FAQ
Most frequent questions and answers
THERAPEUTIC TREK & NEW BEGINNINGS
This is a half-day morning tour for those who enjoy spending time in nature and jungle trekking! The tour is limited to six or eight people, and the two rescued elephants who you will be joining on their walk. This tour is approximately 2.5 kilometers roundtrip and takes you through the jungle, local Lao farm fields, and some tours may even include a stop at our elephant care and treatment areas! You’ll wrap up your tour with a Lao lunch at MandaLao.
INSIDE THE HEART OF ELEPHANTS:
This is our full-day excursion. You will be picked up at 8:30 am or 9:15 am, depending on availability, and dropped off around 3:45 pm or 4:30 pm. This tour may go out together with the half-day “Therapeutic Trek,” In such cases the group size will be up to 8 people for the first half of the day. Then, the “Therapeutic Trek” guests head back to MandaLao and a maximum of only four people will continue for the second half of the day. You will spend your day trekking (5 kilometers round trip) with two adult elephants through the jungle. Lunch will be served Lao style in the forest just before visiting the beautiful Tad Kuang Song waterfall.
COMMUNICATING WITH ELEPHANTS
This tour is best for children, if you are short on time, or looking for an easier jungle trek. Pickup time is 2 pm, at your hotel, and drop-off is around 5:30 pm. The tour is limited to eight people. You will begin the tour by creating nutritious treats for the elephants. After meeting the elephants on the banks of the Nam Khan, give them your treats and walk briefly with them before coming back to the property for local snacks.
CUSTOM/ PRIVATE TOURS
MandaLao would love to help make your travels unforgettable. If you are traveling with a big group or looking for a place to host an event, MandaLao is happy to help. We also offer private behind the scenes tours with one of the managers/owners if you are looking for our most comprehensive and unique experience.
*** Please note all of our tours are subject to availability and require a minimum of two people to go ahead. For the welfare of the elephants, tour times may be adjusted or cancelled. For any changes we will make all attempts to notify in advance. Thank you! ***
We are located approximately 20 kilometers from Luang Prabang city center. The drive takes about 30 minutes.
All of our tours include pick up from your accommodation in town. If you don’t know the name of your accommodation at the time of booking, please make sure to let us know the name of your accommodation at least 48 hours in advance.
Trekking with elephants through the jungle can be a messy endeavor. We recommend wearing clothes that you don’t mind getting wet and muddy. Also, a hat can help in the tropical sun and heat.
We provide optional footwear/boots for guests designed specifically for muddy and slippery conditions. Ponchos and umbrellas are available if it’s raining. Guests are provided with water, sunscreen and bug spray, if requested. Lunch is included on select tours.
The jungles of Southeast Asia are synonymous with rain, so our tours run rain and shine. Rain ponchos and umbrellas are available!
All of our tours are subject to availability, so we recommend booking in advance, especially during the high tourist season (October – February).
You are welcome to view all of our tours on our tours page:
You can easily send us a booking request on the “Contact Us” page of our website:
If you prefer to email us directly we can be reached at:
If you are in town, you can visit us directly at our office in downtown Luang Prabang and book your tour there. You can find us here:
We accept Visa and Mastercard both at our office and camp. You can pay in either USD or in local Lao Kip.
Our staff is professionally trained to accommodate guests with food allergies and eating preferences. Please advise us before the day of your tour so we can make proper arrangements.
Absolutely! However, parents should be aware that the tours do require between three to five kilometers of trekking, so you may have to carry your children if they are tired. For young children we recommend our half-day tours — either the “Therapeutic Trek” or “Communicating with Elephants.”
Children between 4 and 11 years of age receive a 25% discount.
Children between 0 and 3 years join free of charge.
Please note that we provide no backpacks for carrying children and parents are responsible for their well-being. We do not advise children 4 and under attend a trek unless parents are used to hiking with their children.
Please note the difficulty of tours. MandaLao will not make refunds if children are unable to complete trips due to age or ability.
Unaccompanied minors must be 16 years of age or older and have written consent from parents or guardians to participate.
While most of our tours are moderately difficult, it can still be tiring walking in the heat. The trails can be very muddy and slippery, especially during the rainy season (June- October). We recommend a moderate level of fitness and to be aware that you may be walking on uneven jungle terrain, with some elevation gains.
Please let our team know if you require any special assistance!