere, comfort, and sense of place.
Lodging will be comfortable, mid-range (sometimes luxury!) hotels and guesthouses. When possible, we will book in walkable areas and book with locally owned and operated businesses.
Breakfast will be provided, and there will be options for vegetarians and vegans and those who are gluten-free. Breakfast in Asia is often delicious!
Rooms will have private bathrooms, AC, wifi, and will have a bed (sharing for those preferring) for each person on your itinerary (a rollaway may be provided a third adult or child at times).
Efforts will be made to meet your needs for family rooms, two adjoining rooms, etc.
The specific lodging choices will depend on our group size and composition. I'll let you know ahead of time our plan.
TransportationTransportation, other than your travel to and from Bangkok, is included in the cost of the trip. This will typically be private vans or buses with air conditioning and professional drivers. Your flights between Bangkok and Chiang Rai (domestic Thailand), Luang Prabang and Siem Reap (international), and Siem Reap to Bangkok (international) are all included as part of this trip. The airlines are chosen for their safety and professionalism and meet international aviation standards.
Pricing and costs
Children 12 years and up are considered adults for lodging.There is a $200 discount per family if you pay by cash or a payment app with no fees (Venmo, PayPal friends and family, Zelle, personal check, etc).If you bring along family on the trip, you will also receive a $100 gift on the trip, which you can use for shopping, dining, or experiences.The costs below are PER FAMILY with children 12 years old and up counting as adults for pricing.A "double bed" often is a king bed in most places we will stay.If you have 5 or more people in your family, please contact me for pricing.A $500 deposit per family will hold your spot, with the balance due on or before 180 days of the start date. You can see more details in the Policies below.***EARLY BIRD registration is on or before April 1, 2026.***
This chart is best viewed on a desktop, for an image of the whole chart click on the link below the chart
| Adults / Children | Room Configuration | EARLY BIRD per FAMILY | Regular PER FAMILY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2A | One room with one double bed / two twins | $7300 | $7450 |
| 1A 1C | One room with one double bed / two twins | $7100 | $7250 |
| 3A | One room with 1 double + 1 twin | $10350 | $10550 |
| 2A & 1C | One room with 1 double + 1 twin | $10150 | $10350 |
| 1A 2C | One room with 1 double + 1 twin | $9950 | $10150 |
| 4A | Two rooms with one double / two twins | $14200 | $14400 |
| 3A 1C | Two rooms with one double / two twins | $14000 | $14200 |
| 2A 2C | Two rooms with one double / two twins | $13800 | $14000 |
| 1A 3C | Two rooms with one double / two twins | $13600 | $13800 |
| 5+ people please contact me for pricing |
Policies and Cancellations
To hold your family’s spot on the trip:You’ll need to make a $500 deposit to hold your family’s spot. This deposit is fully refundable until 180 days before the start of the trip. At that time. I’ll be making deposits and firming up some of our arrangements, so the deposit will become non-refundable if you need to cancel after that date.180 days before a final decision will be made if the trip is running
This is so you can purchase your plane tickets and make other non-refundable expenses on your end, and be sure the trip is running. If I meet the confirmed minimum before then, I will let you know. I'd also like to confirm earlier!180 days before full payment is due
180 days before the trip, your full balance is due for the trip. If you would like to break it into payments (preferably started before the 180 days) or make another arrangement, please reach out to me. I’ll be as flexible as I can while I make deposits on your behalf, buy plane tickets and visas for your family, and incur other non-refundable costs.If you need to cancel
I will be purchasing flights, the boat cruise, and other non-refundable elements at 180 days, so there will be significant time and money spent on your behalf. There will be a non-refundable fee of up to $1000 per person after 160 days before the trip if you need to cancel. I will do my best to make this fee as low as possible in serious circumstances.If I need to cancel.
In the extremely unlikely event that I need to cancel, I will refund you your full amount.
Your Hosts
We are Bevin, Alexander (16), and Cassia (13) and we love exploring the world and learning about the present and past. We have traveled to over 100 countries around the globe, and are here to help you navigate Asia to get the most pleasure and learning out of your visit. I have also coordinated and led many trips, overnight educational experiences, and a Worldschool Pop-up Hub. I know it can be a lot to trust someone, so if you would like references, I'd be more than happy to provide them!We have been to this part of the world many times, most recently in January 2025. My first trip to the area was in 1998 and the kids went first when they were toddlers!Our job is covering the planning and logistics so you can enjoy and learn.
Next Steps
FAQs
What age is this trip best for?
