Free the Bears Laos with Alex Cearns

8 Days$3690AUD

View Inclusions

Activities

• Volunteer work
• Sightseeing
• Day walks

Accommodation

• 7 nights in a 5 star boutique resort

Meals

• 3 Dinners
• 6 Lunches
• 7 Breakfasts

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Luang Prabang 

Upon arrival in Luang Prabang you will be met and transferred to your hotel for the duration of your stay in Laos. Our base will be the five star, boutique 'Kiridara Hotel'. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to relax and enjoy the surroundings until we get together this afternoon for a trip briefing with your guide and enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel. After we visit the Luang Prabang Night Market. Overnight: Kiridara Hotel

Day 2-4 Work at Free the Bears Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary

Over the next 3 days we will enjoy a full breakfast at our hotel before we head to the new Free the Bears Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary was opened in 2017 and provides a home to not only rescued bears but also for other rescued and endangered wildlife including macaques, leopard cats, tortoises, birds, civets, and even red pandas intercepted after being smuggled from China into Laos. With more than 80 bear rescues in Laos since 2017 (more than 120 bear rescues in Laos since 2003), Free the Bears are building bear houses as quickly as they can. Construction of a cub nursery, quarantine house and Wildlife Hospital have already been supported through previous World Expeditions visits, with a further seven bear houses and thirteen spacious forest enclosures completed to date. Whilst at the sanctuary we will be introduced to the bears and provide some background information about the ongoing work being done by Free the Bears in Laos, before joining the bears enrichment program and helping with the upkeep of the sanctuary. During our time here we will also have an opportunity to photograph the bears and other wildlife from a behind the scenes perspective. Each afternoon we will travel back to Luang Prabang. Overnight: Kiridara Hotel

Day 5 Explore the city of Luang Prabang

Today we take a break from our volunteering at the sanctuaries and explore the stunning UNESCO World Heritage town of Luang Prabang. We travel by local tuk tuk and walking. Luang Prabang is the incredibly well-preserved ancient capital of the Lao Kingdom, a religious and imperial capital of the past. Wedged between the Mekong and Khan rivers, it has been nominated as a World Heritage site and is famous for its many Wats (temples) - 32 of the 66 that were built before French colonisation still stand. All of them are well kept and in use, with numerous monks in residence. Today we will explore the National Museum, Wat Mai, Wat Xiengthong and the Living Crafts centre to meet the weavers and learn about textiles before making our way to the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre to learn about the various minority communities. We will finish the day with an optional climb of the 328 steps to Phousi Hill to enjoy the stunning views. Another visit to the Luang Prabang Night Market for those who wish to go back for another look or shop. Evening and dinner at leisure. Overnight: Kiridara Hotel

Day 6 Elephant walk at Manda Lao

Deeply rooted in the foundations of Buddhism and local folklore, elephants have attained an almost mythical status across much of their ancestral lands. Laos became known as the “Land of One Million Elephants” or “Lan Xang” from fabled accounts of a procession of them crossing the Mekong River not far from Luang Prabang. By all accounts humans and elephants have worked side-by-side in the region for nearly 2000 years. Ranging from 4 to over 60 years of age, MandaLao’s elephants have spent the majority of their lives working together in logging camps and and low welfare tourist attractions. With new regulations limiting logging operations across Laos, and concern over elephant welfare, we have been able to bring these amazing creatures home to where we offer them a dignified and comfortable life in harmony with nature. You will trek through the jungle alongside two adult elephants, surrounded by jungle streams and luscious rice fields as you trek (2.5km round trip). Once your trek is completed, a delicious lunch will follow at the MandaLao property. We return to Luang Prabang in the afternoon. Tonight we will enjoy a group dinner at Secret Pizza. Overnight: Kiridara Hotel

 

Day 7 Luan Prbang Free the Bears Sanctuary-Kuang Xi Waterfell

After breakfast, we make our way to the Kuang Xi Free the Bears Sanctuary but today we will also enjoy a walk around the waterfalls and a swim in the stunning natural pools. Today is our last day at the Sanctuary, after our days work we will say goodbye to the team and return to Luang Prabang in the late afternoon before heading to our farewell dinner at a local restaurant and enjoy a traditional Lao dance show. Overnight: Kiridara Hotel