LAOS ADVENTURE SCHOOL TOUR
Our Laos school tours allow students to discover an authentic side of Asia; a diverse and unique country that has remained largely unaffected by the development of Western culture. Traditions that have disappeared throughout Asia are still alive in Laos, and students will have the opportunity to explore all aspects of the country from the cultural centre of Luang Prabang, to the bustling markets of its capital Vientiane, as well as outdoor adventure that takes full advantage of its pristine environment.
Our student tour in Laos combines cultural immersion, vivid nature, and community service projects that will help students make the connection between Laos' complex past, developing present, and hopeful future. Students will have a better understanding of it's distinct culture, and the chance to take part in wildlife conservation projects.
Your school can incorporate a wide range of projects into this suggested itinerary to suit your trip's outcome. See our Project Types.
This is a suggested itinerary only and can be changed to suit each individual school group. We can specifically tailor each itinerary to ensure that we meet your schools learning objectives and requirements. Whether your students are travelling for a specific topic or looking for something with the cross-curricula value we can meet all of your requirements.
Trip code : LSC391
Duration : 12 days
Destination : Laos
Travel Dates : As required
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Learn about the Laotian history, culture and traditions
- Take part in a community project
- Learn about different highland minorities
- Engage in studies of society and environment
- Participate in team building exercise, group-trekking, and kayaking
- Enhance perspectives, develop appreciation for diversity and differences
- Develop communication skills within peers and in a foreign environment
- Discover a world more beautiful, diverse and colorful than any textbook could ever portray
- Develop skills for students through a meaningful overseas experience
HIGHLIGHTS
- Visit Luang Prabang a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Cycle through unspoiled countryside and sample local delicacies
- Hike through the jungle and swim in pristine waterfalls
- Sample local buffalo ice-cream and learn how to milk a buffalo
- Support local communities and contribute to a local school / orphanage
- Get up close and personal with Elephants at the Elephant Centre
- Support the conservation efforts of the Free the Bears protection program for sun and moon bears
- Participate in local community project
- Kayaking and tubing in Nam Song
On arrival at Luang Prabang airport, students and teachers will be welcomed by our local guide and transferred to the hotel for check in and briefing about your Laos program
Then we will head out to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site, start with a visit to Wat Xieng Thong – “The Monastery of the City” before we make our way to the city’s oldest and prettiest temple Wat Visoun. Our next stop is the National Museum also known as the former Royal Palace. Then continue to Houen Chan Heritage House to learn more about Laos culture. In the evening, we will attend Baci Ceremony at local house and welcome dinner.
Overnight in Luang Prabang. (L,D)
This morning, we will explore the city by bike we will head out to Pak Ou Village from Luang Prabang. After approximately 25 kilometres of cycling in both smooth and rough road, we reach the village of Ban Pak Ou.
After a short rest, we cross the Mekong River to Pak Ou and Thamting Caves, located on the Mekong riverbank. We visit the interesting and mysterious Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by devoted pilgrims.
We then embark on a traditional boat downstream the Mekong River with our bicycles. On the way, we stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where you can sample the local produce of Lao rice wine. Our next stop will be Ban Xang Khong, famous for Saa paper-making.
We then return to Luang Prabang, climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for a panorama view of the city and Mekong River.
Evening is free to visit Night Market. Overnight in Luang Prabang Approximately: 2hours cycling/2 hours boating
This morning, we drive to the nearby valley southeast of Luang Prabang.
We arrive at the Long Lao Village where we begin our hiking tour. Before trekking we can explore the life and culture of this village where Khamu and Hmong people live.
Continue trekking into the mountainous Lao countryside of Luang Prabang. Hiking along you will pass orchards, rice fields, and vegetable gardens.
In the afternoon you will arrive at the crystal clear Kuang Si Waterfall. An exciting forest trail leads you to the end of your trek and your reward - the welcoming and refreshing pools of Kuang Si Waterfall where we will have plenty of time to relax and swim.
