Exploration 3 Days / 2 Nights

from $270.00

By joining our Exploration programme you will fully experience the peaceful and beautiful world of the Asian elephant. Not only will you enjoy a relaxing stay in the Nam Tien protected area but you will also learn all you want to know about Asia’s most iconic creature! You will receive expert information about the condition of the Asian elephant, its biology, cultural importance and the challenges of the species’ conservation. You will have the opportunity to interact with our elephant herd in its natural habitat.

During your visit at the Centre, you will spend a lot of time walking through our protected area. The area is forested and might not always be accessible without you getting dirty. Activities in the forest vary during the rainy season between May and September.

To enjoy this package in style, you can choose to swap your private bungalow for a room at our Rosewood Lodge (private bathrooms). A prefect solution for families and groups of friends. Find out more by clicking the button below.

SLEEP AT THE LODGE

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Vacation Style Holiday Type
- Jungle
Activity Level Moderate
3/8
Group Size Large Group
16

All about the Exploration 3 Days / 2 Nights.

Want to learn more and support the largest herd in Laos? The Exploration programme is just what you are looking for. The team of the Elephant Conservation Center has been working for elephants under human care since 2001. Now, we are managing 30 elephants and 530 hectares of forest.

By spending three days on the banks of Nam Tien lake, you will have the opportunity to see more conservation activities. Our team of experts will give you a hands-on demonstration of their work in the hospital.

You will also get involved with the socialisation process of our elephants through the enrichment activity. Something that you can’t experience anywhere else.

Our Team welcomes you all year round.

5 – 10 years old: 50% discount with no supplement single
Over 10 years: full charge.

The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance

What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.

Transfer from Luang Prabang to the Center both ways,
English speaking team on site,
Set menu meals: Day 1 (L, D), Day 2 (B, L, D), Day 3 (B, L)
Unlimited drinking water refills,
Accommodation: a wooden bungalow with communal wash facilities (hot shower),
Activities as described.

Whats not included in this tour.Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.

Personal expenses (Soft drinks, snacks, tips, etc.)
Travel insurance
Bank transfer fees
Anything not mentioned in ‘The price includes’

Day1 Arrival at Location / Get Started

Nursery

When you arrive at Nam Tien Lake, we will transfer you to the Center by boat.

You will have time to settle into your private bungalow before your guide takes you to the forest.

After enjoying a Laotian style picnic on a lakeside platform, you observe the elephants bathing at the nursery, an area in the forest reserved for our youngest elephants and their mothers.

Hospital

When the elephants have drunk enough and returned to the forest, you will take the boat back to the Center for the hospital visit.

Our Laotian vet assistant or our biologist will introduce you to their world and tell you more about common and uncommon injuries and their respective treatments

Elephant bath

You will then observe one of the elephants’ daily baths and learn more about our giant guests’ playful characters.

The bath is a time to socialize and strengthen ties in the herd through playing together

Elephants & Mahouts

After the elephants have washed themselves, you will have the opportunity to see them up close.

Their ears flapping, tails swatting while they use the trunk and the trees for a good scratching.

Meanwhile, the guide will tell you a little about the background of each elephant. They have all been worked hard before they came here.

Back to the forest

Now it’s time for them to walk back to the forest.

After a short trek the mahouts will decide on a place where the elephants can graze for the night.

On the way back, our guide will show you one of our plantation and the tree nursery.

Conservation talk

Before dinner, take in the surroundings from one of our viewpoints.

You can also go for a swim in the lake, take out a canoe, or visit the museum.

At 6 pm one of the staff will give a presentation on our conservation efforts, feel free to ask your unresolved questions. After diner you can relax at the bar.
Day2 A Meeting with Gentle Giants

Forest

On the second day, you will pick up the elephants in the forest.

Enjoy strolling together with these magnificent animals through their natural habitat.

After spending the night in the jungle, it is time for the morning bath.

Socialization area

The Socialization Area is an area where the elephants can freely interact during a big part of the day, recreating a semi-natural living environment.

