Mekong grass roots awareness, cooperation and fundraiser initiative

The issues facing the Mekong basin can only be effectively managed with the combined efforts of Government, NGO’s, the public and the private sector. As part of the ‘Mekong Grass Roots Awareness, Team Building and Fundraiser Initiative’ Mekong stakeholders from all of these sectors will be invited to take part in a ground breaking 14 day Mekong expedition and fund raiser down the mighty Mekong river through the nations of Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. 

The goals of the initiative are:

• To foster greater understanding and cooperation between the Mekong stake holders including government, NGO, Private Sector and Community Groups.

• For the Mekong stake holders to meet directly with the Mekong Subsistence peoples of Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam at the grass roots level in order to gain insights into the issues they face and new perspectives on how to approach them.

• To raise funds for the protection efforts of the highly endangered Mekong Irrawaddy Dolphins.

• To raise awareness of the issues facing the Mekong valley within the many communities we visit as we proceed.

• To develop awareness of cooperation efforts on the Mekong within the region by gaining media exposure at the fundraisers held in Phnom Penh and Ho Chi Minh City.

• To develop greater appreciation of the Mekong’s natural and cultural heritage by stake holders via direct exposure to this heritage.

• To conduct a series of seminars aimed at enhancing the respect and appreciation for the way of life of the Mekong subsistence peoples.

Four representatives from the nations of China, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam will be invited to attend the expedition. Preferably each team of four will include:

1 x Mekong focused Government representative
1 x Mekong NGO representative
1 x Mekong Community Group Representative
1 x Mekong Private Sector Representative

Brief Description: A total group of 20 Mekong stake holders, 5 expedition leaders will make a 12 day paddle expedition down the Mekong river from the Lao / Thai border town of Chong Mek to the South China Sea (Note: Slow boats will take the group down through several sections). Along the way a series of team building initiatives will take place as will a series of village stays where participants will get to stay with and interact with the Mekong subsistence peoples in order to come to a better understanding of their way of life and the subsistence issues they face. Environmental experts will provide fascinating insights into the regions complex ecology and expedition leaders will focus on building trust and cooperation between all parties.

Logistics: Founder of the Mekong Descent Foundation, Mick O’Shea is CEO and founder of Wildside Asia Travel. An adventure and eco-tourism company that specializes in taking travelers into the little visited regions of the Mekong basin. After 7 years of operation and hundreds of trips Wildside still maintains a perfect safety record and in 2006 a tour designed and led by Mick O’Shea on the Mekong was voted ‘National Geographic Adventure Magazine, Editors Choice for Best New Trip In the East’
All equipment, accommodation, food and expert leadership will be catered for by Wildside Asia travel. No previous paddle experience is required from any attendees. The ability to swim, an average level of fitness and an interest in experiencing the grass roots cultures and environments of the Mekong valley is compulsory. Accommodation will be in tents, village stays and simple guesthouses.

Day to Day Program:

Guests are met at the airport before being transferred to the Amari Watergate Hotel.

At 6.00pm the group will meet at the hotel lobby before heading out to enjoy a welcome dinner and briefing seminar hosted by Chairman of the Mekong Descent Foundation Mick O’Shea.

Food: Welcome Dinner
Transport: Airport Transfer to hotel
Accommodation: Amari Watergate

We catch an early morning flight to Ubon Ratchathani where we continue to the Lao Border before crossing into the provincial capital of Pakse. We continue down stream between the nations of Thailand and Laos to a charming lodge constructed by villagers on a Mekong island with magnificent sunset views. As we proceed we take the opportunity to participate in team building exercises aimed at building up trust and camaraderie amongst the group. Upon arrival at the island we undertake some kayak instruction to prepare for the paddle leg of our journey.
Food: B,L,D
Transport: Domestic flight, Private air-conditioned mini vans
Accommodation: Mekong Island Village Lodge

After awaking to a sunrise fit for royalty, we take to the Mekong in a hardwood cruiser headed for the Mekong fault-line where the river, at a width of nearly 12 kilometers drops a vertical height of some 9 meters in a powerful display of force. Along the way we stop for lunch at the island of Don Khong where we meet with local villagers who depend predominantly on hunted fish for their animal protein and income.

We break the cruise up with an opportunity to test our skills in the ancient art of throw net fishing under the supervision of highly qualified experts, the Mekong subsistence peoples themselves. We spend the night literally on the Mekong at the Sala Phae floating bungalows or in a restored colonial villa just 20 meters from the rivers edge..
Food: B, L, D
Transport: Hardwood cruiser
Accommodation: Sala Phae Floating Bungalows or restored colonial villa.

Today we trek across the island before visiting one of the most endangered large mammal species on earth - the extremely rare Mekong Irrawaddy dolphins.

These beautiful yet shy creatures are rapidly declining in numbers yet today it is still possible to paddle with them on the Lao Cambodian frontier just below the great Khone falls (for conservation information and Tourism Whale Watching Code of Conduct please visit http://www.mekong-dolphin.com/dolphin-info.htm). We will be briefed by a dolphin expert on the precarious status of the species before proceeding to cross into Cambodia and explore an extensive section of seasonally flooded forest which provides an outstanding birding habitat.

