Our Service Program

Day 1: Sabaidee & Welcome to Laos!

Our leaders will meet you at the Luang Prabang Airport (LPQ) and after we collect baggage we will head to our accommodation- just 20 minutes from the airport. After checking in, we will have a brief orientation we will have our first of many delicious meals together! If time allows we can visit Phousi Mountain– the highest point in Luang Prabang which has a beautiful sweeping view of the city and rivers below. If you arrive later in the day don’t worry! We will be sure to squeeze this in at some point.

Accommodation: Luang Prabang Guesthouse (several options are available upon request based on group size and budget)

Day 2: Into the Mountains!

Wake up early this morning and give alms to local monks. This is a traditional done by many Laotians on a regular basis. The monks and temple community rely on donations from the residents to sustain themselves and others in need. We will give rice and other foodstuffs as the monks make their rounds around the city. Afterwards we will shop for any last-minute supplies you may have forgotten before heading up to the village.

Panor Village is about 45 minutes from the city, but it is like stepping back in time. You will notice stark differences in infrastructure and facilities, but the local Khmu People are welcoming and incredibly friendly! We will meet with the head of the village, learn more about the needs of the community, and get to work! For most projects, visitors will be helping to mix cement, use simple tools like hammers and saws, and also help with language exchange sessions at the local school.

Accommodation: Village Homestay

Days 3 - 4: Community Service Learning

You will quickly notice the slower pace of life in the village. In the morning you will eat breakfast with your peers, make a plan for the service project and get to work. After a break for lunch, you’ll put in a couple more hours of work and then spend the afternoon with your host family, your peers, or with some of the local kids.

You will have discussions and activities with your leaders at night, and will find yourself enjoying the peace and quiet in the village.

Accommodation: Village Homestay

Day 5: Trekking to Kuang Sri Waterfall

No visit to Luang Prabang is complete without a visit to Kuang Sri Waterfall. However, you will be going the “secret” way and hiking from the village to the waterfall. The hike takes about 3 hours and and is not too strenuous or technical, but you are certainly rewarded with a spectacular waterfall that you can swim in and enjoy. We will have lunch at the waterfall and on our way back to Luang Prabang we will stop at the Laos Dairy Buffalo Farm.

The Buffalo Farm is an amazing social enterprise that is able to support local farmers while also making delicious dairy products– including ice cream! The farm has different areas dedicated to being a model of sustainable agriculture and ethical animal husbandry. We will head to the hotel and take a shower before heading out to dinner and the night market.

Accommodation: Luang Prabang Guesthouse

Day 6: Touring Luang Prabang

After breakfast, we will head out for a fun day exploring Luang Prabang! The first stop is the UXO Center– a small museum sponsored by the UN which tells the story of Laos during the Vietnam-American War and some of the dangers that still exist today as a result of the heavy bombing. Next up is the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center (TAEC) is an interesting and interactive center where you can learn more about the different cultures and ethnic groups living in Laos. We will grab lunch in town, and then head to the water for some kayaking! You will cruise around the Nam Kam River and explore the beautiful sites and waterfalls. If we haven’t already gone to Phousi Mountain, we will head there for sunset this evening before a special goodbye dinner.

Accommodation: Luang Prabang Guesthouse

Day 7: La Khon & Head Home

This week has gone by so fast, but we really hope that you have memories that will last a lifetime. Please come back and visit us soon!

Day 1: Arrival o Luang Prabang
Our trip leaders will meet you when you arrive in Luang Prabang. As you wander around getting to know this charming town, you will be struck by the fascinating mix of French colonial architecture and traditional Buddhist influence. You will settle into the guest house, equipped with traditional Lao-style houses but the comforts of western toilets and showers. Students will enjoy an orientation on the banks of the Mekong River. Later this afternoon, set off to hike the nearby Phou Si Mountain for a view of the whole city for sunset over the Mekong River. Descend the steps for local food and time to explore Luang Prabang’s night market.
Overnight: Guest House, Luang Prabang

