LAOS – Luang Prabang – Bear Care Tour

Description

Free the Bears is located 30 kilometers outside of Luang Prabang at the start of the trail leading up to the Kuang Sy waterfall. Travelers will be in awe at how sweet the sun and moon bears (Asian black bears) look as they lounge in hammocks and in tree houses while occasionally interacting with each other. Many of the bears at the Luang Prabang rescue centers were destined for bile farms or kept illegally as pets or work animals. Since its founding in Laos in 2003, Free the Bears has been working with the provincial Ministry of Agriculture to create a safe haven for these innocent victims of illegal wildlife trafficking. The organization has nearly 80 moon and sun bears, split between two rescue centers in Luang Prabang. It is worth noting that the rescue centers rely exclusively on tours and donations to fund their work in helping to provide their rescued bears with life-long continuing care and comfortable living conditions. As well as receiving in-depth knowledge about what makes this project unique, visitors to the rescue center will get the chance to hide food for the bears in their enclosure (without the bears there, of course!). Visitors will also have the opportunity to assist the team, after lunch, with the creation of “enrichment” to help the bears mimic natural wildlife behaviors which they may not regularly perform in captivity.

Can be combined with

Thematic Leisure

• LAOS – Luang Prabang – Rice Cultivation at a Lao Farm
• LAOS – Luang Prabang – Visit Kuang Sy Waterfalls
• LAOS – Luang Prabang – Breakfast at Kuang Sy 

Exclusive

• LAOS – Luang Prabang – Private Event at a Mekong Riverside Villa
• LAOS – Luang Prabang – Breakfast at Kuang Sy 

Selling points

• FIT, GIT, MICE suitable. 
• Great family friendly supplement on the way to Kuang Sy waterfall, the bears always amaze children. 
• An opportunity for travelers to stop at the bear rescue center on the way to the waterfall and learn about and support this initiative. 
• A sustainable activity which works to combat the prolific illegal wildlife trade in the region. 
• A great activity for any animal lover. 

Level Of The Excursion

The Impact Of This Excursion

Social/cultural Impact

Environment Impact

Economic Impact

Time And Transportation

Duration

Main Tour – 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours

• 09:00-09:30 – Transfer to Kuang Sy 
• 10:15 – Meet the Education Team at the Kuang Sy Bear Rescue Center and learn about the history and work of Free the Bears.
• 10:30 – Indepth tour to learn about the bear species, bear trade in the region and the work of the rescue center in combatting this trade. 
• 11:15 – Help the Bear Care Team hide food in the bear’s forest enclosures and watch the bears forage for the hidden treats as they would do in the wild.
• 12:00 – Head back to the starting point and souvenir shop before lunch.

Min pax

1

Max pax

20

How to sell it

• A unique and sustainable wildlife experience that helps combat a lesser-known illegal activity. 
• The bears are really cute. 
• An amazing complement to a visit to Kuang Sy Waterfall because of the rescue center’s location at the base of the waterfall.

Why this activity

• A sustainable wildlife activity. 
• An activity that directly supports a local NGO.
• Provides travelers with the opportunity to give back while they travel. 
• Increases awareness of bear bile farming and the illegal trade in bears in the region. 
• A logical complement to the world famous Kuang Si Waterfall. 

Good to combine with

• A visit of Kuang Sy Waterfalls.
• A delicious and magical breakfast at Kuang Sy Waterfalls.
• Any activity close to Kuang Sy Waterfalls such as a visit to Laos Buffalo Dairy. 

Do not combine with

• Pak Ou Caves.
• A morning city tour.
• Any other morning or early afternoon activity.
• The hikes to Kuang Sy as these take place at the same time.

Market suggestion

Competitor comparison

• Similar tours are offered by competitors.

Pros

• Great price-value ratio for an in-depth and behind the scenes tour.
• Easy to arrange with the supplier.
• Flexible supplier willing to help with special requirements.
• Spreads out the cost of the transfer over the several activities which can be done on this day.
• An amazing sustainable wildlife activity. 

Cons

• There are other visitors at the rescue center, and on the way to the waterfall. 
• Outdoor activity: weather-permitting.

Information

• For groups of 1-10 pax, the group will stay together for the tour and activity. 
• For groups of 11-20 pax the group will do the main tour together but then be split into two smaller groups for the feeding activity.
• We advise to closed footwear, sunscreen, mosquito repellent & suitable clothing for trekking and swimming. 
• All proceeds of the tour support the care of the rescued bears.
• Free the Bears does not receive any funding from the Kuang Sy entrance fee and relies on donations.
• Direct contact with the bears is not possible under any circumstances – these are rescued wild animals and every attempt is made to give them as natural a life as possible.

Alerts

• Some of the paths can be slippery after rain.
• There are electric fences which can still give a residual shock even after being turned off – children should be warned.
• The bear feeding times are fixed so late arrival means that travelers will miss out.

Price range

$$

Quotation guideline

On ERP (both lines required):

• LAOS > Luang Prabang > Activity > Free the Bears > Bear Care Tour – Option 1 / Private Tour
• LAOS > Luang Prabang > Activity > Free the Bears > Privatization Supplement

Do not forget to add the entrance fee for Kuang Sy as this is not included in the price of the tour and must be purchased separately.

