Just south of the ancient ruins of Angkor is Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake. This lake rich in biodiversity contributed to Angkor’s empire success. Today it continues as an important fishery and ecological reserve for the country. Development is threatening and groups are needed to help protect this important area while experiencing Angkor Wat in a truly remarkable way.
Sightseeing choices – Angkor Wat,and more …
Volunteer tasks – construction of school, office or library, painting of school, office or library installation of solar panels, etc.
Easily accessible from Angkor and featuring attractions such as impressive waterbird spectacle, pristine flooded forest, traditional fishing and floating villages, Prek Toal possesses a huge tourism potential. From its inception, the project has recognized ecotourism as a concrete mean for raising awareness and as an economical force to drive changes in the mode of exploitation and valorization of natural resources (birds, forest). Osmose ecovisits are organized in a way to generate the maximum direct benefits for involved families.
For instance, former bird poachers and women head of households obtain complementary income in providing a wooden canoe circuit, by selling local handicraft or by presenting a typical livelihood (fish raising, floating garden, fishing gear, etc.). Furthermore, the proceeds of the visits fund a village development program, widening the impact among poor families. Thanks to an intimate knowledge of the site, a constant care of quality, specially trained guides and integration of tourism in an ecological-cum-humanitarian project, Osmose is the first tourist actor in the area. Nearly 100 visits are now organized per year, and more than 1000 visitors have discovered Prek Toal as 'osmosian' !
During your time in Siem Reap province there is a range of accommodation available from local homestays, inexpensive hotels and up to luxury hotels.
To ensure that there is also opportunity to experience the world class attractions of Cambodia we can arrange excursions to Angkor wat to see ancient Khmer temples. Cambodia also hosts a wide variety of natural and cultural wonders which are easily accessible.
Just south of Siem Reap and Angkor Wat, Tonle Sap is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia covering 2,500 km2 during the dry season, but expanding up to 12,000 km2 at the peak of floods.
Covering 2,500 km² during the dry season, but expanding up to 12,000 km² at the peak of floods, the Tonle Sap is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. A unique hydrological phenomenon resulting from the link with the Mekong (see map) causes seasonal inundation of a vast floodplain around the lake, and of its peculiar vegetation, usually named 'inundated forest'.
The Angkorian civilization would never have achieved such a great power and influence without the natural richness of the Tonle Sap Lake. Supporting over 200 known plant species, as many fish and bird species, and about thirty reptiles, including numerous globally threatened species, the Tonle Sap is a wetland of international importance for biodiversity conservation. Ever-growing human pressure on its resources seriously jeopardizes its future. Illegal and destructive fishing techniques (pumping, electric fishing, etc.), extensive poaching, loss of flooded forest (clearing for agriculture, fires, cutting for firewood) are all converging to deplete the lake biodiversity base.
Furthermore, exotic invasive plants, such as water hyacinth or giant mimosa, colonize degraded areas. Beyond these local threats, a series of hydroelectric dams under construction on the Chinese Mekong are expected to significantly disturb the hydrological cycle of the lake, and as a result to seriously impact the foundation of its biological productivity. Through its interventions and approach, Osmose addresses these threats, at a local level, by initiating changes in the patterns of exploitation of natural resources and by supporting alternative livelihood reducing the dependency of local populations on declining natural resources
Today three million Cambodians are directly dependent upon the lake's resources, as fish provide 70 percent of their protein intake. However, without the international support of environmentally minded groups the future of this important resource is threatened.
As each program is unique, so to are our tours and costs. As a rule of thumb programs cost between $?? to $?? per day per person and vary greatly due to number of participants, length of program, services required, type of sightseeing and accommodations provided. Our school tours usually include two teachers free of charge.
Group size: minimum ? people – maximum ??people
Tour duration: customized for group requirements within ? to ?? days
To provide an accurate quotation we encourage you to contact us to discuss various options.
Typically our tours include:
- All equipment for construction (participants should bring their own work gloves)
- All meals during project and at homestay
- Accommodation
- English speaking guide
- Bottled water during project
- Transfers to and from project site
- “Gala” dinner on final night
and excludes:
- International and domestic airfares
- Visa and visa charges
- Travel Insurance (compulsory)
- Items of a personal nature such as beverages at homestay
- Donation for building project
Buffalo Tours has developed a specialized Volunteer & Educational Travel team of experienced teachers, community development specialists, travel experts and guides that allows you to
1) customize not only your volunteer educational travel arrangements but also integrate these into your group’s core learning objectives!
2) participate in community development projects and activities that have undergone a rigorous participatory needs analysis process
In this way your travel creates the most inspirational impact for all involved.
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