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Highlights

• Learn about the life of a Mahout (elephant caretaker)

• Ride, feed and wash the elephants

• Choose a trek OR kayak activity

Overview

Love 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 gives you a first hand experience to follow this natural rhythm.

Learn how to ride these beautiful animals.

In this two day program you learn how to ride an elephant perched on her neck using some basic control techniques.

Kayak, cycle or trek also included.

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. On the last day you can finish your trip with a choice of either kayaking or cycling back to Luang Prabang or enjoying a short trek to a hill tribe village.

Itinerary at a glance

Day 1

Luang Prabang to Elephant Lodge Meet at your hotel in Luang Prabang at around 08:30am and drive to the Elephant Village. Meet the elephants and their mahouts and learn about elephant history, culture, general elephant care and controlling techniques. You may ride the elephants a few times on the first day to get close with the animals during your interaction and activities. Enjoy a buffet lunch with views over the Nam Khan River. In the afternoon, ride the elephants into the jungle where they spend the night. Optional activity: Visit Tad Sae Waterfalls - Sept to Feb Meals: Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Elephant Lodge

Day 2

Elephant Lodge to Luang Prabang Up early for a walk into the jungle to find the elephants and lead them back to the camp for a wash in the river. After breakfast you can either enjoy a trek in the Conversation Area OR a water excursion on a kayak or raft on the Khan River (best time is September to January). In the afternoon you transfer back to Luang Prabang where you trip ends. Choose activity: Trekking or Kayaking activity Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

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 (compulsory)
• 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	239
2 people	279
1 person	369
Validity	31 December 2012

Prices are in Australian dollars, twin share or single room for 1 person price 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 an additional surcharge. See Booking Conditions for more details.

Trip grade

MODERATE: If you are seeking fun and adventure and you like active travel, this is for you. A mixture of long and shorter activity days of four to five hours duration. A good level of fitness is required.

 

Live with the Elephants trip notes

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.

 

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 price 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. 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.

Laos Climate Laos has three distinct seasons. The cool dry season between November and February with temperatures dropping below 10 degrees Celsius in mountain regions. During this season, the rivers are navigable and the roads are passable. This gives way to the hot dry season from March to June where temperatures can soar over 35 degrees Celsius. Some rivers are harder to navigate, and boat journeys in remote places may not be possible. In the north, the months from March through to the first rains in May or June can be very hazy as smoke from the burning of secondary forest hangs in the air. June to October is the wet season where temperatures are in the 30s. The country is at its most beautiful and lush and rivers are accessible, however it can be difficult to get around in remote places by road. 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. Insurance 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! Pre and post tour arrangements 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. Handy travel tips For assistance in planning your trip go to Laos Practical Info > 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.