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Way of the Mahout 9 days / 8 nights special package Luang Prabang – Sayaboury – Hongsa – Luang Prabang
Special package « Elephant Festival and Caravan » 2012 From Friday 17th to Saturday 25th of February 2012 (Three days festival, five days caravan, one day cruise on the Mekong River)
ELEPHANT ADVENTURES by Green Discovery - Luang Prabang Branch Office: Sisavangvong Road (Main Street) - Ban Xieng Mouane, Luang Prabang, Laos Tel: +856-71- 212 093, Fax: +856-71-254 982 Mob: +856-20-30 25 210 Head Office: Hang Boun Rd, Next to Hay Sok Guesthouse - Vientiane, Laos - Tel/Fax: +856-21-264528, 218373 Mob: +856-20-5025326 Email: info@elephantadventures.com - www.elephantadventures.com
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Way of the Mahout 9 days / 8 nights special package Luang Prabang – Sayaboury – Hongsa – Luang Prabang
Information For its 6th edition, the elephant festival will take place in Sayaboury city, the capital of Sayaboury Province. During this festival, you will participate in different kinds of activities focussed on the elephant which will make you discover the animal, emblem of Laos and the work of the mahout. From entertainment showing the activities of the animals to the traditional religious ceremonies passing through marvellous processions, exhibitions and many shows, the festival try to keep on going every year the gathering of all the traditions and all the knowledge around the elephant of Laos. It became the annual appointment of a crowd of admirers of the sacred pachyderm within the “land of the million elephants”. After the festival, leaded by 3 English speaking guides, you will live a truly experience discovering the Lao traditions and way of life. More than an ordinary observation trip, you will get the opportunity to share everyday life mahouts' moments, traditional way of life of villagers still sharing their life with the elephant, the lord of the forest.
Important Information 1. Please kindky notice that for this special event, about twelve elephants will compose the caravan. 2. During the three days festival, meals are not included. You will easily find on the site many restaurants. Accommodation is booked in homestay (basic conditions: mattress, mosquito net). You will pay directly the overnights to the family (30.000kip/night/pers.). ELEPHANT ADVENTURES by Green Discovery - Luang Prabang Branch Office: Sisavangvong Road (Main Street) - Ban Xieng Mouane, Luang Prabang, Laos Tel: +856-71- 212 093, Fax: +856-71-254 982 Mob: +856-20-30 25 210 Head Office: Hang Boun Rd, Next to Hay Sok Guesthouse - Vientiane, Laos - Tel/Fax: +856-21-264528, 218373 Mob: +856-20-5025326 Email: info@elephantadventures.com - www.elephantadventures.com
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Way of the Mahout 9 days / 8 nights special package Luang Prabang – Sayaboury – Hongsa – Luang Prabang U
Day 1 (Friday 17th of February): Luang Prabang – Sayaboury
You will meet your guide at 07:30am at Green Discovery Travel agency in Luang Prabang. You will then start the trip by private bus to Sayaboury (about 3h30 driving). You will arrive in Sayaboury in the late morning. On arrival, you will meet your homestay family. In evening time, opening of the fun fair. Night in homestay. Meals at your leisure U
Day 2 (Saturday 18th of February): Sayaboury / Elephant Festival
Whole day elephant festival. Different kinds of activities about elephant will be proposed to you. (see Elephant Festival program). Program of the day: Opening ceremony, elephant procession, elephant Baci, demonstration of raising, traditional dances, live Band and fun fair. Night in homestay. Meals at your leisure Day 3 (Sunday 19th of February): Sayaboury/ Elephant Festival Elephant Festival last day: the festival ends with the “elephant of the year” procession. Night in homestay. Meals at your leisure U
Day 4 (Monday 20th of February): Sayaboury – Ban Houaysao After an early breakfast, transfer to the school to meet mahouts and elephants. After a safety briefing, you will be installed in the howdah (elephant chair) and will start your trekking journey by crossing Sayaboury city and surroundings villages. Picnic lunch is taken en route. You will arrive in Ban Houaysao village in the late afternoon. After the elephant bath, you will have the opportunity to bring your elephant in the forest for the night. Installation of the camp. Dinner and night around camp fire. All meals will be prepared by our cooks, happy to share with you traditional lao dishes. Meals: Breakfast/lunch/dinner U
