Join an Osmose tour for a deep insight into the breeding colonies of water birds and the life of the floating communities.

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1 PO Box Siem Reap - Cambodia Tel: osmose@online.com.kh Join an Osmose tour for a deep insight into the breeding colonies of water birds and the life of the floating communities. Osmose tours can be organised either via Prek Toal either via Peak Kantel floating village. A unique natural habitat - Myriad of water birds - Traditional fishing villages Not far from the ancient temples of Angkor, in the heart of Cambodia, lies the huge Tonle Sap lake, one of the world s most productive bodies of fresh water. Each year, millions of fish come to spawn in the seasonally flooded forest surrounding the lake, attracting a myriad of water birds as well as people, who have settled in villages along the shores and who live with the rhythm of the water. This ecosystem of extraordinary biological richness and balance between humans and nature has been classified as a Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in It is this fusion of water and forest, this dense and intertwined world of fish, birds and people that we invite you to immerse yourself in. A sensitive balance between fish, birds and people A BIRD SANCTUARY Prek Toal bird sanctuary is a protected site located on the North Eastern shore of the Tonle Sap lake, one hour by boat from Siem Reap port. The area consists of a vast undisturbed flooded forest where thousands of water birds come each year to breed during the dry season. As such, it is one of the most important places in South-East Asia for the conservation of endangered species such as Storks, Adjutants, Pelicans and Ibis. Birdwatchers drifting through the forest will observe large flocks of birds feeding on the lakeshore, perched on trees or soaring above the A TRADITIONAL FLOATING VILLAGE At the edge of the flooded forest, a lively human community has settled in floating houses, a practical solution to cope with the changing water level of the lake. In the village, the visitor will see floating grocery boats and stores, coffee and dessert sellers paddling gently along. All village life is organised around and heavily relies on fishing. Various types of traditional fishing gears are encountered on the lake as well as in the village and in the streams of the flooded Some villagers raise fish in pens while others have set up crocodile farms behind their floating homes. The tours are ideal for people with an interest in nature, bird watching and responsible tourism.

2 Experience a Nature Tour to PREK TOAL or PEAK KANTEL Osmose proposes you a relaxing but educative visit which will enable you to understand the ecological and human aspects of the Tonle Sap lake. Osmose proposes you several itineraries: Day-trips: o Itinerary 1: Birds & Village o Itinerary 2: Birds only Overnight trips: o Itinerary 3: Overnight trip - 1 day + 1 night (Bird & Village or Birds only) o Itinerary 4: Overnight trip - 2 days + 1 night (Bird & Village or Birds only) Half-day trip: Itinerary 5 The trips are described in detail below. Interested joining us on a tour? When is the best time to go? The best time for visiting is November to March. From April to June, birds are still numerous but the lake level is too low so that we can not access the bird colonies by boat. Later, as the water rises again, most of the birds scatter away to other areas in South-East Asia. What do you need to bring along with you? Hat, long sleeved shirts and trousers, sunscreen, your binoculars if you have some (Osmose also provides binoculars). Trip costs Day trip: Number of persons Price per person (US$) Overnight trip: Number of persons Price per person (US$)

3 Half-day trip: Number of persons Price per person (US$) Discount is offered for children less than 12 years old. The price includes: All transportation (boats and minivan) Entrance fee to the protected area Osmose certified guide Visit of the village on paddle boat Lunch, dinner, breakfast Fruit and water for the day Home stay with the villagers The booklet "A boat journey from Siem Reap to Battambang" For booking: osmose@online.com.kh +855 (0) / +855 (0) What are the conditions? Booking must be made at least 48 hours in advance. A 50 % cancellation fee applies for any cancellation made less than 48 hours before the forecasted departure date. Purpose and spirit of Osmose: Osmose is a not-for-profit organisation. Osmose goal is to facilitate both the conservation of the Tonle Sap lake environment and the sustainable livelihood of the floating villages communities. By boarding with Osmose you will contribute to the community by: Directly supporting the village economy (paddlers, village tour, cookers, home stays, handicraft), Providing fund to Osmose environmental education program (covering 1,100 children) and Osmose Local Development program (schooling assistance, medical assistance, distribution of water filters, etc.), Providing fund for conservation through the entrance fee to the Environmental Research Station.

4 Experience a Nature Tour to PREK TOAL or PEAK KANTEL Day trips to Prek Toal bird sanctuary and the floating villages Itinerary 1: Day trip - Birds & Village 5.30 am Departure from your hotel in Siem Reap and drive to the Tonle Sap lake am Board on the boat and travel for 1 to 1.5 hours across the lake and its flooded Breakfast will be taken on the boat. After registering at the local environmental station (Ministry of Environment), we board the boat to glide through the waterways into the bird sanctuary. The rest of the morning is dedicated to bird watching along the waterways, the lakeshore and from the top of the watching towers where the rangers are guarding the colonies Typical fresh fish meal cooked by villagers. Depending on the season, it will be served either in the village either in the middle of the flooded 2.30 pm Visit the floating village on a paddle boat tour organised by the community. You will discover different aspects of the village activities: crocodile farming, fish raising, fishing operation preparation, traditional medicine, boat shops, spirit houses, floating schools, etc. Your guide will also give you an insight into the Osmose project through visits of the environmental education school, the floating gardens and the water hyacinth handicraft workshop. You will return to your hotel in Siem Reap around 5pm or 6pm, depending on the season. NB: The visit of the village may not be done on paddle boat at certain periods of the year, when the water level is too low and the weather is too hot.

