GIVE – Laos

Start your day early to participate in the renowned Alms Ceremony, a Buddhist tradition where you rise before dawn to offer fresh food to monks. Following breakfast, immerse yourself in the cultural experience by engaging with local monks to discuss Buddhist customs and practices. The monks will then introduce you to the ancient art of meditation and guide you through a brief session. Later, we will visit the UXO Museum for an insightful look at the lasting impacts of the Second Indochina War (Vietnam War) on Laos.

After lunch, we’ll journey to Tat Kuang Sii National Park to witness one of Laos' most stunning natural attractions—a magnificent 200-foot waterfall that cascades into a series of smaller falls and turquoise pools. Spend the afternoon exploring the falls and enjoying a refreshing swim in its pristine waters.

Dedicate a full day to gaining insight into wildlife conservation initiatives in Laos and contributing to the creation of new enclosures at the Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary. This 60-acre sanctuary is set to provide a home for over 150 Asiatic Black Bears, as well as macaques, leopard cats, and other animals that have been rescued from illegal wildlife trafficking across Asia.

Following breakfast, we'll embark on a 3.5-hour van ride combined with a 1.5-hour long-tail boat journey to reach our primary destination, Sop Chem. This quaint riverside village, nestled amidst limestone cliffs and lush jungle, will be our base for the upcoming week. The remainder of the afternoon and evening will be dedicated to exploring the village and familiarizing ourselves with the local project initiatives.

Each morning begins with a delicious, locally-prepared breakfast. Following this, we'll start our education and construction projects around 9:00 AM, working diligently until lunchtime. After a hearty lunch and a short relaxation period, we'll return to the project site for the remainder of the afternoon. In the late afternoon, we'll conclude our volunteer work and embark on various cultural and adventure activities, such as fishing with locals, brewing rice wine, playing sports with village children, participating in traditional ceremonies, exploring nearby caves, learning to craft local items, tubing down the river, or simply enjoying the local atmosphere.

On our last night in Sop Chem, the locals will host a traditional Baci Ceremony to wish us well and ensure safe travels for our future journeys. This heartfelt ceremony is a deeply meaningful experience and a highlight of our stay.

Following breakfast, we’ll embark on a long-tail boat trip down the Nam Ou River heading towards Nong Khiaw. As we cruise, take in the lush jungle canopy, sweeping views of tropical forests, cascading limestone waterfalls, and picturesque mountain ranges.

After breakfast, we'll set off on a long-tail boat ride down the Nam Ou River towards Nong Khiaw. Relish the views of the jungle canopy, tropical forests, limestone waterfalls, and the stunning mountain ranges along the way.

Rise early to embark on a trek through lush jungle and bamboo forests, leading you to one of Laos' most breathtaking viewpoints! Alternatively, you can choose to relax in your hammock all morning. After lunch, we'll head back to Luang Prabang for a final evening of celebration and reflection on this incredible journey.

As all great experiences eventually conclude, savor your final hours in Southeast Asia before heading home. Alternatively, consider enhancing your trip with GIVE's Wildlife Conservation program. You can also combine this with GIVE's Thailand Excursion to complete your Southeast Asia adventure and enjoy a $500 discount!