Visiting the MEKONG ELEPHANT PARK in Pakbeng is an awe-inspiring and truly unforgettable experience. Nestled amidst the lush beauty of Northern Laos, this sanctuary provides a remarkable opportunity to connect with nature and intimately interact with these majestic creatures, the Asian elephants. From the moment you step onto the park grounds, you are greeted by a serene and tranquil atmosphere. The staff’s warm welcome and their evident dedication to the well-being of the elephants instantly set the tone for an extraordinary day ahead. One of the standout features of MEKONG ELEPHANT PARK is their commitment to ethical and responsible elephant tourism. Unlike many other attractions, the park refrains from offering activities like elephant rides or performances, ensuring the elephants are treated with utmost respect and care. Instead, visitors are encouraged to engage in more meaningful interactions that promote the elephants’ natural behaviours and their overall welfare. The guided walking tour through the lush forest is the highlight of the visit. Accompanied by knowledgeable and passionate guides, you will have the privilege of observing the elephants in their natural habitat. Witnessing these gentle giants roam freely, socialise, and partake in various enrichment activities is a truly heartwarming experience. Another commendable aspect of the park is its dedication to education. Throughout the tour, the guides provided fascinating insights into the elephants’ behaviours, their conservation status, and the park’s efforts to protect these magnificent creatures. Visitors leave the park not only with cherished memories but also with a deeper understanding of the importance of elephant conservation. The commitment to sustainability is evident in every aspect of MEKONG ELEPHANT PARK. The park operates with a low ecological footprint, using eco-friendly practices and providing locally sourced, delicious meals for visitors. Additionally, their support for the local community and involvement in conservation initiatives further exemplify their holistic approach. In conclusion, a visit to MEKONG ELEPHANT PARK is a transformative experience that goes beyond mere tourism. It’s a chance to connect with nature, learn about the crucial role elephants play in our ecosystem, and contribute to their well-being. The dedication to ethical practices, the serene surroundings, and the opportunity to interact with these incredible creatures make this sanctuary a must-visit destination for anyone seeking an authentic and impactful wildlife encounter. If you’re looking for an ethical and immersive elephant encounter in Pakbeng, look no further than MEKONG ELEPHANT PARK. It’s an oasis of compassion, education, and natural beauty that will leave you with memories to treasure for a lifetime. Check their website HERE Read about Pluto and Alis adventure in Pakbeng HERE COME ON TOUR WITH US Discover the magic of our latest trip! An experience that will take you to enchanting places, blending culture and adventures with our travel branch FANTASIA ASIA – click on the following programs to know more: https://www.fantasiaasia.com/tour/the-north-adventure-8-days-7-nights/ https://www.fantasiaasia.com/tour/the-new-the-ancient-capital-7-days-6-nights/ https://www.fantasiaasia.com/tour/enchanting-laos-9-days-8-nights/ https://www.fantasiaasia.com/tour/luang-prabang-tour-4-days-3-nights/ https://www.fantasiaasia.com/tour/laos-fantasy-12-days-11-nights/ Watch here for our VIDEO on Laos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shuI9Aa_-pQ&t=35s  

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Mekong Smile Cruise – Night 1 – Pakbeng At first sight, Pakbeng seems to be a village erected exclusively to cater for tourists since most visitors on a slow boat to/from Luang Prabang stop here overnight, with boats mooring at the river bank and visitors sleeping in one of the lodges and roaming around the center. Pakbeng is indeed small, and its only road comprises a few small guest houses, restaurants, bars and little convenience stores that cash in on the money slow boat tourists bring in. However, Pakbeng is more than that. Its main road is now sealed and connected with the town of Oudomxai, and though up to recently the village depended on electrical generators, a World Bank loan was invested in a hydroelectric station that has just been completed. One way to reach Pakbeng is by bus, though I have heard it is a rough and long ride… While in the main