GUIDE THAILAND, LAOS & CAMBODIA 28 DAYS JULY 2019 - STROUD HIGH AND MARLING SCHOOL - 4195 - ERN: 2019FHF01T1
WHERE ARE YOU GOING? THAILAND, LAOS & CAMBODIA Your journey will encompass some of the most dramatic scenery and fascinating aspects of Thailand, Laos & Cambodia. Trek through the green valleys, stay with the locals, and discover an exotic variety of cultures as you journey from country to country. Experience the incredible history of these tropical paradises before visiting the ancient UNESCO Angkor Wat. Thailand, Laos & Cambodia are the best of what Southeast Asia can offer! WHAT IT S LIKE... PHYSICAL RATING: Moderately challenging expedition. CULTURE SHOCK: Eye-opening - you will experience a very different world! ALTITUDE: The expedition will not exceed 2000m. VISA: Visa required for British nationals* The purpose of this brief is to introduce your expedition opportunity. It will give you a feel for the destination and the type of activities that you will be involved in. We hope this brief snapshot will leave you feeling inspired and wanting more! HIGHLIGHTS Experience Angkor Wat Trek through the jungle environments of the Cardamom Mountains Enjoy tropical Thailand island rest and relaxation * Please note requirements may change DESTINATION FACTS RELIGION/S: Buddhism. CULTURAL OR HISTORICAL INTEREST: Thailand, Laos and Cambodia are home to many ancient and sacred temples; Buddhism is thriving once more after 20th century oppression. LANGUAGES: Thai, Lao and Khmer. GEOGRAPHY: Tropical lowlands with lush vegetation, plentiful hills, rivers and sandy coastlines. CLIMATE: Tropical with seasonal rainfall (monsoon in late summer).
WHAT IS AN? Expeditions are a life-changing experience, a chance for young people to go on a fun and educational journey with their friends. Most expedition destinations are in developing countries, allowing students to not only experience stunning parts of the world but also witness a very different way of life, often with the chance to immerse themselves in the culture through project work. HOW IT WORKS... EXPEDITION TIMELINE 1 2 3 4 5 EXPEDITION LAUNCH ITINERARY DEVELOPMENT FUNDRAISING LEADER MEETING EXPEDITION TRAINING FINAL PREPARATION FUNDRAISING Our expeditions are made up of four main phases; acclimatisation, trekking, project and rest & relaxation. During the build-up we put students in the driving seat, allowing them to finalise their itinerary alongside our experts. Acclimatisation Arrive in country and spend some time getting used to the new culture whilst planning your next phase and changing currency. Trekking You may take part in a trek doing either a cultural trek through villages or an attempt to summit a nearby mountain! Project Dedicate some time to helping on a project - either community or environmental based, often working with local people. R&R Enjoy some R&R! This could involve a few days on a beautiful beach, reflecting on your expedition or an adrenaline adventure.
EXAMPLE ITINERARY The below itinerary has been created by our Destination Managers as an example of what you may choose to do on expedition. DAY 1-3 DAY 4 DAY 5-8 DAY 9-10 DAY 11-12 DAY 13-14 DAY 15-18 DAY 19-21 DAY 22-25 DAY 26 DAY 27-28 Catch your international flight to Vientiane, Laos. Spend a day adjusting to your new surroundings. Contact providers to confirm upcoming phases in your itinerary and explore this sleepy riverside capital city. Travel south by bus to the Old French colonial town of Savannakhet (around 8-9 hours). Our project partner Oudomxay will meet you in your hostel and brief you before transfering you onto Tansoum Village where you will spend four days supporting work to protect sacred forest and support the local community in the village with a new ecotourism venture. On your last day return to Savannakhet. Travel to Pakse for the night (10 hours) and then continue your journey south across the border into Cambodia and on to Siem Reap (14 hours), the ancient heart of the Khmer Empire. Spend a couple of days exploring the magnificent ruins of Angkor Wat, now regarded as one the new wonders of the world, and the great lake Tonle Sap. Travel on to Phnom Penh (6 hours), the fascinating riverside capital city of Cambodia. Visit some of the most famous and iconic cultural sights in the city including the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. You might also want to learn more about Cambodia s more sobering 20th century history with a visit to the Killing Fields. Continue your journey to the village of Chi Phat (5 hours by bus then a boat trip in to the village), nestled amongst the thick, verdant jungle of the Cardamom Mountains. Trek deep in to the forests with local guides and sleep out each night in hammocks slung up between the trees. On the last day return to Phnom Penh. Head north across the border (9 hours) to enjoy some rest and relaxation on stunning Ko Chang island, Thailand. Sunbathe on sparkling beaches and explore the rainforests that cascade from the mountains to the sea. Once rejuvenated, head further north to Chiang Mai. This is a long two day journey via Bangkok where you will stop for the night. Enjoy an epic two day white water rafting adventure. Return to Bangkok (10 hours) and celebrate the end of your expedition. Explore some of the city s sites and pick up some souvenirs. Catch your flight back to the UK. Due to the changing nature of the world over the build up period, Outlook may be required to change aspects of, or the order of the itinerary. Outlook will consult with the Link Teacher/Group Leader and all participants if this is the case.