Day 2 : Laos History, Culture and Service
After breakfast, your leaders will guide you through the side streets and backroads of this incredible UNESCO World Heritage site by bicycle or Tuk Tuk, stopping at temples, small shops, and other important sites along the way like the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center and the UXO Office run by the United Nations. You’ll meet some locals and dive deeper into the culture of this charming city. This afternoon, you will have an opportunity to brainstorm a list of conversation topics and put it into action as we visit the Big Brother Mouse. This is a local non-profit where volunteers can serve as English conversation partners to local students from nearby high schools and universities. Spend the afternoon with the students, learning about their lives while helping improve their English fluency. Later in the day, the group will visit Ock Pop Tok - a women’s run textile outlet pioneering social business and ethical fashion and aiming to keep the textile traditions of Laos alive and thriving. Students will learn from and work collaboratively with the woman in an educational and enriching session.
Overnight: Guest House, Luang Prabang

Days 3 and Day 4 : Village Life, Service and Culture
After a hearty breakfast, the group will bid the staff at the base house farewell then, it will be off into the northern countryside as you drive three hours to a rural village outside of Luang Prabang. The next two days will follow this general format. Your group will participate in a number of different service projects over the course of your time here. The day will begin with breakfast at the communal area of the village around 7:30 am. Then we walk up to the project site, where students will begin working on the community service project. The service project will depend on the village’s needs at the time, but is most likely going to entail building a communal area for the villagers. There’ll be lots of hands-on work, and in addition to the building, students will be able to engage in conversations with village leaders regarding their challenges and future goals as well as engage in local village life through their time in the homestay. After a morning service session, you will break for lunch and return to your homestay, where you will have an hour or so to relax before returning to the project site around 1:30 pm. Work on your task for the next couple of hours and then discover the hidden treasures of Panoor…play some exciting games of soccer or volleyball with the local village kids or enjoy your time with your homestay family!
Overnight: Village Homestay, Panoor Village

Day 5: Waterfalls & Social Enterprise
From the village, you will depart for a three-hour hike through the surrounding countryside. You will pass small villages, through farmland and rice fields, and into the forest on your way. Finally, you will arrive at the stunning seven-tiered Kuang Sri Waterfall nestled in the green hills outside of Luang Prabang. After a delicious meal near the entrance to the waterfall, head inside to see the bright aqua water, beautiful surroundings, and Free the Bears’ rescue centre along the river. Take a refreshing dip in the bright blue lagoon or a short hike to the top and enjoy the mountain’s sweeping vista across the valley of Luang Prabang. In the afternoon, the group will drive back to Luang Prabang, stopping at Laos Buffalo Dairy Farm. Laos Buffalo Dairy is a socially responsible, sustainable farm, and social enterprise. Their aim is to improve the rural prosperity, welfare, nutrition, and health of the local population, with a focus on buffalo farming, and childhood nutrition. Students will have a tour of the facilities and participate in a sustainable farming education session. Tonight, back in Luang Prabang, the group will reflect on their last two days in Panoor Village and set intentions for the remainder of the program.
Overnight: Guest House, Luang Prabang

Day 6: Lao Elephant Conservation Centre
This morning, set out for the Lao Elephant Conservation Centre. A couple of hours by van over craggy mountain passes on misty jungle roads, followed by a boat ride over a stunning lake will bring you to this remote elephant sanctuary in Xayaboury Province. Once you arrive at the camp, meet the entire staff – including the elephants. The senior staff will giveyou a hearty welcome and introduce the plan for the next few days. The Lao Elephant Conservation Centre takes a completely different approach to conservation than many other camps in the area. With their small herd of elephants and a very concentrated focus on conservation practices, basic veterinary training, and responsible elephant handling, you won’t be riding the elephants. Instead, you will be learning how to care for them and helping this amazing species to thrive in Southeast Asia. In the early afternoon, meet the veterinary care team and learn the role they play in the evolving relationship Laotians have with elephants. Meet the Centre’s on-site veterinarian who will give you a brief tour of the hospital and the centre. Begin your training with the hospital’s veterinarians by learning to develop a diet plan, how to assess your elephant’s health, and how to understand and communicate with your elephant. Again, with the Lao Elephant Conservation Centre’s focus primarily on the best care for their small herd of elephants, you won’t be riding the elephants but you will be learning how to care for them. Later in the day, the elephants are taken to bathe in Namtien Lake, where the centre is located. You will be delighted at how playful and fun they are in the water! When you return to the elephant camp for the evening, finish up your daily duties by assisting your mahout to find a suitable place in the jungle for the elephants to eat wild vegetation and sleep for the night. Heading back to the camp on jungle paths, arrive in time to take a swim, relax with your friends and get ready for dinner. After dinner, you can relax and have some chill time before falling asleep in your bungalow.
Overnight: Elephant Conservation Centre, Xayaboury

