1. Laos: Seuang River Experience
service 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.

2. 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. Computers
5. 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.

3. 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 tour
Welcome 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, dinner
Accom: 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.

4. 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, dinner
Accom: Seuang River Village homestay
Day 3 4 March 2012 - Seuang River – Project Work & Bamboo Rafting
After 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).
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accom: Seuang River Village homestay
Day 4 5 March 2012 - Seuang River – Teaching at village elementary school & Project Work
After 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.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accom: Seuang River Village homestay
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.
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accom: Seuang River Village homestay
Day 6 7 March 2012 - Seuang River – Basci Ceremony, Reflection, Mekong Cruise, Luang Prabang
In 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.

5. 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, dinner
Accom: 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, lunch
Accom: none
End of Services

6. 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 + 23 students + 24 students + 25 students + 26 students +
2 Teacher FOC 2 Teacher FOC 2 Teacher FOC 2 Teacher FOC 4 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)

7. 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