Kamu Lodge, Laos

THRESHOLD TO SERENDIPITY

by Santisouk PhimsavanhApple Tree Hospitality Division Laos

Saturday, October 22, 11

THE MEETING POINT


THE LODGE

20 Safari tent imported from South Africa

Faithful to local style, each one is protected from the elements by a thatch roof and feature solar power electricity

En-suite stone bathrooms with solar powered hot water and flushing toilets

Furnished with bamboo and rattan furniture

Private balconies overlooking the river


THE FACILITIES & SERVICES

Check -in 12nn

Check-out 2pm

English & French speaking guides

Return boat transfers from Luang Prabang

Traditional cooking classes

Traditional Kamu massages

Tour & Trekking arrangements


THE ACTIVITIES

Rice planting

Gold panning in the Mekong and finder’s keepers

Jungle walks in search for medicinal plants

Trekking through the forest to waterfalls

Traditional fishing & sample your catch for dinner

Local village visit

Archery contest

Team building programmes


THE JOURNEE SUR LE MEKONG

2D1N

1 Lunch, 1 Dinner, 1 Breakfast

Voyage starts in LPQ

Cruise upstream on traditional long boat

Visiting remarkable destinations of historic interest

Exploring remote villages where Laos ethnic minorities celebrate many different traditions


The expedition is in two parts. The first follows the prayer trail of the ancient king. The second is an up-close-and-personal encounter with three distinct ethnic groups who live along the Mekong.

In the first part, we’ll visit the personal Buddhist shrine of King Sisavangwatana, located at Doun Khoune on the right bank midway between Luang Prabang and Ou River. Secluded and hidden amidst lush foliage, this private shrine provided the king with a nice midway shelter along his personal journey to the hundreds of Buddhist icons left by devotees at Pak Ou Caves.

We follow his journey upstream to the Pak Ou River, marvelling at the hundreds of mini Buddhist statues, in their many different positions ~ meditation, teaching, peace, rain, and reclining (Nirvana).

Along the way, we visit three different minority villages.

The first village is a once-vibrant, lowland village known as Dan where the villagers embrace Buddhism. In the centre of this village is a forsaken pagoda, now undergoing restoration with funds donated by Overseas Lao. When complete, villagers hope the shrine will serve as a beacon for the many who have moved to the city in search of job opportunities.

THE ROUTE 1/2


THE ROUTE 2/2

Second, we visit the highlanders at Houa Khek village where two tribes co-exist together. There are the Hmong whose roots can be traced to Mongolia, and the Kamu. Children of these two tribes attend the same school, originally set up by French explorers. The Hmong believe in shaman ism and Christianity, hence a Shaman is found here. The Kamu are Animists and pray to the souls of the forests.

Last but not least, we take in a village inhabited solely by the Kamu. They are mid-landers and animists. We will visit their homes and schools and engage in exchanges with local villagers in Ban Yoi Hai.

At end of day, we’ll spend the night at Kamu Lodge, a comfortable compound of tented lodges neighbouring a traditional Kamu village. The following morning, after a traditional Lao breakfast, we’ll return to the modern world of Luang Prabang.


THEPROGRAMME:

DAY 1


THEPROGRAMME:

DAY 2


THE DININGAll meals taken in Kamu lodge are dined outside in the lodges

Traditional Lao cuisine is served with true Kamu hospitality. Lao cuisine is tasty and nutritious using only the freshest ingredients along with a colorful array of organic tropical fruits and vegetables to accompany

Fresh and locally grown produce is used to keep in tune with the environment and its surroundings

The outside bar is a place to unwind and relax after a tiring day trekking in the surrounding landscape. Refreshments and beverages are available here


THE LOCATION

Thirty kilometres upstream from Luang Prabang, the Mekong channels between the dramatic flanks of Lao hills, scenery that very well may be unrivalled in the river's 4,350km journey to the sea.

In his book about a landmark journey from the river's source to its delta, modern explorer Edward Gargan describes this stretch of the Mekong this way: "Here, wrapped on both sides by jungle, sometimes dense, sometimes scrubbed by slash-and-burn agriculture, the wagon train of globalisation had yet to venture."

Unlike the major rivers of China, where civilisation crowds the waters, the river running by Kamu Lodge is relatively pristine. Boatmen drink its waters. Villagers wash clothes in its shallows. This is Laos as the Lao have lived it for ages. No wonder the New York Times recently identified Laos as the #1 place in the world to visit. Our full board package feature return transfers from Luang Prabang to Kamu Lodge.


THE RESERVATION CENTREReservation Manager

Tel: (858) 71 260 319

Email: [email protected]

Address: 44/3 Ban Vat Nong, Khem Khong Road,Luang Prabang, Laos


mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Kamu Lodge, Laos

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