Itinerary

Day 1:

Travel from Luang Prabang by minivan – Boat trip – Walk Through the Forest – Laotian Lunch – Nursery Visit – Hospital Visit – Observe Elephants
Bathing – Encounter Elephants & Mahouts – Dinner.
Upon arrival at Nam Tien Lake, we will transfer you to the Center by boat. You will have time to settle into your accommodation before your guide takes you to the forest. Along the way, you will walk past the different enclosures where our main activities take place. After enjoying a family-style traditional Laotian lunch on a lakeside platform, you will observe bath time at the nursery, an area in the forest reserved for our youngest (and cutest!) elephants and their mothers.

Day 2:

Breakfast – Meet the Elephants in the Forest – Observe Elephants Bathing – Socialization Area Observation – Lunch.
On the second day, you will meet up with the elephants in the forest. After spending the night in the jungle, it is time for another bath. Enjoy strolling together with these magnificent animals in their natural habitat.
Watch them walk, forage, scratch, and socialize. If you’re lucky, you’ll hear them trumpet with excitement!
What are they saying? After bath time, it’s on to the Socialization Area.

Day 3:

Breakfast - Male Elephants Socialization Area - Information Center – Lunch - Food Plantation - Dinner After breakfast, you will visit the Male Elephants
Socialization Area. This is an activity that can only be experienced at the ECC. Male elephants, ranging from massive tuskers to juveniles, form a group of bachelors,
just as they would in the wild. Their majesty and power will take your breath away as you observe them quietly and safely from a raised wooden platform. Follow our guide around the perimeter to learn more about male elephants’ social dynamics in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Day 4-6:

Breakfast – Volunteer Work – Lunch – Volunteer Work – Dinner.
You will spend your remaining days supporting the work of the ECC by joining a handicraft-making course at our Bamboo Workshop. At the workshop, you will learn about the many different species of bamboo and their uses. You will learn how to create quality bamboo handicraft that can later be sold at various outlets across laos to generate an income supporting elephant conservation. As you progress into your craft, you can share your knowledge
and experience of tools and techniques with new volunteers.

Day 7:

Breakfast – Volunteer Work – Lunch.
On your final morning you will complete your volunteering session and then, after lunch, the boat will return you to the Nam Tien Lake pier, where our minivan will be waiting to take you back to Luang Prabang or to drop you off at the Xayabouly bus station for your next destination.

SPECIAL NOTE:

Medical Care and “positive reinforcement” training of the elephants at the Elephant Hospital are only carried out by qualified vets.

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to participate in this activity. Thank you for your understanding.

This program starts at 08:00 am on day 1 and ends at about 05:00 pm on day 7. We will pick you up in Luang Prabang and return you to Luang Prabang after lunch on day 7.
Accommodation is in a traditional Lao bungalow with shared washing facilities.