Elephants in Laos Photo Tour
This photographic journey brings together some remarkable elements of South East Asia, featuring a magical trek through the forests of Laos and a chance to get up close and personal with your pachyderm. With the help of local guides, wonderful elephants and a little experience we hope to get unique opportunities to photograph ethnic groups as well.
We will be making space for just 6 travellers on the journey. The tour begins in Bangkok with a flight to Chiang Rai in the Golden Triangle, a few days of Thai style pampering and then we start roughing it. We leave Chiang Rai to head for the Laos border, head down the Mekong and mee the elephants. After a few days of tents by the river, rural villages and 4-6 hours a day riding the elephants we venture by boat further down to Mekong to finish the trip with some comfortable lodgings in Luang Prabang.
Accommodation in the jungle is very basic and there will be limited access to electricity for those nights. Every traveller has their own elephant to ferry them through the forest, while our luggage goes ahead in by road. We'll stop in the wilds of jungles or farming villages for lunch on the way, and finish the journey in the charming town of Luang Prabang. We team up with a local photographer after our elephant trek to visit some more ethnic groups that live near the Mekong.
November 23 - December 4, 2012
Maximum group size of just 6 people, priced at US$4,200
Photo Essay - Monks on the Mekong
Photo Essay - Five Star Elephants
Itinerary
Day 1 | Bangkok
We meet the group in Bangkok on day 1 and outline the journey ahead. Some travellers will be extending from the Ancient Kingdoms Photography Tour while some will be meeting us fresh at the hotel.
Day 2-3 | Chiang Rai
We have a short flight from Bangkok to Chiang Rai in the early morning. Our main objective is to meet some of the team at the Golden Triangle Elephant Foundation and see how the conservation project helps elephants and mahouts start a better life.
Day 4 | Pak Beng
There's be an early morning pickup from our hotel to transfer to the Laos border, make the crossing and then head down the Mekong by boat to the town of Pak Beng. This is a long travel day.
Days 5-7 | Elephant Trekking
In the morning we head down the river a little further before meet our elephants after lunch and beginning our journey into the jungle. For the next three nights we will be immersed in the life of Laos villagers, forest creatures and our companion elephants. Each traveller will have their own elephant with several hours a day stomping through the trees and shrubs. Evenings are spent either with a homestay arrangement with local farmers or a campsite by the river. During our travels you will also be schooled in how to drive an elephant, plus we are bringing along an additional elephant expert from Elefant Asia to help us learn about these marvellous animals.
Days 8-12 | Luang Prabang
Our last morning on the Mekong will be spent saying goodbye to the elephants and our mahouts, then we board a boat to journey 6 hours downstream to the town of Luang Prabang. Back in civilization we'll enjoy a hot shower, lovely rooms and the best food of the trip. The next few days are spent with an award winning local photographer who will share some favourite destinations with ethnic groups nearby. During this trip we hope to visit Khamu, Hmong and a few other ethnic minorities.
Meet The Photographer
My name is Ewen Bell and I love elephants. And Photography. This trip is more fun than a barrel of monkeys, although you might see a few of them swinging from the trees too. Spending a few days wandering the forests with elephants is one of the greatest experiences of my life. So I decided to do it again. Join me in late 2012 for a real adventure.
Feedback from Past Travellers
"For someone who has a passion for photography, adventure and life, Ewen's photo research trips are just perfect. I was lucky enough to be able to join Ewen on his Elephant Photo Research trip from Thailand to Laos in 2010 and it far exceeded my expectations. What made the trip particularly great was that it was off the beaten path, which allowed us a closer experience with the locals and immersion in their culture. And on top of all that was Ewen's obvious passion and compassion that make him a great tour leader and teacher. Unlike other large tour groups, Ewen's tours are small and he is able to give personal attention to everyone on their photography, which I greatly appreciated. This was such an amazing trip filled with great people, fun and love for elephants that I hope to come on another one soon. :)"
- Grace C, USA
Laos Elephants, December 2010
"My third trip with Ewen and Grasshopper Adventures to see the ancient kingdoms of SE Asia was magnificent! I fell in love with the land, the people and the culture and brought back some great photographs and memories. Typical of Grasshopper Adventures, we found things there that no large tour company would ever include. As an example, on the way to visit one of the ancient temples we happened to see a small group of people harvesting rice, so we stopped the bus and our local Cambodian guide asked if they would mind if we took their pictures while they worked. They said yes we could, so we spent at least an hour with them while they worked, talked and laughed. It is interactions like this one that bring you nearer to the people and what I love so much about Ewen's style and Grasshopper Adventures' philosophy on travel. Thanks, guys!"
- Liz, November 2009
Ancient Kingdoms Photography Tour, November 2009
Read more from past travellers and the media
Advance Your Photography
If you want to explore your creative potential, learn about the basics of photography or gain a little professional insight then these tours are a magnificent way to do it. If you're ready to learn new skills while you travel then this is the trip for you. If you want to spend quality time with like minded people and enjoy the sharing of knowledge and experiences, then we would love to have you along.
8 is Great
I never want to run a photography tour with more than 8 people, let alone 12 or 16. Smaller groups mean less drama, more fun and are infinitely more rewarding. My first responsibility is to ensure every person on my tour gets plenty of my time and advice, plus to ensure we don't ruin a lovely location by dragging a horde of photographers about. Small isn't just good, it's great!
What's Included
Please check the brochure for additional details, but every tour includes themed sessions, one-on-one tuition, a copy of the "Photography for Travellers" book, internal ground and air travel, accommodation and many meals. International flights, spending money and cameras are not included.
Dates
| 2012 | June 04 - 17 | Australia by Air | fully booked |
| 2012 | August 06 - 10 | Arnhem Land Workshop | new |
| 2012 | September 09 - 23 | China | fully booked |
| 2012 | October 22 - November 05 | Bhutan | |
| 2012 | November 09 - 23 | Ancient Kingdoms | 4 places left |
| 2012 | November 23 - December 04 | Elephants in Laos | |
| 2012 | December 28 - January 10 | Myanmar | fully booked |
| 2013 | February 04 - February 17 | Lapland to Lofoten | 2 places left |
| 2013 | April 15 - May 02 | China's Silk Road | |
| 2013 | June 03 - 16 | Australia by Air | |
| 2013 | September 08 - 22 | China | |
| 2013 | October 27 - November 10 | Nepal | |
| 2013 | November 15 - 29 | Ancient Kingdoms | |
| 2014 | February TBA | Lapland to Lofoten |
Share and Tell
Got a Question?
Please drop me an email if you have any questions about this trip. What kind of camera gear to bring? Who else has booked on the tour? Can I bring my spouse? What other trips are being released this year? Anything!
Email Ewen
