7-Day Elephantology - Elephant Conservation Center

Elephantology

Join our team in Laos for seven days of fieldwork, observation, and elephant-focused learning.

Where Science, Ethology and Authentic Laos Meet

ElephantConservationCenter_Sayaboury_Laos_ClassesNature (28)

Mahouts (elephant keepers) take elephants to a new place deep in

Elephants in Socialization Area in the Elephant Conservation Cen

From the quiet focus of your first ethogram to the satisfaction of identifying an elephant by name, the week unfolds as a progression from discovery to participation to understanding.

Participants leave with not only practical conservation science skills but also a deep, embodied understanding of what it means to protect a species at the frontier of rewilding.

This programme is all-inclusive and the fee covers accommodation in shared dormitories, all meals, return transport between Luang Prabang and the Elephant Conservation Center, all learning materials, fieldwork equipment, and expert instruction from ECC staff, including our in-house veterinarians and behavioural biologists.

The Elephantology programme is a 7-day / 6-night immersion into conservation science and elephant welfare – designed for anyone who wants to think like a scientist.

Set on the serene banks of Nam Tien Lake, surrounded by the Phou Xang mountain range, participants join ECC's team of conservationists, veterinarians and behavioural biologists for an intensive week of learning and fieldwork. The lens is ethology – the study of animal behaviour in its natural context.

From the moment you arrive, you will observe, record, and begin to decode the social world of the largest group of Asian elephants living under human care in Laos, on a 540-hectare protected forest.

Join us in Sayaboury – the Homeland of the Lao Elephant – and help write the next chapter of Asian elephant conservation.

ORIENTATION GUIDE

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PROGRAMME ITINERARY

DAYS 1–3 – ECC "Exploration"

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. Day 2: Breakfast – Meet the Elephants in the Forest – Observe Elephants Bathing – Socialisation Area Observation – Lunch – Afternoon Bath – Positive Reinforcement Training – Vet Check – Dinner. Day 3: Breakfast – Trekking to observe free-roaming male elephants – Information Center – Lunch – Free Time (Kayaking, Yoga, Sunset Chill, Games…) – Dinner at Restaurant. 14:00–16:00 Preparatory Lecture on Behaviour Data Collection (Ethology Basics) (Elephant Hospital Workspace). All overnights at Dormitory

DAY 4 – Ethology in Practice: Female Herd

Breakfast – Practical: In-Field Behavioural Data Collection with Biologist (female elephants) (Socialisation Area) – Lunch – Elephant Health Check-Up with ECC Vets (Elephant Hospital Workspace) – Learn from ECC veterinarians about the key aspects assessed during elephant health check-ups (Elephant Bath Area) – Dinner – Overnight at Dormitory

DAY 5 – Behaviour Data & Individual Identification

Breakfast – Practical: In-Field Behavioural Data Collection with Biologist (male elephants) (Socialisation Area) – Lunch – Elephant Identification: learn how to identify elephants and create individual elephant IDs (Elephant Hospital Workspace) – Free Time (Kayaking, Yoga, Sunset Chill, Games…) – Dinner – Overnight at Dormitory

DAY 6 – Veterinary Procedures & Endocrine Science

Breakfast – Medical Target Training and Foot Care: demonstration & practice (Hospital) – Drug Administration in Elephants: demonstration & practice (Hospital) – Clean Workshop (Volunteers' Workshop) – Lunch – Implication of Science in Conservation: Lab Demonstration at ECC Endocrine Lab – Free Time (Kayaking, Yoga, Sunset Chill, Games…) – Dinner & Farewell Party / Gaming Evening – Overnight at Dormitory

DAY 7 – Knowledge Sharing & Departure

Breakfast – Optional: Meet Elephants in the Forest (Morning Trek) – Objective: Share Video Reels, Images & Posts with ECC Team (Elephant Hospital Workspace) – Lunch – Depart to Luang Prabang

PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS

KEY FEATURES – 16 years old minimum. From 3 to 16 participants.

SESSION IN 2026:

- July 20th July - 26th

- August 10th - 16th

- October 5th - 11th

- November 30th - December 6th

Science-led immersion: shadow ECC's behavioural biologists, veterinarians and conservationists across all stages of data collection, analysis and elephant care.
Ethical engagement: hands-off elephant policy, positive reinforcement protocols, and welfare-first philosophy underpinning every activity.
Ethology in practice: learn to design and use ethograms — the foundational tool of behavioural biology — in a live field setting with up to 27 elephants.
Veterinary insight: attend health check-ups and medical training demonstrations, and learn how drugs are administered to elephants.
Endocrine science: understand how hormonal monitoring and endocrinology shape real conservation decisions.
Lao cultural connection: interact with local mahouts, learn basic Lao, and explore the deep human–elephant bond at the heart of Sayaboury's culture.

Learning Outcomes – Participants will:

Understand Asian elephant biology, social structure and individual behaviour.
Design and conduct in-field behavioural data collection (ethograms) with qualified biologists.
Learn individual elephant identification using morphological markers used by ECC researchers.
Gain direct insight into ECC's pioneering rewilding programme – the first of its kind in Laos.
Learn practical field research skills directly applicable to careers in conservation biology, ethology and wildlife management.

PROGRAMME OVERVIEW

Inclusions & Exclusions

SESSIONS FROM 3 PARTICIPANTS – AGE 16 MINIMUM –

CONDUCTED IN ENGLISH

$ 990

All Inclusive - Overnights in shared Dorms - Other Accommodation Options Available

Included:

All-inclusive: transfers from Luang Prabang, all meals, accommodation at ECC, guided activities, fieldwork equipment, and lectures.
Group size: 3–16 participants per session
Difficulty: Moderate (involves walking and outdoor fieldwork tasks)
All interactions with elephants are hands-off / observation-only and under the supervision of ECC professionals.
Accommodation in shared dormitories
Lectures, fieldwork, and learning materials. Instruction from ECC's expert staff, including in-house veterinarians and behavioural biologists.

Not Included:

Flights to/from Laos
Visas
Travel insurance
Expenses before/after the programme
Tips and drinks at bar

No prior academic experience is required, but participants should be comfortable around large animals. The programme is conducted in English.

CHOOSE YOUR ACCOMMODATION

DORMITORY

$990

Nestled on the shores of Nam Tien Lake, our volunteer dormitory offers simple, comfortable accommodation in a shared setting. With four rooms of bunk beds, it hosts up to 16 volunteers, located within walking distance of the Workshop, ECORE workspace and ECC main site, with lake views.

CLASSIC LAKESIDE BUNGALOW

$1070

Nestled beside the tranquil Nam Tien Lake, our bungalows offer a cozy retreat with the option of a double or twin room. Perfect for unwinding and relishing the breathtaking sunset views on a private balcony after long, rewarding days in the field.

PREMIUM LAKESIDE BUNGALOW

$1190

On the shores of Nam Tien Lake, our bungalows offer a restful, nature-focused stay with your choice of double or twin setup. Each features a private balcony—perfect for soaking up sunset over the water. New for 2025, our Premium bungalows add contemporary comforts while preserving the same close-to-nature character and uninterrupted lake views.

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ELEPHANTOLOGY

CONSERVATION

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EDUCATION