How do I get to the Elephant Conservation Center?

It is easy to get to the Elephant Conservation Center:

From Luang Prabang

Our minivan departs daily at 7:30 am from outside the Luang Prabang post office on the main street. When you book your stay with us, the van driver will be expecting you at the pick-up point (post office) and will take you directly to the ECC wharf in Sayaboury, where our boat takes you to the Center. This transfer takes approximately 2.5 hours and is included in your accommodation package. On departure, you will arrive back in Luang Prabang between 4.30 pm and 5 pm.

From Vientiane

The fastest and most comfortable way is to take the train (Laos-China Railway), which takes approximately 2 hours from Vientiane to Luang Prabang, and then take our minivan from there the next morning (see details above).

Alternatively, you can fly to Luang Prabang (check www.laoairlines.com or www.laoskyway.com, or consult a travel agent) and take our minivan from there.

Finally, you can check direct flights from Vientiane to Sayaboury with Lao Skyway www.laoskyway.com

 

If you are travelling overland, these are your options:

The private company called Sakura runs an air-conditioned minibus service from Vientiane (Sikhai minibus station opposite the Sikhai market on Suphannuvong street, past Wattay airport in the direction of RD13 North). The minibus usually leaves in the morning with departures from 9 am to 11 am. It takes approximately 6 to 7 hours to get to Sayaboury. We can pick you up from the bus station or a guesthouse in Sayaboury.

If you need to come by your own means, drive north along the Mekong River (turn left past Wattay airport in Ban Sikhay) to the crossroads just before Sanakham. There, turn right to Paklay. Getting to Paklay takes approximately 2.5 hours depending on road conditions. Once in Paklay, continue north to Sayaboury (another 2 to 3-hour drive).

Another option is to drive north to Vang Vieng (1 hour on the highway) and then onto Kasi. In Kasi, turn left across the mountains to Muang Nan. In Muang Nan, turn left to Sayaboury. The whole journey, excluding stops, lasts about 4 to 5 hours.

From Sayaboury

Our minivan can pick you up from your guesthouse in Sayaboury on its way from Luang Prabang. You need to be ready by 10 am. If you are booking buses out of Sayaboury to your next destination, the van can get you to Sayaboury bus station in time for departures after 3 pm.

From Vang Vieng

If you wish to come from Vang Vieng, you can take the train (Laos-China Railway), which is an hour-long journey to Luang Prabang, and then take our minivan from there the next morning. Alternatively, you can enquire with the local bus station about a bus. There is a bus that goes from Vientiane to Sayaboury, and it passes by Vang Vieng. However, if the bus driver is not informed in advance, he won’t stop. You would arrive in Sayaboury in the afternoon, so you won’t be able to start the program on the same day.