Add-ons and experiences available in Laos

Arriving early or departing a few days after your program finished? IVHQ makes it easy to be flexible with your arrival and departure dates and offers extra nights of accommodation that you can pre-arrange before you depart. 

You will be accommodated in the same volunteer house that you will be staying during your time on the program so you can settle right in with no need to be moving around. Please note that maximum you can book for is one day before or after.

Want your own private room and an ensuite while volunteering in Laos? Enjoy your own private space in comfort and style during your volunteer program, with IVHQ’s affordable accommodation upgrade.

For families wanting more comfort, private room with an ensuite (hot showers) are available at the volunteer house.

These private rooms are designed for up to four people and include air conditioning, WiFi, double size beds and private bathroom.

If booking with another person, only one person needs to buy this upgrade and please contact your Program Manager to inform who the other volunteer is that will be using this upgrade.

Want your own private room and an ensuite while volunteering in Laos? Enjoy your own private space in comfort and style during your volunteer program, with IVHQ’s affordable accommodation upgrade.

For couples, retirees or volunteers wanting more comfort, private room with an ensuite (hot showers) are available at the volunteer house.

These private rooms are designed for up to two people and include air conditioning, WiFi, a double size bed and private bathroom.

If booking with another person, only one person needs to buy this upgrade and please contact your Program Manager to inform who the other volunteer is that will be using this upgrade.

Want an awesome way to kickstart your volunteer abroad experience? Laos is known for its beautiful culture so this is a great way to combine everything you need to know about your program while experiencing local traditions, customs and some of Laos must-dos activities!

Schedule:

Monday - Begin with an overview of the Laos program, meet the local team, review general guidelines, and join a session on local culture and language. You’ll take a walking tour of the area, and sort out your SIM card. You'll get to enjoy a delicious Lao meal and relax with the group.

Tuesday - Visit a local village to learn about daily life in rural Laos. Try your hand at traditional Laotian handcrafting with local artisans. Take part in a flower offering ceremony at a local temple and join a Laotian cooking class to learn how to make authentic dishes. In the evening, enjoy a fun BBQ dinner at the accommodation.

Wednesday - Explore the ancient historical temples and UNESCO World Heritage sites in the city. Wander through the lively morning market to discover local produce and products. Visit a serene forest temple and enjoy its peaceful surroundings. Take a refreshing swim at the stunning Kuang Si Waterfall, then visit the Bear Conservation Center to learn about wildlife protection. In the evening, explore a local hill tribe village and roam the night market before returning to your accommodation for dinner.

Thursday - Start the day with breakfast and receive an orientation about your placement. Engage in your placement activities and begin connecting with the local community. Reflect on your experiences over a group dinner with fellow participants.

Friday - Return to your placement to continue your work. After lunch, take part in a project planning session for the upcoming week. End the day with dinner at the accommodation.

This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on the needs of the project, local weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

The Culture Week is offered as an extension to your program duration and it’s a comprehensive orientation that runs for the first 5 days of your stay. Once you complete the Culture Week, you’ll be ready to start volunteering on the following Monday. This means that if you want to volunteer for 2 weeks and you add the Culture Week to your itinerary, you’ll be hosted by the local team for a total of 3 weeks.

Looking for an amazing way to kick off your volunteer abroad experience? Laos is rich in culture, making it the perfect place to immerse yourself in local traditions and customs while getting fully prepared for your program. It’s a great way to combine essential program info with some of the must-do activities Laos has to offer!

Activities Schedule:

Monday

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Accommodation: Guesthouse

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Accommodation: Homestay with local Lao family

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Accommodation: Guesthouse

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Accommodation: Guesthouse

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Accommodation: Guesthouse

This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on the needs of the project, local weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances

Important note:
The Adventure Week only runs on the third Monday of each month.

We’ll pick you up early in the morning between 8:15 AM – 9:00 AM, then head toward the Nam Ou River. We’ll drive north to Ban Soum Sa Nouk, where we’ll begin our kayaking adventure on the river. As we paddle, you’ll be surrounded by stunning views of the peaceful countryside, passing by towering limestone cliffs. After about an hour of kayaking, we’ll reach our first destination: the junction of the Nam Ou and Mekong Rivers, Pak Ou.

Here, we’ll visit the famous Pak Ou Caves, two interconnected caves filled with thousands of gold-lacquered Buddha statues left by devoted pilgrims. After about 30 minutes of exploration, we’ll continue our kayaking journey on the Mekong River. We’ll paddle for another 30 minutes before reaching our next stop: the Elephant Camp. Here, we’ll enjoy a delicious buffet lunch at a riverside restaurant, with views of the Mekong and free-roaming elephants.

After lunch, we’ll head to the breathtaking Kuang Si Waterfall. You’ll have time to explore the three-tiered falls, walk through the surrounding nature reserve, take a refreshing swim in the turquoise pools, and visit the bear rescue centre.

On our way back to Luang Prabang, we’ll stop at Ban Na Uan, a Hmong village, where you’ll get a chance to experience local life, meet villagers, and see traditional embroidery crafts in the making. We’ll then head back to town, typically arriving between 5:30 PM – 6:00 PM.

Want your airport drop off organized for you for the end of your IVHQ Laos trip? We can book an airport transfer for you from your volunteer accommodation back to Luang Prabang Airport (LPQ) at an affordable price. 

Without knowing what the right price is to pay in Laos for an airport transfer, you can easily get overcharged, or spend a long time trying to haggle a decent price. Enjoy a stress free ride back to the airport arranged by our local team. 

You’ll be picked up from your volunteer accommodation in Luang Prabang at your chosen time, and driven directly to Luang Prabang Airport (LPQ) with plenty of time for your flight. Transfers to other destinations can also be arranged if you are heading somewhere else. 

If you arrive early (outside of Saturday or Sunday before your program begins), your airport pick up is not included in your Program Fee. In this case, you can either make your own way to the program or book this add-on so the local team can organize your airport pick up.