Our Educational Journeys Program

7 Days | Northern Laos Community & Cultural Experience

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!