Elephant Village Sanctuary in Luang Prabang - which trip?
 

Hello Fodorites

We are interested in visiting the elephant sanctuary in Luang Prabang, but have a few questions

Should we book directly with the sanctuary or through a tour company like tiger trails?

Should we book now or when we arrive?

Does anyone have a POV on whether to do the half day trip (elephant riding/falls) or spring for the one day mahout (get to wash elephants, do mahout training)

Thanks much

Book directly with the company to ensure you are booked with the company you want. You can book through companies like Tiger Trails by why go through a middleman unless you are combining the experience with something else that the tour company is offering.

At the moment, The Elephant Village is still the best in Luang Prabang. Their office, clearly marked "The Elephant Village" is located on the main street.

Between the choice of half day or full day, definitely do the 1-Day Mahout. It's amazing. Have fun!

Terrible do you have any idea how these poor animals are treated.
Starved, beaten, chained all day, riding on bones ,no health care. Used till they drop.Broken backs.
No water,forced and beaten into submission.

If you love elephants DO NOT go to trekking camps! LOOK in their EYES
There is nothing there.

Elephant Nature a Park is a real Sanctuary to save trekking Elephants in Thailand.,

Thanks!

zoso, have you actually been to this camp in LP?

I have (as I have been to ENP in Chiang Mai).

I can attest that it's very different than what you might think it is. Elephants are obviously well treated by their mahouts, there's no tourist circus there to speak of. No chains, no riding platforms, etc. It's not a rehabilitation center but it's a far cry from what you're describing.

All I'm saying is, when you're dealing with such sensitive issues, please speak from and give advice about first-hand experiences rather than conjecture.