Description

Exploring the socio-cultural and environmental impacts of development along the greatest river in Southeast Asia. From high on the northeast corner of the Tibetan Plateau flows Southeast Asia's most important life source: the Mekong River. Running its 4,800km-course from the sacred headwaters in the barren Tibetan high country, the river rumbles through the mountains of southwest China and into the heart of mainland Southeast Asia, finally reaching the South China Sea in southern Vietnam.

To the Tibetans, the Zaqu (Upper Mekong) is the powerful, mystical entity that shapes the dramatic valleys in which they practice their spiritual traditions. In China, the river is known as the Lancang Jiang, and is home to some of the country's richest ecological and cultural biodiversity. Yet China's interest in the Mekong is more about feeding the country's teeming population and rampant economic development than ecological management.

China's hydroelectric dam and re-engineering projects threaten Southeast Asia's fragile river ecology and unique river cultures downstream. Here, communities rely on the Mekong for local trade, transportation, and the diverse ecosystem which sustains life and livelihood for millions of people. By focusing on the interdependency of people and the natural world, Dragons' Mekong semester explores the ways in which the demand for electricity and other modern amenities stresses ecosystems and traditional ways of life.

We begin our program along the southeast rim of the Tibetan Plateau, in a remote corner of China's Yunnan Province, where the Salween, Mekong, and Yangtze Rivers reach a geographic bottleneck, forcing their way between a series of parallel mountain ranges. Trekking through sacred Buddhist landscapes, we accrue merit to sustain us during our journey and become acquainted with the immense spirituality embodied in this environment.

Following our powerful group experience, we transition into a student-coordinated portion of the itinerary, setting the tone for the academic focus of our journey. Working with Dragons' in-country contacts and under the advice of course instructors, students consider a number of options in planning the group's travel through southern Yunnan and towards the home-base of our semester, in Laos.

We visit the sites of China's controversial mega-dam projects, and take a hard look at issues related to development on the local scale, such as modernization, forced relocation, and disregard for minority cultures. In villages along China's border with Burma and Laos, we explore the transnational topics of history and politics, and discuss China's threat to the ecological diversity, cultural integrity and economic security of the greater Southeast Asian region.

Crossing into Laos, we explore the provinces of Luang Nam Tha, Bokeo, and Udomxai, all of which are considered some of the most remote regions in Southeast Asia. Now, with increased cross-border trade and a booming ecotourism industry, the area is increasingly defined by modernization. Along the river in these regions, we witness tourist cruises and high-speed motorboats, and we watch as blasting and dredging projects reshape the river, inviting major Chinese ships to dock next to oar-driven fishing boats.

Settling in for an extended 3-week community stay in the historical capital of the first Lao kingdom, Luang Prabang, we find our home along a mighty bend in the Mekong River. Encircled by thickly forested mountains, colorful temples, and tiered waterfalls, Luang Prabang is one of the loveliest spots in all of Southeast Asia. Based in rural home-stays in surrounding villages, we study basic Lao language, engage in mentored studies, learn about sustainable tourism, contribute to local service efforts, explore the area by foot and by bicycle, and spend our afternoons on day hikes, exploring local markets, playing soccer, or cooling off with local children in the slow currents of the river.

From Luang Prabang, we dive deeper into the heart of Southeast Asia, following the river into southern Laos where we explore famous Buddhist temples and Hindu ruins in Savannakhet, learn about coffee and banana cultivation on the Bolaven Plateau, and navigate the beautiful 4,000 islands of the Mekong, home of the rare Irawaddy river dolphin. Crossing into Cambodia, we learn about ancient empires, ethnic disputes and border politics, the tumultuous history of a region ravaged by war and genocide, and contemporary life along tributaries of the mighty Mekong.

We conclude our voyage in Phnom Penh, where the mighty Mekong reverses the flow of tributary rivers each rainy season, filling up the Tonle Sap lake. At this critical point in the river's ecology, we reflect on the long-term health of the area's natural environment and we enjoy a powerful, reflective space to bring our great journey to a close.

Land cost:USD 11,750
Begins in: Los Angeles
Est. flight cost: USD 1,400

Travel Types

• 4th World Studies
• Eco Tours
• Ecology
• Trekking
• Volunteering
• Student Tours
• Photography
• Mountaineering
• Native Culture Studies
• Language Immersion
• Homestay
• BackPacking Abroad

Subject Areas

Cost in US$:

Experience Required

no

This Program is open to

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

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 week

Where There Be Dragons's Mission Statement

Dragons programs are authentic, rugged and profound learning adventures that expose the beautiful and complex realities of the countries in which we travel. Featuring extended itineraries, Dragons programs encourage deep immersion into strikingly different physical and cultural landscapes, combining the best in experiential education, travel, service learning, and physically and intellectually challenging experiences. While programs vary in their focus - with some trekking and wilderness intensive, others strong on service and development studies, and still others language-oriented - all Dragons journeys are designed above all else to be fun, safe and honest educational experiences.

Year Founded

1993