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Laos

Laos: Mekong Service, Culture, and Adventure — Custom School Trips

Groups of 8+ | Custom Dates | 12 Service Hours | Fully Supported | 4.9 on GoOverseas

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Stay at the incredible Rustic Pathways Mekong Base right on the banks of the Mekong River. With six real Lao-style houses, a breezy pavilion to have meals, and a temple right next door, the Base is the perfect mix of traditional architecture and immaculate modern amenities. You’ll be sleeping under mosquito nets on mats like most Lao people in a real village do! Tonight you will have a first orientation meeting and get to know your Rustic Pathways leaders. Visit Luang Prabang, where ancient temples, French colonial architecture, rich history, and natural beauty have earned the entire town UNESCO World Heritage Site status.

Custom School Trip

Contact us for a custom quote

Custom dates & duration. Groups of 8+.

Response within 1 business day

Anna Beckerman

Anna Beckerman

Head of School Group Travel

Dartmouth · 15 years at Rustic

321+ school partners since 2010

Not sure yet?

Email Rustic Pathways

Talk to a personal travel advisor: +1 (440) 975-9691

Schedule a call

View program itinerary

What Does a 7-Day Program Include?

A typical program. Daily activities are subject to change based on group logistics and weather.

1

Welcome to Laos!

Arrive into Luang Prabang International Airport (LPQ) and meet your Program Leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Head to Phosri Mountain in the center of Luang Prabang’s old city for a spectacular view of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers and the historic city emanating from the rivers’ confluence. After a delicious dinner, join the group for an orientation discussion about the week ahead, expectations for your adventure, and an introduction to the local culture.
2

Participate in Language Exchange in Luang Prabang

Prepare for your first service session as an English conversation partner. Rustic Pathways partners with Big Brother Mouse, a local non-profit organization aiming to improve literacy across Laos. Sit down with local teenagers and university students, learning about their lives and exchanging stories to help them improve their English fluency by practicing with a native speaker. After lunch, your leaders will take you through the side streets and back roads of this incredible UNESCO World Heritage site by bicycle or tuk tuk, stopping at temples, small shops, and other important sites, like the Traditional Arts and Ethnology Center and the UXO Office run by the United Nations. Enjoy dinner at a restaurant in town and explore the famous Luang Prabang night market.
3

Start Service in the Hill Tribe Village

Venture out into the countryside to a Khmu Village, a Hill Tribe community where Rustic Pathways has a long-standing partnership. Past projects have included improving village infrastructure, developing education enrichment projects, and constructing water access points throughout the village. Participate in a full day of service and get a deep insight into the challenges that this community faces. Meet the villagers and work hard before settling into a homestay for the night.
4

Continue Village Service

Get ready for another day of service, working as a team with the help of locals. After dinner, relax with your new friends, play games, and reflect in your journal as you get into the groove of northern Laos living.
5

Hike to Kuang Si Falls

Set out on a three-hour hike through the surrounding countryside. Pass through small villages, farmland, rice fields, and forest before arriving at the stunning Kuang Si Waterfall cut into the green hills outside of Luang Prabang. Have lunch near the entrance to the waterfall and head inside to see its bright aqua water, beautiful surroundings, and the Free the Bears rescue center along the river. Take a refreshing dip in the bright blue lagoon or a short hike to the top and enjoy the mountain’s sweeping views across the valley of Luang Prabang. Enjoy a traditional Lao massage before another delicious Lao-style dinner at the base.
6

Give Morning Alms and Kayak

Wake to the sound of the gong calling the monks to morning prayer and head out to the main street to give morning alms. Each day, the hundreds of Buddhist monks that live in the many temples of Luang Prabang file around town to collect offerings from townspeople. After lunch, kayak down the river and get a true sense of everyday life here as you pass fisherman, women washing clothes, and children playing on the riverbanks. Tonight, we will close out your program with a special Laotian dance performance. A troupe of local women will come to perform traditional Lao dance and show you a few moves, too! At the end of each program, students reflect on their experiences and the issues they engaged with, and talk about how to apply this new understanding to their own worlds. During or after their closing discussion, groups participate in Rustic Ties, a unique and powerful activity that allows students to capture the memories and learning moments of their program to process and share with their communities back home. Enjoy one last night sleeping at the Mekong Base house and prepare for your flight home tomorrow.
7

La Kone, Laos!

