Location
  • Laos
Length
2 to 7 weeks
Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans
Health & Safety

Program Details

Age Min.
18
Timeframe
Short Term Summer Winter
Housing
Guesthouse Hostel
Groups
Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30)
Travel Type
Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price
2595
Price Details
Start in Luang Prabang and end in Nong Khiaw! With GIVE's Laos Volunteer Excursion you have a 14-day tour package taking you through Luang Prabang, Nongkhiaw, and the village of Sop Chem.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Meals Transportation
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance Visa
Nov 05, 2024
Aug 15, 2024
35 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Experirence an off-the-beaten-path adventure into the rugged mountainous territory of Laos. Volunteer projects include English education, working on organic farm plot and assisting in wildlife conservation of Asiatic Black Bears. You’ll also have the opportunity to meditate with monks in a monastery, summit craggy limestone peaks, and explore hidden waterfalls and summit limestone peaks. Come see for yourself why Laos is the best-kept secret in Southeast Asia!

If two weeks isn't enough, we offer 4 destinations in Southeast Asia that allow you to mix, match and save for a unique experience from 1-7 weeks. These destinations include Laos, Thailand, Scuba (in Krabi), and Elephant Experience!

Video and Photos

Impact

GIVE's mission is to inspire growth, empower global citizens, and ignite sustainable change worldwide. To truly inspire growth and achieve sustainable travel internationally, GIVE has adopted the Asset-based community development (ABCD) model, a set of proven best practices in sustainable development that mobilizes a community’s assets and resources as the basis for development. Furthermore, through providing hands-on and eye-opening learning experiences that foster authentic connections between participants and host community members, we can empower global citizens who will continue to spread GIVE’s values and ignite sustainable change worldwide.
Exploring the world with GIVE is all about responsible travel, but what does that really mean?
Mindful Tourism + Community Partnership = Economic Growth & Community Empowerment.

Part of what makes GIVE trips so special is being fully immersed in the cultures and communities we visit. However, we take extra steps to ensure we minimize our influence and always respect local cultures. We prepare all participants before travel and ensure they understand the culture and how to dress appropriately.

Program Highlights

  • Take part in the Alms Ceremony and experience authentic Lao culture
  • Explore Tat Kuang Sii National Park
  • Rescue wildlife from poaching
  • Hike through dense jungles to a beautiful viewpoint
  • Meditate with monks

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 48 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 5
  • Support 5
  • Fun 4.95
  • Value 4.95
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 8 of 48 reviews
Default avatar
Elisa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best way to experience Laos!

There seems to be a subtle charm to Laos not many people get to see and I felt incredible lucky to experience. The beautiful green landscape of this country is beyond beautiful. I loved the pace of the program. We had a lot of time to take in such beauty and engage in meditation and even deep conversations with our fellow travelers. Although the level of comfort fluctuated throughout the trip, it felt intentional and you get to grow to love it. Staying at a remote small village, Sop Chem, felt unreal and extremely different from what you are probably used to. Giving back to this community through education, permaculture projects, and overall social engagement felt effortless. The people here are so warm and welcoming. I can genuinely say I'll carry all I learned with me for a long long time.

15 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Katie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

GIVE Laos Trip

GIVE is an absolutely incredible organization and you would be silly to chose anyone else. When you travel with GIVE you are fully immersed in the culture, you live and feel like a local. In Laos you get the amazing opportunity to visit Sop Chem, a beautiful village on the Nam Ou River, it is a wonderful and welcoming community and words will never be enough to describe how amazing and kind the people are. The GIVE Laos program also offers the ability to zip line over the Kaung Sii Falls which are GORGEOUS! We also get to visit Free the Bears and learn about Sun and Moon bear conservation, which as an animal lover was truly awesome. I also was able to learn about the impacts of UXO and the Indochina War on Laos which was very eye opening for me as an American because before that moment I had no idea that Laos has suffered, and continues to suffer at the hands of the United States. One of my all time favorite moments though was hiking a literal mountain and then having hot pot for dinner and getting to camp on said mountain - once and a lifetime experience all thanks to GIVE. So Give GIVE a try, you absolutely will not regret it!!!