5 Itinerary 2: Day trip - Birds only 5.30 am Departure from your hotel in Siem Reap and drive to the Tonle Sap lake. Board on the boat and travel for 1 to 1.5 hours across the lake and its flooded Breakfast will be taken on the boat. You will visit the floating village and discover different aspects of the village activities: crocodile farming, fishing operation preparation, boat shops, spirit houses, floating schools, etc. Your guide will also give you an insight into the Osmose project through visits of the environmental education school, the floating gardens and the water hyacinth handicraft workshop. After registering at the local environmental station (Ministry of Environment), we board the boat to glide through the waterways into the bird sanctuary. The whole day will be dedicated to bird watching along the waterways, the lakeshore and from the top of the watching towers where the rangers are guarding the colonies. Typical fresh fish meal cooked by villagers will be served to you in the middle of the flooded forest, where human life is more scarce than wildlife. You will return to your hotel in Siem Reap around 5pm or 6pm, depending on the season.

6 Overnight trips into the Bird Sanctuary and the floating villages Itinerary 3: Overnight trip 1 day + 1 night Day 1: 5.30 am Departure from your hotel in Siem Reap and drive to the Tonle Sap lake am Board on the boat and travel for 1 to 1.5 hours across the lake and its flooded After registering at the local environmental station (Ministry of Environment), we board the boat to glide through the waterways into the bird sanctuary. The rest of the morning is dedicated to bird watching along the waterways, the lakeshore and from the top of the watching towers where the rangers are guarding the colonies Typical fresh fish meal cooked by villagers. Depending on the season, it will be served either in the village either in the middle of the flooded 2.30 pm Visit the floating village on a paddle boat tour organised by the community. You will discover different aspects of the village activities: crocodile farming, fish raising, fishing operation preparation, traditional medicine, boat shops, spirit houses, floating schools, etc. Your guide will also give you an insight into the Osmose project through visits of the environmental education school, the floating gardens and the water hyacinth handicraft workshop pm Break at the home stay to enjoy daily life in a floating village. Then you will watch sunset on the lake and have diner cooked by villagers. Day 2: Breakfast in the village. Return to your hotel in Siem Reap. NB 1: If you choose a trip "Birds only" you will visit the village in the morning on engine boat, before entering the bird sanctuary where you will spend the rest of the day. NB 2: When you choose a trip "Birds & Village", the visit of the village may not be done on paddle boat at certain periods of the year, when the water level is too low and the weather is too hot.

7 Itinerary 4: Overnight trip 2 days + 1 night Day 1: am Departure from your hotel in Siem Reap and drive to the Tonle Sap lake Board on the boat and travel for 1 to 1.5 hours across the lake and its flooded 1.00 pm Arrive in the floating village and have a typical fresh fish meal cooked by villagers pm Visit the floating village on a paddle boat tour organised by the community. You will discover different aspects of the village activities: crocodile farming, fish raising, fishing operation preparation, traditional medicine, boat shops, spirit houses, floating schools, etc. Your guide will also give you an insight into the Osmose project through visits of the environmental education school, the floating gardens and the water hyacinth handicraft workshop pm Break at the home stay to enjoy daily life in a floating village. Then you will watch sunset on the lake and have diner cooked by villagers. Day 2: 5.30 am Take breakfast cooked by the villagers and watch the sunrise am Board the boat to glide through the waterways into the bird sanctuary. The rest of the morning is dedicated to bird watching along the waterways, the lakeshore and from the top of the watching towers where the rangers are guarding the colonies am Leave the bird sanctuary Arrive in your hotel in Siem Reap. NB 1: If you choose a trip "Birds only" you will visit the village in the morning on engine boat, before entering the bird sanctuary where you will spend the rest of the day. NB 2: When you choose a trip "Birds & Village", the visit of the village may not be done on paddle boat at certain periods of the year, when the water level is too low and the weather is too hot.

8 Half-day trip to the floating villages Itinerary 5: This tour is organised when the lake's water level is too low and when it is not possible to reach the bird colonies. It is a unique experience to see the proceeds from your trip used to further enrich and improve the lives of local Cambodian people am Departure from your hotel in Siem Reap and drive to the Tonle Sap lake am Board on the boat and travel for 1 to 1.5 hours across the lake and its flooded Breakfast will be served on the boat. Upon arrival in the village we will stop at Osmose floating platform where your guide will explain you Osmose community-based projects, linking conservation, ecotourism, education and local development. You will learn about water hyacinth handicraft made by 30 women if the village. Then you will visit the village on a paddle boat tour organised by the community. You will discover different aspects of the village activities: crocodile farming, fish raising, fishing operation preparation, traditional medicine, boat shops, spirit houses, floating schools, etc. Your guide will also give you a deeper insight into the Osmose project through visits of the environmental education school and the floating gardens Stop at the village's restaurant to have a typical fresh fish meal and have time to relax on the terrace or visit the crocodile farm before boarding the boat for the return trip to Siem Reap. We arrive in Siem Reap at approximately 2.00 pm. Updated July 2008 By Chai - Aing Sopharith Osmose Ecotourism Manager