Don Daeng Community Service Project:
Ruins of an Empire to Modern People
of the Mekong |
“Southern Laos and the 4000
Islands present a wonderful opportunity for H.S. and University student groups
to perform community service and academic study formally (as CIP) or informally
in a broader voluntourism context. Participants not only move forward in their
studies, but also assist local communities and enjoy touring important
culturally iconic sites. Formally or not, the greatest ‘take home’ for all is
the cultural exchange engendered in this productive environment of mutual
respect” |
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Ubon Ratchathani
Thailand – Chong Mek Laos – Don Daeng Island – Ban Hua Don Daeng Village
Community Service Work – Wat Phu Khmer Temple – Bolovens Plateau – Pakxe Town –
Chong Mek Laos – Ubon Ratchathani Thailand |
| GETTING THERE: |
Guided service begins and
ends at Ubon Ratchathani airport in Thailand, where our staff meet the group
flying from Bangkok, simply because this route incurs less expense than others
entering Southern Laos. Our destination experts can arrange service arriving at
Bangkok airport on request. |
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| Day 1: Ubon
Ratchathani – Chong Mek Border– Don Daeng Island – Ban Hua Don Daeng |
Your guide will greet you at Ubon
Ratchathani airport, Thailand and introduce your group to the trip and
requirements for immigration formalities at Chong Mek boarder crossing to Lao
PDR. Depart for a 2 hour transfer in local transportation.
We kick off the program on arrival
at Ban Mouang ferry and a short ride out to Don Daeng Island and our host
community of Ban Hua Don Daeng. After settling into the comfortable and clean
community lodge (clean blankets, mattresses and mosquito nets provided –
supported by the LNTA ADB Mekong Tourism Development Project as a local income
generating project) lunch will be served in the adjacent and spacious sala.
Meals throughout this trip are prepared and hosted by the villagers and
typically include fresh Mekong fish and locally grown organic vegetables. After
lunch we will acquaint ourselves with the local surroundings, lodge grounds and
facilities (traditional toilets and bathing Lao village style), beaches and
views of the Wat Phou mountains!
In the afternoon we will head out
on a hiking tour around the southern half of the island to enjoy the beautiful
rice fields (if in season), community forest and ancient stupa. Enjoy dinner
cooked by the villagers in the lodge.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accom: Ban Hua Don Daeng Community Lodge
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Day 2: Ban Hua Don Daeng – Community Service |
After breakfast, we will start our community
service with a visit to one of the many local schools or a locally chosen
community development project. Activities and lessons can be carried out to
meet the requirements of your school’s curriculum. In the evening after dinner the community lodge
grounds and wide sandy beach are perfect for camp fire and group activities.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accom: Ban Hua Don Daeng Community Lodge
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| Day 3: Ban Hua Don Daeng – Community Service |
After breakfast, we will continue with the community
service project. In the evening after dinner the community lodge grounds and
wide sandy beach are perfect for camp fire and group activities.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accom: Ban Hua Don Daeng Community Lodge
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| Day 4: Ban Hua Don
Daeng – Community Service – Wat Phou World Heritage Site |
After breakfast, we will take our
ferry across to the eastern side of the Mekong River to visit Vat Phou. Vat
Phou dates to the 7th -8th centuries AD and is a rare
form of hilltop Khmer temple planning, developed to take full advantage of the
topography of the site. It stretches 1,400 meters along an east-west axis and
was built on the slope of Phou Kao Mountains as a place for the ancient Khmer
to make offerings to the gods that would hopefully provide some harmony in
their lives.
Today the main shrine houses a
statue of Lord Buddha. However, in ancient times a Shiva linga was worshiped.
Water flowing from the spring at the top of Phou Kao Mountain was considered
sacred and was diverted into the sanctuary to flow over the Shiva linga, and
from there into the rice fields before overflowing into the Mekong River.
We will then return to the
southern part of Don Daeng for lunch at a Buddhist temple that still has stone
markers dating back to Vat Phou’s time. Relax in the shade of the tress and
enjoy a few laughs with the local kids. After lunch we will hike back to our
lodge while visiting the villages and schools along the way. In the evening
after dinner the community lodge grounds and wide sandy beach are perfect for
camp fire and group activities.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accom: Ban Hua Don Daeng Community Lodge
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| Day 5: Ban Hua Don Daeng – Community Service – Ba Ci Su Kwan Ceremony &
Farewell |
After breakfast, we will finish our community
service. In the evening before dinner our host village elders will celebrate a traditional welcoming ceremony the Basi Su Khouan - an animist ceremony to strengthen the soul or spirit in Laos,
Thailand, and other nations with a Tai ethnic population. This rite is done on those either coming from or
going on a long journey to replenish the spirits.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accom: Ban Hua Don Daeng Community Lodge or Village
Homestay
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| Day 6: Don Daeng
Island – Bolaven Plateau – Pakxe – Champasak Palace Hotel – Ubon Ratchathani |
After breakfast, take time to
take walk around the village and say goodbye to our hosts and community service
partners. We then board our ferry for the last crossing back to Ban Mouang
before starting our next journey up to the Bolaven Plateau. The rich volcanic
soil of the plateau is home to a new fair-trade coffee industry and beautiful
waterfalls. We will stop at the Taat Lo waterfall for lunch and enjoy the
beauty of the area.
In the late afternoon we will go
to Pakxe city and check into the historic Champasak Palace Hotel. The hotel was
originally built as the royal residence of the last Prince of Champasak. Relax
and enjoy the cool, open air design or stretch your legs with a walk around
town. In the evening we will enjoy a Farewell to Laos dinner at a floating fish
restaurant on the Mekong River.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accom: Champasak Palace Hotel
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| Day 7: Pakxe –
Chong Mek Border Crossing – Ubon Ratchathani |
After breakfast, we will check
out and proceed to the Thai-Lao boarder before the return trip back to Ubon
Ratchathani airport.
Meals: Breakfast
Accom: none
End of service
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| Rates
and Other Information |
Don Daeng Community Service Project
Tariff: in USD per
person based in communally shared lodge rooms
CONVERT to
currency of your choice.
Number of Pax |
10-14 |
In listed lodgings |
345 |
Surcharge for flight ticket one way BKK/UBP by TG @ 3,200
Baht/person and by
FD @ 1,580 Baht /person (flight prices are Indicative)
Note: Transfers in Song Taew local transport
Price Includes:
- All land transport & transfers listed on
the itinerary
- All boat trips with life jackets on
board in Local Mekong long tail boats (10 pax per boat)
- 2 FOC for teachers as listed on the itinerary (Lao Visa fee not included)
- All Accommodations as listed on the itinerary
- All meals as listed on the itinerary
- All entrance fees
- Services of an English/Thai/Lao Speaking guide throughout the tour(1 guide per 15 pax)
- Service of Tour leader provided by Nxne
- Additional Cook
- All services as listed in the itinerary
- NTA and Lao Government Tax
- Insurance with evacuation
plan
Price Does Not
Include:
- Laos visa fee (Visa on arrival 30 – 42 USD depending on nationality –
free for ASEAN nationals)
- Donations or sponsorship to buy materials etc for community work (TBA
according to choice of project)
- Meals other than those mentioned in the program
- airport departure tax or tickets
- Personal drinks at meal times
MAIN PAGE :
Mekong Educational Adventures: Don
Daeng
Island
Community Service
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