EXPEDITION OVERVIEW

This amazing tour will start in Bangkok and then take you on an amazing journey from the north Laos town of Luang Prabang, down to see the amazing work being done by the Elephant Conservation Centre in rehabilitating elephants for their release into protected forest areas. Here you will see some of the 33 resident elephants who have been rescued from horrible situations. You will have many great photo opportunities from safe viewing platforms and have the opportunity to walk along side them. We will also take you trekking into these forests where you will join the researchers and learn how they track and monitor the re-released elephants.

Then we visit the Vanvieng and experience its natural beauty with the option of some adventure activities like hot-air ballons, rafting or even ziplines. Finally, we arrive in Laos capital historic city Vientiane for our final night. The tour starts and finishes in Bangkok, which has many international flight options as well as allowing guests easy opportunites to relax before or after the tour.

Stay at the Elephant Conservation Centre (ECC) in Laos. Meet some of the 33 resident elephants in care.Experience culture in Luang Prabang.Enjoy a sunset cruise on the Mekong River. Visit the beautiful area of Vanvieng, and explore its caves. Optional sunrise hot-air balloon ride. Visit the capital of Vientiane and see its historic culture. Start and finish in Bangkok, Thailand.

ELEPHANT EXPERT                                                                                                                               During your stay at the ECC you will be joined by one of the ECC elephant experts who will provide you with details about the centre, the resident elephants and elephant conservation.

EXPEDITION GOALS 
Our goal is to provide our guests with a unique experience, to observe wild tropical biodiversity in their natural habitat. We will provide you with a safe platform to observe many rare and unique species of wildlife throughout Laos. We will also provide you with comprehensive information about the destination you are in so that you are fully informed of your surroundings prior to, during and following your expedition.

Furthermore, Orangutan Odysseys have partnered up with the International Elephant Project which supports conservation programs in Laos - so travelling with us you are directly supporting their conservation efforts and environmental programs. And finally by supporting ethical and eco-tourism you are helping support the locals and the environment.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Travel with and learn from elephant experts
• Visit and stay at the Elephant Conservation Centre (ECC)
• Meet the local elephant residents and learn about their rehabilitation.
• Trek into the forests and learn how researchers track and monitor "rewilded" elephants
• Experience culture in Luang Prabang
• Enjoy a sunset cruise on the Mekong River
• Visit the beautiful area of Vanvieng, and explore its caves
• Optional sunrise hot-air balloon ride
• Visit the capital of Vientiane and see its historic culture
• Start and finish in Bangkok, Thailand  

ITINERARY

10 days: 14th- 23rd July 2025

Day 1 - 14 July: Arrive in Bangkok
Today you will arrive in Bangkok, and make your way from the airport to the Suvarnabhumi Ville Airport Hotel. The hotel is located approx 5 km from the airport. You will be sent more detailed information about your hotel transfer and meeting location point. This evening we will have a team briefing over dinner. There is a rooftop bar and restaurant where we can meet from around 6:30 pm.

Day 2 - 15 July: Bangkok - Luang Prabang (B,L,D)
This morning we fly to Luang Prabang and will arrive at midday. We will be met by our local guide and transport and be transferred by private A/C minibus to our hotel for check-in. We will have lunch at a local restaurant (Tamarind or other) and later spend the afternoon visiting the Royal Palace and Wat Xiengthong Temple, (and Visoun Temple if time permits). Later this afternoon around 5:30 pm we will enjoy a sunset cruise on the Mekong River with a cold drink in hand. This evening we will have dinner at Tamnuk Lao restaurant (if available), and then take a walk to visit the night markets. Overnight Belle River Hotel

Day 3 - 16th July: Luang Prabang Tours (B,L,D)
Option this morning to wake at 5:30 am to see the monks walking the streets collecting food donations. After breakfast, we take a trip to Tat Kuang Si waterfalls where you can enjoy the surroundings, swim and relax in the cool mountain waters. You will also see the Free the Bears compound here. After this, we will have lunch at a restaurant in front of a lovely waterfall before returning to the hotel to freshen up. This afternoon we drive approx 45 minutes to Park Ou cave where hundreds of Buddha statues have been placed over the last 300 years or so. After some exploring, we will meet our riverboat for the return trip down the Mekong to our hotel. If time allows we will stop and visit Xang Hai village (Whisky and handicraft village).Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight hotel. 

Day 4 - 17th July: Luang Prabang - Sayaboury ECC (B,L,D)
This morning we will depart our hotel at approximately 8:00 am and drive for around 2 1/2 hours to the ECC. We will arrive at 10:30 am and take a small boat across the lake to arrive at the centre where we will have an introduction and lunch and be taken to your simple bungalow accommodations. 

You will visit the baby nursery, meet the vet at the hospital, see some of the elephants grazing and visit the lake. Late afternoon time for a kayak on the lake and swim before tonight’s dinner,  Overnight at the centre. 

Day 5 - 18th July: Sayaboury ECC Full Day (B,L,D)
Full day’s activities at ECC where we will see more of the elephants socialising and learn about the lifesaving work in action. 

