Study Focus: Mekong River biodiversity, river hydrology, prehistoric habitation sites, settlement patterns and ancient Khmer culture

 The mighty Mekong, the “Mother of Waters”, is the lifeblood of Southeast Asia, now threatened by massive hydroelectric projects. Southern Laos provides one of the best places to see this legendary river in its still wild state.

Students will learn of the tremendous biological diversity of this waterway (second only to the Amazon), as well as the role the river has played in human development. From prehistoric cliff paintings to the oldest Khmer temples along its shores, the Mekong reveals its mysteries in never to be forgotten lessons.

Students will stay in comfortable lodging at traditional Laos fisherman villages on two different Mekong River islands. They will kayak through the fabled |Thousand Islands where the river reaches an astonishing width of 14 kilometers. They will paddle amongst the world’s most endangered dolphins (the Irrawaddy) on the Laos/Cambodia border and stand in awe of a waterfall called the ‘Niagara of Asia’

(NOTE: This trip is best suited to 4-days and 3-nights, but can be shortened to a weekend by eliminating Day-1 or Day-3 from this itinerary)