Elephant Village Sanctuary

Rescued elephants find a new home in The Elephant Village Sanctuary, a famous tourist destination in Luang Prabang that was established for the protection and rehabilitation of Laos’ gentle giants.

Most of the elephants in the Elephant Village Sanctuary has a sad story to tell — these lovable animals finding refuge in the sanctuary were used in illegal logging activities that left some of them physically disabled. The Elephant Village Sanctuary isn’t only a place where elephants can take their time to heal, it also has activities that help tourists know and feel more for these gentle giants — some unique interactions with the elephants involve feeding them, giving them a bath, and sending them off to their home in the forest. Aside from interacting with the elephants, guests can also join in various adventures around the area such as biking and kayaking.

Location

Elephant Village Sanctuary is located at Sisavangvong Road, Luang Prabang, Laos.

Opening Days and Hours

The sanctuary is open from 8:00 AM to 21:00.

Entry Fee and Bookings

A visit to the sanctuary is available through Tiger Trail tours which start at USD 98. Regular entrance fee is USD 10, USD 30 if you want to ride the elephants, and USD 35 if you want to give elephants a river bath.

How to Get There

• Fly from Vientiane to Luang Prabang.via Lao Skyway and Lao Airlines.
• From the airport, you can take a taxi or hire a tuk-tuk to Sisavangvong Road where the sanctuary is located.

Suggested For

• Backpackers/solo travelers
• Couples
• Group of friends
• Families with kids

Time to Spend

You can spend a minimum of three hours in the sanctuary. For those who want to stay more, you can also allow two days to enjoy all the activities.

Popularity and Best Time to Go

It’s best to start your trip to the Elephant Village Sanctuary before 9:00 AM so you can finish before lunchtime and avoid the scorching heat of the noontime sun.

Activities

• Mahout Experience
• Biking
• Boat ride

Food

Food is provided to those who availed of tours. Another option is to try nearby restaurants such as Kimsatcat Restaurant, 3 Nagas Restaurant, Villa Santi, Tamnak Lao, and Tamarind.

Nearby Attractions

• Royal Palace
• Wat Chom Si
• Mount Phousi

Stay

At Luang Prabang, a number of hotels such as Lotus Villa Boutique Hotel, Villa Ban Lakkham, The Apsara, Villa Santi Hotel, and The Belle Rive Boutique Hotel offer accommodations starting from USD 50 to USD 250.