18 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Olivia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

GIVE Laos

This June I traveled to Laos with GIVE. I was recruited for this program during my time at college. I chose to do this trip and travel across the world by myself. The experiences I gained during this time were invaluable. I had an amazing group of guides who motivated me and taught me things that I will keep with me forever. The itinerary was laid out perfectly with adequate time for adventure, leisure, and volunteering. Working with the children and women of Sop Chem was the most impactful part of this trip. This experience was beyond what I even imagined it could be. If you are reading this, you should definitely consider going to meet the amazing guides and people in Laos!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The most nerve-racking moment was when we went zip lining. I have a fear of heights and have never done anything like this before. I overcame it with the help of my guides and the friends I made on this trip. Everyone supported me, motivated me, and cheered me on before, during, and after this experience.
Pros
  • encouragement to push myself out of my comfort zones
  • meeting new people
  • gaining new experiences
Cons
  • no cons at all, this trip was amazing
16 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Joey
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Laos: An Escapade

This GIVE adventure was deluged with enriching activity that optimized the time spent in such a verdant and arboreal environment. Personally, while one may have an aversion to bug bites, the bugs themselves, in conjunction with all other wildlife and nature oriented exhibitions and excursions were beyond enthralling. To be suspended on scaffolding overlooking the Na Om River, to perceiving a rather diminutive yet jubilant black bear was captivating beyond compare. The guides of course, recognized how to optimize and allocate time for authentic, organic group involvement, while still allotting time for an individual to embrace the adventure and liberties of residing in such a serene environment. The organization of this venture was cohesive and flexible, and while “go go go” might be a veracious way to recapitulate the cadence of this adventure, stopping just never seemed feasible, unless of course, you felt inclined to be sedentary in a hammock with a pear smoothie, and Pink Floyd, contemplating the populous of sentient elephants in this world. A thoroughly positive recommendation I leave for this venture!

17 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Selby
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Loved Laos!!

My trip to Laos with Give was transformative and inspiring. We had the opportunity to go on fun adventures, bond with the local community, work hard for a bigger goal, and become friends with so many new people. I loved zip lining, going to the bear sanctuary, meditating with monks, hiking, swimming in waterfalls; but the best part was the friends, jokes, and amazing people of Sopchem. The people were very welcoming, they taught us to fish, weave, and shared their homes with us. We taught them English and worked on permaculture to give more food to the students.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Participating in the Baci ceremony the last night of being SopChem was surprisingly emotional. The dance party afterwards was an amazing time.
Pros
  • Learning about permaculture, sustainable travel, global citizenship
  • Getting to know more about Laos and its Buddhist culture
  • Having so many adventures and hikes
Cons
  • If you get motion sick the buses might be uncomfortable
  • Big bugs
  • Very hot and humid
16 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Amy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Book the trip, make the memories!!

My travel to Laos was unforgettable, all thanks to the amazing international and local GIVE guides. They plan every single detail, big and small to make sure we have the most authentic, fun and rewarding experience. After doing two trips with GIVE, I cannot recommend them enough, for anyone wanting a unique and responsible travel experience. And for dipping your toes into solo travelling, this is a great start because you are still meeting incredible new people, while the stress and intimidation of travelling by yourself is taken away. If you are considering booking a trip, 100% do it, you will not regret it and the memories will last a lifetime!!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice to future travellers, embrace every single moment. Be present in the unfamiliarity, challenge yourself and appreciate what comes out on the other side. Keep your heart and mind open and you are sure to make beautiful connections from all over the world.
Pros
  • Meeting new people
  • Immerse into different culture
  • Learn about yourself
20 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Kailyn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Laos

I think when I committed to going on my trip, I thought it would just be a really fun experience mixed with volunteerism. I did not expect the relationships built, the empowerment of locals and ourselves, and being pushed sooo far out of my comfort zone. For these, I am so grateful. I’ve made lifelong friends, I know to push myself 3 steps farther than I used to, and I have plans already to do another Give trip. The memories, adventure, love, and knowledge were worth every penny and I have no regrets.

21 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Grace
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Global Citizenship In A Trip

GIVE's Laos program is an incredible opportunity for true cultural immersion across two weeks of intricately planned days and activities. I signed up for the trip because of the teaching English aspect and it was so much more! The eight days in Sop Chem were my favorite part of the trip because we were able to personally connect with the locals by learning about their daily lives and being taught how to weave, fish, make rice wine and more. The culmination of the trip in the Basi ceremony is an amazing opportunity to reconnect with everyone you've met in the village and recognize what an impact you can make, and others can make on you in such a short period of time. After this trip, I want to do more research on how to be a better global citizen and sign up for as many more GIVE trips as possible! I'm especially grateful for Aiy'Touy, Aiy'Good, Aiy'Dave, Haylie, and Javi for being excellent guides who support and challenge throughout the trip.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice to future travelers is to truly embrace the uncomfortable in terms of language and culture barriers. Learn as much as you can about the culture and people of Sop Chem because they are incredible!
Pros
  • Cultural immersion
  • Embracing differences
  • Connecting beyond words
21 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers