Yeak Laom Community-Based Eco-Tourism Project
Helping the Tampuen of Cambodia
Yeak Laom Community-Based Eco-Tourism Project says, 'We believe that tourism can be a positive experience for communities if income and the benefits are shared and are used to support the community into the future. In addition each tourism experience should be a positive cultural exchange and learning experience'.
Yeak Laom Lake lies in an area of protected forest managed by indigenous highlanders. Some say that the lake is the result of the volcanic activity. Local Tampuen people say it is a gift from the spirits. Either way, it is an exquisite and deeply spiritual place. It is now managed in a unique way such that both the culture and the environment of the area are respected and preserved. It is a place where tourism can have direct benefits to indigenous communities.
The project provides local guides and arranges treks to the lake and Tampuen villages in a way that is both responsible and sustainable. The treks are guided by specially trained Tampuen guides and because they come from local villages, they are knowledgeable about the local environment and wildlife and can inform about their culture and customs; all speak very good English. On trek you can visit the beautiful Yeak Laom crater lake with its clear water and jungle around. You can also see a "bachelor's house" by the lake, a traditional meeting house and see and buy Tampuen handicrafts in the Cultural Center, thus helping the community.
Visiting
The Yeak Laom Commune consists of five Tampuen villages totalling about 1500 people. Three villages - Lapoe, Lon and Sil are adjacent to the road to Yeak Laom Lake; Chree village is located west of the lake, next to Banlung whilst Phnom village is to the northeast of the lake.
Ultimately we need you to visit us and pay our guides to show you around. In doing so you will provide valuable income to us and enable us to develop our villages whilst retaining our culture. There are daily (except Sunday) flights from Phnom Penh to Banlung. You may want to take the boat from Phnom Penh to Stung Treng (in the wet season) or Kratie (in the dry season) and then then take a taxi from there. Telephone or email to arrange a trek. Yeak Laom Lake is about 20mins from Ban Lung by moto-taxi. The guides will meet you at the entrance to the lake.
Support Needed
Yeak Laom needs people who are interested in tourism that provides a postive benefit for both community and tourist. With Yeak Laom community-based tourism, you can be sure this will happen. Please pass on this information to others.
Telling others about comunity-based tourism - Pass on this website address to others so that they may learn about the benefits of comunity-based tourism.
Education - If you are a teacher, use our website to teach about sustainable development.
Making a donation - Yeak Laom also needs to continue building capacity. Any donations to the community education project would be gratefully received. You can make a donation when visiting Yeak Laom or by making arrangements by email.
