Mahout Experience and Elephant Training Course
 3 days, 2 nights

Introduction

This unique experience will last a lifetime in your memories.  This is your chance to work side by side with an experienced Mahout (Elephant Caretaker) and step into another world that focuses on the well being and preservation of the elephant population of Laos.  The location is near to Luang Prabang and accommodation will be at the Elephant Lodge, well outside of the city.  The trip is complete with visits to the main historical attractions in Luang Prabang and all the while, your guide will be with you to make sure your visit is special.

Brief Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Luang Prabang - City Tour - Ban Phanom - Lao Spirit Eco Resort
Day 2: Mahout Experience and Elephant Training Course
Day 3: Mahout Experience and Elephant Training Course – Luang Prabang Departure

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Luang Prabang - City Tour - Ban Phanom - Lao Spirit Eco Resort

On arrival to Luang Prabang, you are met at the airport. Following lunch, it’s time for a ½ day city tour of this World Heritage City.  We’ll visit the former Royal Palace which was built in 1904 during the early French colonial era as a residence for King Sisavang Vong and his family. The building features a blend of Lao motifs and French beaux-arts styles.  We continue to Wat Visoun which was built by Visounnarat in 1513.  It is the oldest operating temple in Luang Prabang. We finish the city tour at Wat Xieng Thong which was built by King Setthathirat in 1560.  It is Luang Prabang’s most magnificent temple.

We then drive 15 km out of Luang Prabang to Lao Spirit Resort. On the way, we stop at Ban Phanom.  This village, populated by Thai Lue (a tribe with its origins in Southern China), is well known for cotton and silk hand-weaving.  Here we have the opportunity to check out how to make the traditional Lao Cotton on a weaving loom. A dirt road will bring us through teakwood plantations and wind up the Nam Khan valley.  We pass the Tomb of Henry Mouhot, the French explorer who showed Angkor Wat to the world.

We will continue through rice paddies and dense forest before we arrive in Lao Spirit Eco Resort. The area is in natural beauty and a 1600 meter mountain range gives its flair to the place. The Nam Khan River just in front is an additional highlight. Just along the Nam Khan River and some jungle forests the place is probably unique in Asia. You find a place of peace and quietness that provides a wonderful symbiosis between natures. Dinner is served at the resort.

Accommodation: Lao Spirit Resort
Transit: short periods between locations/0.5 hours to Lao Spirit Resort
Trekking time: 1 hour
Trekking difficulty: easy
Mean plan: L, D

Day 2: Mahout Experience and Elephant Training Course

In the morning, we’ll travel to the Elephant Protection area. Live the life of a Lao mahout in the Elephant Park Project area, here you’ll understand how people and animals live and work in natural surrounding. 

You will begin to experience life as a Mahout and stay with the Mahout team, care for the elephants, feed them, guide them out of the jungle, enjoy a ride while getting an understanding of the great relationship a Mahout has with the elephant. 

This is an excellent way to see a Mahout life with and enjoy time stay in the 100 year old Elephant Lodge.

Accommodation: Elephant Lodge
Training course: learn to ride, control and guide the Elephant in the Project area
Mean plan: B, L, D

Day 3: Mahout Experience and Elephant Training Course – Luang Prabang Departure

On the second day, we pick up the Elephants for bathing and choose a day of trekking or kayaking.  For the trekking option, we’ll visit Ban Hoaysai of Khmu village and Tad Sea Waterfall.  Here, you can enjoy swimming before returning to Luang Prabang.  For the kayaking option, we start at Ban Phen village and paddle about 4 hrs on the Nam Khan River, passing only a few small rapids here and there.

We’ll arrive back to Luang Prabang in mid afternoon. Options are spend one more night in Luang Prabang or transfer airport for a flight.

If you chose to spend one more night, we recommend making a climb to Wat Phou Si for sunset.  Wat Phou Si sits high above Luang Prabang. After dinner we suggest a visit to the Night Market to examine local handicrafts and souvenirs found only in Luang Prabang.

Note - Maximum group size is 6 persons only

Accommodation: Not included
Transit: 0.5 hours
Training course: Elephant bathing
Activity time: 3 hours trekking or kayaking
Activity difficulty: Easy
Mean plan: L, D

Our trip includes

• English speaking guide
• Accommodation as indicated
• Meals as indicated
• Transfer and pickup airport
• Transportation by car or minivan
• Tour as indicated
• Entrance fee

Our trip excludes

• Domestic and international flights
• Visa & visa arrangement
• Meals not indicated
• Drinking water, soft drink and alcohol
• Tips & personal expenses

Prices contact info@remoteasia.com