• home
  • about me
  • latest
  • brooke beyond

  • destinations
    • WORLD MAP
    • Africa
      • Botswana
      • Morocco
      • Namibia
      • South Africa
      • Zambia
      • Zimbabwe
    • Asia
      • Cambodia
      • China
      • Indonesia
      • Laos
      • Thailand
      • Vietnam
    • Aus + NZ
      • Adelaide & South Australia
      • Brisbane & Queensland
      • Hobart & Tasmania
      • Melbourne & Victoria
      • Perth & Western Australia
      • Sydney & New South Wales
      • New Zealand
    • Europe
      • Austria
      • Czech Republic
      • France
      • Germany
      • Hungary
      • Iceland
      • Ireland
      • Italy
      • Netherlands
      • Poland
      • Slovenia
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
      • UK
    • Latin America
      • Mexico
        • all Mexico
        • Baja Peninsula
      • Argentina
      • Bolivia
      • Brazil
      • Chile
      • Colombia
      • Ecuador
      • Panama
      • Peru
    • USA
      • Arizona
      • California
      • Colorado
      • Hawaii
      • Idaho
      • Montana
      • Nevada
      • New Mexico
      • Oregon
      • Utah
      • Washington
      • Wyoming
  • hiking guides

brooke beyond

Asia / Laos

Trekking Along the Nam Khan River in Laos

January 27, 2014

Determined to get a little hiking in, I book us a 2-day trek through Laos that will end at an elephant sanctuary. (I am perhaps even more determined to see elephants). We depart early in the morning with 5 other travellers, driving a short distance while eating breakfast, and then zipping along the river to reach the start of our trek.

All the details: White Elephant trekking tour in Laos

Cost: We paid about $110 each for our 2D/1N trekking tour, booked the day before departure at  White Elephant Adventures in central Luang Prabang. This price covers transport to and from Luang Prabang, all meals, one night of accommodation in a remote village, an English-speaking guide, and a number of activities.

Getting there: Take a bus from the Laotian capital Vientiane to Luang Prabang. The journey costs about 50,000 Kip, takes anywhere from 8-14 hours, and can be booked at the bus station upon arrival.

What to do: On the tour, you will hike past remote Khmu villages; kayak along the Nam Khan River; visit an elephant sanctuary; and have the opportunity to bathe an elephant in the falls. There are also options to include ziplining and other activities for an additional cost.

Top tips: While this is definitely more of a walk than a hike, make sure you are prepared with appropriate footwear! The $5 shoes that I purchased to replace the sneakers that I lost (in hip-deep mud on the way to Laos) fall apart in about 20 minutes, and I spend the next 6 hours flopping around hopelessly, seriously contemplating walking in socks.


We trek through a number of remote villages, sharing some of the fruit from our lunch with the local children we meet. Finally, we finish our day in a Khmu village, where we stay in a bamboo dorm-style room, sleeping on reed mats underneath mosquito netting. Our guide cooks us an excellent meal while we all exchange stories over long necks of beer.

After trekking for a few more hours this morning, we reach the river again, this time hopping into kayaks that have been waiting for us. We paddle several hours (or, in my case, go through the motions of paddling for several hours so your partner thinks you’re contributing) until we reach the elephant sanctuary, where we spend the afternoon bathing the elephants and handing snacks into their outstretched trunks.

Now, I did a lot of research on elephant tourism before we came. I knew that I wanted to interact with elephants, but I also knew that a lot of companies didn’t treat their animals very well, and I totally refuse to participate in that.

Basically what my research turned up was that the wooden benches most companies put on the elephants’ backs for people to ride on are actually quite painful for the animal, so that was immediately ruled out. They also don’t love walking long distances with the extra load on their necks and backs.

In the end, we chose an elephant sanctuary that had good online reviews and let you ride directly on the elephant without a chair, as well as in the water, since elephants enjoy bathing.

I’m sure someone out there will say that elephant riding is cruel no matter what the circumstances are, but I genuinely believe that these animals were well cared for and that they were far too happy playing in the water to even notice us much. As always, though, it’s good to do research before participating in any animal tourism. And when in doubt about the treatment of the animals or their living conditions or the legitimacy of the organisation: don’t partake.

After our time with the elephants, we are back in the kayak for another 3 hours before we finish our trip. We arrive home exhausted and splurge on dinner at a bar with wifi and lounge chairs set up on a balcony outside.

Read more about our travels through Laos

BATTLING HYPOTHERMIA TO REACH VIENTIANE

(ACCIDENTALLY) EROTIC MASSAGES IN LAOS

PHOTO JOURNAL: OFF TO LUANG PRABANG

TAGS:culture shockmother naturemountain adventuresopt outsidewildlife
0 Comments
Share
brooke brisbine

I've spent the last decade exploring the world— everything from solo trekking in the Andes to overlanding in Zambia, all while completing a PhD in Biomechanics, teaching at a university & securing permanent residency in Australia. In 2020, I finally fulfilled my dream of becoming a full-time nomad! Whether it’s vanlife in Mexico, scuba diving in the Galápagos, ticking off incredible US National Parks, or climbing in the Dolomites, I hope this blog will inspire your future adventures & help you find wonder in every corner of the globe. xx bb

Leave a Comment Cancel Comment

You May Also Like

February 5, 2014

Bangkok’s Crazy Koh San Road

February 15, 2014

Surviving Thailand’s infamous Full Moon Party

January 30, 2014

History Lessons in Phnom Penh

hi, I’m brooke!

I've spent the last decade exploring the world— everything from solo trekking in the Andes to overlanding in Zambia, all while completing a PhD in Biomechanics. In 2020, I finally fulfilled my dream of becoming a full-time nomad! Whether it’s vanlife in Mexico, scuba diving in the Galápagos, ticking off incredible US National Parks, or climbing in the Dolomites, I hope this blog will inspire your future adventures & help you find wonder in every corner of the globe. xx bb

read my story
currently exploring

currently exploring

mexico

img

travel resources

flights ✈️ Skyscanner

hotels 🏨 booking.com

adventure gear 🥾 REI

travel essentials 📸 Amazon

travel guides

hiking guides

vanlife resources

moving to australia

trip itineraries

recent posts

  • Alta Via 4 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide

    Alta Via 4 (days 5 & 6): Rifugio San Marco to Rifugio Antelao to Pieve di Cadore

    June 5, 2023
  • Alta Via 4 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide

    Alta Via 4 (day 4): Rifugio Vandelli to Rifugio San Marco + Via Ferrata Giro de Sorapis

    June 5, 2023
  • Alta Via 4 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide

    Alta Via 4 (day 3): Rifugio Fonda Savio to Rifugio Vandelli

    June 5, 2023
  • Alta Via 4 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide

    Alta Via 4 (day 2): Rifugio Locatelli Tre Cime to Rifugio Fonda Savio + Via Ferrata Merlone

    June 5, 2023
  • Alta Via 4 Italian Dolomites hiking via ferrata guide

    Alta Via 4 (day 1): Rifugio Tre Scarperi to Locatelli Tre Cime + Via Ferrata Torre di Toblin & Innerkofler

    June 5, 2023

…

travel beyond the ordinary

Explore my travel guides, custom itineraries & blog posts with an interactive world map ✨

all destinations

…

  • home
  • about me
  • latest
  • destinations
  • hiking guides
  • moving to Australia
  • vanlife resources
  • contact

COPYRIGHT © 2022 BROOKE BEYOND. TRAVEL BEYOND THE ORDINARY. Site Powered by Pix & Hue.