Elephant Trekking Adventure
(5 days / 4 nights)
Luang Prabang – Pak Beng – Hong Sa - Thai Lu Culture
Highlights
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2 day elephant trek through jungles & villages
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Learn about daily routine of elephants & their mahouts
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Traditional village home stay
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Boat trip on the Mekong River
Overview
This unique elephant Trekking adventures starts in UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang and follows the Mekong River west to Pak Beng via Hong Sa the centre for our elephant trekking and home to the Thai Lu culture. Learn about the daily work routine of elephants and their mahouts, overnight with families in remote village home stays and experience a two day elephant trek travelling through hidden mountain valleys. This is a fully guided trip with an elephant specialist who is on hand to explain the relationship between the elephants, the local culture and the environment.
Itinerary at a glance
Day 1 |
Luang Prabang to Hong Sa |
Day 2 |
Hong Sa |
Day 3 |
Elephant trek to Village home stay |
Day 4 |
Elephant trek to Thai Lu Village |
Day 5 |
Pak Beng
|
Includes
- Private tour with local English speaking guide + Elephant specialist
- One way boat trip from Luang Prabang to Ta Xuang or from Pak Beng to Luang Prabang
- Sightseeing + jungle hikes
- 4 nights guesthouse + village home stay accommodation
- 2 day Elephant trekking
- Entrance fees + village permissions
- Meals as per the itinerary
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 5 people
|
999 |
2 people
|
1099 |
1 person |
1549 |
Validity |
31 December 2010 |
Prices are in Australian dollars, land content only, 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. Payment by credit card incurs an additional 3% fee. Prices beyond validity date available on request.
See Booking Conditions for more details. Email us or if you live in Australia call 1300 431 069 for bookings and more information.
Book now
> CLICK HERE + request a booking form
> Get in touch with us via EMAIL
> Live in Australia call 1300 431 069
> 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.
Is this adventure for you?
This is a trip for open minded, flexible and adventurous people. You need to be physically fit and able to walk a few hours per day. During the Elephant Trekking adventure, you spend a few hours each day on the Elephant travelling through various trails. Routes and accommodation may change according to local conditions and the season.
Home stays + camping
Home stays are basic in terms of bedding and amenities. You are provided with a mattress, clean sheet, pillow, blankets and mosquito net and sleep in a dormitory style room where accommodation and amenities are shared. Toilets are squat, non-flushing as you find in many parts of South East Asia. Depending on weather conditions and season, we also use camping facilities.
Food
All meals, indicated in the detailed itinerary, are included in the price. Expect local style cuisine prepared by villagers using fresh produce and lots of sticky rice! Please advise us if you have any special dietary requirements.
Local guides
An English speaking guide supports your sightseeing and trekking activities. 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: small waterproof bag for your camera and valuables; comfortable walking shoes; sandals or thongs; light weight long sleeve shirt; long pants & shorts; warm clothes for at night; bathers and sarong (women must cover up when bathing in the river); hat, sunglasses and 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; small day pack 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 the 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.
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, 1 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. Check out the IJE website for more details.
Handy travel tips + travelling responsibly
For more information on how you can participate in sustainable tourism go to Handy Travel Tips. For assistance in planning your trip go to Laos Visa + Travel Guide.
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