... but the world is your oyster...
... but the world is your oyster...
... but the world is your oyster...
NIGHT SAFARI & ELEPHANT CONSERVATION CAMP
Day 1: Luang Prabang
Meals: None
On arrival in Vientiane International Airport (own flight – Please advise), meet your driver for a private transfer to your hotel in Vientiane. Rest of day is free at your own leisure.
Overnight at Usouk Hotel, Superior room
Day 2: Luang Prabang
Meals: B
Spend time at leisure in Vientiane until it is time to transfer to the airport for your flight to Luang Prabang.
Fly Vientiane to Sam Neua
On arrival in Luang Sam Neua, meet your guide and driver for transfer to your hotel and settle in for the evening.
Overnight at Xayphasouk Hotel, Standard room
Day 3: Sam Neua – Vieng Xay – Viengthong
Meals: B L
Today after a leisurely breakfast, take a walk through the morning market along the Xam River. See the interesting produce available. Then check out and transfer with your guide to Viengsay. Marvel at the amazing karst landscape in the middle of town! Visit the Information Center near the guesthouse to learn more about the interesting historical significance of the area during the Indochina War. With the help of a local guide and an audio tour, travel to some of the nearby caves to see how the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party lived during the war. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, transfer west to Viengthong, our jumping off point for an expedition into nature.
Overnight at Local Guesthouse
Day 4: Viengthong – Nam Et Phou Louey National Protected Area
Meals: B L D
You will be picked up at 8 AM to start your two day/one night expedition in Nam Et/Phou Louey NPA (National Protected Area).
We will drive about 1.5 hours along a winding road through lovely forested, mountainous landscapes before we arrive in Son Koua Village, an ethnic Khmu village were we will be welcomed by the village guide and boatmen.
They will take you on a short tour of the village where they will learn about the animist tradition of appeasing the village spirit. After that, guests will have lunch in the village.
You will then embark on a 1.5-hour journey to the park substation on the Nam Nern River by long-tail boat, along the way learning about upland rice cultivation and having opportunities to spot monitor lizards and bird life.
After arriving at the park substation, you will receive a briefing by park staff about the on-the-ground efforts in protecting tigers and their prey.
At mid-afternoon, you will depart for the night safari. Stopping near a salt lick, you will hike into the forest. The local guide, a skilled hunter and tracker, explains how local people track deer and other wild ungulates.
The boats continue upriver to the dinner site, a sandy, flat bank, where you will enjoy a picnic around a campfire. After dinner, the guides tell Khmu folktales and stories about dragons, wildlife, and ghosts. Depending on the amount of moonlight, you will depart after dinner for the night spotlighting 2-3 hours after dark, floating down river with engines off. The boat is very quiet so as not to disturb the animals. Animals that may be seen include Sambar deer, otters, barking deer, various species of civets, slow loris, porcupine and owls.
At the end of the spotlighting, the boats arrive at the evening camp.
Overnight in local ecolodge, Standard room
Day 5: Nam Et Phou Louey National Protected Area – Nong Khiew
Meals: B L
After waking up the guide takes you on a walk around the jungle, teaching about the use of medicinal plants and explaining the history of the site, which was once a major settlement during the Indochina War.
After breakfast we will return to Son Koua Village by boat.
Upon arrival in the village, you are invited to try earthen jar rice wine (lao hai). Before departing, the group will fill out a wildlife monitoring form that is used to monitor wildlife abundance and indicate the amount of bonuses put into the village development fund from the tour costs.
Board your van and continue on to Nong Khiew, arriving in the late afternoon.
Over night at Nong Khiew Riverside, Standard Bungalow
Day 6: Nong Khiew – Luang Prabang
Meals: B
This morning, check out and drive the remaining distance to Luang Prabang, arrival in Ban Pak Ou, a boat will ferry you across the river to reach the Pak Ou caves.
Peering into dark corners, your eyes gradually adjust to reveal the serene faces and figures of more than 3,000 Buddha images, some inlaid with semi-precious stones. That these remain undisturbed in this remote site in one of the world's poorest countries is a testament to the devotion of the people. Continue by boat to Luang Prabang, cruising along the Mekong. On the way back, enjoy the lush river life along the Mekong while sipping a drink and tasting some Lao snacks.
Stop at two riverside villages along the way. In Ban Xang Khong, the weaving of prized Lao textiles still takes place on ancient wooden looms. Some villagers are also engaged in mulberry paper production. The villagers of Ban Xang Hai produce Lao Lao, a rice whisky. Try a swig of this potent drink – if you dare!
Over night at Le Sen Boutique Hotel, Deluxe room
Day 7: Luang Prabang
Meals: B
Meet your guide at your hotel and explore this historic and charming World Heritage Town. Transfer to begin your journey at the most popular of temples – Wat Xieng Thong. This 500 year old temple is exquisite and is the best example of the classic Luang Prabang style.
From here, explore small side streets, along back alleys and through temples – a city that could have been designed with slow travel in mind, a morning walking tour allows you to soak up the ambiance and appreciate the hidden charms of Luang Prabang. Through your guide, feel free to ask the locals questions as they go about their daily lives.
