Republished as featured on Agoda Travel Guides
Leave a positive footprint on the environment during an unforgettable holiday that embraces Laos eco-tourism. The enchanting land of Laos features some of the world’s most luscious landscapes and inviting locals, who welcome travelers to explore the country’s most well-kept secret destinations and unique culture. Get ready to embrace nature responsibly while trekking through jungles near Pakse, paddling down the Mekong around Luang Prabang and encountering friendly locals in Luang Namtha Province villages who have a tasty dishes to share. These tips and tricks offer everything needed to enjoy a sustainable travel experience in Laos.
Laos Eco-Tourism – Embrace Nature Responsibly
In recent years, the term eco-tourism has morphed into a bit of a buzz word that serves marketing purposes, rather than environmental needs. So, what is eco-tourism, and how can you practice it in Laos? Eco-tourism actually encompasses all phases of tourism – from how travelers arrive at a destination to what they do there and how they leave it when they are gone. Community-based eco-tourism serves greater purposes than just allowing visitors to experience a culture. In general, authentic eco-tourism experiences should help minimize environmental impact, fund local environmental and community projects, increase environmental and cultural knowledge and be affordable and available for all tourists. Building a holiday around legitimate eco-tourism destinations can double the fulfillment of a travel trip, and there is no shortage of eco-tourism opportunities in Laos.
Conservation Projects that Contribute to Laos’s Ecosystem
After years of battling deforestation and foreign demand for wild animals and traditional medicines, the country of Laos took a stance on conserving its natural and biodiverse assets, especially the 1,180 miles of the Mekong River that runs through the center of the country. The government, in cooperation with locals, have enacted wildlife protection and environmental initiatives in recent years to ensure the maintenance and sustainability of Laos’ most treasured landmarks, natural regions and endangered species. Efforts focus on healthy forests and healthy communities, along with stopping the trade of wildlife and protecting the country’s waterways. Two of Laos’ most well-known conservation projects are the Elephant Conservation Center in western Laos – on the border of northern Thailand – and the Gibbon Experience at Bokeo Nature Reserve in far north Bokeo Province.
Elephant Conservation Center, Sayaboury Province
Founded in 2010 on the banks of Nam Tien Reservoir about two and a half hours from Luang Prabang, the Elephant Conservation Center in Sayaboury Province is the only sanctuary in Laos that rescues elephants and returns them to the wild after rehabilitation. The sanctuary was built in part as a research center and welcomes students to live on campus for up to two weeks in order to learn more about the elephants and their environment. Volunteers are invited to walk elephants, learn about the conservation center at a museum, visit the elephant hospital and participate in learning courses about elephant breeding and training.
The Gibbon Experience, Bokeo Nature Reserve
There is nothing more exhilarating than flying through the world’s highest treehouses while saving the world! At The Gibbon Experience, travelers can feel good about feeling good while ziplining over forests filled with gibbons, the small apes that dangle on every treetop, because this eco-tourism thriller is legit. The Gibbon Experience was born out of love for the forest when locals got fed up with loggers chopping down all of Laos’ beautiful trees. The tourist attraction was such a hit when it started in 1996 that its inception led to the establishment of Nam Kan National Park, which is now a protected area in northern Laos. Travelers who participate in The Gibbon Experience are not only helping to protect a natural region, but they are contributing to the livelihood of the more than 120 locals who work there.
Green Hotels in Laos – Sustainable Stays
Accommodations hosts and local hotel owners have jumped on the eco-tourism bandwagon, providing some of the top eco-friendly hotels and resorts in Laos. Travelers will find a mix of sustainable accommodations, green hotels, luxury waterfront resorts and no-frills backpacker hostels that focus on hospitality as much as protecting the environment. Here are a few options for green hotels and sustainable stays in Laos.
The River Resort, Champasak
As affordable as luxurious, The River Resort near Pakse sits on the banks of the Mekong River and offers deluxe accommodations. The 5-star resort is staffed by mostly local farmers and villagers who help maintain the hotel’s organic rice paddies and vegetable gardens. Most of the furnishings within rooms are made from natural bamboo, and kitchens run on solar power. The award-winning hotel invites guests to participate in cultural ceremonies, dine at a riverside restaurant, swim in infinity pools and embark on a riverboat journey from a riverfront or pond-garden villa.
Luang Prabang View Hotel, Luang Prabang
Take in a panoramic view of Laos’ stunning countryside and historic formal capital from a balcony at Luang Prabang View Hotel. This 4.5-star luxury resort in Luang Prabang offers a pool and bar with a happy hour twice a day! Guests also have thrones in their rooms and access to a full-service spa, valet parking and amazing local staff.
Kamu Lodge, Luang Prabang
For travelers looking for private sustainable accommodations with a stunning view at an affordable price, the Kamu Lodge in Luang Prabang is the answer. This tented lodge on the banks of the Mekong River provides all-inclusive services and is only accessible by private boat. Free breakfast, a rooftop terrace and an on-site restaurant and bar await guests who love an excellent slow travel experience.
Kingfisher Lodge, Pakse
Just 40 minutes south of Pakse, guests will find an eco-style boutique resort nestled in some of Laos’ most luscious wetlands. The lodge sits on the edge of Xe Pian National Bio-Diversity Conservation Area and offers 16 rooms, an on-site swimming pool and restaurant. Kingfisher Lodge is a 3-star accommodation located in Ban Kiet Ngong village.
