Local Attractions
Elephant Village
Elephant Village, Laos at Ban Xieng Lom
(30 minutes walk in distance or 5 minutes by boat from the Zen Namkhan Boutique Resort)
The Elephant Village in Laung Prabang, Laos ensures the support of indigenous & disadvantaged people in remote areas by giving them employment through the creation of more than 40 jobs under fair social circumstances. Here nine elephants living in harmony with nature and community, kept away from abusive work and cared by professional vets.
Elephant Village in Laung Prabang ensures the preservation of a virgin river valley that otherwise would be destroyed by receiving a 20 year leasing agreement from the Lao government to establish a sustainable tourism project. http://www.elephantvillage-laos.com/
Sangri-Lao
Sangri-Lao
(30 minutes walk in distance or 5 minutes by boat from Zen Namkhan Boutique Resort)
Based just 12 Km from Luang Phabang the concept and aim of the ‘Shangri Lao Expedition’, is not only to give our customers a unique and authentic experience of an old colonial-style camp and expedition, but also to preserve natural areas and give former logging elephants an alternative way to earn their living using professional guidance from Lao and Foreign specialists.
If we don’t protect the Huay Sae and Huay Khot areas (more than 300 hectares of primary jungle), it would be almost certain that timber merchants and quarry suppliers would completely destroy these areas documented as “marvelous” by Dr P. Neis - one of the great explorers of the 19th century in whose footsteps we will follow.
Thus our customers can be sure, that they, during their enjoyment of their unique adventure, will help to preserve those areas for the next and future generations and support elephants for a better future. http://shangri-lao.com
Golf Course
Golf Course
(Only a 35 minutes drive from Zen Namkhan Boutique Resort or 15 minutes from the town centre or from Luang Prabang International Airport)
Luang Prabang Golf Club is a world-class premier golf course located in Luang Prabang, Laos, a UNESCO World Heritage town. The hills and valleys overlooking the Great Mekong River provide a magnificent setting for this truly unique golf course, with a highly strategic and challenging 18-Hole, par 72 championship golf course with 7,443-yard layout. There are spectacular views over the picturesque heritage town and the course layout is reminiscent of an established mountain links.
The holes are both memorable and well designed, with undulating fairways and well-protected greens. Multiple varieties of trees, shrubs and natural vegetation add seasonal color to the verdant splendor of the golf course. This course offers a great golfing experience regardless of score, where you can feel the tranquility, harmony and elegance of nature. http://www.luangprabanggolfclub.com/
Kuangsi Waterfall
Kuangsi Waterfall
(25 km south of Luang Prabang or 45 to 60 minutes by Car from Zen Namkhan Boutique Resort)
These waterfalls are a favourite side trip for tourists in Luang Prabang. The falls begin in shallow pools atop a steep hillside. These lead to the main fall with a 50 m cascade. The water collects in numerous turquoise blue pools as it flows downstream. The many cascades that result are typical of travertine waterfalls.
The locals charge a nominal admission fee to visit the site, but it is well main maintained with walkways and bridges to guide the visitor. Most of the pools are open to swimming (although at least one is closed as being a sacred site). Hikers are able to climb to the top of the falls. If you choose to do this trek it’s one day trekking. is a great alternative walking route to the Kuang Si Waterfall that passes through Khmu and Hmong villages, green forests and mountains with a refreshing ending at the waterfall. Village guides are available to enhance your experience and interpret natural and cultural sites along the way. A traditional family-style lunch is available in a Hmong village on the route. The trek is a 4-5 hours walk if you begin in Ban Nong Heo (about a 20 minute drive from town), or 3 hours if you begin in Ban long Lao (a 5 minute drive from town). Most tour companies in town operate this trek. Please make sure that the tour company you use is paying fair prices to the communities $2 per tourist for lunch, and $5 per village guide.
Tad Sae Waterfall
Tad Sae Waterfall
(10 minutes by boat from Zen Namkhan Boutique Resort or 20 km from Luang Prabang)
Accessible only by boat, this spectacular waterfall is best visited in the rainy season, when the rivers are high and their waters thunder over the cascade. The waterfall features multilevel limestone formations divided into three steps with big pools beneath them—don't forget your bathing suit. There are some old waterwheels here. There is a restaurant in place and elephants.
Canopy Zip-line
Canopy Zip-line
(10 minutes by boat from Zen Namkhan Boutique Resort or 20 km from Luang Prabang)
There is a new canopy zip-line tour at Tad Sae Waterfalls. It is the latest soft adventure offering in the outskirts of Luang Prabang. Consisting of 19 platforms on a 1-km journey, this zip-line tour provides stunning views of the surroundings with the last stretch over the Tad Sae waterfall as the most spectacular. After the ride, clients can enjoy lunch at a restaurant overlooking the waterfall or trek across the jungle on an elephant. Priced at 29 USD per person and 15 USD for children below nine years old, this thrilling ride is ideal for families and travelers looking to add a touch of adventure to their time in Luang Prabang.