• LAOS > Luang Prabang > Entrance Fees > Entrance fees in Luang Prabang > Khuang Sy Waterfall

Inclusion

• Expert guide-member of the Bear Care Team.
• In-depth tour. 
• Bear feeding from behind the scenes. 

Exclusion

• Tips and other donations.
• Souvenir purchases such as t-shirts.
• Meals and drinks.
• Easia guide.
• Kuang Sy entrance fee.

Possible Extra

• Youth group volunteer packages are available upon request. Volunteers help with maintenance and construction of the bear sanctuary facilities and wildlife enclosures.

Important notes

• Please make sure guests arrive early at the Bear Rescue Centre before 10:15am, as feeding times are set and a late arrival may mean the guests miss out.
• The meeting point for the tour is at the t-shirt stall near the bear enclosures.
• Bookings should be made at least 48h before the tour. Please remark to the supplier that this should be a PRIVATE TOUR.
• Booking requests should be made by email and contain the following: name of booking, name of guide, date requested, booking number, number of attendants, type of tour.
• Invoices will be issued at the end of each month and should be paid within 7 days.

Special Guide notes

• A member of the Bear Care Team leads the tour in English. 
• For non-English speaking groups the Easia guide will have to translate from English or Lao into FR/GER/IT/SPA. Note that the Easia guide would have to speak English, Lao and the third language.
• The Easia guide should accompany the group and assist clients if needed on the walk or during the tour. Please remark to the guide that he/she should not just wait at the T-shirt stand.

Different Choice

• This is the only bear sanctuary we work with. In the future they plan to arrange Exclusive VIP tours at the Luang Prabang Wildlife Sanctuary. 

Contact

• Contact: ACE team Manager – Nikki Brown
• Phone 1: (+856) 20 9556 1025
• Phone 2: (+856) 20 5691 9988
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://freethebears.org/pages/bear-care-tour-laos

English

Bear Care Tour

Learn about the efforts of an NGO in combating the illegal wildlife trade in bears.  Free the Bears is located 30 kilometers outside of Luang Prabang at the start of the trail leading up to the Kuang Sy waterfall. You will be in awe at how sweet the sun and moon bears (Asian black bears) look as they lounge in hammocks and in tree houses while interacting with each other. Many of the bears at the Kuang Sy rescue center were destined for bile farms or kept illegally as pets or work animals. Since its founding in Laos in 2003, Free the Bears has been working with the provincial Ministry of Agriculture to create a safe haven for these innocent victims of wildlife trafficking. The organization has nearly 80 moon and sun bears, split between two rescue centers in Luang Prabang. It is worth noting that the rescue centers rely exclusively on tours and donations to fund their work in helping to provide their rescued bears with life-long continuing care and comfortable living conditions. As well as receiving in-depth knowledge about what makes this project unique, you will get the chance to hide food for the bears in their enclosure (without the bears there, of course!). 

Meals included: None
Transportation: Minivan arranged by Easia – to Kuang Sy and back to Luang Prabang town
Distance and duration of transfers (each way): Approximately 30 kilometers – 45 minutes.
Notes:
Guests should be at the tour starting point by 10:15 at the latest.

French

Visite du centre de sauvetage des ours

Découvrez les efforts d’une ONG pour lutter contre le commerce illégal d’ours. Free the Bears est situé à 30 kilomètres de Luang Prabang, au début du sentier menant à la cascade de Kuang Sy. Vous serez impressionné par la douceur des ours du soleil et de la lune (ours noirs d’Asie) qui se prélassent dans des hamacs et des cabanes dans les arbres tout en interagissant les uns avec les autres. La plupart des ours du centre de secours de Kuang Sy étaient destinés à des fermes à bile ou étaient gardés illégalement comme animaux de compagnie ou de travail. Depuis sa création au Laos en 2003, Free the Bears travaille avec le ministère provincial de l’agriculture pour créer un refuge sûr pour ces victimes innocentes du trafic d’animaux sauvages. L’organisation compte près de 80 ours lune et soleil, répartis dans deux centres de sauvetage à Luang Prabang. Il convient de noter que les centres de sauvetage dépendent exclusivement des visites et des dons pour financer leur travail et fournir aux ours sauvés des soins continus tout au long de leur vie et des conditions de vie confortables. En plus de recevoir des informations détaillées sur ce qui rend ce projet unique, vous aurez l’occasion de cacher de la nourriture pour les ours dans leur enclos (sans les ours, bien sûr !).

Repas inclus : Aucun
Transport : Minivan organisé par Easia – jusqu’à Kuang Sy et retour à Luang Prabang.
Distance et durée des transferts (aller) : Environ 30 kilomètres – 45 minutes.
Remarques :
Les clients doivent être au point de départ de l’excursion à 10:15 au plus tard.