ELEPHANT ADVENTURES by Green Discovery - Luang Prabang Branch Office: Sisavangvong Road (Main Street) - Ban Xieng Mouane, Luang Prabang, Laos Tel: +856-71- 212 093, Fax: +856-71-254 982 Mob: +856-20-30 25 210 Head Office: Hang Boun Rd, Next to Hay Sok Guesthouse - Vientiane, Laos - Tel/Fax: +856-21-264528, 218373 Mob: +856-20-5025326 Email: info@elephantadventures.com - www.elephantadventures.com
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Way of the Mahout 9 days / 8 nights special package Luang Prabang – Sayaboury – Hongsa – Luang Prabang U
Day 5 (Tuesday 21st of February): Ban Houaysao – Camp After an early breakfast, you will pick up your elephant in the forest and will give a hand to mahouts to prepare the elephants. In the middle of the day, you will follow the river. And enjoy the wild scenery. In the late afternoon, you will install the night camp after bathing elephants and take them in their resting place for the night. Dinner and night around campfire. Meals: Breakfast/lunch/dinner
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Day 6 (Wednesday 22cd of February): Camp – Camp
Early morning, you will go with your mahout to pick up elephants in the forest. You will travel through the untouched, natural surroundings, close to the river. You will learn about basic mahout crafts and discover how to ensure our elephant remains suitably fed. You will have the possibility to drive your elephant and show your mahout what you’ve learnt. Picnic lunch close to the river. You will continue your journey along the river and install the camp in the late afternoon. You will participate in the daily elephant bath and bring them in the surrounding forest for the night. Dinner and night around campfire. Meals: Breakfast/lunch/dinner U
Day 7 (Thursday 23rd of February) : Camp – Ban Napong
After picking up elephants in the forest, you will start your trekking journey along the river. Quickly, you will reach the road to cross a mountain pass leading to Hongsa valley. Dinner and night in Ban Napong. Meals: Breakfast/lunch/dinner
ELEPHANT ADVENTURES by Green Discovery - Luang Prabang Branch Office: Sisavangvong Road (Main Street) - Ban Xieng Mouane, Luang Prabang, Laos Tel: +856-71- 212 093, Fax: +856-71-254 982 Mob: +856-20-30 25 210 Head Office: Hang Boun Rd, Next to Hay Sok Guesthouse - Vientiane, Laos - Tel/Fax: +856-21-264528, 218373 Mob: +856-20-5025326 Email: info@elephantadventures.com - www.elephantadventures.com
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Way of the Mahout 9 days / 8 nights special package Luang Prabang – Sayaboury – Hongsa – Luang Prabang Day 8 (Friday 24th of February) : Ban Napong – Hongsa After the daily groom and bath preparation, you will cross ricefields to Ban Then. Then, you will follow the Nam Khen River. Picnic lunch en route. You will arrive in Ban Sibounheuang village in the afternoon. You will give your last elephant bath and say good-bye to elephants and mahouts. The mahout chief will give you an “Elephant Driving Diploma” according to your last days’ performance. Stop over at the guesthouse and refresh before going to Ban Viengkeo village. This traditional Taï Lue village is famous all over Laos for their knowledge about elephants. Most of the mahouts from the caravan come from this village. They will prepare for you a Baci ceremony. The purpose is to call escaped spirits back to the body, a tradition which is very important for Lao people before major events such as weddings, births, travel or when welcoming friends. Transfer back to the restaurant in Hongsa and night in local guesthouse. Meals: Breakfast/lunch/dinner Day 9 (Saturday 25th of February) : Hongsa – Luang Prabang After breakfast, a minivan will drop you at Thasouna pier (about 1 hour driving) where you will board on the private boat to Luang Prabang. Lunch is taken onboard. You will arrive in Luang Prabang in the afternoon after a six hours downstream cruise. Approaching Luang Prabang, we wil make a stopover to the Pakou Cave, a famous bouddhist cave in Luang Prabang Province. The ancient royal city is surrounded by mountains and is situated at a junction of the Mekong and Khan rivers. In the centre of the city is Mount Phousi, rewarding climbers of its 328 steps with stunning views of the surrounding temples and hills. Luang Prabang, a city where time has seemingly stood still, is also an outstanding example of the fusion of traditional Lao architecture with structures built by the Europeancolonial authorities in more recent times. Its unique, remarkably well-preserved townscape illustrates a key stage in the blending of these two distinct cultural traditions. Meals: Breakfast/lunch/_ END OF OUR SERVICE ELEPHANT ADVENTURES by Green Discovery - Luang Prabang Branch Office: Sisavangvong Road (Main Street) - Ban Xieng Mouane, Luang Prabang, Laos Tel: +856-71- 212 093, Fax: +856-71-254 982 Mob: +856-20-30 25 210 Head Office: Hang Boun Rd, Next to Hay Sok Guesthouse - Vientiane, Laos - Tel/Fax: +856-21-264528, 218373 Mob: +856-20-5025326 Email: info@elephantadventures.com - www.elephantadventures.com