Continue wandering up the peninsula, stopping at temples and other sites as you wish. Visit the National Museum, which is the former Royal Palace. Relics from Laos’ royalist past remain here. Overlooking the palace is Phousi Mountain. It is said that those who do not climb the 328 steps up have not really made it to the city. Venture up the hill and be rewarded with remarkable views of the area.
Over night at Le Sen Boutique Hotel, Deluxe room
Day 8: Luang Prabang
Meals: B
Relax on your own in Luang Prabang.
Over night at Le Sen Boutique Hotel, Deluxe room
Day 9: Luang Prabang – Elephant Conservation Centre
Meals: B L D
Today early morning ,meet your driver for transfer to Sayabury (no guide approximately 3 hours), on arrival at the Elephant Center, your guide will take you for a visit of the Center’s facilities and present our ongoing projects. You will meet our team of veterinarians and biologists and our elephants! Mahouts will share some of their secrets with you and will offer you the opportunity to ride their elephant, bareback, to sense the animal and feel the world from a mahout’s viewpoint. Hold on and try to get used to their swaying steps!
You will then attend the elephants’ daily bath and learn more about our giant guests’ playful characters.
Elephants are surprisingly good swimmers and love water. You will witness the unique bond between the mahout and his elephant. At sunset, board our boat for a relaxing cruise on the Nam Tien Lake. Enjoy fresh drinks and snacks, go for a swim or simply stare at the amazing environment surrounding you. forest. An unforgettable entertaining experience with our friendly staff!
Overnight at Elephant Conservation Camp
Day 10: Elephant Conservation Centre
Meals: B L
On the second day, after a short boat trip on the lake, you will meet our baby elephant, Noy, and his mother at the elephant nursery. You will be proposed to feed them from the boat.
Our veterinarians and biologists will take you into their world and explain you about the field and research work they undertake in Laos and the region. Through the visit of the only Elephant Hospital in Laos, you will discover the conservation actions implemented by ElefantAsia NGO.
Take a moment to visit the Elephant Museum. You can also choose to watch a movie on elephants or simply sit on a viewing platform and observe baby elephants as they graze and socialize!
Overnight at Elephant Conservation Camp
Day 11: Elephant Conservation Centre – Sayabury – Vientiane
Meals: B
On the third day, our veterinarians and biologists will take you into their world and explain you about the field and research work they undertake in Laos and the region. Through the visit of the only Elephant Hospital in Laos, you will discover the conservation actions implemented by ElefantAsia NGO.
In the afternoon, Meet your driver for transfer to the airport, flight from Sayabury to Vientiane.
Fly Sayabury to Vientiane on Lao Skyway ,
On arrival in Vientiane, meet your guide and driver for transfer to your hotel and settle in for the evening.
Overnight at Usouk Hotel, Superior room
Day 12: Vientiane
Meals: B
Meet your guide and visit some important sites of Vientiane's past and present. Visit Wat Sisaket, which is the only structure to survive the Siamese invasion of 1828 intact. Across the street, sits Ho Pha Keo, reconstructed in the 1930s on the site of the original building. It housed the Emerald Buddha which now lives in Bangkok and is now the home to a fine collection of Lao artistry. A short journey up Lane Xang street allows you a glimpse into the changing face of the city. Amongst the more modern structures is Patouxai, the Lao Victory Monument. Also visit Wat That Luang with its central lotus-bud spire and 30 surrounding stupas - the most sacred structure in all of Laos. Wat Si Muang is a much more vibrant example of living Buddhism. This sacred temple is used by the Lao people for everything, from women trying to become pregnant, to new car owners having monks bless their new purchases. Also pay a visit the COPE Visitor Centre for a moving insight into the Secret War which left Laos has the most heavily bombed country in history.
In the afternoon, travel out of town to Xieng Khouan Buddha Park. Here a renegade monk formed his own sect and began to mold magnificent, eerie statues out of concrete, based on Hindu, Buddhist and Brahman iconography. Each statue tells a story or a moral fable. He began in 1958 and continued on until the Communist takeover of Laos in 1975, when he fled across the border to Nong Khai, Thailand and sculpted a new park. This is a surreal place full of interesting photographic opportunities!
Overnight at Usouk Hotel, Superior room
Day 13: Vientiane - Onward
Meals: B
Relax on your own until it is time to transfer to the airport for your flight onward
Price per person sharing: 1275 GBP (subject to change and availability)
INCLUDING:
- All transfers and transport as per program per AC Mini-van
- All accommodation as per program (based on double/twin sharing room)
- Service of English speaking station guides per itinerary
- All meals as mentioned (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
- All entrance fees on tour
- Boat trip
NOT INCLUDING:
- Air tickets both domestic and international
- Insurance
- Personal expenses
- All drinks
- Visa fees and/or visa authorization
- Tips
- Other expenses not mentioned on the itinerary
- Any compulsory and peak season surcharge (normally New Year periods)