For families with kids, this trip is recommended and designed for ages 8+, but younger siblings are welcome. The target age group is 10-17, and my own children are 13 and 16. If you have questions about the age of your kiddo(s) and who is coming on the trip, just let me know.How does food work, and what are the expected costs?
A hearty breakfast will be provided each day, included in the trip. Beyond that, you will typically have a variety of meal options when it’s time to eat. Street food and food stalls, which are often hygienic and tasty, such as simple bowls of noodles or rice with meat/veg, are usually a few dollars or less. Restaurants at hotels will usually be about $5-$10 per person, depending on what you are ordering. A wide variety of drinks can be found, such as smoothies and juices, for $1-$2. Alcohol is relatively inexpensive in the region and can be found widely. There are also fine dining opportunities, and food delivery on apps can be very cheap (we do this often after a long day!) in some places.On an average day, we will take breakfast at our hotel when families want before our departure time for activities. Lunch will be when we are out and about, and everyone can decide their needs at the time, unless we are on the road, and we will all go to the same spot, which will be chosen to suit the group. Dinner, you and your family can join others, go out yourself, or order in. We know we all need breaks at times, so I try to keep it as flexible as possible.What’s the daily flow like?
Usually, we will meet after breakfast, sometime between 9 am and 10 am to begin our activities. I’ll have sent you a list of what we are doing for the day, along with times if they are fixed, and we will adjust as needed. We will have a pause or break for lunch and afternoon activities. I always allow plenty of time for play or a diversion as the group needs. Usually, we will wrap up the day by 4 pm or 5pm, so there is time to swim, relax, do schoolwork, read a book, or go out and see some things that aren’t on the itinerary. Evenings are as you wish, with many families choosing to connect for activities and others needing some downtime.I have dietary needs – how will this work?
This part of the world is pretty easy to navigate for dietary needs. Vegan and vegetarian options are easy, and picky eaters can find lots of noodles and fried rice, smoothies, etc. If you are strictly gluten-free, it can be more difficult with soy sauce, etc. I will help you make sure you have safe food to eat.My family is LGBTQ is this trip safe and welcoming for me?
Your safety as an LGBTQ family is very important to me. All three of these countries are welcoming to LGBTQ families. I will also screen individual smaller lodgings, as needed, to make sure they are safe and welcoming. Laos and Cambodia are both countries that are conservative about public displays of affection, regardless of gender, etc. All families on this trip will be notified that, should they have discomfort being around LGBTQ families, then this trip may not be a good fit for them. If you have questions about this or want to discuss, please reach out to me.I don’t have kids, but I want to come, can I?
We have had people without kids come on the trips before, so I am open to this, and it has worked out well. There will be kids with us all of the time, but you can make choices to do your own thing as you desire during almost all of the excursions. Kids can be annoying, whiny, and very loud, so if this isn’t your cup of tea, I get it! If I don’t know you, there will be additional screening to make sure you are a safe and good fit. Just reach out to me.Why are we flying so much?
Unfortunately, distances are far or the logistics are cumbersome with the land border crossings. We will cross by land from Thailand to Laos, and you will see what I mean! Flying is safe and easy in this part of the world, so it’s the best solution. All of the flights will be relatively short, and airports are modern and easy.I went on another trip with you. How will this one be different?
If you have been on a pop-up in Abu Dhabi, Oman, or Indonesia, you’ll find the same level of organization, communication, great activities, and community – but this time it’s all together at the same lodging, and there will be more of an educational focus.If you went to Spain on my first Family Learning Adventure, Asia is a whole different experience! You’ll find much more comfortable lodging, food full of vegetables and flavor, and some more creature comforts overall. Since these areas are more affordable, you’ll be able to do more with less spending. We will also be walking a bit less and having more daily private transportation. You’ll also be immersed in a totally different culture from home, with wonderful and new experiences each day.Why aren’t we spending time in Bangkok?
We may spend our first day in Bangkok, but I'm leaning towards getting out of town. Bangkok is a great city! But in recent years, the pollution and traffic have become really bad. It’s not an easy city to move around in a large group, as you can get stuck in traffic for hours. If you want to come early or stay late and visit Bangkok, I would be happy to make recommendations for where to stay and what to do. We have been many, many times!What happens if you don’t get enough people to run the trip?
There are minimums needed to run the trip, and this will be by 180 days before the start date or earlier. I hope for earlier, so we can get the best airfares. If the trip is canceled, you will get your deposit back in full. I will communicate with you to make sure you know if there is a chance the trip won’t run before you purchase your airfare.How many people will be on this trip?
The trip is limited to 18-20 people, depending on family configurations. This is usually about 6 families.