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Way of the Mahout 9 days / 8 nights special package Luang Prabang – Sayaboury – Hongsa – Luang Prabang
Price per person 900$ The price includes: − − − − − − − −
Private minivan transportation from Luang Prabang to Sayaboury. One elephant per person during the 5 days caravan, Private minivan from Hongsa to Thasouang pier, Private boat from Thasouang pier to Luang Prabang, All accomodation listed in the programme All visits and transfers listed in the programme, All meals listed in the programme, Three English speaking guide.
The price does not include: − − − − − −
Meals and nights during the festival, Personal expenses (tips, drinks, telephone…) Travel insurance, Airport taxes, Tourist visa. Tips
ELEPHANT ADVENTURES by Green Discovery - Luang Prabang Branch Office: Sisavangvong Road (Main Street) - Ban Xieng Mouane, Luang Prabang, Laos Tel: +856-71- 212 093, Fax: +856-71-254 982 Mob: +856-20-30 25 210 Head Office: Hang Boun Rd, Next to Hay Sok Guesthouse - Vientiane, Laos - Tel/Fax: +856-21-264528, 218373 Mob: +856-20-5025326 Email: info@elephantadventures.com - www.elephantadventures.com
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Way of the Mahout 9 days / 8 nights special package Luang Prabang – Sayaboury – Hongsa – Luang Prabang
IMPORTANT INFORMATION Laos just become a touristic destination and the living conditions of people are therefore far from western standards. Indeed, regarding the authentic aspect offered by our tours, flexibility and openmind of participants is a must. Few important details to be known: The road network can be in very bad condition, especially during the rainy season. The trek can be a demanding experience but doesn’t present any particular difficulties (5-6 hours elephant trekking per day). However, participants need to be in good health condition to participate to our tours (children over 10 years old are accepted). Please note that during the trek, the living conditions will be on national standards : no sanitary, local food, 2 places tent, river bath… 5% of the trek benefits go to the Mobile Veterinary Clinic which provides care to the Sayaboury province’s elephants. The itinerary (accommodation, schedules, roads) can changed during the trip according to the local conditions (climate, delay...). If any adaptation are likely to be done, the main program and the level of the services would remain unchanged. According to our experience, most of the people don’t use half of the luggage they took with them; do think about the elephants which are carrying it and try thus to limit your backpack’s weight to a maximum of 6kg. INDIVIDUAL EQUIPMENT LUGGAGE – Please, put your belongings into two bags : 1 backpack and 1 large travel bag (if needed). 1. Backpack : the bag has to weight maximum 6kg. For logistic reasons, you will take only this bag with you during the trek. 2. Travel bag : it contains the rest of your belongings. You will get it at the end of each days trekking. CAMPING Sleeping bag (standard, 0 to 5 degrees). ELEPHANT ADVENTURES by Green Discovery - Luang Prabang Branch Office: Sisavangvong Road (Main Street) - Ban Xieng Mouane, Luang Prabang, Laos Tel: +856-71- 212 093, Fax: +856-71-254 982 Mob: +856-20-30 25 210 Head Office: Hang Boun Rd, Next to Hay Sok Guesthouse - Vientiane, Laos - Tel/Fax: +856-21-264528, 218373 Mob: +856-20-5025326 Email: info@elephantadventures.com - www.elephantadventures.com
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Way of the Mahout 9 days / 8 nights special package Luang Prabang – Sayaboury – Hongsa – Luang Prabang WEAR – SHOES − − − − − − − − − − − −
1 hat 1 short 1 wind-resisting coat Sandals 1 polar sweat shirt (from December to February) 1 suit bath 1 long shirt Light walking shoes 1 rain cap (from April to October) 4 T-Shirts 1 trekking trousers 1 sarong (bathing suit for shower - for women)
OTHER EQUIPMENT – Head frost light + batteries and torch, lighter, sunglasses, sun protecting cream (also for lips), water can, environment-friendly products for shower. INDIVIDUAL PHARMACY – Your usual medicine. COMMON EQUIPMENT – Provided by Elephant Adventures: tents, mattresses, cooking equipment, common pharmacy.
