Week Without Walls - Laos - Itinerary

Laos: Seuang River Experienceservice learning in ethnic communities

trip highlights

In the very heart of once colonial French Indochina the traditional lifestyles of the rural communities continue much as they have for centuries. Modern life style is making its mark and there is growing need to assist

communities to develop the sanitation, health and education standards we take for granted.

sightseeing choices – Luang Prabang UNESCO World Heritage town & temples, treks, elephant rides, Mekong

river boats & more

learning opportunities – Sustainable Tourism for the Elimination of Poverty (STEP), Community

Development, Global Issues & more

outdoor activities –multi-day trekking & overnights in rural villages, river rafting, caving & more

why travel with Buffalo?

Buffalo Tours has developed a specialized Volunteer & Educational Travel team of experienced

teachers, community development practitioners, and travel experts that allows you to

1) customize not only your volunteer & educational travel arrangements but also integrate these into your

school's core learning objectives!

2) participate in community development projects and activities that have undergone a rigorous participatory

needs analysis process

In this way your travel creates the most inspirational impact for all involved.

Why?

Despite rapid progress in the past decade up to 80% of the Seuang River Valley population live in poverty of which 30% in extreme poverty. The majority of the population does not have access to adequate health care, housing and sanitation.

Poverty, combined with rapid population growth and unequal distribution of economic development are dramatically increasing demands on remaining forest cover and wildlife. Simply, when no alternative is available, environmental conservation and wildlife protection are less important to those living in poverty.

The unequal distribution of economic development is also having dire consequences on local cultures as youth today now have access to television program from Thailand and India showing luxurious lifestyles. The consequence is a slow drain on pride and understanding of local culture.

Seuang River Experience is changing this in partnership with our international stakeholders such as Buffalo Foundation, International Union for Conservation of Nature (EGP Netherlands), EON Foundation and St. Thomas University. Our goal is to fight poverty, preserve traditional cultures and conserve nature!

School groups play a crucial role to assist villagers build the financial capacity to create alternative livelihoods to hunting and logging while creating awareness and support for environmental conservation and cultural preservation.

Your group is directly assisting the Seuang River communities become independent stewards of their tourism resources.

What?

We are seeking participating schools, university and community-service groups to fund and build specific educational development projects at Sop Jak Regional High School. All projects undergo a strict needs analysis process and local staff work closely with school leaders to ensure projects are planned, implemented and evaluated successfully. Potential projects that have been identified through community needs analysis process include:

1. Dormitory for students 2. Library 3. Renovate classrooms 4. Computers5. Desk & chairs

During the volunteer work we encourage taking an active role in village life. Lao people are warm and welcoming - with just a smile and a willingness to help out you can form true bonds with your new friends in just days. By expressing a genuine interest in their culture you will also be giving the most valuable gift you could give, helping them rebuild cultural pride lost in the face of modernization.

In addition to the volunteer work there are opportunities for you to visit local schools, a community health clinic and learn about the traditional crafts. Your time participating in this programme will provide a clear understanding of social, educational and health related issues facing rural people in northern Lao. In this way you will touch and experience this country in a way very few foreigners are able.

Seuang River Experience can be customized for each group’s needs and desires. Please contact to discuss how you can become involved.

Where?On this trip you will travel to northern Lao cultural centre of Luang Prabang – a UNESCO World Heritage Site - and into the surrounding hills with rice fields and lush vegetation. Luang Prabang’s international airport has daily direct flights.

Itinerary

Day 1 2 March 2012 - Luang Prabang, historic city walking tourWelcome to Laos (PG 941 09:15/11:15 BKK/LPQ). At the airport, after customs & immigration formalities, you will be greeted and transfer directly to your guest house for check in. After lunch enjoy a guided walking tour around the historic city & UNESCO World Heritage sites. Dinner will be at a popular local restaurant and if time and energy permits a stroll through the evening market in search of souvenirs and collectables.

Meals: lunch, dinnerAccom: Luang Prabang Guest House to be confirmed

Day 2 3 March 2012 - Seuang River, Team Building & Survival Challenge, Song & Dance

After breakfast transfer 2hrs. out to Seuang River Experience. After welcome from villagers settle into homestays. You will stay in teams of 2, 3 or 4 in a local family's house, or community lodge. Everyone will have electricity, clean Asian style squat toilet and private bathing area (no hot water). You will share a room with your team mates and be provided with fresh sheets, blankets, pillows and mosquito nets. All will be well explained by your guides who will be on hand to assist with communications and questions.

In the afternoon we will take part in a number of team building activities based around survival techniques of rural Lao villagers. This will be a fun and informative session that helps students better appreciate the community they are staying.

Later in the afternoon we return to our village to meet with the village elders and learn about traditional Lao song and dance. We will practice a song and dance that can be performed together with our village hosts on our last night together.

