Itinerary Details
This tour will let you experience important ceremony of Laos. Importantly, you will have a precious chance to stay closely with elephants for several days in the Sayaboury’s Elephant Conservation Center.
dinner
Welcome to Luang Prabang!
Upon arrival at Luang Prabang airport, you will be welcomed by our guide and then transferred to your hotel. After check-in, have a good rest.
In the evening, your guide will take you to join a private Baci ceremony at a local family. As a traditional ritual of the Lao people, the Baci ceremony is held to celebrate important events and occasions, like Lao New Year, weddings, births, or in case of tourists, to honor visitors and guests. On the ceremony, an elder chants blessings and ties pieces of white threads around your wrists, which are believed to bless good luck for you. At the end of the ceremony, you will enjoy a feast of food with the host family. Joining in Baci ceremony at a local family is the best chance for visitors to delve deeper into Laotian culture and their spiritual life.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Accommodation option:
- Souphattra Hotel
- (4 Ratings)
Baci ceremony
breakfast and lunch
Wake up as the sun rises, you will join the most sacred tradition of Laos, the daily morning alms giving. More than 200 Buddhist monks depart from various temples to gather their daily meal. And the pious locals sit quietly on the streets and wait to give their food to the monks. After the rite, transfer to hotel for breakfast.
Next, your private guide will pick you up to the pier where you will board a traditional long tail boat for a relaxing cruise trip on the Mekong River. You can enjoy the stunning mountain views and idyllic scenery. Then, you will reach Pak Ou caves at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Ou Rivers. In the two linked caves display hundreds of sacred centuries-old Buddha statues which are the objects of pilgrimage during the Lao New Year festivities around mid-April. En route back, we will stop at Ban Xang Hai village, which is famous for local rice wine (Laos whiskey).
In the afternoon, spend some time visiting the Royal Palace Museum. It is a grand palace with various cultural relics. You will also visit the nearby the Wat Mai. The impressive temple is one of Luang Prabang‘s largest and most richly decorated temples. Finally, pay a visit to the ancient Wat Xieng Thong Temple, which is a magnificent temple built in 1560 and the most photogenic temple in Luang Prabang.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Accommodation option:
- Souphattra Hotel
- (4 Ratings)
Xieng Thong Temple
breakfast and lunch
After breakfast, we will take a cruise to Pha Tad Ke Botanical garden. Upon arrival, you can stroll in the Ginger Garden and the Ethno-botanic Garden, which is the centrepiece of the garden. Follow the path and you can also admire the amazing Mekong landscapes.
At the site of the hunting lodge of the former royal family, learn how to make a bamboo stick animal. Then continue your tour in Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden and walk through the Arboretum, Palm Garden and Bamboo. Later, you will reach the viewpoint that overlooks the rice fields. End your excursion with an optional orchid talk at Pha Tad Ke Nursery. Enjoy lunch in the restaurant of the garden.
In the afternoon, we drive to beautiful Kuang Si Waterfall along the peaceful scenery of the countryside. Upon arrival, you will first visit the bear rescued centre in the park. Then, enjoy the beautiful scenery of the park. The falls cascade over many calcified tiers and down several hundred feet into a series of cool and turquoise pools. You can jump into the cool water to relax yourself. After the tour, return to hotel.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Accommodation option:
- Souphattra Hotel
- (4 Ratings)
Kuang Si Waterfall
breakfast and lunch and dinner
In the morning, our driver will transfer you to the meeting point where you will join the mini van of Elephant Conservation Center for the transfer to Sayabouly (about 3 hours). Elephant Conservation Center in Sayaboury - the real land of elephants, is not just another elephant camp, but a real sanctuary for Laos’ elephants. The ECC staff helps elephants develop hunting and socialization skills, then gradually release them to live on their own in the wild.
When arrive at the pier at Nam Tien Lake, you will transfer to the center by boat. After meal, your guide will take you to visit the Center’s facilities and the ongoing projects. By visiting the only Elephant Hospital in Laos, you will understand the conservation actions implemented by The Elephant Conservation Center.
You will then observe the elephants’ daily bath in water. Next, meet our mahouts who will show you the commands they use. You will then have the opportunity to interact with the elephants. While walking the elephants to their nightly resting forest, you can enjoy the moment strolling together with these lovely creatures. Before dinner, you can also go swimming in the lake or visit the museum.
Overnight in Elephant Conservation Center.
Accommodation option:
- Elephant Conservation Center
- (3 Ratings)
Elephant Conservation Center
breakfast and lunch and dinner
On the second day, you will find the elephants in the forest. After grazing a night in the jungle, it is time for another bath. When they have drunk enough water, they are brought to the socialization area. This is an area where the elephants can freely interact and play. Lunch is served at one of the viewing platforms.
In the afternoon, you can see the elephants mother and baby at the nursery. Afterwards, board a boat and back to the center to see the afternoon bath. You will meet the veterinarian or biologist again as they will conduct a target training session. Finally, you can walk with the elephant back to the forest.
Overnight in Elephant Conservation Center.
Accommodation option:
- Elephant Conservation Center
- (3 Ratings)
Elephant Conservation Center
breakfast and lunch
On the third day, our guide and biologist will invite you to prepare the socialization area, such as cutting and hiding food, creating elephant toys, etc. Elephants love such activities and mental stimulation. Once they arrive, you will have the opportunity to observe how the elephants interact with what you have created! This is a novel and unique way to interact with elephants.
After Lunch at the restaurant, join the mini van back to Luang Prabang. Then, our driver will pick you up to your hotel.
Overnight in Luang Prabang.
Accommodation option:
- Souphattra Hotel
- (4 Ratings)
Elephant Conservation Center
breakfast
Three hours before your scheduled flight, you will be transferred to airport for your departure flight.