Description

Three Days with Elephants in the Hills Outside of Luang Prabang

Laos, once known as the land of a million elephants, is now at a crossroads. Wild Asian elephants here are critically endangered as deforestation and poaching take their toll on the lush forested hills the elephants call home. This program is your chance to come learn what it takes to care for these amazing creatures while also exploring the greater Luang Prabang area. You will spend the first three days of the program learning how to handle and care for elephants while getting to know your group and experiencing jungle life in this beautiful corner of the world. After completing your three-day elephant course, you'll spend the rest of the program exploring this charming town and the hills and villages surrounding it. Luang Prabang is often rated as one of the top travel destinations in the world, and after a few days you'll know why. Your home on the program will be an elegant stilted bungalow on the banks of the mighty Mekong River, and you'll get into the groove of life here very quickly.

The Way of the Elephant

The elephant camp is situated in an incredible region of Northern Laos that is surrounded by spectacular mountain peaks, sparkling rivers, and enchanting temples.

You will learn the necessary skills to be a mahout, or elephant caretaker, and as each day passes you will come to know these gentle creatures a little better. Elephants are quite smart and playful, and you will soon see that each one has its own distinct personality and way of engaging with people.

Your daily training will take place in an outdoor classroom and will involve learning how to feed, ride, bathe, and communicate with the elephants. After a couple days of training, you will be armed with the basic skills of a mahout and ready for an elephant trek deep into the verdant jungle that surrounds the camp. This excursion into the jungle will be your chance to apply the skills you learned in a real context.

The Cool Cultures of Luang Prabang

You will spend the second half of the program exploring Luang Prabang and the surrounding region. There is no place in the world quite like Luang Prabang. Long protected from outside influences by the dramatic terrain of the area and the conservative policies of Laos, this area has only been open to tourists for a relatively short time. Trek to a Hill Tribe village and share a lunch of sticky rice and laap with the villagers. Stroll local markets perusing fine crafts and woven silks while snacking on fresh-baked baguettes and fresh coffee remnants of the city's French colonial past. Explore the seven-tiered Kuang Si Waterfall and take a long-tail boat tour to holy caves and handicraft markets. You'll even go for a bike ride through the rural countryside, kayak down a winding river, enjoy a traditional massage, and learn how to make a Lao-style barbecue.

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity

This is a unique opportunity to explore one of the region's most distinctive and popular destinations while working with endangered Asian elephants. Want to extend your summer adventure? This program connects to our other trips in Southeast Asia, China, and India.

Highlights

LEARN to feed, ride, bathe, and care for elephants during a three-day intensive course just outside of Luang Prabang.

GAIN an intimate working knowledge of Asian elephants and the various factors influencing their long-term survival and go home as a certified elephant handler.

EXPERIENCE the magic of Luang Prabang, stay at our new riverside base, bike through Hill Tribe villages, peruse exotic markets, and kayak down the gorgeous Nam Kham River.

DO IT ALL in one action-packed week of elephants, service, and fun in the mountains of Northern Laos!

Travel Types

• Cycling (Mountain)
• Kayaking (River)
• Overland Tours
• Student Tours
• Tours
• Volunteering

Qualifications

Students must be 14-years old and up to participate on the program. Additionally, participants must submit an application through the Rustic Pathways website and complete the appropriate documents before traveling on the program.

Type of Programs

• Adventure Travel
• Community Service / Volunteerism
• Student Tours

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

1,495 USD + 490 USD Internal Airfare + International Air

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

The above cost includes all ground transportation in-country, 3 meals a day, housing, staff through the duration of the program, all supplies for the volunteer projects and all excursions on the program itinerary not listed as optional.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Animal Welfare
• Conservation
• Eco-tourism
• Volunteering

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Other

Scholarships are Available

Rustic Pathways is providing over 100 scholarships for the 2012 season based on a mix of both need and merit. Application deadline is every year in early Spring. Please contact us for more details on applying for a scholarship and other financial aid options.

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

1-2 business days

Rustic Pathways's Mission Statement

Rustic Pathways is a pioneer in providing superior quality travel and service programs for students and families in some of the world's most welcoming countries. Rustic Pathways demands professionalism and integrity across all of its operations, insists on quality in all aspects of its programs, and places the safety of its students above all other considerations. We enrich the lives of our students and our staff, benefit the parts of the world we serve, and build cultural bridges that lead to greater global understanding and cooperation.

Year Founded

1983