Experience Cambodia A Learning Journey in the Kingdom of Wonder: 21 Day Tour
On this journey, you will experience the rich culture, nature, and history that Cambodia has to offer. You will learn about development from leading NGO's that are creating positive change, participate in morning meditations and learn about Buddhism to broaden your understanding of Khmer culture. Get ready to explore this fast-changing country full of stunning landscapes, ancient temples, and bustling cities. You will learn about complex development challenges, inspiring initiatives, and the turbulent past this country has faced. The trip includes: All accommodation based on twin sharing Local guesthouses, a retreat centre, and homestays All meals (though, we recommend giving a few nights free on rest days) and drinking water Entrance fees, guides, and transportation for all listed activities (mostly tuktuks, but bus for longer journeys) Trained and experienced instructors (x2) to lead and facilitate the trip Donation to all social impact projects (e.g. NGOs) visited 10% VAT and all other government taxes The trip does not include: Cambodian tourist visa Travel insurance (all participants must have travel insurance which covers emergency medical evacuation) Travel to/from Cambodia Snacks and drinks other than water Meals listed as exceptions above Personal expenses (souvenirs etc.)
Day 1: Arrival Arrival and transfer from Siem Reap. Overnight in Siem Reap. Day 2: Siem Reap Orientation: Preparing and planning for the trip ahead Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 3: Siem Reap Introduction to Khmer Rouge history, visit the Landmine Museum, meet peace builders and activists Today explore- understanding 20th century Cambodia and on-going legacy of war. Overnight in Siem Reap. Day 4: Siem Reap Meeting with NGOs / social impact project. Today explore- orphanage/volunteer tourism, residential vs. home-based care, and community development. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 5: Siem Reap Meeting with 2 NGOs one focused on child protection, the other on youth empowerment and education Today explore- orphanage/volunteer tourism, residential vs. home-based care, and education and youth. Overnight in Siem Reap. Day 6: Siem Reap Relax and explore at own leisure! Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 7: Stung Treng Transfer to Stung Treng. Overnight in Stung Treng. Day 8: Koh P dao Transfer to Mekong island homestay; meet host families, explore the island. Today explore- introduction to island life. Overnight in Koh P dao.
Day 9: Koh P dao Learning about (and participating in) daily life in rural Cambodia. Today explore- cultural immersion and daily life in rural Cambodia. Overnight in Koh P dao. Day 10: Koh P dao Learning about (and participating in) daily life in rural Cambodia. Today explore- cultural immersion and daily life in rural Cambodia. Overnight in Koh P dao.
Day 11: Koh P dao Learning about (and participating in) daily life in rural Cambodia. Today explore- cultural immersion and daily life in rural Cambodia. Overnight in Koh P dao. Day 12: Phnom Penh Depart homestay island and travel to Phnom Penh Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 13: Phnom Penh Visit genocide museum(s) and meet with documentation NGO; sunset river cruise and daily reflection. Today explore- Khmer Rouge history and ongoing peace and reconciliation efforts. Overnight in Phnom Penh. Day 14: Phnom Penh Meet with NGOs Today explore- international development and human rights, TBC gender, labour, LGBT, health etc. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Day 15: Phnom Penh Meet with NGOs Today explore- international development and human rights, TBC gender, labour, LGBT, health etc. Overnight in Phnom Penh. Day 16: Kampot Travel south to Kampot. Overnight in Kampot.
Day 17: Kampot Explore mangrove landscape with community-based ecotourism initiative. Today explore- mangrove conservation, coastal development, environmental degradation, and community projects Overnight in Kampot. Day 18: Kampot Meeting 2 social enterprises one working on inclusive arts and the other in the garment manufacturing sector Today explore- inclusive (arts) education, disability and Cambodia, and social enterprise. Overnight in Kampot.
Day 19: Kampot Celebrate the end of your journey with a day at the beach! Overnight in Kampot. Day 20: Kampot Wrap-up and reflection activities. Day 21: Kampot Departures from Phnom Penh.
Buddhism lessons Buddhist philosophy is a cornerstone of Khmer culture, and learning about the core teachings allows travelers to connect with Cambodia and its people on a deeper level. Our Khmer facilitators run brief, informal daily Buddhism classes, as well as morning meditation sessions to calm the mind and set the tone for the day. Khmer lessons Informal and interactive language lessons allow students to quickly pick up keywords and phrases, and connect with the people and communities they are visiting. While the alphabet may look a little daunting Khmer grammar is actually rather straightforward, and students will soon be surprising Khmer friends and host families with their newfound linguistic abilities!
Facilitated activities Facilitated educational workshops and discussions are a core component of our travelers experiences, and are designed to encourage critical thinking around complex issues, support personal growth, and maximize the learning potential of visits, meetings, and other activities. Our facilitators have a great deal of experience in delivering these outside of classroom settings. Shared meals Cambodia boasts a delicious culinary heritage, full of subtle flavours, rich aromas, and a myriad of regional influences. Exploring the Kingdom s favourite dishes is integral to immersing in Khmer culture, and throughout our adventures, travelers primarily eat local cuisine. We do this not only to showcase the delicious local flavours but sharing meals in the traditional Khmer family style supports the creation of a communal atmosphere and a connection to local culture. Reflections We believe that dedicated time for facilitated reflections and debriefs is integral to supporting travelers in processing new experiences and ideas, and provides travelers with the opportunity to consider how their time in Cambodia may impact them in the future.