On your last morning in Laos, rise early and enjoy one last French baguette and Lao coffee before heading to the airport for your departing flight. Your Program Leaders will take you to the airport for your departure as you say goodbyes and reflect on your adventure.

Total: 7 calendar days / 6 nights. International flights are not included.

How Does Rustic Pathways Handle Safety?

24/7 Support

In-person staff + US emergency line

Trained Program Leaders

Background-checked, first-aid certified, deep local knowledge

Licensed & Insured Transport

Risk management plans for every program

Customizable Itinerary

Custom dates and duration

Learn more about Rustic Pathways safety protocols.

Laos

What Do School Organizers Ask?

Flights & Cost

How do flights work?

School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways coordinates airport pickup and handles all in-country logistics.

What's included in the price?

Included: Lodging, all meals, in-country transport, all activities, 24/7 staff.
Not included: International airfare, travel insurance, personal spending ($150–200).

Is travel insurance required?

Travel insurance is not included in the program fee. Rustic Pathways recommends that families purchase travel insurance. Get a quote from our recommended provider →

Supervision & Safety

Who supervises the students?

Rustic Pathways Program Leaders complete a four-month vetting process, and programs maintain a 7:1 student-to-staff ratio. All Program Leaders are first-aid certified, and most have led multiple Rustic Pathways programs. Leaders range from 25 to 35 years old.

Are rooms gender-separated?

Yes. Students room with same-gender peers. Staff stay in adjacent rooms.

What about medical emergencies?

All Program Leaders are first-aid certified. Nearest hospitals are mapped out in all locations. Our health & safety team reviews all medical forms before departure and works with families to plan medications, allergies, and dietary needs.

Communication

Can students contact home?

Yes. Rustic Pathways’ policy is that students can call, text, or WhatsApp anytime. Rustic Pathways is happy to defer to established school policies instead.

How do families stay informed?

Rustic Pathways sends daily photo updates throughout the program.

Group & Logistics

How big is the group?

Group size varies based on the school’s needs. Contact Rustic Pathways for a custom quote.

Can friends room together?

Yes. Rustic Pathways provides a room list prior to travel. Schools can assign rooming allocations or allow students to choose their roommates.

Program Details

Will students have unsupervised time?

Structured independence with staff nearby. No unsupervised time in public areas.

Can Rustic Pathways accommodate food allergies? 

Yes. Dietary needs are collected during enrollment and shared with all meal providers.

How much spending money should students have?

$150–200 recommended. Tipping is included, no extra cash needed.

Support

What if a student gets homesick?

Homesickness can be common during the first few days; Rustic Pathways is well-prepared. See how staff support students through homesickness

Does Rustic Pathways support neurodiverse students?

Rustic Pathways welcomes all students. Read how Rustic Pathways supports neurodiverse students.

What Should Teachers Know?

Which students thrive on this program?
Students who are curious, adaptable, and open to new experiences. No prior travel experience is required.
What will students do each day?
Each day includes a mix of structured activities, cultural experiences, and group time. See the itinerary above for a day-by-day overview.
Laos offers a unique combination of cultural richness, safety, and meaningful engagement opportunities for student groups. Rustic Pathways has operated programs here for years and maintains strong local partnerships.
How Do Flights Work?
School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways program leaders meet the group at the arrival airport and manage all in-country logistics from there.
What Meals Are Included?
All meals included. Dietary needs accommodated.
Included:
  • All lodging
  • All meals
  • In-country transport
  • All activities and excursions
  • 24/7 staff support
Not Included:
  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal spending money

What Other Program Types Are Available?

Laos Asia Service + Adventure
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