ADVENTURE At the Itinerary Development Session, with guidance from one of our destination experts, the team will be able to choose from options to finalise their itinerary. The choices may include the project they work with, the challenge level and type of trek and where they go for some rest and relaxation! Arrive in Vientiane and take some time to explore Laos intriguing capital. Located on a bend of the Mekong River bordering Thailand, the city is home to an abundance of temples and Buddhist monuments. Across the border in Cambodia, Siem Reap is the gateway to the Angkor region, home to colonial and Chinese-style architecture in the Old French Quarter and around the Old Market. Visit the temple complex - one of the most mysterious and spectacular wonders of Asia. Spend a couple of days exploring the site fronted by Angkor Wat, the largest temple ever built on Earth. Angkor Wat is visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking and a must for any trip in Cambodia. If you are really keen you might even want to get there for a truly unforgettable sunrise! Phnom Penh, is Cambodia s vibrant capital. Visit the city s wealth of historical sites such as the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda. You will learn about the dark days of the Khmer Rouge, the ancient past, prospering present and optimistic future. PROJECT The village of Tansoum has been co-existing with the forest environments for the last 400 years, but in recent decades the pressures of the modern world have been encroaching on their way of life. The forest is seriously under threat from illegal logging and many endemic species are endangered through habitat loss and poaching. In order to try and tackle this problem, the Government has launched a conservation programme to encourage the re-introduction of key species and also support the local communities in a new ecotourism venture. Tansoum was selected in early 2013 as the most appropriate site to establish a Crocodile Conservation Centre with the aim of overseeing the re-introduction of native Siamese crocodiles. You will be supporting the village with your project work and assisting with basic construction and maintenance tasks in community buildings such as the village primary school. You will also have the chance to visit the Crocodile Conservation Centre to learn all about the work which is going on there. Head to Cambodia s Cardamom Mountains, they were once a stronghold for Khmer Rouge fighters. Now they are welcoming trekkers in search of trails and wildlife-rich rainforest. Spend your first night in the village of Chi Phat and from here trek deep in to the jungle. There are a variety of routes between the jungle shelters dotted around the area where you spend each night. What better way to relax after your jungle trek, than to head out to the cooling shores of Thailand s spectacular Ko Chang island. Kick back on the pristine beaches and swim in the crystal clear waters. End you expedition with the adrenaline rush of white water rafting on the Mae Taeng. It has the perfect combination of exciting rapids, calm pools, and fabulous jungle scenery.
WHAT S INCLUDED? UK BUILD UP* Itinerary Development Session. Expedition Leader Meeting. Final Preparation Day. TRAINING Expedition Training event in the UK with your Expedition Leader. LINK TEACHER TRAINING Leader Team Training (first aid as required). LEADER TEAM COMPOSITION 2 Link Teachers and an Outlook Expedition Leader. FLIGHTS International flight. INSURANCE Comprehensive overseas medical insurance. TRANSPORT All overseas transport. IN DESTINATION All food and accommodation. All group activities including any entrance fees. All rest and relaxation activity. WHAT S NOT INCLUDED? Spending money for gifts / souvenirs whilst on expedition. Inoculations, prophylaxis and personal medicine. (All participants based in England and Wales receive 10% discount at Nomad Travel). Visas and passports please refer to page 3 to see if a visa is required. Personal belongings insurance (this may be covered by your household / contents insurance). Loss of passport. Cancellation insurance (contact our Customer Service Team for more information). Personal equipment (e.g. rucksack, sleeping bag, waterproof clothing); all participants receive 15% discount at Cotswold Outdoor. Transport to and from UK-based training courses, to the Final Preparation Day venue and from the airport. Food and accommodation in the UK, unless specified.
HOW TO APPLY Visit our website and click on the Go to Basecamp button. Enter the ERN code from the cover of this brief. Read the information on Basecamp including the Booking Terms & Conditions. When you are ready click Apply for Expedition. Follow the instructions to set up your Basecamp account. YOUR EXAMPLE PAYMENT PLAN Direct Debit: Your payments will be spread evenly and collected monthly, up to the final balance date. Deposit: 06/12/17 Remaining Balance: 275.00 16 instalments of 232.50 Debit/credit card, bank transfer or cheque: Payments can be made via Basecamp or by contacting our Customer Support Team. All payments by credit card are subject to 3.5% surcharge. Deposit: 06/12/17 Payment 1: 06/04/18 Payment 2: 01/09/18 Final Balance: 01/04/19 275.00 1116.00 1116.00 1488.00 Please note that payment dates and amounts may change, should there be any delay in securing a minimum of 10 participants for the expedition. phone 01248 667 250 email INFO@OUTLOOKEXPEDITIONS.COM online WWW.OUTLOOKEXPEDITIONS.COM