Live with the Elephants
(2 days / 1 night)
Luang Prabang – Elephant Village - Elephant Lodge
Highlights
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Learn about the life of a Mahout (elephant caretaker)
-
Ride, feed and wash the elephants
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Choose a trek OR kayak activity
Overview
If you have a love for elephants, this unique experience is something quite special. Get up close and personal and meet the elephants and their “Mahout” (elephant handler) in the natural setting of the Elephant Village. The Mahout’s day is scheduled to fit in with the needs of elephants and offer you a first hand chance to follow this natural rhythm. You feed and wash the elephants and learn how to ride these beautiful mammals by sitting on their neck using some basic control techniques. Combine your Mahout experience with either a kayaking or trekking activity in the Conservation Area. At the Elephant Village you stay in the Elephant Lodge, a beautifully renovated 100 year old Lao farm. The Elephant Village is only 15km from Luang Prabang where this expedition starts and finishes.
A little bit about the Elephant Village
The Elephant Village was established in 2003 and aims to protect the Asian Elephant. As the forest disappears the elephants, that were used to log the trees, can become neglected. This private initiative gives logging elephants a new future and a meaningful retirement. Experienced mahouts (elephant caretakers) and vets help the elephants to adapt to their new environment. As part of the Elephant Village initiative, tourism income is invested in community-based eco-programs in villages around the park providing; jobs, training, construction of local water supply and funding for the nearby school.
The Elephant Lodge
The Elephant Lodge is located on the Khan River near the Elephant Village. This 100 year old Lao farm house was relocated and beautifully restored to provide five apartment rooms. It is quite special to relax at sunset on your own private terrace with views to the mountains, the elephants and the river.
Itinerary at a glance
Day 1 |
Luang Prabang to Elephant Lodge |
Day 2 |
Elephant Lodge to Luang Prabang |
Includes
Elephant riding & instruction from the Mahout team- Feed + wash the Elephants and guide them out into the jungle
- Follow Elephant trails, see waterfalls + relax
- Visit a nearby village
- Choice of kayaking OR trekking activity on day 2
- Elephant Lodge accommodation based on twin share. If a single room is required a single supplement will apply.
- Return transfers to the Elephant Village
- English speaking guide for activities
- Entrance fees and village permissions
- Drinking water
- Elephant Village contribution fee
- All meals as per the itinerary - based on a set menu
Excludes
- Airfares and departure taxes
- Travel insurance
- Visa, passport and vaccination costs
- Other meals not specified in itinerary
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, bar charges, tips, optional activities
Prices
Private tour |
$AUD price per person |
3 to 4 people
|
275 |
2 people |
320 |
| 1 person | 440 |
Validity |
31 December 2010 |
Prices are in Australian dollars, twin share based upon the number of people travelling together. Price reduces as your travel group size increases. Price is land content only + subject to currency fluctuations. Credit Card payments incur and additional 3% fee. Prices beyond 30/04/10 available on request. See Booking Conditions for more details. Call 1300 431 069 for a detailed itinerary.
Book now
> CLICK HERE + request a booking form
> Get in touch with us via EMAIL
> Live in Australia call 1300 43 10 69
> Find out more about our other trips at www.IJE.com.au
> About Inner Journey Expeditions
Trip notes
What next
To reserve a place on this trip, contact us now and we will send you a booking form. To guarantee your booking you must send your passport details and your non-refundable deposit of 30% of total tour cost. The balance of payment is due 50 days prior to your departure. If you departure date is less than 50 days then full payment is required now. Once your booking is confirmed and you have paid in full you will receive a tour voucher and detailed itinerary.
Hotels
At Elephant Village you stay in a double room with private facilities at the Elephant Lodge. All rooms have their own balcony with views over the Nam Khan River. You can upgrade to the Lao Spirit Resort Bungalows which come with more luxury, privacy and incredible open air showers. Ask us for prices.
Food
All meals, indicated in the detailed itinerary, are included in the price. Meals are based on a set menu served at the Elephant Lodge. There is a restaurant and bar at the Lao Spirit Resort that offers a set menu with European and Laotian dishes. Please advise us if you have any special dietary requirements.
Trekking OR Kayaking activities
On day 2 of this tour you can choose a day of trekking or kayaking. Both are graded as 'Moderate' requiring a good level of fitness. Please indicate which activity you will be participating in when you book this tour. This activity is included in the price.
Local guides
An English speaking guide supervises your elephant adventure and escorts you on your day trek or kayaking experience. Your guide has been fully trained in guiding outdoor tours around Luang Prabang and in the Elephant Park. Guides in Laos are proud of their job and consider it an honour to show you their country. If you feel your guide provided you with great service, a tip at the end of the tour would be greatly appreciated… a little bit goes a long way in Laos!
What to bring
Your luggage should include: comfortable walking shoes, sandals or thongs, light weight long sleeve shirt, long pants & shorts, warm clothes for at night, bathers, hat, sunglasses, sun block, raincoat, strong insect repellent (Deet medicated preferred), small medical kit, flashlight, toiletries, water bottle, camera, spare batteries, pen & paper, original passport, personal medication and small backpack for day trips.
If you have room in your backpack, bring some books to give away as gifts. You can help local children improve their reading skills by buying picture books printed in their own language. For more information on this worthwhile project, visit Big Brother Mouse Project.
Note on client safety
We reserve the right to deviate from this itinerary for any reason, including road and weather conditions, frequency of visits to a village, or for any other factor that may impact client safety. The Tad Sae Waterfall is dry during the period of February to August and trails may alternate.
Your group & share accommodation
Prices are based upon twin share accommodation. A single traveller pays the single supplement price for sole use of a room. If you are travelling in a group of three and are happy to share a triple room and a triple room is available, you will not be charged the single supplement price. For groups of five or seven people, the single traveller pays the single supplement price if a triple room is not available or you do not want to share. The number of single rooms and triple rooms available may be limited – so book early to avoid disappointment.
Tipping guidelines
It is customary to express a personal thank you to your guide and driver at the end of your trip, especially if he or she has provided you with excellent service. As a guideline only, we suggest tipping around AUD$4-$5 per day for the guide and AUD$2-$3 per day for the driver. You can pay this in local currency or US dollars. Of course whether you tip and how much is always at your discretion.
Laos visa
Most visitors can receive a 30 day single entry Tourist Visa on arrival at Luang Prabang or Vientiane airports or at the Friendship Bridge at the Thai Border Crossing and other border crossings (please check with your Lao Embassy). You need a valid passport for no less than six months, 2 x passport size current photographs & USD$30pp cash.
Health issues Good medical advice usually recommends vaccinations in advance of travel to Laos. We suggest you consult with your doctor to discuss health care needs specific to your holiday. You must have comprehensive travel insurance to travel with us. Insurance should include cover for personal accident and medical expenses, evacuation and repatriation, baggage loss and cancellation or curtailment of your holiday. Your final trip dossier vouchers will not be confirmed until you confirm possession of appropriate insurance. Better be safe than sorry! We can arrange additional hotel nights at the beginning or the end of your tour or if you are interested in doing additional touring we can organise a private tour to cater to your interests and time frame. Check out the IJE website for more details. |
