Introduction

In March 2004, the co-founder of Wildside Eco-tourism Company, Australian Michael O’Shea, undertook the first descent by kayak of one of the greatest rivers on Earth: the Mekong. This magnificent river passes through some of the most spectacular and challenging environments on Earth. The 120-day expedition provided the opportunity for exploration of the unique and fascinating Asian nations of China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, a region known for its natural, cultural and historical diversity.

The Mekong River was one of the last great rivers on earth remaining to be fully explored from source to estuary. The twelfth longest river in the world, and the tenth largest in volume, 'Mekong' in Thai language means “The Mother of Waters”. The Mekong begins her amazing descent at an elevation of 5224 meters from a glacial spring in a remote corner of the Tibetan Plateau. From here, her waters flow an incredible 4800km through six diverse nations to the South China Sea.

The goal of the Mekong First Descent Project was to complete the first ever full navigation of the river from source to sea while raising global awareness about the natural, cultural and historical heritage of the region. Proceeds raised from events in each country and internationally will be donated to responsible multilateral aid agencies who will direct the funds into the conservation of natural and cultural assets.

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Background

Michael O’Shea is a passionate outdoors enthusiast with a deep respect for the peoples and cultures of East Asia. Michael is a co-founder of Wildside Eco-Tourism Company and a pioneer of paddle sports and eco-tourism in several countries of East Asia. He came up with the concept of exploring the entire Mekong River from source to sea while working for Wildside on sections of the Mekong in Laos, Thailand and Cambodia over the last 4 years. During this time Michael and Wildside were closely involved with the award winning UNESCO Nam Ha Eco-tourism Project in Luang Namtha, a province of the Lao P.D.R.

Michael began toying with the concept of paddling the entire Mekong River after navigating several un-boated sections of the river in Laos and Cambodia during 2000/2001. Michael then researched previous expeditions and by late 2002 his findings provided a solid basis from which to begin a comprehensive feasibility study into a Mekong first ever descent.

Alan Boatman, an environmental research scientist based in East Asia, teamed up with Michael and Wildside to pursue the goals of the project. They made a detailed feasibility study over a 3 month period in 2003 which included surveys on sections of the Mekong in Yunnan, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Cambodia. During the surveys and research Michael and Alan travelled along 80% of the Mekong’s entire length. The few remaining sections had been navigated by previous expeditions with a perfect safety record. The findings were that the entire length of the Mekong River could be safely navigated by an expert white water kayaker. The Mekong First Descent Project was established to work towards this goal.

The Greater Mekong Sub Region has entered an unprecedented period of change and faces an uncertain future. The Project believed that this historic expedition offered the opportunity to raise global awareness of the natural, cultural and historical heritage of the region and the challenges faced by its diverse peoples and environments. Michael and Alan invited some of the most eminent specialists in the region with expertise in the fields of history, anthropology, archaeology, geography, cultural heritage and eco-tourism to assist them in formulating a strategy for the Project.

The project decided to use the expedition as a vehicle through which to explore the rich diversity of the Mekong catchments and the major issues facing the valley as they are encountered en-route in the context of an educational adventure documentary.

Project Goals

The individual nations of the Greater Mekong Sub-Region are often perceived as completely separate entities both historically and culturally. An expedition from source to sea provided a unique opportunity to link the different nations of the Mekong together to form one of the most diverse regions on earth.

Goal 1: To create a high quality 3 part documentary series aimed at attaining greater global awareness of the natural, cultural and historical heritage of the Greater Mekong Sub-Region while highlighting the important issues concerning local peoples and environments.

Goal 2: To unite various agencies on a national, regional and international level in the common goal of creating greater global awareness of the unique Mekong environments, peoples and the issues concerning the region.

Goal 3: To create a steering committee of regional experts from various key fields to ensure that the documentary series offers not only interesting viewing but also a fascinating educational insight into the sheer diversity and complexity of the region.

Goal 4: To celebrate the diversity and beauty of the region on film at a time of unprecedented regional change.

Goal 5: To attain comprehensive global coverage of this historic event in film, photographic and written media in order to maximize its effects.

Goal 6: To release the three part documentary series free of charge to a responsible broadcasting agency in each nation of the Greater Mekong Sub-Region and to market the product commercially on an international basis.

Goal 7: To Produce a high quality photographic study detailing the diversity of cultures, environments and artistic achievements to be found along the greater Mekong Sub Region (a coffee table-style book).

Goal 8: To attain the goals of the project through a unique medium that offers the opportunity to experience a side of the Mekong River that few have ever seen. Travel by kayak down the river provides access to many hundreds of kilometres of river which can not normally be accessed. The World first adventure element opens the documentary up to a far wider audience and allows the project to broaden its horizons significantly.

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Expedition Facts in Brief

Start Location: Xining City China
Finish Point: South China Sea
Expedition Goal: First ever complete descent of the Mekong River from source to sea while creating awareness of the wonderful cultural, natural and historical environments encountered en-route through film, photographic and written media.
Areas of Focus: Mekong catchments areas in China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
Start Date: 31^st March 2004
Expedition Duration: 120 days (estimated)
Expedition Team:

• 1 x solo kayaker
• 2 x production crew
• 1 x professional photographer
• 1 x translator
• 1 x local local expert in each country

Total 6 persons on the team.
Means of Transport (for solo expedition team member):
For the main descent Michael O’Shea will paddle a kayak for the entire length of The Mekong. Side trips will include:

• Horse
• Yak
• Elephant
• Raft
• Trekking
• 4WD’s
• Caving
• Mountain Bike
• Sea Kayak
  

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