Tribal Laos and waterfalls explorer

Sabaidi and welcome to Luang Prabang, the most beautiful town in Laos famous for its blend of local and colonial culture and architecture. Upon arrival to Luang Prabang Airport, our driver will transfer you to the hotel, a former home of Lao royalty. Unwind in the lovely garden as you sip a cocktail by the pool relaxing on your first day in Laos. Or explore the beautiful temples stretching out in every direction within the city center.

Meals: No meals

Accommodation: Satri House

Drive out of Luang Prabang this morning and begin your day-hike from Long Lao Village where Khamu and Hmong people reside. Pass orchards, rice fields, and vegetable gardens before disappearing into the wild jungle and some medium-rock climbs, arriving in the afternoon to the out-of-this world Kuang Si Waterfall. Swim and relax in the glowing turquoise waters in your very own version of the Jungle Book. Make sure to stop at the Kuang Si Bear Rescue Sanctuary to learn about one woman’s efforts to protect Asian sun and moon bears from illegal poaching and organ theft for medicinal purposes.

Return to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon, enjoying your evening free at leisure to explore and shop at the nightly art and craft market.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Satri House

Leave beautiful Luang Prabang and venture into the jungle with a 2.5-hour drive plus boat transfer to the acclaimed Elephant Conservation Center in Sayaboury. Settle into your rustic bungalow and enjoy a classic Lao picnic lunch before joining the day’s main activities.

Stop by the elephant nursery and observe mama and baby elephants interacting together. Afterwards, learn about elephant biology and health treatments at the center’s hospital from the local vet. Watch the elephants bathing in the lake as they play and socialize. Once bath-time is finished, under the watchful and caring mahout’s supervision, participate in some soft interaction such as touching the elephants and getting to know their unique personalities.

Trek with the mahout and elephants into the forest to find the perfect snack for the gentle giants, learning about each elephant’s background and how they came to live here. Return to the center in the late afternoon with the rest of the day free at leisure to swim in the lake, kayak, or visit the conservation museum to learn about the center’s efforts and projects.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, catch up with the elephants in the forest as they get ready for another bath. Walk with the elephants from their bath area to the socialization area where you can watch them develop herds, interact, and play together from the various platforms installed.

Have lunch and return to Luang Prabang for a Baci ceremony as the sun sets. Admire the atmospheric setting of lit candles gently flickering during the traditional blessing and national Lao custom offering good luck and health to the participants.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Satri House

Depart Luang Prabang this morning and drive 3 hours north to the countryside wonder of Nong Khiaw. Surrounded by karst limestone formations and verdant rice paddies, the setting is perfect for either relaxing and soaking up the atmosphere or trying many adventure activities and working up a sweat.

Check out Nong Khiaw’s newest attraction, the jungle zipline.  At 1:00 pm, head out of town and fly through the jungle on the 4 ziplines available. After a short trek to a bubbling water spring, dare to swing like the king of the jungle on the Tarzan Swing! Abseil from the trees 40 metres to the ground, crossing bamboo bridges and rice fields, returning to Nong Khiaw just in time to find dinner.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Nong Khiaw Riverside

Understand more about Lao culture with this overnight trek to remote Hmong and Lao Leum Villages. Admire colourful rice fields and steep mountains as you take a gentle 90-minute walk through the gorgeous landscape. See local traditions still in use as you watch women work on their weaving and other activities.

Meet your homestay “family” in the afternoon, enjoying the local cuisine prepared for you and interacting with the villagers and children. You have plenty of leisure time to try the many hands-on activities available at a low-cost and organized directly by the villagers. Your local guide will help with translations to give you a truly in-depth and authentic hill-tribe experience.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Nong Khiaw Riverside

Say good-bye to your family after breakfast and leave using local trails from the village to the beautiful Nam Ou River. A short boat ride brings you to the spectacular Tadmok Waterfall before hiking 1-hour to a quiet Khmu Village along the banks of the river. Return to Nong Khiaw by boat in the early afternoon, looking at the incredible landscape on both sides of the river.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Nong Khiaw Riverside

After a delicious breakfast, return by a 3-hour drive to charming Luang Prabang, where your day is free at leisure to explore on your own before a transfer to the airport for onward booked travel arrangements.

Meals: Breakfast