Luang Prabang, the ancient capital of Laos, is full of surprises. It’s known for its gilded temples, the Mekong river, and fusion of Lao-French architecture.
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Beneath the famous facades, however, lies something a little less-known: a thriving network of ethical initiatives that are leading the way in sustainable tourism – and are all conveniently located within walking distance of one another.
If you’re looking to ensure that your tourist dollars make a difference and that your time is well-spent in Luang Prabang, simply follow this trail.
Photos: Lauryn Ishak
Saffron Coffee
Perched along the Mekong riverbank with sweeping views of the landscape and the passing longtail boats, Saffron Coffee is the ideal spot to settle in with a good book over breakfast and Lao-roasted coffee. As a way to ground myself in town, I took a seat here to read Christopher Kremmer’s Bamboo Palace, a travelogue that traces the lost dynasty of Laos – and found that the coffee itself does something similar, connecting you directly to farmers in the remote northern region of Laos.
"Most people have no idea about the amount of work that goes into the coffee,” says Todd Moore, Saffron’s director.
Lao farmers live and work on steep hillsides hours away from town, making it difficult to process and sell their harvest – a process that they have to travel into town for. The situation worsens during monsoon season, when dirt roads collapse.
To help solve this, Saffron has built seven village-based processing centers since 2018. Instead of racing against weather and road conditions, farmers in these villages can now process their coffee harvest at home so their income isn’t interrupted, no matter what nature throws their way.
Many hillside farmers have since opened bank accounts and gained income stability. When you buy Saffron’s coffee, you're directly supporting this work.
"I think the more that we know and have some kind of understanding of where our food comes from and the people behind it, the better,” Todd says.
📍 Location: Khem Khong Road, Luang Prabang, Laos (Google Maps)
🕐 Hours: 7am to 4pm daily from April to November; 7am to 5pm daily from November to March
🌐 Contact: Instagram | Facebook | Website
Big Brother Mouse
"Do you like spicy food or non-spicy food?" asks an endearing Hmong girl in pink, leaning forward with eager eyes. I answer her slowly and clearly as she jots something down in a Frozen notebook.
We’re at Big Brother Mouse, a space for Lao people to practice conversational English with tourists. A 35-year-old masseuse tells me she rides her motorbike here every Friday on her day off. At the far end of the table, two teenage boys say they dream of working in IT.
I tell the younger kid it sounds like a wise choice because of the salary and opportunities an IT career often brings. He grins and says: “Ah, so you know now why I want to study IT.”
Being here offers you an opportunity to learn about Lao life in a way you can’t anywhere else. In turn, your visit becomes an English-language practice session for the locals, which could possibly change their life – especially in Laos where literacy rates are lower than the global average.
Show up with patience and genuine interest, and be ready for an experience that’s fulfilling both ways.
🚶 Distance from first stop: 350m (estimated 5-minute walk)
📍 Location: Phayameungchan Road, Luang Prabang, Laos (Google Maps)
🕐 Hours: 9am to 11am and 5pm to 7pm daily
🌐 Contact: Website
Photos: Lauryn Ishak, Lara Eviota, Lauryn Ishak
Mandalao
Laos was once called the Land of a Million Elephants, but now fewer than 800 remain. Mandalao rescues elephants from logging camps and low-welfare tourist operations, providing a sanctuary where the dwindling pachyderms can roam free.
In Mandalao, elephants call the shots. Their tours involve no chains, no hooks, no cages, and no riding – creating an intimate experience where you can observe healthy elephants in their natural state.
Part of your tour fee goes towards elephant care and medical needs, too.
You can choose from half-day jungle treks with two elephants, or full-day watery adventures where you might see the animals playfully spraying one another (and sometimes you). There are also afternoon sessions where you get to make nutritious treats for the elephants and take short walks together. I opted for the jungle trek and it was one of the most magical moments of my life. It also came with a feeding session, plus lunch.
The Mandalao conservation site is 30 minutes from Luang Prabang, but they’ll handle all transportation from your hotel. Book your tour first at the office in the heart of the town.
🚶 Distance from second stop to office: 550m (estimated 7-minute walk)
📍 Location: Sisavangvong Road Building 82 unit B, Luang Prabang, Laos (Google Maps)
🕐 Hours: 8.30am to 9pm daily
🌐 Contact: Instagram | Facebook | Website
Khaiphaen
Khaiphaen is a Laotian restaurant with the best chicken and mint laap in town. Even better: it doubles as a vocational training program for at-risk youth.
Here, youth learn to cook, cater to customers, pick up basic English, manage money, and work in the hospitality industry. Every dish you order directly funds the training program and helps place graduates in jobs.
One of the beneficiaries is Koun, a 19-year-old boy who lost both his parents at an early age. To train at Khaiphaen, he used to ride an old motorbike across the 2km route daily.
“As the only male in the kitchen, he lacked confidence. However, the inclusive training plus support with food and fuel costs meant he was able to complete his training,” say the restaurant’s staff.
Koun finished the program and landed a job at a local restaurant in February 2025. His work ethic quickly earned him a salary raise. Now, he's saving for a new bike and a small house for his grandparents.
Apart from Koun, it’s easy to see that other youth have benefited from the program. “Their confidence really grows, they gain new skills, and a new determination to build a better future for themselves.”
🚶 Distance from third stop: 190m (estimated 3-minute walk)
📍 Location: Across from Wat Choum Khong Sourin Tharame, House #59 Xatikhoumman Road, Luang Prabang, Laos (Google Maps)
🕐 Hours: 11am to 9pm from Mondays to Saturdays
🌐 Contact: Facebook
Photos: Lara Eviota (left and middle), Lauryn Ishak (right)
Taking the trail forward
Part of Luang Prabang’s charm is that it feels a bit like a sleepy village stuck in time – but its ethical tourism efforts are leading the way for the future. Each stop on this route, for example, offers a chance for visitors to move beyond the typical tourist-local exchange, creating connections and impact that extend far beyond your visit.
These places also show that the answer to meaningful travel – contributing to a destination, rather than just consuming it – often lies in the simplest act of all: truly interacting with the experience.
