Laos
Culture & Community
Journey through rivers and mountain valleys to Sop Chem Village—where daily rhythms, deep traditions, and meaningful projects weave you into the fabric of the community.
Laos
Culture & Community
Find peace and purpose in Sop Chem village
Arrive by longtail boat to Sop Chem, a remote village that welcomes you like family. Teach English in local classrooms, build sustainable infrastructure alongside villagers, and volunteer at a sanctuary protecting rescued Asiatic black bears. Between projects, plant rice by hand, meditate with monks, zipline over waterfalls, explore limestone caves and viewpoints, and end your journey with a sacred Baci Ceremony.
Combine & Save up to $900:
Thailand I Elephants I Scuba I Laos
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Laos Itinerary
Trip Length: 14 Days – Luang Prabang • Nong Khiaw • Sop Chem
Note: Winter trips are slightly shorter than summer trips (by 1-2 days) to fit within school and holiday breaks—but you’ll still experience the same projects, adventures, and cultural immersion, just in a more condensed format.
Day 1
Arrival in Luang Prabang
Welcome to Laos! After clearing immigration and baggage claim, you’ll meet your GIVE guides and fellow travelers in the arrival hall. Settle into your accommodations, enjoy your first Lao dinner together, and get to know your new GIVE family.
Day 2
Zipline, Waterfalls & Wildlife
Spend the morning swimming and ziplining at the breathtaking Kuang Si Falls before visiting a nearby wildlife sanctuary to learn about conservation and volunteer alongside rescued animals. That evening, explore Luang Prabang’s famous Night Market, where colorful handicrafts, delicious street food, and local culture come alive.
Day 3
Rituals & Remembrance
Start the day exploring a bustling local market before joining a hands-on Lao cooking class to prepare some of the country’s most beloved dishes. After lunch, visit the UXO Museum for a powerful look into Laos’ wartime history, resilience, and ongoing recovery efforts. End the day with a peaceful monk-led meditation session at a local Buddhist temple.
Day 4
Journey to Sop Chem
Begin the morning with the sacred Alms Ceremony before traveling through the spectacular mountains of northern Laos to Nong Khiaw. From there, board a traditional boat for a scenic journey up the Nam Ou River to the remote village of Sop Chem—your home for the week. Settle in, explore the community, and get your first glimpse of the projects and people you’ll soon be working alongside.
Days 5-10
Life in Sop Chem
Experience daily life in one of Laos’ most remote villages through meaningful volunteer work, cultural exchange, and unforgettable adventures.
Volunteer Projects
- Morning: Teach English and support local education programs
- Afternoon: Contribute to community-led development projects
Culture & Adventure
- Rice farming and fishing with local families
- Traditional rice wine making and local handicrafts
- Limestone caves and mountain viewpoints
- Swimming in the Nam Ou River and playing sports with local youth
Day 11
Baci & Blessings
After our final day of volunteering, the community will prepare a Lao feast and host a traditional Baci Ceremony to wish us good fortune and safe travels on all future journeys. It’s one of the most powerful expressions of culture, connection, and community you’ll ever experience.
Day 12
Waterfalls & Viewpoints
Say goodbye to your Sop Chem family before beginning your journey down the Nam Ou River. Stop at a nearby village to hike through terraced rice paddies and lush jungle to a hidden waterfall, then continue to Nong Khiaw for lunch and free time to explore. That afternoon, hike to a breathtaking mountaintop viewpoint where you’ll settle into a one-of-a-kind glamping experience. As the sun sets over the mountains, enjoy a hot pot dinner under the stars and reflect on your incredible journey together.
Days 13-14
Sunset Cruise & Farewells
Wake up on Day 13 with coffee or tea overlooking a breathtaking sea of clouds before hiking down for breakfast. Then begin your scenic journey back to Luang Prabang, where you’ll celebrate your final evening together aboard a sunset dinner cruise on the Mekong River—sharing one last meal and celebrating an unforgettable journey.
On Day 14, all good things must come to an end. Soak up your final hours in Laos before heading home—or continue on to your next Southeast Asia adventure with GIVE.
Want to keep the adventure going in SE Asia?
Extend your trip for up to 5 weeks and save up to $1,200 by combining trips. [Learn more here]
What's Included
When you travel with GIVE, you won’t be surprised by hidden fees upon arrival. Dive into all that’s included in our all-in-one trip prices.
- All accommodations
- Transportation (not including flights)
- 3 meals per day & clean drinking water
- 24/7 guide support
- All adventures and cultural experiences
- Funding for volunteer projects & sustainability initiatives
- Pre-trip & in-transit support from GIVE’s Travel Specialists
- Access to your personalized GIVE Profile
- Access to GIVE’s preferred insurance & flight partners
- Trip preparation tools, guides and checklists
- Access to GIVE’s Ambassador Community post-trip
Simply put: we care. GIVE goes above and beyond for our travelers before, during and after your trip. See all that’s included in your GIVE trip here!
