Description

Mystical Caves & Shamans Plus Sticky Rice Service = The Perfect Snapshot of Laos!
This brand new combination of two of our classic Laos programs is designed to provide the complete experience that this peaceful land-locked country has to offer. With a full week of service immersion in one of the most welcoming villages around, followed by and exciting week of service and touring through the heart of rural Laos, this itinerary has been designed to give students the comprehensive Lao experience!

Welcome to the (Hmong) Family!
Tucked in a valley amongst towering limestone peaks, Na Som village is the epitome of rural Laos. Having worked in this village for several years, our connections here run deep, and we are proud to employ three staff from this village on a full time basis. Playful, smiling children are always looking for new friends, and families here will happily welcome you to their village and make you feel right at home. Delve into the mysterious Hmong culture while learning about animism and their beliefs that good and evil spirits interfere humorously or sadistically with humans.

Community Centered Service in Na Som village and Beyond!
Spend your days hosting English camps for enthusiastic children, working with a local doctor on a health outreach program, improving the school structure, and much more. Our extensive connections here allow us to do a great variety of service work, and projects tend to vary based on immediate needs of the village, weather, and student interest. Throughout the two weeks, you will be stepping in on ongoing projects in many areas that will help you feel like so much more than a tourist. Our hosts are extremely appreciative of our efforts and enjoy working alongside us  they always have grins on their faces and no doubt you will too!

The Sticky Rice Trail
The second week of the program will include overnight trips in some of the country's most treasured places, including villages accessible by boat only, enchanted caves, jungle markets, and finally the UNESCO World Heritage city of Luang Prabang. A fascinating mix of French colonial and Southeast Asian cultures, Luang Prabang is a treat to explore. You'll swim in cascading waterfalls, explore caves filled with Buddha statues, and travel to a mountaintop village that will provide a view of the entire region. Spend early mornings giving alms to monks streaming through the streets, and pass the evenings walking through the handicraft-laden lanes of the enchanting night market just down the road from the Rustic Pathways Base. Get acquainted with people in the area on ongoing service projects in Northern Laos, which may include working to improve a local school, bringing running water to a village, renovating temples, teaching rural students English, or helping out with service needs in the villages we visit.

A Land Like No Other
If you're looking for a service adventure that will take you back in time while exploring some of the most serene landscapes in the world, look no that The Lao Overland Service Adventure.

Highlights

COMBINE two of our most popular and complementary Laos programs for a powerful mix of service immersion and exploration through some of the region's most striking landscapes.

IMMERSE yourself in the simple village life while engaging in real service projects that help improve the lives of locals.

DISCOVER the wonders and the charm of this seldom seen country while connecting with wonderful people along the way.

TRAVEL down dirt roads to small villages and remote hamlets, where you'll learn about Laos's many ethnic minorities, visit cascading waterfalls, and witness life much as it was many years ago.

EXPLORE the charming French-colonial streets of Luang Prabang, enjoy a cruise down the Mekong River to holy Buddhist caves, and bargain for handicraft souvenirs at the night market.

Qualifications

Students must be 14-years old and up to participate on the program. Additionally, participants must submit an application through the Rustic Pathways website and complete the appropriate documents before traveling on the program.

Type of Programs

• Community Service / Volunteerism
• Cultural Exploration

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

2,395 USD + 390 USD Internal Airfare + International Air

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

The above cost includes all ground transportation in-country, 3 meals a day, housing, staff through the duration of the program, all supplies for the volunteer projects and all excursions on the program itinerary not listed as optional.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Other

Scholarships are Available

Rustic Pathways is providing over 100 scholarships for the 2012 season based on a mix of both need and merit. Application deadline is every year in early Spring. Please contact us for more details on applying for a scholarship and other financial aid options.

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

1-2 business days

Rustic Pathways's Mission Statement

Rustic Pathways is a pioneer in providing superior quality travel and service programs for students and families in some of the world's most welcoming countries. Rustic Pathways demands professionalism and integrity across all of its operations, insists on quality in all aspects of its programs, and places the safety of its students above all other considerations. We enrich the lives of our students and our staff, benefit the parts of the world we serve, and build cultural bridges that lead to greater global understanding and cooperation.

Year Founded

1983