While in the Kuang Si Waterfall park, you should visit the Kuang Si Bear Rescue Sanctuary. You can find great information about Asian sun and moon bears and the Free the Bears protection program.
Experience the new Lao Buffalo dairy. The diary provides income and a sustainable future for the Lao people involved. Learn how to milk a Buffalo, cuddle a Buffalo for the perfect selfie and try some incredible ice cream. The Buffalo may be the stars of the show but the playful pigs, chickens and cute rabbits are also plenty of fun for the young and young at heart!
We’ll return late afternoon by vehicle. The tour concludes late afternoon in Luang Prabang.
Total trekking distance is 9 km (5.5 mi), approx 3.5 hours of medium difficulty, slippery when wet. The trek is mainly flat. There is a rocky section up and down a small hill approx 20 minutes.
Get up early in the morning, students and teachers will join the local people with their daily Morning Alms Giving. This tradition is unique in Laos and some other countries in Southeast Asia. The offerings are normally sticky rice, flowers, fruits and sometimes money.
Afterwards, we return to the hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, we transfer to visit Elephant Village Camp for an educational tour:
Option 1: General tour about Elephants 09:00am: We start with a briefing from your tour guide about Elephant Village and elephants in general
Elephant Feeding: Get up close and personal with elephants, you may even get to see some young calves. Visit Elephant Hospital: Meet our elephant doctor and learn about elephant health and checkups
Local surroundings: Learn about the traditions and lifestyle of nearby villages and farms
Visit Museum: Learn more about elephants and their plight for survival Dung Paper: Learn about how elephant dung paper is made
Basic Mahout Training: Learn how to command elephants using the local language
The tour is finished around 11:30 11:30 Lunch: Enjoy a lunch buffet overlooking the Namkhan River
Option 2: Dung Paper making (max 10 pax per day) 09:00am: Welcome greeting by your guide and participate in a short briefing about elephants
Elephant Feeding: Get up close and personal with elephants, you may even get to see some young calves
Tour camp: Visit our elephant museum and elephant hospital to learn more about the plight of elephants in this changing environment
Collect Dung: Walk around the camp to collect elephant dung
Learn About Dung: Learn why elephant dung makes good paper
Paper Dung Making Workshop: Make your own paper using local tools and processes
Make Souvenir: Make a souvenir from dung paper to take home with you
Lunch: Dine at our Elephant Camp restaurant. Buffet lunch served with coffee / tea and drinking water (vegetarian options available)
Afternoon, we transfer by boat to visit Tad Sae Waterfall and have time to relax , have a short hiking or a swim.
Come back Luang Prabang by late afternoon.
This day we head out to a local school/ orphanage for full day community service works. Remark: The project activities as well as name of local school/orphanage will be advised, prior to group arrival.
Below are suggested activities:
- Building a new classroom
- Clean-up & re-paint classrooms
- Upgrade the toilet, repaint the wall
- Produce hygiene information posters/ brochures
- Building a new playground for students
- Teach English to student
- Play football or other games with students
- Give out donations & books
- Hand on painting pictures
COMMUNITY PROJECT
COMMUNITY PROJECT
After breakfast at hotel, we will take 6-hour driving to Vang Vieng (200 KM). Along the way, we will stop at Phou Pheng Fa – the highest peak in the area. We will be arriving in Vang Vieng at around noon.
In the afternoon, we will explore Tham Jang caves and Blue Lagoon. Free time to swim or attend other activities on your own. Overnight in Vang Vieng
DAY 10
This morning we will transfer around 10km North to the ethnic Khmu village of Viengsamay, after an introduction to the basics of kayaking we shall set off down the beautiful Nam Song river.
We continue traveling downstream to Tham None (Sleeping cave). One of the biggest caves in Vang Vieng, it was used as a rescue shelter for the villagers during the Second Indochina War. Today it is home to a family of bats and the ‘Magic Stone’ of Vang Vieng. During the rainy season we will swim through the entrance to the cave.
The final leg of the journey is a gentle paddle which will return us to Vang Vieng.