What's Not Included
Once you arrive at your destination, everything is organized and included, so you can fully immerse yourself in the experience without having to worry about your wallet GIVE helps you organize all your travel logistics to make your trip preparations and travel smooth.
- Flights and Travelers Insurance (mandatory)
- Passport, visa (if required), and vaccinations (if required)
- Immigration entry/exit fees (depending on location)
- Personal souvenirs, snacks and refreshments (drinking water is included 24/7)
- See all that’s included in your GIVE trip here!
* GIVE reserves the right to change program dates
* Winter trips are slightly shorter due to school/holiday breaks
Where You’ll Stay
From comfortable hotels to authentic village stays and viewpoint camping, each accommodation has been carefully selected to balance comfort, safety, cultural immersion, and support for locally owned businesses and communities.
Please note: Accommodations may vary slightly depending on your travel dates, group size, and availability. The photos above represent the standard of comfort and authentic local experiences you can expect throughout your GIVE journey.
Trip dates & Combinations
Mix & match trips, travel for 1-7 weeks, and save big when you combine 2 or more
Stack your trips and save up to $1,500. Prices drop when you stay longer–lock in your seat before spots fill up.
Flexible payment options let you pay now, set up installments, or Book Now, Pay Later (even after your trip!)
🏝️ All-inclusive trips 🌱 Real Impact ⛰️ Real Adventure
Thailand Culture & Community I 12 to 14 days
From $2,495
Laos Culture & Community I 12 to 14 days
From $2,395
Thailand Scuba Conservation I 11-days
$3,195
Thailand Elephant Experience I 8-days
$2,295
Thailand + Laos I 28-days
$5,390 $4,690 Combine & save $600
Thailand Scuba + Laos I 25-days
$5,790 $5,290 Combine & save $500
Laos + Elephants I 25-days
$5,390 $4,990 Combine & save $400
Scuba + Thailand I 29-days
$6,390 $5,890 Combine & save $500
Thailand + Elephants I 20 to 21 days
$5,090 $4,590 Combine & save $400
Scuba + Elephants I 18-days
$5,490 $5,190 Combine & save $300
Elephants + Scuba + Laos I 33-days
$8,085 $7,385 Combine & save $700
Thailand + Elephants + Scuba I 32-days
$8,285 $7,485 Combine & save $700
Thailand + Laos + Elephants I 39-days
$8,085 $7,285 Combine & save $800
Scuba + Thailand + Laos I 43-days
$8,985 $8,085 Combine & save $900
Thailand + Elephants + Scuba + Laos I 46-days
$10,880 $9,580 Combine & save $1,200
Laos Culture & Community I 12 to 14 days
From $2,395
Thailand Scuba Conservation I 11-days
$3,195
Scuba + Laos I 25-days
$5,790 $5,290 Combine & save $500
Scuba + Thailand I 29-days
$6,390 $5,890 Combine & save $500
Scuba + Elephants I 18-days
$5,490 $5,190 Combine & save $300
Thailand + Elephants + Scuba I 32-days
$8,285 $7,485 Combine & save $700
Thailand + Laos + Elephants I 39-days
$8,085 $7,285 Combine & save $800
Flexible Payment Options
Planning your GIVE trip should be exciting—not stressful! That's why we offer payment options to make it easy. Whether you’re ready to pay now or spread payments into smaller, manageable installments, we've got you covered. Choose to secure your spot with a deposit, set up automatic recurring payments, or use Book Now, Pay Later (even after your trip)— all designed to keep budgeting simple and stress-free.
How to Book a Trip
Lock in your spot with a $595 USD trip deposit in your GIVE Profile. For add-ons or multi-trip packages, it's just $295 more per trip. Your deposit counts toward your total cost, never expires, and can be transferred if plans change.
Pay the rest on your own schedule by your payment deadline or set up a payment plan to extend payments, even after your trip! Need more time? We’ve got you. [Terms & conditions apply.]
No Hidden Fees
Your GIVE trip includes everything you need—from meals, guides, and accommodations to local transport, epic adventures, cultural experiences, and funding for the volunteer projects you’ll help bring to life. Just show up ready to make an impact—we’ll handle the rest.
Worry-Free Booking
Plans change—we get it. Your deposit is fully transferable, never expires, and lets you switch trips or dates for free. Total flexibility, zero stress. [Learn more about our worry-free booking policy.]
We Got Your Back
We’ve got your back—every step of the way. Before your trip, we’ll help you book flights, secure travel insurance, and handle passport or visa needs without the headache. On the road, our team’s on call 24/7 to help with anything that comes up.[Learn more about our 360° travel support.]
Small Groups, Big Vibes
Travel with a tight-knit crew, guided by a team of local and international GIVE guides. With an average group size of 16-20 people, a 5:1 traveler-to-guide ratio, and 24/7 support, you’ll never feel lost in the crowd.
Thailand + Elephants + Scuba + Laos I 46-days
$10,880 $9,580 Combine & save $1,200
Don’t see your preferred trip combination or dates? Contact us.
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