Manifa Travel was established in 2003 as a travel management company by local Lao people who have been involved in the tourism industry since Luang Prabang was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, and has been in operation ever since. The company has two offices in central Luang Prabang and operates day tours in Luang Prabang in partnership with a number of travel agencies, hotels, and guesthouses. We also established Elephant Camp in 2009 and today it is the largest elephant camp in Luang Prabang Province, caring for a herd of 17 elephants in a large natural forest facing the Mekong River, 25 km north of Luang Prabang.
We run nature friendly operations with a driving passion for education, growth & longevity. Our focus is on learning, development & training opportunities for all and staff and communities of the surrounding villages as well as ensuring excellent safe work and living conditions for all employees and elephants. The Name of “Manifa” (ມະນີຟ້າ) “Ma Ni” – in Laos translates to mean “Gem”, “Fa” in Laos translates to mean “Sky”, Therefore “Manifa” means “Gem of the Sky”. This is the same as the name of the founder Pai’s only daughter, who was born at the same time the company was founded, and also reflects the company’s wish that travelers will experience the beauty of Laos.