 Day 6 - 19th July: Sayaboury - Vanvieng (B,L)                                                                                     This morning we end our stay at the ECC with some final activities and a talk about the project and their future plans. Around 11:00 am we meet our transports to make our way back to Luang Prabang, with lunch at a local eatery along the way, where we will catch the Laos “fast train” to Vanvieng. The train ride takes 1 hour. We will arrive around 4 pm and transfer to our hotel for check-in. The afternoon is your free time to walk around town or relax by the pool. Dinner can be at the hotel or we can walk to a local restaurant. Overnight at Riverside Boutique Hotel  

Day 7 - 20th July: Vanvieng. Full day of touring in Vanvieng (B,L)                                                   Today we will have some adventure and sightseeing. Note that all activities planned today will be subject to the weather and local conditions. Today’s programme includes Kayaking, Caving (optional), Ziplining (optional), a lookout hill climb (optional) lunch and an afternoon at leisure 

• An early morning option for those interested in a sunrise Hot Air Balloon ride over Vanvieng. Subject to numbers and weather. Pick up at the hotel 5:00 am. Return to the hotel around 6:30 am. The extra cost is USD$100. Note; Numbers are needed 2 days prior to the flight. Also possible to do this flight on the morning of Day 8.
• After your breakfast 7:30 am. We will travel by truck/jeep, going north of Vangvieng, about 8km to the starting point of the Kayaking. After basic paddle instructions, you will kayak down the Song River, along the way you will see beautiful scenery, local people catching fish, riverside bars and more. The kayaking will take approx 2 hours. The river is quite slow with some very small (easy) rapid areas. Option to use a double or single kayak. The kayaks are the sit-on-top type.
• Part-way along the river we will stop at Pha None Mountain for optional activities.
  • Tubing and exploring inside caves. This takes around 40 minutes.
  • Zip lining. There are 8 lines and a few small swing bridges.
  • Those not wanting to do the caving or ziplining can wait by the river, climb a hill to the lookout area, take some photos, or enjoy coffee or a nice cold Beer Lao, take a swim and relax.
• Lunch at a restaurant here by the river.
• After lunch, there is the option to ride a tuk-tuk to the hotel (only 20 minutes) or continue kayaking until you reach a spot near your hotel. This takes approx another 1
• Afternoon free time to relax or wander around the town. Our local guide can join you and provide more information about the town.
• Dinner is planned at Vanglao restaurant with traditional Lao dance. (option for guests). Budget USD$12pp
  Overnight at Boutique Riverside Hotel. 

Day 8 - 21st July: Vanvieng tours. Tour day with options. (B,L)                                                         After breakfast at 7:30 am at the hotel, we will drive to visit the famous Blue lagoons (there are 3 main ones) where you can take a swim in the fresh blue water being fed by the mountain streams. Relax and enjoy looking over the beautiful surrounding mountain terrain. This will include a chance to climb Pha Nam Xay mountain and see the amazing views across the valley (the trail is basic and steep but the view is worth it). The visit to the blue lagoons/mountain/ swimming will take around 4 hours.

• Lunch will be at Blue Lagoon 2.
• After lunch, we return to the hotel to freshen up.
• Afternoon we visit the 2 local temples and the most famous cave of VangVieng, Tham Jang, which was used by the local people as a refuge from Chinese invaders 200 years ago.
• It's recommended to wear sturdy shoes and insect repellent. 
• Additionally, be respectful of the environment.
• After that, we return to the Hotel to relax and prepare for dinner.

Day 9 - 22nd July: Vanvieng - Vientiane (B,L)                                                                                       This morning we depart for Vientiane (the capital city of the Lao Republic). The drive will be around 1.5 hours, with a stop at Laos Conservation Trust for Wildlife to see their work. Lunch at Nam Ngum. On arrival in Vientiane we will check into the hotel and have an afternoon tour of the city where we will visit the Buddha Park at Wat Xiengkhoun, Wat Sisakhet That Luang temple, and if time permits, Hor Prakeo Temple.  After dinner, we will visit the night markets.

Day 10 - 23rd July: Vientiane - Bangkok - tour ends (B)
This morning we transfer to the airport for our return flights to Bangkok to meet your return flights home or continue with your travels.

Note: All arrangements on arrival in Bangkok by the client. Tour ends

INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS

INCLUSIONS

• All accommodations - Twin Share basis. Single supplement available. 
• Domestic flights ex Bangkok and return (20kgs is the maximum allowance)
• Experienced, local private guide for 7 days
• All land transfers
• River cruises (as per itinerary)
• Entrance fees and activities as per above
• All meals as stated in the itinerary
• Bottled water as needed

EXCLUSIONS

• International Airfares (to and from Bangkok)
• Travel Insurance (Mandatory)
• Transfers, accommodation and arrangements in Bangkok outside Day 1 arrival
• Soft drinks/alcoholic beverages
• Tips (optional)
• Meals and activities not mentioned
• Excess baggage fee if over 20kgs