In the evening enjoy traditional songs and dance with the villagers.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinnerAccom: Seuang River Village homestay

Day 3 4 March 2012 - Seuang River – Project Work & Bamboo RaftingAfter breakfast work together with our Lao hosts on the community project. Over the next four days volunteers can expect the tasks including light construction, digging, carrying supplies, mixing cement and brick work. In the evenings enjoy activities with villagers.

In the late afternoon we float rafts - made only from natural materials! (bamboo, vines and simple paddles) – past waterfalls and towering mountains back the Community Lodge. (life jackets provided).


Day 4 5 March 2012 - Seuang River – Teaching at village elementary school & Project WorkAfter breakfast, we will head south to visit with a village elementary school. This is a great chance to conduct activities with the students (teaching English, songs, games, etc). This is a fun time for all and especially for the Lao students to meet those from another country / culture / language. The teaching activities require preparation and planning and it is recommended to bring along some teaching materials to help.

In the afternoon continue your construction work.


Day 5 6 March 2012 - Seuang River – Project Work & Cooking

Today continue your construction work.

In the late afternoon we get some hands-on experience with Lao cooking in one of the village homes. The kitchen is basic with earth floor and wood burning for fuel – but clean and a very nice location to learn some new cooking styles for a nice dinner with our hosts and a special music performance with traditional instruments.


Day 6 7 March 2012 - Seuang River – Basci Ceremony, Reflection, Mekong Cruise, Luang PrabangIn the morning we will have a chance to say good bye to our hosts with a traditional Basi Su Khouan* ceremony.

Basi is Pali for "ties of thread," and su khouan is Lao for "defending the spirit or soul." A group will perform the ceremony to mark a recent or upcoming event such as a birth, marriage, departure for a

trip, or arrival from a trip. The group gathers around a centerpiece made from banana leaves on a tray with offerings to the spirit or spirits. The master of ceremonies is a male village elder who chants to the

participants' spirits. The ceremony is a group event that bonds the community together and demonstrates the persistence of animist beliefs in Lao culture.

After, we take time for personal reflection on the experience of living, learning and laughing together with our village hosts before we drive to the sacred Pak Ou Buddha Caves. The caves overlook the confluence of the Mekong & Ou Rivers. It is home to thousands of Buddha images consecrated by local people since 16th century, Explore the caves before boarding Mekong River boat and a cruise down river to Luang Prabang. In the evening we will return to our hotel in town for nice hot shower, dinner at a popular local restaurant.

Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinnerAccom: Luang Prabang Guest House to be confirmed

Day 7 8 March 2011 - Luang Prabang – Alms Giving - Elephant park Project – Onward If you wish, rise early (5:30 am or so) and go watch or participate in the traditional Lao rite of Almsgiving to the monks. In the city, some 300+ monks file through silently collecting alms. This is an amazing sight and your guide will be on hand to demonstrate and explain this important ritual.

Return to your hotel for breakfast before we transfer out of town to the Elephant Park Project. The Elephant Park Project is located in the middle of a wonderful mountainous surrounding. We will split into smaller groups to gain a better perspective of the amazing nature and creatures on a short Elephant ride.

Return to town to get cleaned up and check-out of the hotel. After lunch we go to the airport for flight to Bangkok (PG 946 16:10/18:10 LPQ/BKK)

Meals: breakfast, lunchAccom: none

End of Services

Tariff: in USD per person based on twin/double sharing room and subject to Buffalo Tours ‘General Conditions and Booking Procedures’

Note: Buffalo Tours makes every effort to provide the highest quality service for the best possible price. However, in these times of volatile exchange rates and fuel costs, prices can be subject to change due

to conditions beyond our control. This quotation is based on October 2011 market rates.

22 students +2 Teacher FOC





$572 USD $590 USD $578 USD $572 USD $564 USD

Price Includes:- 2 teachers Free of Charge (FOC) in single room / land operations only- All domestic land and water transportation as listed in the itinerary- All meals as listed in the itinerary- English speaking guide throughout- Community Project Facilitator for service learning project- All accommodation as listed in the itinerary- All entrance fees- Government Taxes and VAT- Seuang River Experience Entrance Fee ($2/day/tourist paid to Community Development Fund)

Price Does Not Include:- International or Domestic flights - Laos Visa Fee (nationalities range 30-42$ US) + 2 passport size picture- Airport departure taxes and fees not included in tickets- Meals not listed in the itinerary- Tips and gratuities- Items not listed in the itinerary- Donation for community work – according to project- Insurance (compulsory)

Vehicles:- Song-taew (6 wheeler truck with covered two rows of bench seats, capacity 12 tourists / truck)

For more information on Seuang River Experience

Seuang River Experience Info Blog - http://seuangexperience.wordpress.com/

- http://twitter.com/seuangriver

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43425320@N04/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seuang-River-Experience/131190986911146

http://seuangexperience.wordpress.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Seuang-River-Experience/131190986911146

http://www.flickr.com/photos/43425320@N04/

http://twitter.com/seuangriver