EXPEDITION OVERVIEW

This amazing tour will start in Bangkok and then take you on an amazing journey from the north Laos town of Luang Prabang, down to see the amazing work being done by the Elephant Conservation Centre in rehabilitating elephants for their release into protected forest areas. Here you will see some of the 33 resident elephants who have been rescued from horrible situations. You will have many great photo opportunities from safe viewing platforms and have the opportunity to walk along side them. We will also take you trekking into these forests where you will join the researchers and learn how they track and monitor the re-released elephants.

Then we visit the Vanvieng and experience its natural beauty with the option of some adventure activities like hot-air ballons, rafting or even ziplines. Finally, we arrive in Laos capital historic city Vientiane for our final night. The tour starts and finishes in Bangkok, which has many international flight options as well as allowing guests easy opportunites to relax before or after the tour.

Stay at the Elephant Conservation Centre (ECC) in Laos. Meet some of the 33 resident elephants in care. Experience culture in Luang Prabang
Enjoy a sunset cruise on the Mekong River. Visit the beautiful area of Vanvieng, and explore its caves. Optional sunrise hot-air balloon ride. Visit the capital of Vientiane and see its historic culture. Start and finish in Bangkok, Thailand

Travel with elephant expert Dr Alex Mossbrucker and International Elephant Project Founder Leif Cocks
You will be joined by Dr Alex Mossbrucker and Leif Cocks, 2 remarkable men who dedicate their lives to protecting vulnerable and endangered species. Their wealth of knowledge and experience will take you into the world of conservation and provide you with a greater understanding of the Asian Elephant.

Meet your hosts

Alex is a German-born nature enthusiast with a strong interest in wildlife conservation and biology.Alex studied Biology in Hamburg (Germany), Santiago de Veraguas (Panama), Konstanz (Germany) and Freiburg (Germany), and Forestry Science in Yogyakarta 
(Indonesia). In 2008 he visited Sumatra for the first time to study elephants in the Bukit Tigapuluh Landscape. In the following decade, Alex spent most of his time on the island, working with and for Frankfurt Zoological Society as a researcher and project leader. Much of his professional career over the past years has focused on ranger patrol management, wildlife monitoring, and human-wildlife conflict management. Alex is the founder and president of the Sumatran Elephant Conservation Initiative (SECI) and currently works for International Elephant Project (IEP) as IEs field manager.

Please take a look at Alex's book Island Elephants which is a wonderful read.

Leif has played host to many tours with Orangutan Odysseys and is now thrilled to be taking you on a journey into the lives of the Asian Elephant. Leif is the Founder of The International Elephant Project (IEP) a not-for-profit project for elephant conservation, rainforest protection and local community partnerships, in order to protect an save the entire ecosystem and biodiversity of habitats shared by elephants. Run by The Orangutan Project (TOP) Board, IEP was formed to conserve elephant’s entire ecosystem in a holistic manner.

A small population biologist and curator by trade; Leif has several academic qualifications, including a Masters of Science. He lectures at universities, is a seasoned public speaker and has published several papers in peer-reviewed journals. Leif is also the author of the books Orangutans and their Battle for Survival (2002) and, Amazon best seller, Orangutans My Cousins, My Friends (2016) and Finding our Humanity (2019).

EXPEDITION GOALS 
Our goal is to provide our guests with a unique experience, to observe wild tropical biodiversity in their natural habitat. We will provide you with a safe platform to observe many rare and unique species of wildlife throughout Laos. We will also provide you with comprehensive information about the destination you are in so that you are fully informed of your surroundings prior to, during and following your expedition.

Furthermore, Orangutan Odysseys have partnered up with the International Elephant Project which supports conservation programs in Laos - so travelling with us you are directly supporting their conservation efforts and environmental programs. And finally by supporting ethical and eco-tourism you are helping support the locals and the environment.