Laos Elephant Research Trip
Photo tour in Laos, Thailand | 9 days ex Bangkok | US$3,500
Once off tour extension to photograph the elephants of Laos with a 4-day jungle trek and a few journeys down the Mekong.
This photographic research expedition can be taken as an extension to the 2010 Ancient Kingdoms Photo Tour, but is also available to other travellers who just want a chance to explore the jungles of Laos and get a unique opportunity to photograph the elephants.
We will be making space for up to 6 travellers to come elephant trekking. The tour begins in Bangkok with a flight to Chiang Rai in the Golden Triangle, a few days of Thai style pampering and then we start roughing it. We leave Chiang Rai to head for the Laos border, head down the Mekong and mee the elephants. After a few days of tents by the river, rural villages and roughly 4 hours a day riding the elephants we venture by boat further down to Mekong to finish the trip with some comfortable lodgings in Luang Prabang.
Accommodation in the jungle is very basic and there will be no electricity for those nights. We'll need enough battery power to keep shooting for 4 days without a recharge. Every traveller has their own elephant to ferry them and their essential luggage through the forests.
This is a once only tour, a unique experience and an adventure into the unknown.
Itinerary
Day 1 | Bangkok
We meet the group in Bangkok on day 1 and outline the journey ahead. Some travellers will be extending from the Ancient Kingdoms Photography Tour while some will be meeting us fresh at the hotel.
Day 2-3 | Chiang Rai
We have a short flight from Bangkok to Chiang Rai in the early morning. Our main objective is to meet some of the team at the Golden Triangle Elephant Foundation and see how the conservation project helps elephants and mahouts start a better life.
Day 4 | Pak Beng
There's be an early morning pickup from our hotel to transfer to the Laos border, make the crossing and then head down the Mekong by boat to the town of Pak Beng. This is a long travel day.
Days 5-7 | Elephant Trekking
In the morning we head down the river a little further before meet our elephants after lunch and beginning our journey into the jungle. For the next three nights we will be immersed in the life of Laos villagers, forest creatures and our companion elephants. Each traveller will have their own elephant with several hours a day stomping through the trees and shrubs. Evenings are spent either with a homestay arrangement with local farmers or a campsite by the river. During our travels you will also be schooled in how to drive an elephant, plus we are bringing along an additional elephant expert from Elefant Asia to help us learn about these marvellous animals.
Days 8-9 | Luang Prabang
Our last morning on the Mekong will be spent saying goodbye to the elephants and our mahouts, then we board a boat to journey 6 hours downstream to the town of Luang Prabang. we have accommodation arranged for the night and a farewell dinner. If you haven't been to Luang Prabang before you will want to extend your travels for a few days. For the rest of us, a flight back to Bangkok after lunch on December the 5th has us landing in time for evening flights to other countries. Adjustments can be made for anyone who wishes to travel on a later date.
Facts and Information
Style
photographic research exploration
Inclusions
Accompanying photographer who will also be your leader, flights from Bangkok to Chiang Rai and from Luang Prabang to Bangkok, guides and elephants, accommodation and all meals.
Group Size
maximum 6
Accommodation
4 nights in 3-star hotel, 1 night local guesthouse, 3 nights camping/homestay
Meals Included
all breakfasts, lunches and dinners
Instructing Photographer
Ewen Bell
Ewen Bell's website and photo tours
Meet the Elephants
See the website for the Golden Triangle Elephant Foundation
Our elephant trek supports Elefant Asia
Camera Requirements
Digital SLR or Compact Digital
Difficulty Rating
Challenging rural experience.
Feedback and Reviews
"I was one of the lucky three people to join Ewen when he did a research trip into the province of Yunnan, China in March 2009. What an unbelievable experience it was, full of amazing people, scenery, adventures and most of all fantastic photographic opportunities. I have to say it was one of the most memorable trips I have ever done and was a photographers dream, not to mention some of the best food I have ever tasted! This trip takes you off the usual tourist path giving you greater freedom and more opportunities to really immerse yourself into the local culture and meet the people and find out more about their way of life. Under the guidance of Ewen, I also learnt so many more tips and tricks to take control of my camera and achieve the results that I wanted. For anyone who may be contemplating this trip, an opportunity not to be missed."
- Eve, March 2009
See more feedback comments on Ewen's website