Thailand and Nepal with two toddlers (aged 1 and 3)

Hi there,

My husband and I will be traveling to Thailand (2 months) and Nepal (7 weeks) in January, with our two children (they will be aged 1 and 3).

We have done a fair bit of traveling ourselves (Europe, South America, Sub Saharan Africa, Australia etc) and lots with the babies in Europe (plus one short holiday to Colombia). However, this is a much bigger adventure which I can't wait to share with them.

Typically, we want the trip to be interesting but safe and easy (ish - well you know, as easy as it can be traveling with two toddlers). We are thinking of not moving around too much - maybe 2 - 3 weeks in each place (obviously with day trips thrown in).

So where should we go? Does anyone have any suggested routes? What should we not miss with the kids (they like water, animals, transport and even museums (space is great for running around)?

Which are the best beaches for young children in Thailand (we want to avoid package but also the party places). We can obviously do a few. Any really good accommodation ideas - child friendly bungalows (parks, pools, play equipment???)

Basically where are all of the ex-backpackers hanging out now that they have kids?!

We don't have a huge budget (haven't quite figured it out yet) but really looking for charming gems (with air con!)

Thanks for any tips in advance......

Chiang Mai in Thailand is worth visiting. It's an overnight train journey from Bangkok (comfortable in 1st class with toddlers). There are a few elephant sanctuaries around this area, where you can spend a day feeding and washing elephants. We went with a 4 and 1 year old. The 4 year old really enjoyed it, and I can see my (now) 3 year old would like this, so it should be OK. The (then) 1 year old got carried around alot by the Thai staff and even got to feed an elephant. The only part we avoided of this day were the talks on elephants. There was also a new tiger place (it was fairly expensive, but you could get close to the tigers) that opened and at that time it looked to be good and well run, but time may have changed things.

Phuket as a place in itself is awful, however my kids had a great time at the Movenpick, and enjoyed the elephant safaris.

Thanks so much for this. Did you also go to any beaches in Thailand? As we have so much time, we are thinking of visiting both the Ko Samui/ Pha Nang area and the Phi Phi Ko Lanta side. But are there specific beaches/ resorts on these Islands which you would recommend? Where did you stay? Our budget for accommodation is around 1300thb per night. Thanks so much in advance for any more tips!

I have only been to Ko Samet and Phuket with the kids (I visited the Krabi area ages ago). I am always there during the wet season so have been going to the less-wet places. I didn't really like either of the beaches I have been (they were OK, but I wouldn't return) - the best was an island off Phuket that had just one place to stay and a nice beach to explore. When I do make the dry season I would head for either of the places you mentioned, but I tend to try and get out to quieter places. There are a few islands with only a few low-key places to stay - one has a turtle release program which is a nice thing for the kids to get involved with.