broadway businesses boom and locals are constructing new houses and stores, including hardware and building material stores run by a Chinese population, the simple hamlets perched on the hills behind are not connected to the grid and are still inhabited by hill tribes who walk to Pakbeng on a daily basis, selling their produce and buying commodities. We disembarked the boat and walked the steep climb up the sandy slope above the boat landing – there are locals offering to carry your bag up in exchange for a tip, the size of which you better agree beforehand – to reach our accommodation for the night, the Mekong River Lodge, a handful of teak bungalows on stilts perched on a cliff. They have all the modern comforts inside, fans and mosquito nets and bathrooms with hot water showers, and large terraces overlooking the Mekong. Rooms can be booked by calling +85620 55171068 or through the email mekongriversidelodge@hotmail.com I showered, sipped an afternoon drink and left for a stroll. I passed the local market, which was about to close for the day, and kept on walking uphill until there were fewer houses – most of the guesthouses and businesses are along the first 100 mt of the main street. I reached a temple on the hill – Wat Kokkor Mingmoungkoun – from where I enjoyed a great sunset over a particularly scenic stretch of the Mekong; I then ventured down the steps and inside the main temple, where four monks were doing the afternoon chants sitting cross-legged in front of the Buddha statue. Most of the old temples in the area were destroyed during wars with the Thai Kingdom over 300 years ago, so this is a quaint rare example of a Buddhist temple from the great Lanna Kingdom times. Next I set off to search for food. Several guest houses also offer meals, and there are enough small restaurants around to fill your belly. I picked a nice restaurant on the riverfront where I met our guide Kae who was having dinner with some of the boat passengers, and I joined them for a meal of buffalo sausages, local delicacy Larb, and pumpkin soup, washed down by the local drink lao lao bong, water and strong fermented rice sipped through a straw. Kae informed me that Pakbeng was the south terminus of the Route 46 from Yunnan, China, during the Laotian Civil War (1953-1975) and that in Pakbeng, located in the Golden Triangle area, one of the world’s drug production area, marijuana and opium have been part of the local culture for thousands of years. Some of the tourists are silly enough to buy drugs they get offered by the locals, only to get scammed a few minutes later into paying a hefty bribe by someone showing a police badge. When in Asia, stay away from drugs! Dinner was followed by another stroll back to the hotel. Calling Pakbeng a sleepy village is an understatement: it is dead-quiet and most of the town shuts down by 10pm. I accommodated myself on the wooden chair of my terrace and looked at the starry sky and at the dark Mekong waters below, until my eyes started closing. Eventually, I hit the bed… _____________________________________________________________ A cruise over the Mekong is a good and more luxurious alternative to the crowded public slow boats. Mekong Smile Cruise is indeed a good choice, we had a great relaxing trip exploring and appreciating an interesting stretch of the river. I definitely recommend this option, which was one of the highlights of our tour. Mekong Smile Cruise programs and prices can be found on www.mekongsmilecruise.com – for booking and information you can contact owner Pheng at houmphengdalakhone@gmail.com or at info@mekongsmilecruise.com Mekong Smile Cruise Day 1 – Houay Xai to Pakbeng Mekong Smile Cruise Day 2 – Pakbeng to Luang Prabang Mekong Smile Cruise MEKONG TOURS COME ON TOUR WITH US Discover the magic of our latest trip! An experience that will take you to enchanting places, blending culture and adventures with our travel branch FANTASIA ASIA – click on the following programs to know more: https://www.fantasiaasia.com/tour/the-north-adventure-8-days-7-nights/ https://www.fantasiaasia.com/tour/the-new-the-ancient-capital-7-days-6-nights/ https://www.fantasiaasia.com/tour/enchanting-laos-9-days-8-nights/ https://www.fantasiaasia.com/tour/luang-prabang-tour-4-days-3-nights/ https://www.fantasiaasia.com/tour/laos-fantasy-12-days-11-nights/ Watch here for our VIDEO on Laos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shuI9Aa_-pQ&t=35s

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