Day 7 : Lao Elephant Conservation Centre and River Cruise
The morning is truly a special time in the jungle of northern Laos. The birds bring the forest to life and the sun cuts bright rays through the fresh morning air. Rising very early, head deep into the forest to retrieve the elephants from their sleeping area. Once they are fed and cared for, you will head back to the camp for a satisfying meal of your own. After some final activities with the Elephants, the group will bid farewell to your new friends and make the journey back to Luang Prabang. This evening, the group will enjoy a celebratory dinner whilst cruising down the Mekong on their private boat. Students will reflect on and celebrate their achievements, culminating in a traditional Infuse Travel closing ceremony - Infuse Ties.
Overnight: Guest House, Luang Prabang
Day 8: Fly Home

Day 1: Sabaidee & Welcome to Laos!

Our leaders will meet you at the Luang Prabang Airport (LPQ) and after we collect baggage we will head to our accommodation- just 20 minutes from the airport. After checking in, we will have a brief orientation we will have our first of many delicious meals together! If time allows we can visit Phousi Mountain– the highest point in Luang Prabang which has a beautiful sweeping view of the city and rivers below. If you arrive later in the day don’t worry! We will be sure to squeeze this in at some point.

Accommodation: Luang Prabang Guesthouse (several options are available upon request based on group size and budget)

Day 2: Deeper into Northern Laos

After breakfast at the hotel, we will head forth from Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw. The drive is about 3 hours and passes through beautiful landscape. You will see dramatic mountains and idyllic rivers and villages. Once you arrive to the village you will meet with the head of the village and learn more about the project. We will meet our homestay families and prepare our new homes and get to know our hosts. We will have dinner as a group and a discussion about the upcoming project.

Accommodation: Village Homestay

Days 3 - 4: Community Service Learning

You will quickly notice the slower pace of life in the village. In the morning you will eat breakfast with your peers, make a plan for the service project and get to work. Our volunteers work on the project that has been identified as the highest priority by leadership in the village. One can expect to be mixing cement and working with simple tools like hammers and saws. After a break for lunch, you’ll put in a couple more hours of work and then spend the afternoon with your host family, your peers, or with some of the local kids.

You will have discussions and activities with your leaders at night, and will find yourself enjoying the peace and quiet in the village.

Accommodation: Village Homestay

Day 5: Exploring Nong Khiaow

This morning we will take a boat to Muang Ngoi– an idyllic village a short boat ride from Nong Khaiow. You will travel upstream on the Nam Ou river which carves through beautiful limestone karsts. After visiting the village, you’ll head back to Nong Khiaow and get some lunch. After lunch you will head to the Viewpoint. It is a relatively short trek, but quite steep so make sure you take advantage of lunch to fuel up for the hike! Once at the time you will be rewarded with a spectacular view of the river and mountains below.

This evening is our final evening in the village and we will have a traditional Baisee Ceremony with our host community. This powerful and sometimes emotional ceremony will certainly be a memorable part of your experience in Laos.

Accommodation: Village Homestay

Day 6: Back to Luang Prabang

After breakfast, we will head back to Luang Prabang! We should arrive by lunch time, and afterwards we will visit some of the popular attractions the town has to offer. The first stop is the UXO Center– a small museum sponsored by the UN which tells the story of Laos during the Vietnam-American War and some of the dangers that still exist today as a result of the heavy bombing. Next up is the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center (TAEC) is an interesting and interactive center where you can learn more about the different cultures and ethnic groups living in Laos. Once we have some downtime in the afternoon, we will head out for a special goodbye dinner.

Accommodation: Luang Prabang Guesthouse

Day 7: La Khon & Head Home

This week has gone by so fast, but we really hope that you have memories that will last a lifetime. Please come back and visit us soon!

Day 1 - Sabaidee, Laos!

Welcome to Laos! Our staff will meet you at the Vientiane Airport (VTE). After clearing customs and collecting baggage, we will head to the hotel. Today’s activities will depend on your flight time, but we will make sure to fit in an orientation and make sure you have your bearings and help to set expectations for the rest of the week.

