SFS Discovery Week

Laos - Seuang River Homestay

(DW 07)

As a result of participating in this Discovery Week course students will:

Gain a knowledge and understanding of authentic Laotian culture.
Gain an understanding about the Laotian education system.
Enjoy the hospitality of a local family during a homestay experience
Take part in a cooking class, learning the art of cooking on an open fire
Learn how to construct a bamboo raft and then paddle to a nearby village
Go to the sacred Pak Ou Caves and see the hundreds of Buddha statues there

Course Description/Itinerary:

Day 1 -

Arrive at airport in Luang Prabang. After customs and immigration formalities, we will be greeted by our guide and then transfer to hotel for check-in. In the evening, go to a local restaurant for dinner.

Day 2: - Luang Prabang City Tour, Seaung River and Cooking Class

Rise to the sound of the temple gongs and make your way down the quiet streets to witness the mystical sight of monks collecting alms. About three hundred young monks clad in saffron robes, walk silently by collecting sticky rice and other foods in their bowls. The ritual is linked to a Buddhist tradition in which monks beg for their daily food as a way to demonstrate humility.

After breakfast, explore many of the former royal capital’s cultural highlights such as Wat Xieng Thong, one of the largest and most decorative temples, and Wat Mai, with its beautiful gilded façade and the former Royal Palace, a commanding structure in the centre of town that until 1946 was the heart of the Lang Xang Kingdom. Today it is the National Museum, and its halls contain rare religious and cultural artefacts.

Drive to the homestay which is part of a sustainable tourism project in Seuang River. Meet our host families (The houses are quite simple but have electricity and basic bathroom facilities.)

In the late afternoon, attend a cooking class in a local home. The stove is an open fire pit and cooking, chopping and mixing are typically done on a mat on the floor.

Day 3: - Seuang River Valley Project Work - School Visit - Basket Weaving

After breakfast at the community lodge, and start our community project work. Then take a trip to the village school. The teachers will have activities prepared, but you are welcome to join in!

In the evening we will join with the village to try our hand at traditional crafts such as basket weaving

Day 4 - Project work - Trek to Upland Farm - Bamboo raft

After breakfast with your host family, we will continue with our community work project.

After lunch we will trek to the mountains to visit local highland farms and learn about the livelihoods and lifestyles of the villagers.

In the late afternoon we will construct a traditional raft from bamboo and vines and paddle it downstream to the village passing by waterfalls and towering mountains (life jackets provided).

Tonight, join in the fun as your hosts sing traditional songs, dance and play games.

Day 5: - Seuang River - Pak Ou Caves - Luang Prabang

Say goodbye to your host family with a traditional Baci ceremony, a traditional rite across Laos that is meant to bring balance to your soul and promote community harmony. Villagers will perform the ceremony using offerings of flowers and rice and at the end you will have a white cotton string tied to your wrist for good luck.

Next, drive to the village of Pak Ou and after lunch board a Mekong River boat to visit the sacred to the sacred caves overlooking the confluence of the Mekong and Ou Rivers. The caves are home to hundreds of Buddha statues left by devotees to make merit and bring good fortune.

After exploring the caves we will continue to cruise down the river to Luang Prabang and head to Kuang Si waterfall. The turquoise colour of the water with a backdrop of white limestone cliffs gives the waterfall a magical appearance. (Depending on the season the water level varies and swimming may not always be possible.) Next to the falls is the Sun Bear Reserve, a conservation centre that rescues animals from the wildlife trade. Meet the cute furry residents and learn about the efforts to protect Sun Bears in the wild.

That evening we return to Luang Prabang and explore the night market for souvenir shopping.