Shangri Lao, Luang Prabang

The Shangri Lao elephant camp is an overnight adventure, more than just a night’s stay. Two individual camps are set up on the banks of the Nam Khan River only 12 km from Luang Prabang,  one is riverside, and the other is in the jungle in this stunning area of natural beauty. No other camp like this exists in South East Asia. You’re more likely to find this level of history and tented luxury in an African safari park.

Staying in spacious tented accommodation with a four-poster bed, 19th Century style furniture, permanent hardwood floor and an authentic attached bathroom, there is also a nearby luxury spa pool, Jacuzzi and a sunset terrace to enjoy lazy evening cocktails. The expedition camp restaurant serves both ala carte western and Lao cuisine.

As this is an explorer camp, you’ll share the premises with the local elephants, and throughout your stay interact with them, be it, learning about conservation efforts, bathing them in the river, mahout training, or just observing. You can engage as much or little as you like really, and it’s all about the experience with the elephants in their natural environment, with a little bit of luxury on the side.

Conservation is a huge part of this project, along with the low impact accommodation. Every person who stays will allow 1 square metre of reforestation. There is an educational trail to follow in the pristine forest, and local forestry experts have identified a number of rare plant species. This ties in perfectly with Shangri Lao’s philosophy “An earthly paradise harmoniously shared between man & nature.”