Spanish

Tour del centro de rescate de osos

Conozca los esfuerzos de una ONG por combatir el comercio ilegal de osos. Free the Bears se encuentra a 30 kilómetros de Luang Prabang, al comienzo del sendero que sube a la cascada de Kuang Sy. Le asombrará la dulzura de los osos del sol y de la luna (osos negros asiáticos), que descansan en hamacas y casas en los árboles mientras interactúan entre ellos. Muchos de los osos del centro de rescate de Kuang Sy estaban destinados a granjas de bilis o eran criados ilegalmente como mascotas o animales de trabajo. Desde su fundación en Laos en 2003, Free the Bears colabora con el Ministerio de Agricultura provincial para crear un refugio seguro para estas víctimas inocentes del tráfico de animales salvajes. La organización tiene cerca de 80 osos luna y sol, repartidos en dos centros de rescate en Luang Prabang. Cabe destacar que los centros de rescate dependen exclusivamente de las visitas y donaciones para financiar su labor de proporcionar a los osos rescatados cuidados continuos de por vida y condiciones de vida confortables. Además de conocer a fondo lo que hace que este proyecto sea único, tendrá la oportunidad de esconder comida para los osos en su recinto (¡sin que los osos estén allí, por supuesto!).

Comidas incluidas: Ninguna
Transporte: Minivan organizado por Easia – a Kuang Sy y de vuelta a la ciudad de Luang Prabang.
Distancia y duración de los traslados (ida y vuelta): Aproximadamente 30 kilómetros – 45 minutos.
Notas:
Los huéspedes deberán estar en el punto de partida de la excursión a las 10:15 como muy tarde.

Italian

Tour del centro di recupero degli orsi

Scoprite gli sforzi di una ONG per combattere il commercio illegale di orsi. Free the Bears si trova a 30 chilometri da Luang Prabang, all’inizio del sentiero che porta alla cascata Kuang Sy. Rimarrete stupiti dall’aspetto dolce degli orsi del sole e della luna (orsi neri asiatici) mentre si rilassano sulle amache e nelle case sugli alberi interagendo tra loro. Molti degli orsi del centro di soccorso di Kuang Sy erano destinati alle fattorie della bile o tenuti illegalmente come animali da compagnia o da lavoro. Sin dalla sua fondazione in Laos nel 2003, Free the Bears ha collaborato con il Ministero dell’Agricoltura provinciale per creare un rifugio sicuro per queste vittime innocenti del traffico di animali selvatici. L’organizzazione ha quasi 80 orsi della luna e del sole, divisi tra due centri di salvataggio a Luang Prabang. Vale la pena di notare che i centri di soccorso si affidano esclusivamente a tour e donazioni per finanziare il loro lavoro e contribuire a fornire agli orsi salvati un’assistenza continua per tutta la vita e condizioni di vita confortevoli. Oltre a ricevere una conoscenza approfondita di ciò che rende unico questo progetto, avrete la possibilità di nascondere il cibo per gli orsi nel loro recinto (senza che gli orsi siano presenti, ovviamente!). 

Pasti inclusi: Nessuno
Trasporto: Minivan organizzato da Easia – fino a Kuang Sy e ritorno a Luang Prabang.
Distanza e durata dei trasferimenti (ogni tratta): Circa 30 chilometri – 45 minuti.
Note:
Gli ospiti devono trovarsi al punto di partenza del tour entro e non oltre le 10:15.

German

Bärenpflege-Tour

Erfahren Sie mehr über die Bemühungen einer Nichtregierungsorganisation im Kampf gegen den illegalen Wildtierhandel mit Bären. Free the Bears befindet sich 30 Kilometer außerhalb von Luang Prabang am Beginn des Weges, der zum Kuang Sy-Wasserfall führt. Sie werden staunen, wie süß die Sonnen- und Mondbären (asiatische Schwarzbären) aussehen, wenn sie in Hängematten und Baumhäusern liegen und miteinander kommunizieren. Viele der Bären im Kuang Sy-Rettungszentrum waren für Gallefarmen bestimmt oder wurden illegal als Haustiere oder Arbeitstiere gehalten. Seit ihrer Gründung in Laos im Jahr 2003 arbeitet Free the Bears mit dem Landwirtschaftsministerium der Provinz zusammen, um einen sicheren Zufluchtsort für diese unschuldigen Opfer des Handels mit Wildtieren zu schaffen. Die Organisation hat fast 80 Mond- und Sonnenbären, die auf zwei Rettungszentren in Luang Prabang verteilt sind. Es ist erwähnenswert, dass die Rettungszentren ausschließlich auf Touren und Spenden angewiesen sind, um ihre Arbeit zu finanzieren und den geretteten Bären lebenslange Pflege und komfortable Lebensbedingungen zu bieten. Sie erfahren nicht nur, was dieses Projekt so einzigartig macht, sondern haben auch die Möglichkeit, Futter für die Bären in ihrem Gehege zu verstecken (natürlich ohne die Bären selbst!). 

Mahlzeiten inbegriffen: Keine
Transport: Minivan organisiert von Easia – nach Kuang Sy und zurück nach Luang Prabang Stadt
Entfernung und Dauer der Transfers (jede Strecke): Ungefähr 30 Kilometer – 45 Minuten.
Anmerkungen:
Die Gäste sollten bis spätestens 10:15 Uhr am Startpunkt der Tour sein.

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