ELEPHANT ADVENTURES by Green Discovery - Luang Prabang Branch Office: Sisavangvong Road (Main Street) - Ban Xieng Mouane, Luang Prabang, Laos Tel: +856-71- 212 093, Fax: +856-71-254 982 Mob: +856-20-30 25 210 Head Office: Hang Boun Rd, Next to Hay Sok Guesthouse - Vientiane, Laos - Tel/Fax: +856-21-264528, 218373 Mob: +856-20-5025326 Email: info@elephantadventures.com - www.elephantadventures.com
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Way of the Mahout 9 days / 8 nights special package Luang Prabang – Sayaboury – Hongsa – Luang Prabang LOCALISATION
ELEPHANT ADVENTURES by Green Discovery - Luang Prabang Branch Office: Sisavangvong Road (Main Street) - Ban Xieng Mouane, Luang Prabang, Laos Tel: +856-71- 212 093, Fax: +856-71-254 982 Mob: +856-20-30 25 210 Head Office: Hang Boun Rd, Next to Hay Sok Guesthouse - Vientiane, Laos - Tel/Fax: +856-21-264528, 218373 Mob: +856-20-5025326 Email: info@elephantadventures.com - www.elephantadventures.com
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Way of the Mahout 9 days / 8 nights special package Luang Prabang – Sayaboury – Hongsa – Luang Prabang
LOCALISATION
ELEPHANT ADVENTURES by Green Discovery - Luang Prabang Branch Office: Sisavangvong Road (Main Street) - Ban Xieng Mouane, Luang Prabang, Laos Tel: +856-71- 212 093, Fax: +856-71-254 982 Mob: +856-20-30 25 210 Head Office: Hang Boun Rd, Next to Hay Sok Guesthouse - Vientiane, Laos - Tel/Fax: +856-21-264528, 218373 Mob: +856-20-5025326 Email: info@elephantadventures.com - www.elephantadventures.com
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Way of the Mahout 9 days / 8 nights special package Luang Prabang – Sayaboury – Hongsa – Luang Prabang TERMS AND CONDITIONS CURRENCY: all amounts mentioned in this quotation are stated in US$. BOOKINGS: To secure a booking, Elephant Adventures/Green Discovery requires that the full payment be made to our account number (see below). A booking is accepted and a contract is entered into when we issue you a written confirmation of booking. BANK DETAILS Please kindly proceed to the payment by swift transfer as follow ACCOUNT NAME: GREEN ADVENTURE TRAVEL Co., Ltd ACCOUNT NUMBER: 001 00719 22 01 01 BANK NAME: BANQUE FRANCO-LAO Ltd, VIENTIANE. SWIFT CODE: BFLLLALA IBAN: BE80301010475677. Funds in USD
IMPORTANT : Please indicate customer name in the transfer description field CANCELLATION CHARGES More than 30 days before departure : full refund (exc. bank charges) 15 to 29 days before : 90% refund (exc. bank charges) 7 to 14 days before departure : 50% refund (exc. bank charges) 2 to 6 days before departure : 30% refund (exc. bank charges) No show : no refund CANCELLATION BY ELEPHANT ADVENTURES / GREEN DISCOVERY LAOS: Elephant Adventures / Green discovery lao reserves the right to cancel any trip departure due to reasons beyond its control (i.e.: natural disasters or political instability). In such a case Green discovery lao will refund monies received in full. INSURANCE: Travel insurance is compulsory for all people travelling with Elephant Adventures / Green discovery lao. Your travel insurance must provide cover against personal accident, medical expenses, emergency repatriation and personal liability. We also advise cover against cancellation, curtailment and loss of luggage and personal effects. PASSPORTS AND VISAS: People must carry a valid passport and obtain the relevant visas when travelling with Elephant Adventures / Green discovery lao. The passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months beyond the duration of the trip. Green discovery lao can not accept responsibility if entry is denied to a country due to incorrect visa or passport documentation. ELEPHANT ADVENTURES by Green Discovery - Luang Prabang Branch Office: Sisavangvong Road (Main Street) - Ban Xieng Mouane, Luang Prabang, Laos Tel: +856-71- 212 093, Fax: +856-71-254 982 Mob: +856-20-30 25 210 Head Office: Hang Boun Rd, Next to Hay Sok Guesthouse - Vientiane, Laos - Tel/Fax: +856-21-264528, 218373 Mob: +856-20-5025326 Email: info@elephantadventures.com - www.elephantadventures.com