Approximately: 15 minutes transfer, 2 hours kayaking, 1h caving
After that, transfer to Vientiane (4 hours driving). We will arrive at Vientiane in the early evening. Transfer to hotel for checking in and overnight
DAY 11
This morning, we will explore Vientiane and outskirts we will visit the oldest temple Wat Sisaket home to thousands of Buddha images from many countries. Continue to Wat Prakeo, the former royal temple of the Lao monarchy and originally built in 1565 and home to the Emerald Buddha image.
We then head to the famous and sacred structure of That Luang Stupa and have a short stop to take some pictures of the imposing Patuxay Monument, Vientiane’s own Arc de Triumph.
After lunch in a restaurant in town, we drive out of the city to visit the Buddha Park where hundreds of man made Buddhist and Hindu sculptures are displayed. Then transfer to visit COPE Centre and learn about their important role in restoring dignity and mobility to war victims
Overnight in Vientiane.
DAY 12
Today we say goodbye to Laos and take flight to Hanoi/Bangkok then connect flight to home.
All of our school tours include the below standard inclusions:
FIRST-CLASS SERVICE
- 24/7 local assistance and travel guidance
- Medical kit
- Airport Meet-and-Greet welcome service with the local tour guide
- Assistance with project coordination for community project/services or mission/immersion trips
- Destination and trip Information Packs
- A unique "local-host" experience exclusively offered by Tweet World Travel
VISAS
- Laos Visa
ACCOMMODATION
- Stay at excellent hand-selected high-quality 3 or 4- star accommodation in a central location or adjacent to monuments or strategically at the edge of a wilderness.
- We guarantee that students will be located together within the same area in hotels
SIGHTSEEING
- Entrance fees at monuments
- Comprehensive sightseeing as per itinerary:
- Luang Prabang city tour & Baci Ceremony
- Pak Ou Village & Pak Ou Caves tour with bike & boat
- Kuang Si Waterfall hike
- Alms giving ceremony
- Elephant Education tour
- Village tour & kayaking
- Vientiane City tour
- All local government fees & tax
COMMUNITY PROJECT
- 3-day community project in Luang Prabang
TRANSPORTATION
- Private Coach transfer from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
- Arrival and departure airport transfers in private air-conditioned vehicles
- All touring in private air-conditioned vehicles
- Locally based professional drivers
TOUR GUIDE & TOUR LEADER
- English-speaking local tour guides who live and breathe the destination – they will bring your itinerary to life
- On top of local tour guides, we will provide an experienced Local Tour Director. He or she will oversee the entire journey, accompany your group every day and connect you to the people, places and encounters in a way you’ll never forget.
MEALS
- Welcome & Farewell Dinner
- A Unique & Varied Dining Experience
- Full Breakfast Daily; Select Lunches and Dinners (B=breakfast; L=lunch; D=dinner)
The price depends on the below:
- Projects your group would like to participate
- Desired outcome/Learning objectives for students
- Accommodation level
- Travel date
- Group Size
- Duration of the tour
- Sightseeing
Your Laos visa is included in our tour and we act on your behalf to apply for the visas, all necessary documents relating to your visa application will have to be provided to us at least 90 days before your departure. If you fail to provide the necessary documents before 90 days prior to your departure, we will not be held liable for your visa application.
The visa fee included in our tour is not refundable in any circumstances.
Important Note:
- All travellers must have a valid passport for international travel and most countries require at least 6 months validity from the date of return and some countries require a machine‐readable passport.
- If you provide all necessary documents relating to your visa application in less than 90 day before departure, an additional fee of $120 per person will incur.
- It is your sole responsibility for any fines, penalties, payments or expenditures incurred as a result of such documents not satisfying the requirements of those authorities
- Travellers might need to present the visas at multiple checkpoints and may be refused to fly out of their countries, if the visa documents cannot be presented. If such an event occurs, we won’t be liable, and the travellers will be deemed as “no-show”. Please check our term and condition for a ‘’No-show” penalty.