We spend the night in the company of Khmer villagers who depend heavily on the river vitality for their survival resources. The people in this region are some of the poorest in the Lower Mekong basin and with fish stocks declining their futures will increasingly depend on securing alternative forms of income and animal protein.
Food: B,L,D
Transport: Foot, Kayak
Accommodation: Village stay

We continue through the unique bulbs of seasonally flooded forest keeping note of the diverse bird species we can record with the help of a local birding expert, while also stopping to visit villagers to learn about their survival relationship with the river system.

In the afternoon we board long-tail, boats and cruise to the provincial capital of Stung Treng where we stay at the Mekong hotel
Food: B,L,D
Transport: Kayak & Long tail boat
Accommodation: Mekong Hotel or Similar

Today we undertake a long drive to the Khmer capital of Phnom Penh. Where we have a free evening at the Juliana Hotel or similar.
Food: B,L,D
Transport: Private air-conditioned mini vans
Accommodation: Mekong Hotel or Similar

Today we head to the phenomena often referred to as ‘The beating heart of the Mekong’, the great Tonle Sap Lake. The great lake is one of the world’s most productive communal fisheries due primarily to its unique ecological relationship with the Mekong River.

It’s natural diversity is so great that it has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Biosphere Reserve.  Millions of Cambodians depend on the lakes vitality for their sustenance and we spend 2 days exploring the natural and cultural heritage of the lake and learning about the threats it faces from locally based experts as we explore it’s heritage predominantly by kayak.
Food: B,L,D
Transport: Private air-conditioned mini vans, Motor boat, Kayak
Accommodation: Floating Village

This morning we head out on Tonle sap to experience 'a day in the life' of floating village fishermen. Our fisherman guides will provide you with first-hand experience of the real-life survival for thousands of households across the lake each day.  Some entertaining team building activities will be held throughout the day.

In the afternoon we explore nearby flooded forest to learn more about this delicate environment and the important role it plays in sustaining the lakes vitality and to discuss some of the issues that threaten the balance of the lake and the nation of Cambodia.

Food: B,L,D
Transport: Kayak, Motor boat
Accommodation: Village Stay

After bidding farewell to our new Khmer fisherman friends we cruise back to Siem Riep Pier and return to Phnom Penh for lunch.  In town we will have time to clean up before attending a fundraiser and press conference in the early evening.
Food: B,L
Transport: Longtail Boat, Private Mini Van
Accommodation: Juliana Hotel or similar

Today we catch a long tail boat down the Mekong to the plain of reeds and cross into the infamous Vietnam one of the most productive agricultural and aquaculture regions on earth.

We cruise by kayaks through the canals and waterways that allow the Vietnamese to harness the Mekong’s water and silt to make their nation the second greatest rice exporter one earth.

Here we witness the timeless way of life followed by the delta peoples and the floating communities which live upon the Mekong’s waters 365 days per year.
Food: B,L,D
Transport: Long-tail boat, Kayak
Accommodation: Chau Doc Hotel

There is no better way to experience the Mekong delta than by paddle power! Throughout the morning we visit floating markets, aquaculture enterprises, rice factories and the bustling dock area to gain insights into the way of life of the Mekong people . After lunch we board a cruise boat to make our way down to the port town of Cantho where we will stay in the Cantho Hotel.
Food: B,L,D
Transport: Kayak, Cruiser Boat
Accommodation:  Cantho Hotel

Today we cruise down river into yet another new environmental realm, one dominated by palm trees and mangrove swamps before the channel begins broadening to meet the South China Sea. We take to our kayaks one last time and paddle the final leg into the sea where we celebrate our successful exploration of the lower Mekong  with some chilled wine. We then return to the mainland where we embark on a drive to Ho Chi Minh City.
Food: B,L,D
Transport: Motor Boat, Kayak, Private Mini Van
Accommodation: Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon  4 star hotel

After a free morning for relaxation and preparation we attend an afternoon of meetings where all attendees will submit a brief presentation of their experiences and discussions on what has been learned as a result of the journey. A farewell dinner will be hosted to wrap up a compelling experience on the Mekong and with regional partners in developing the Mekong region.
Food: B
Transport: N/A
Accommodation: Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon 

Guests are transferred to the international airport for flights home
Food: B
Transport: Airport Shuttle
Accommodation: N/A

End of Service

Departure date January 2008

Budget:

Airfares budget to bring 25 stake holders and guides to and from the expedition from country of origin: $7000.00
Ground Costs: $2000 per person starting and finishing in Bangkok Thailand x 20 = $40,000.00
Per Diam: A per Diam of $30 per day will be budgeted for each attendee $30 x 16 days x 20 = $9600.00
Hosting of 3 Fundraising events en-route: $4,000.00
Oversight Expenses for the Mekong Descent Foundation: $10,000
Total: $70,600.00

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