Elephants & Luang Prabang
(5 days)
Luang Prabang – Xieng Lom Elephant Park – Tad Sae Waterfalls – Traditional Lao villages
Highlights
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Ride an elephant through jungle
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Trek to traditional villages
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Relax on your own balcony overlooking the Khan River
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UNESCO World Heritage town, Luang Prabang
Overview
This unique expedition combines the former royal capital, Luang Prabang, with the nearby Xieng Lom Elephant Park Project. Nestled on the Khan River and amongst jungle forests, the Elephant Park is a “Garden of Eden” where you discover a wonderful symbiosis between nature and luxury. Here you learn about Asian Elephants, take a scenic elephant ride and enjoy a day walk to nearby villages and the Tad Sae Waterfalls. At the Elephant Park you have a choice of staying in either a luxurious bungalow in the Lao Spirit Resort or in the Elephant Lodge, a beautifully renovated 100 year old Lao farm. Luang Prabang is a small town and just about everywhere can be reached by foot. The city has dozens of temples and religious sites most of them in the old quarter which anchors itself between the Mekong River and the Nam Khan.
A little bit about the Elephant Park Project…
The Elephant Park Project 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 Park Project 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.
You can stay at the Lao Spirit Resort….
The Lao Spirit Resort is the first eco tourism resort built in the Luang Prabang area. Situated on the banks of the Khan River, the resort overlooks the Annamite mountain range and the Elephant Park Project. Completed in 2005, there are five luxury bungalows built in traditional Lao-style by local craftsmen and artists using materials such as wood and stone. Each bungalow has a spacious terrace facing the river offering undisturbed peace and relaxation. You can even have an outdoor shower in your own privately screened area. The centre of the resort consists of three lovingly restored 100 year old Laotian-French style buildings of which two are used as the restaurant and reception.
Or stay at the Elephant Lodge…
The Elephant Lodge is located on the Khan River opposite the Elephant Camp. 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.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES IN LUANG PRABANG
Make your stay in Luang Prabang a memorable experience and participate in local activities. Not only will you learn about Lao culture, but you are also contributing to the local economy and helping to preserve traditions for future generations. Book these activities with Inner Journey Expeditions in conjunction with this tour. Contact us for more details and prices.
Luang Prabang Textiles Tour
Discover the secret of Lao textiles. Meet the weavers who make the textiles. Join a weaving or dying class. Purchase beautifully crafted textiles such as scarves, dresses, wall hangings and bedspreads or have your own textile tailor-made.
Taste of Lao Cooking Class
Experience the taste of Lao and take a cooking class in Luang Prabang. Learn how to cook traditional Lao recipes and fusion dishes. Classes are held Mondays to Saturdays.
Royal Ballet Theatre
Watch the spectacular Royal Ballet performances including scenes from the Lao Ramayana, Lao folk and tribal dances. Performances are held in the Royal Palace every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday evenings.
Itinerary at a glance
Day 1 |
Arrive Luang Prabang and transfer to hotel. Rest of day at leisure. Why not choose an optional activity. |
Day 2 |
Drive to the Elephant Park for an elephant introduction and elephant ride. Afternoon free to explore the nearby village or simply experience the serenity of the Khan River from your balcony. |
Day 3 |
After breakfast commence your trek through the conservation park and visit local villages along the way. Enjoy a swim at Tad Sae Waterfall (falls flow from September to January). |
Day 4 |
Get up early to watch the mahouts wash the elephants. After breakfast drive back to Luang Prabang for a day at leisure. Why not learn more about the Lao culture and join a cooking class or textile tour in Luang Prabang. |
Day 5 |
Breakfast in your hotel, free time to explore Luang Prabang until your airport transfer. |
Prices
Per Person / Twin |
Elephant Lodge |
Lao Spirit Resort |
3 to 4 people
|
540 |
754 |
2 people
|
580 |
790 |
Singl Supplement
|
200 |
377
|
Validity |
30 April 2009 |
30 April 2009 |
Tour Code |
LXL_5 |
LSR_5 |
Includes:
- Hotel accommodation based on twin share. If a single room is required a single supplement will apply.
- Return airport transfers
- Return transfers to the Elephant Camp
- Elephant ride
- English speaking guide for walking activities
- All activities + sightseeing as per itinerary
- Entrance fees + village permissions
- Drinking water for the walk
- Elephant Park Project contribution fee
Meals:
- 4 Breakfasts
- 1 Lunch
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 are in Australian dollars 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. Prices beyond 30/04/09 available on request. See Booking Conditions for more details. Call 1300 43 10 69 for a detailed itinerary.
Trip notes
Hotels
In Luang Prabang, you stay in a centrally located and comfortable hotel with private facilities. Standard hotels have a three to four star rating. For an additional cost you can upgrade to a five star hotel. At Xieng Lom Elephant Park you have a choice of staying in a private bungalow in the Lao Spirit Resort or the Elephant Lodge where some rooms have shared facilities.
Food
All meals, indicated in the detailed itinerary, are included in the price. There is a restaurant and bar at the Lao Spirit Resort that offers a wide selection of European and Laotian dishes at reasonable prices. 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: 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 www.laobooks.com
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.
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.