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Way of the Mahout 9 days / 8 nights special package Luang Prabang – Sayaboury – Hongsa – Luang Prabang COMPLAINTS: If you have a complaint about your tour, you must make it known to your tour guide leader as soon as possible so that he/she is able to take appropriate action at the earliest opportunity. If you are not satisfied with our response and you feel your enjoyment of the tour will be significantly affected you should contact our head office in Vientiane to discuss how we might best resolve the problem. If on return from your tour you remain unsatisfied you must notify us in writing within 30 days. RESPONSIBILITY: When booking on an Elephant Adventures / Green discovery lao tour, you understand that Elephant Adventures / Green discovery lao runs adventure holidays in Laos, where the standards of accommodation, transport, safety, hygiene, telecommunication facilities, level of infrastructure development and medical facilities are not the same standards as what you are used to at home, or would find on a conventional holiday. This type of holiday inherently involves a higher level of personal risk than a ‘conventional holiday’. Elephant Adventures / Green discovery lao, the Government of Laos and the National Tourism Administration cannot accept any responsibility for accidents, injuries, loss of personal effects or death which you agree to fully assume. You understand that during the course of the tour certain events may occur, including, but not limited to, accident or illness in remote places without medical facilities, political instability and the forces of nature. You agree to assume all risks associated with the journey to the maximum extent permitted by law. You acknowledge that travel on a Elephant Adventures / Green discovery lao tour requires a degree of flexibility, and understand that the itinerary, accommodation and modes of transport are subject to change without prior notice due to local circumstances. Should Elephant Adventures / Green discovery lao deem it advisable to amend an itinerary for any reason, it may do so by shortening, varying or re-routing any trip. These changes are binding and additional expenses will be charged to you, if the reason for any alteration is outside Elephant Adventures / Green discovery lao control. While travelling with Elephant Adventures / Green discovery lao, you agree to accept the authority of the leader or local operator at all times. You are aware that travel within a group may involve compromise to accommodate the diverse desires and physical abilities of group members. You understand that Elephant Adventures / Green discovery lao reserves itself the right to decline or accept the presence of any person as a member of the group at any time. You acknowledge that Elephant Adventures / Green discovery lao contracts with a network of companies, government agencies and individuals throughout the country, to assist in the running of its tours. To the best of Elephant Adventures / Green discovery lao knowledge, these third parties are qualified to perform the duties they are contracted to perform. However Elephant Adventures / Green discovery lao will not be held liable for any injury, damage, loss, delay or irregularity that may occur due to the behaviours of these third parties. Elephant Adventures / Green discovery lao will not accept responsibility or liability for any traveller who contravenes any law or regulation of any country visited. No employee, servant or agent of Elephant Adventures / Green discovery lao has authority to vary these conditions.
ELEPHANT ADVENTURES by Green Discovery - Luang Prabang Branch Office: Sisavangvong Road (Main Street) - Ban Xieng Mouane, Luang Prabang, Laos Tel: +856-71- 212 093, Fax: +856-71-254 982 Mob: +856-20-30 25 210 Head Office: Hang Boun Rd, Next to Hay Sok Guesthouse - Vientiane, Laos - Tel/Fax: +856-21-264528, 218373 Mob: +856-20-5025326 Email: info@elephantadventures.com - www.elephantadventures.com