FIND TOP LAOS ECO-TOURISM ACCOMMODATIONS
Explore Laos National Parks & Eco-Tourism Nature Havens
Eco-tourism abounds in Laos’ national parks and protected forests. The country boasts endless biodiversity tours through nature reserves, remote villages and jungles. While trekking through virgin forests, travelers can photograph one-of-a-kind flora and fauna, meet friendly Laotians and take long breaks by ever-flowing waterfalls. These national parks are the top recommendations for eco-tourism in Laos.
Nam Ha National Bio-Diversity Conservation Area
With a rolling landscape of farmland and villages dotted on every mountainside, Nam Ha National Bio-Diversity Conservation Area is an eco-tourist’s delight. The national protected area is part of Luang Namtha Province in far northern Laos, which borders both Myanmar and China, lending to the region’s rich and diverse culture. Lush forests and dry grasslands cover most of the landscape, which runs rampant with rivers and streams. The nature preserve is home to several threatened species, including the clouded leopard and Asian elephants. Malayan sun bears, wild boars, tigers and more than 300 species of birds also call the national park home. Within the Nam Ha national protected area, trekkers may encounter locals from one of 25 villages nestled within the trees. The natives play a vital role in keeping the forest vibrant and maintained. Nam Ha National Bio-Diversity Conservation Area provides a variety of things to do for solo travelers and families alike. Visitors will find accommodation along with a playground, tennis and volleyball courts, picnic tables and barbecue grills and public toilets.
Phou Khao Khouay National Park, Near Vientiane
Just an hour and a half from Vientiane, Phou Khao Khouay National Park features all the outdoor activities and accommodations needed for a full holiday. The park is home to waterfalls, rivers and lakes, which are perfect for swimming, kayaking and relaxing by the water. Nature trails also give trekkers the opportunity to spot endangered birds and look for wildlife, like tigers, elephants and gibbons.
Hin Namno National Park
Escape to the cozy eastern border of Laos to venture through this national park that is smaller in size but large in beauty and history. The trekking grounds are some of the newest in the country, having been established in 2020, and have the potential to be named the first natural world heritage of Laos. The landscape borders with Vietnam and consists of limestone plateaus surrounded by tropical forests that few trekkers have explored thoroughly.
Nakai-Nam Theun National Park
Head to Nakai-Nam Theun National Park in east-central Laos for hiking in one of the largest contiguous forests in Indochina. Take a safari through the vast wilderness to discover threatened species and untouched terrain in the heart of one of the world’s most biodiverse regions. Trekkers can scale Annamite Range for views of Vietnam and the surrounding jungles, or try to sight a white-winged duck on the Nakai Plateau. The ancient jungle harbors beaches and waterfalls alongside rivers, and campers are welcome to set up a tent and stay a while.
Dong Hua Sao National Protected Area
Threatened from the overuse of its fisheries and wetlands, Dong Hua Sao National Protected Area is a perfect naturescape for lovers of jungle treks and dense forests. Visitors will not find the hunters, farmers and fishermen who once roamed the region and ravaged its natural resources but instead will encounter native monkeys, rare hornbills and even butterflies living happily ever-after. The National Reserved Forest is just a 30-minute drive from Pakse in southern Laos.
FIND TOP LAOS ECO-TOURISM ACCOMMODATIONS
Eco-Friendly Tours
Visitors to Laos will find an abundance of local tours in every city. Travelers who want to support community tourism can find reputable guides online, but the best way to have good eco-tourism experience is to ask locals for recommendations. Hotel staff members and shop owners often know a responsible tour guide and can give the best advice on how to book one. Additionally, many sustainable tours are designed for tourists who want to book a tour on the fly, so there is rarely a need to book in advance. Some sustainable tour companies specialize in adventure sports, like trekking, mountain biking and rock climbing, while others offer more laid-back eco-tours that include nature hikes, kayaking, birdwatching and camping. Boat tours down the Mekong also is a popular Laos eco-tourism activity.
Responsible Travel Practices in Laos
Eco-travelers should be familiar already with how travel can impact the environment, but there are a few specific ways travelers can be even more eco-friendly while traveling in Laos. Here is how to be wowed by the country’s centuries-old landmarks and keep them nice for centuries to come.
- Watch where you walk. Stay on trekking paths and on designated trails.
- Play nice with locals. You are in their home. Respect them. Stay overnight in their villages.
- Choose Travelife Certified hotels, which implement sustainable practices that reduce environmental impact.
- Buy local crafts, handicrafts and products to support the local economy.
- Do not scoff at tour prices. You are supporting families.
- Do not climb on ancient architecture.
- Ask before taking photographs of locals, especially children.
Supporting Local Communities: The Heart of Sustainable Travel
The tourism industry drives about 15 percent of Laos’ economy and nearly 13 percent of its employment, and community-based tourism plays a huge part in those numbers. Tourists who spend money on hotels, local restaurants, transportation and entertainment help create rural jobs and fight poverty in underserved areas. Thanks to tourism, ironically, more natural resources in Laos are being preserved as heritage sites and protected forests are established. Here are a few places tourists can promote sustainable travel and support Laos eco-tourism.
- The Gibbon Experience, Bokeo Province
- Ban Nayang Thai Textile Village, Luang Prabang
- Elephant Conservation Center, Sayaboury Province
- Tad Lo Village, Bolaven Plateau
- TAEC (Traditional Arts and Ethnology Centre) Tours, Luang Prabang
- Vang Vieng Organic Farm
