Cambodia Culture and Service

8 Days

Cambodia

Phnom Penh (2) Kampong Cham (3), Siem Reap (2)

Overview

Explore the rich culture and history of Cambodia on this 8-day service adventure. Begin your journey in Phnom Penh, where you will delve into the country’s past and witness its path to recovery. Experience the serene lifestyle of Kampong Cham, contributing to local infrastructure projects and building connections with the community. Finally, explore the ancient wonders of Angkor Wat and the lively city of Siem Reap. This program offers a unique blend of cultural exploration, historical education, and meaningful service work, leaving you with unforgettable memories and a profound appreciation for Cambodia.

Highlights

Explore the historic Tuol Sleng Museum and the Killing Fields, gaining insight into Cambodia’s tragic past.
Visit the Royal Palace and Wat Phnom, significant cultural landmarks in Phnom Penh.
Contribute to infrastructure projects in Kampong Cham, fostering connections with the local community.
Discover the vibrant Night Market in Siem Reap and enjoy a captivating performance by the Cambodian circus.
Visit the magnificent Angkor Wat, climb its highest towers, and explore the temples of Bayon and Ta Prohm.
Engage in informal Khmer language lessons and immerse yourself in the local culture through hands-on activities.
Reflect on your experiences and the impact of your service work during group discussions and debriefs.
Bid farewell to Cambodia with a deep appreciation for its people and culture.

Itinerary

Welcome to Cambodia! Arrive at Phnom Penh Airport (PNH) and meet your tour director who will be with you for the duration of the program. Head to the hotel, settle in, relax after your long flight, and join the group for an orientation discussion about the week ahead, expectations for your adventure, and an introduction to the local culture. Have a Khmer dinner and head back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep.

Overnight: Phnom Penh

Learn Cambodia’s History. Arun-sure-sdey! Begin with visits to cultural and historical locations in Phnom Penh. Head to Tuol Sleng, a former school that was used as a prison and has since been converted into a museum to educate visitors about the country’s genocide, and visit the Killing Fields. In the afternoon, tour the Royal Palace where the King currently resides and Wat Phnom, which is the birthplace of the capital city of Phnom Penh. Enjoy the sunset cruise on the Mekong River and visit the Silk Island.

Overnight: Phnom Penh

Depart for Kampong Cham. Head to Kampong Cham to start your service projects. Stop along the way for a famous local snack – fried tarantulas – and arrive in the community located about 25 minutes outside of the town. This afternoon, learn about what your group will be contributing to over the next three days and learn about past projects that have been completed. We have a long-standing partnership with this community and work together to identify impactful projects. After your orientation, get acquainted with this peaceful community by taking time to explore.

Overnight: Kampong Cham Province

Begin early each day with a quick breakfast before heading to the service site. You will break for lunch each day and head to your host family in the community where you’ll have an hour or so to relax and prepare for the afternoon’s service project before heading back to the service site. Each evening, engage in a variety of team-building activities – be ready for games and friendly competition, group debriefs, and purposeful time spent building and deepening friendships with your classmates.

Overnight: Kampong Cham Province

Bid farewell to your new friends and begin your journey to Siem Reap, the home of world-famous Angkor Wat! Arriving in Siem Reap, you will have time to settle in before hitting the town. Siem Reap is an easy city to fall in love with, especially while strolling through the famous Night Market for some evening shopping and local souvenirs. After dinner, head to Phare The Cambodian Circus. This inspiring acrobat show is performed by students from Phare Ponleu Selpak, an organization that works with youth on art-based education.

Overnight: Siem Reap

Wake up early for a morning exploring Angkor Wat and the ancient Khmer Empire. See the intricate carvings of Angkor’s historical battle scenes and climb to the top of the highest tower to see the temples from a new perspective. Travel to Bayon to see the huge carved faces in rock and make your way to the shady temple of Ta Prohm, where massive trees have given this ruin a fairytale-like feel. After a day of ancient adventures, enjoy a final Khmer dinner and spend time browsing the night markets.

Overnight: Siem Reap

We genuinely hope your time spent here, the experiences you’ve shared, and the things you’ve reflected on will stay with you for a lifetime. After some final group photos, your tour director will take you to the airport for your departure as you say goodbyes and reflect on your adventure.

Overnight: Flight home