Here the elephants can enjoy being elephants.

Follow the guide to the different platforms to see how a new herd is being formed, something which is very special about our program and difficult to find anywhere else.

Positive reinforcement

Lunch is served at the Center. You have some time to relax before the elephants come down for their afternoon bath.

You will meet our Laotian vet assistant or the biologist again as they will conduct a Target Training Session. All our elephants are being trained using positive reinforcement techniques to facilitate any necessary treatments and to reduce the stress that these treatments or routine checks can give to them.

We offer you the chance to follow their work from a safe distance.
Day 3 Farewell to the Elephants

Enrichment

To give the elephants mental stimulation and work closely on specific relationships we provide cognitive enrichment in the form of hidden food, toys, a mud bath etc.

On the third day, our guide and biologist will explain the Enrichment Activities. It is a dynamic process for enhancing animal environments to their specific needs.

We invite you to take part in this amazing experience by helping our team to prepare this area by cutting and hiding the food. Make sure you to give the elephants a challenge.

Once they arrive, you will observe how the elephants try to find what you have hidden! This is a novel and unique way to interact with our elephants, contributing directly to their well-being.

Departure

Lunch is served at the Center.

You have some time to relax before we bring you back to Luang Prabang by minivan at 2pm.

You can say your goodbyes to the staff at the restaurant or walk around the Center one last time.

Picture by Cova.foto

Picture by Jimmy Beunardeau

Picture by Paul Wager

Picture by Oleksandr Rupeta

Picture by Paul Wager

Accommodation

The Elephant Conservation Center tries to minimalize its impact on its surroundings. We have our own solar installation and work a lot with bamboo as a renewable building source.

Bungalows:

You will be spending your night in a traditional bamboo bungalow with a balcony overlooking the lake. You have your own hammock to relax in after a day of observing the elephants. You can take hot showers in our communal washing facilities. We will provide biodegradable soap and shampoo.

Activities:

Feel free to take one of the canoes out on the lake to enjoy the best view of the sunset. If you are not a fan of water, you can spend some time on our viewpoints at the tip of the peninsula. If you want to take a refreshing dive in the lake, you can do so in our swimming area.

Restaurant:

The staff will serve a set menu Laotian style dishes, but without the spiciness. If you have any food restrictions, please let us know while making your reservation. The cooks will be more than happy to adapt their meals.

Bar:

What would an experience in Laos be without an ice-cold Beer Lao. You can find a lot more at the bar in the restaurant.

FAQs

Advance Booking

Booking in advance is necessary. Nobody can come inside our protected area without authorisation.

What to bring at the ECC?

A cap (you can buy the ECC Cap at the Center)
A big bottle of water to refill (you can buy the ECC Bottle at the Center)
Long trousers and long shirts or a jacket to go to the forest (to avoid scratches and insect bites)
Sun screen
A bag to carry your belongings during the activities
Good quality trekking shoes (recommended)
Raining jacket, especially during the rainy season (June to November)
Mosquito repellent

Guiding

During all your stay, you will be accompanied by a local English speaking guide.

Transportation Schedule

The meeting point is at the post office on Chao Fa Ngum road before 8:00 AM. It is close to the crossroads with the tourist office. Our minivan will be waiting for you in front of it and will take you to Xayaboury. When you finish your program, we will bring you back to the same place at about 5:00 PM. The journey between the two towns takes about 2,5 hours.

Accommodation

Bungalows: accommodation is in a wooden bungalow with shared washing facilities.

Dormitory: you will be spending your night in a traditional mahout house turned into a dormitory. You can take hot showers in our communal washing facilities.

Lodge: the lodge has 4 vast rooms and private washrooms and terrace.

Best Season

The area is forested and might not always be accessible without you getting dirty. Activities in the forest vary during the rainy season between May and September.

Elephant Care

Medical Care of the elephants at the Elephant Hospital is only carried out by qualified vets. You won’t be able to participate in this activity. Thank you for your understanding.