Back to the Wild is an 8-day, small-group expedition that channels travel into real elephant protection in Laos. Led by ECC specialists, it starts with three days at the Elephant Conservation Center to learn elephant behavior, welfare, and rewilding. The journey then goes off-grid into the 192,000-hectare Nam Pouy National Protected Area to trek habitat, assist non-invasive health checks, deploy camera traps, and camp. Participants engage with mahouts and communities through shared meals, school visits, and spiritual sites—an ethical, low-impact, mission-led adventure.
BACK TO THE WILD
EXPLORATION WITH A PURPOSE
Back to the Wild Terms and Conditions
- Minimum Participants: The program requires a minimum group booking of 2 people to be confirmed. If this minimum is not met within a single booking, the programme may be rescheduled or cancelled. The Program accepts a maximum of 4 people per expedition. Small‑group departures help minimise impact while maximizing learning and safety.
- Age Requirement: Open to individuals aged 16 and older.
- Seasonal Schedule: DEpartures 1st week of each month between October and April.
- The field itinerary is adaptive and may vary slightly with weather, road conditions, and wildlife movements.
- The Nam Pouy National Park’s section includes uneven terrain, heat, humidity, insects, and basic camping; suitable fitness and appropriate gear are essential.
ITINERARY
Days 1-3: Depart Luang Prabang with ECC minivan and stay at the Elephant Conservation Center for our 3 days – 2 Nights Exploration Tour.
Day 3 afternoon: Briefing for the mission. Prepare the car and equipment for the mission.
Day 4: SAYABOURY & MUANG PHIANG DISTRICTS. Depart ECC with Packed Breakfast. Several stops en route at locations of natural or cultural interest. PAKLAY AND THONGMIXAY DISTRICTS: Trek in the Ban Phonesavath protected area followed by lunch break. Visit Wild Elephant Areas. Dinner with mahouts at a restaurant in Thongmixay. Overnight at local Guest House.
DAY 5: THONGMIXAY DISTRICT. Breakfast at Guest House. Visit Sacred Forest Stupa. NAM POUY NATIONAL PARK: Entrance to the Park. Elephant Health Check. Lunch by the river. Trek and Install Camera Traps in the Huay Sa Hom area. Set Up Forest Camp. Dinner. Overnight.
Day 6: NAM POUY NATIONAL PARK. Breakfast at Forest Camp. Elephant Health Check. Lunch in the Park. Check Camera Traps. Stop at Several Wildlife Observation Spots. THONGMIXAY DISTRICT: Return to the Guest House. Refreshments and Dinner at a Traditional Mahout’s House.
Day 7: THONGMIXAY DISTRICT: Breakfast at the Guest House. Visit a Local School. Lunch.
Return to Sayaboury. Several stops en route at locations of natural or cultural interest. Dinner at ECC. Overnight at ECC.
DAY 8: LUANG PRABANG. Return to Luang Prabang with ECC minivan leaving the Center at 14:00.
Please note: Each cost is all-inclusive of your visit to our center and in the Nam Pouy National Park.
Contact Us If you want to try the Experience
