Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ELEPHANTS IN SAYABOURY
Mention Sayaboury to a Laotian, and more often than not they'll start talking about ele-
phants. Locals have long used the creatures to work the region's rich forests, and today,
Sayaboury province still has the country's greatest concentration of elephants - many of
them still actively involved in logging. Each February several dozen local pachyderms take
a break from their usual routines to join the glitzy three-day Sayaboury Elephant Festiv-
al ( sayaboulytourism.com ), which includes a “Miss Elephant” contest, dance shows, an
elephant banquet and, attracting most attention of all, the coveted Elephant of the Year
prize. If you want to visit during the festival, be sure to book accommodation ahead of time
- hotels can be booked up for months in advance.
To see elephants in a more natural setting, consider a trip to the Elephant Conservation
Centre ( elephantconservationcenter.com ) , just west of Sayaboury town, where ele-
phants that were once involved in the logging industry are given the chance to live out
their lives more peacefully, offering short rides to visitors. Visitors can stay at the centre on
a night-by-night basis (double $70) or volunteer for longer periods of time ($400/week),
with the chance to bathe the elephants, learn from local mahouts and meet with the centre's
veterinarian. The setting on the edge of a serene lake is superb, but in line with the centre's
low-impact philosophy, accommodation is very basic.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE: SAYABOURY
By plane The airport, 1km south of town, used to connect Sayaboury with Vientiane, but
flights on this route have been suspended indefinitely.
By bus and sawngthaew Sayaboury has two bus stations, one at the southern end of town
for vehicles shuttling the 100km road between Sayaboury and Paklai (5 daily; 60,000K), and
another at the northern end of town for vehicles to Vientiane and Luang Prabang. Buses trav-
elling from Luang Prabang to Loei, Thailand, also stop here. Tuk-tuks make the trip into town
from both of the bus stations, stopping at the central market (10,000K).
Destinations Luang Prabang (2 daily; 3-4hr); Nam Heuang, for Thailand (1 daily; 4hr); Pak-
lai (at least 5 daily; 3hr); Vientiane (4 daily; 8hr).
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
Meky In town, around 700m north of the Phongsavanhn Bank 074 211382. The most re-
liable accommodation option in the town centre, with sixteen half-decent rooms, each with
pink bedshee ts, a fan , TV, a/c and en-suite bathroom. There's free internet access and coffee
in reception. 60,000K
Nam Tien On the edge of the Nam Tien Lake around 8km southwest of town, near the
pier used by the Elephant Conservation Centre. Very good fish dishes (around 50,000K/kilo)
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