Accommodation: Vientiane Hotel

Day 2: Vientiane to Lao Elephant Home

starts with a nourishing breakfast before we drive to the Lao Elephant Home and Sanctuary to spend time with the world’s largest terrestrial mammal. Lao Elephant Home and Sanctuary is a conservation and rehabilitation center dedicated to providing a safe and ethical environment for elephants, And it is an Eco-Tourism project to bring more new jobs for local people and protect wildlife in Nampouy National Park.

Accommodation: Lao Elephant Home

Day 3 - Lao Elephant Home

Today we will have full day of activities with Elephants at Lao Elephant Home and Sanctuary, You can observe elephants in their natural habitat, learn about their individual stories and backgrounds, and participate in activities such as trekking to see elephants in the real natural environment, this interaction are designed to be respectful and non-intrusive, prioritizing the elephants well-being
Accommodation: Lao Elephant Home

Day 4 - Lao Elephant Home to Vang Vieng

The last day with Elephant and the jungle, Say good bye to mahouts families then continue our trip to Vang Vieng.

Accommodation: VangVieng

Day 5 - Full day in Vangvieng

Vang Vieng is a popular tourist destination in Laos, known for its stunning natural landscapes, vibrant outdoor activities, and relaxed atmosphere. Nestled along the Nam Song River and surrounded by limestone karst mountains, Vang Vieng offers a variety of activities such as tubing, kayaking, rock climbing, and exploring caves. The town has a mix of laid-back vibes with lively nightlife, thanks to numerous bars and restaurants catering to tourists. The area is also culturally rich, with nearby traditional Lao villages and temples offering a glimpse into the local way of life.

Accommodation: Vang Vieng

Day 6- Drive to Luang Prabang

After breakfast, pack up and we will head further into the mountains. You will have a chance to take in the beautiful scenery as we head another 3 hours north to Luang Prabang. This charming, quaint town is located on the convergence of the Mekong and Nam Kham River. We will first stop at the hotel before heading out into town to visit Phousi Mountain– the highest point in Luang Prabang where you can see a beautiful 360˚ view of the town below. Afterwards we will go out to dinner and then have a chance to explore the night market.

Accommodation: Vang Vieng Guesthouse

Day 7 - Explore Luang Prabang and Head to Panoor Village

The first stop is the UXO Center– a small museum sponsored by the UN which tells the story of Laos during the Vietnam-American War and some of the dangers that still exist today as a result of the heavy bombing. Next up is Big Brother Mouse. This NGO was created to help pair tourists and locals to make conversation partners. This will be a great way for you to learn more about Laos culture, as well as helping the locals practice their conversational English. After lunch, we will drive about 45 minutes to Panoor Village. This village is charming and mainly inhabited by Khmu people. We have worked with them for several years helping to improve the infrastructure and facilities of the village. Upon arrival you will meet the head of the village as well as your homestay family.

Accommodation: Village Homestay

Days 8- 10: Community Service Learning

You will quickly notice the slower pace of life in the village. In the morning you will eat breakfast with your peers, make a plan for the service project and get to work. After a break for lunch, you’ll put in a couple more hours of work and then spend the afternoon with your host family, your peers, or with some of the local kids.

You will have discussions and activities with your leaders at night, and will find yourself enjoying the peace and quiet in the village.

Accommodation: Village Homestay

Day 11: Trekking to KuangSi Waterfall

No visit to Luang Prabang is complete without a visit to Kuang Sri Waterfall. However, you will be going the “secret” way and hiking from the village to the waterfall. The hike takes about 3 hours and and is not too strenuous or technical, but you are certainly rewarded with a spectacular waterfall that you can swim in and enjoy. We will have lunch at the waterfall and on our way back to Luang Prabang we will stop at the Laos Dairy Buffalo Farm.

The Buffalo Farm is an amazing social enterprise that is able to support local farmers while also making delicious dairy products– including ice cream! The farm has different areas dedicated to being a model of sustainable agriculture and ethical animal husbandry. We will head to the hotel and take a shower before heading out to dinner and the night market.

Accommodation: Luang Prabang Guesthouse

Day 12: La Khon & Head Home

This time has gone by so fast, but we really hope that you have memories that will last a lifetime. Please come back and visit us soon!