This is an Elephant Earth Fundraising Expedition.
Land Cost: US $3,450
plus $500 donation to Elephant Earth Initiative.
Total: US $3,950
Dates:
Feb 2012 (exact dates tba)
Trip Length: 13 days
Accommodation:
8 nights guest houses/hotels
3 nights camping
1 night Field Research Station
Trip Begin/End:
Bangkok, Thailand /
Luang Prabang, Laos
Extensions:
3 to 5 day Extension trips to Angkor Wat available before or after trip.
PO Box 39063, RPO James Bay
Victoria, BC, Canada V8V 4X8
phone: +1 250-995-3003
TOLL FREE: 1 877-830-8747
adventures@hiddenplaces.net
Thailand - Laos
Elephant Earth Expeditions
A journey into the world of the Asian elephant with Dr. Dag Goering M.R.C.V.S. and Maria Coffey, founders of Elephant Earth Initiative
Join us for a journey deep into the world of elephants: a fact-finding and fundraising mission to Thailand and Laos, exploring conservation and welfare issues. During the 13 day trip, we have special access to protected forest areas, meet top experts in the world of elephants and enjoy hands-on experience with these magnificent and endlessly fascinating creatures.
Our odyssey begins in Southern Thailand, where we visit projects run by the Elephant Conservation Network, trek to a remote rangers’ station and have a good chance of seeing elephants in the wild. Next we move to Laos, a country that is still largely off the tourist radar. In the capital, Vientiane we meet with key players in the world of elephant conservation and with them search local markets for illegal elephant parts. We meet the founders of the elephant observation tower near Vientiane, and discuss with them the increasing problems of poaching in the area. We travel up the Nam Kading River into an area of pristine wilderness and vital elephant migration corridors, now threatened by plans for hydro electric dams. Here we get hands-on instruction on camera trapping as a tool to survey wildlife populations. For the last leg of our journey we fly north to the Luang Prabang and settle in to a small eco-resort on a beautiful river. We spend 2 days with mahouts, learn how to care for and ride elephants and trek with them through evocative landscapes.
Add to this mix our cultural tours in Kanchanaburi, site of the famous Bridge on the River Kwai, in Vientiane, Laos’s sleepy capital city, and in the stunningly preserved royal city of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and you have a unique and unforgettable adventure in some of the most beautiful, tranquil and unspoilt areas of S.E. Asia.
If you love elephants, enjoy adventure and are reasonably fit and active, this is the trip for you!
Siem Reap/Angkor Wat:
No journey to SE Asia is complete without a visit to the mystical Angkor temples around Siem Reap, Cambodia. Watch the sun rise over the stunning towers of Angkor Wat; sit in the roots of a giant tree to gaze at the peaceful four side faces of Bayon temple; marvel at the intricate carvings in Banteay Srei and hike through cool forest to the astounding riverbed carvings in Kbal Spean. As our knowledgeable guide brings history alive, you will be spellbound and moved by this incomparable UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Suggested length: 3 to 5 days
Land Cost: dependant on length and required accommodation.
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