Sample Itinerary 1
Day 1 : Arrive to Phnom Penh
Arrive into Phnom Penh International Airport where your Program Leaders will be waiting for you outside of customs. After checking into the hotel and freshening up, head out into the city for your first foray into Cambodian cuisine. After dinner and a round of icebreakers, your leaders will conduct an orientation introducing themselves, the country, and review your itinerary for the upcoming week.
Overnight: Hotel, Phnom Penh
Day 2: Phnom Penh Excursion
Rise and shine for your first full day in Cambodia! Over some Khmer breakfast, your group will have your first informal language lesson. While you’ll just cover the basics, making an effort to learn the local language is a great gesture of respect for the local people. Begin with the visits to cultural and historic locations in Phnom Penh. Head to Tuol Sleng, a former school that was used as a prison and has since converted into a museum to educate visitors about the country’s genocide. Visit the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek and walk through the quiet and peaceful fields that played host to mass killings burials.
Today you will head to some of the important landmarks, the Royal Palace of Cambodia, where you will learn about the history of monarchy and their architecture, then Wat Phnom Phnom, the birthplace of Phnom Penh. This evening you will make your way to the National Stadium! This is one of the Cambodian favorite spots to relax and exercise! Spend your evening observing and participating in the Zumba classes.
Overnight: Hotel, Phnom Penh
Day 3: Drive South for Trekking activity
Today you will travel to Chi Phat, the Community Ecotourism Based Project of Cambodia. Enjoy the view of Cambodia's countryside! It will be a long bus ride, be sure to bring books and games you might share with friends!
Overnight: Guesthouse
Day 4-6: Trekking in Chi Phat
Today you will start your trekking journey to various locations in the Chi Phat ecotourism area. Starting with Veal Prak, an area where your journey begins to spot wild animals. Then off to beautiful waterfalls where you will have opportunities to swim there! You will spend the evenings at your campsites and some meals prepared by forest ranger cooking!
Overnight: Campsite
Day 7: Drive back to Phnom Penh
Say goodbye to the Chi Phat Community! Today you will make your way back to the capital city Phnom Penh! This evening, relax and enjoy a great Cambodian Buffet.
Overnight: Hotel, Phnom Penh
Day 8: Flight to Siem Reap
Today you will travel to Siem Reap from the Capital City, Phnom Penh. Your journey begins as you hop on our boat to the floating villages, where you spend your next portion on the service work. As you cruise up the river, you’ll be introduced to a whole new way of life. In Cambodia’s floating villages, families do everything on the water, from cooking their morning meals aboard their watery homes to reeling in their nets at the end of a day of fishing. Once you arrive, students will move into their homestay settings and have a chance to explore this unique community before your service work begins.
Overnight: Homestay, Floating Villages
Day 9-11: Community service
During your time in Prek Toal, you will be assisting with our Housing Improvement initiative, which was designed in partnership with the local community and seeks to upgrade homes in need of repair. Throughout each day, spend time getting to know the locals of this beautiful community. After reciting the pieces of Khmer language you’ve learned so far, share your story with the locals as you learn about theirs. Between the generous nature of the local families and the passion for learning amongst the village children, your time here is bound to be an eye-opening and thought-provoking experience.
Overnight: Homestay, Floating Villages
Day 12: Boat back to Siem Reap town
Say goodbye to your host family and floating villages community and make your way back to Siem Reap. This afternoon, relax at your hotel swimming pools and traditional massage in town. This evening, after dinner, head to Phare, The Cambodian Circus. This inspiring acrobat show is performed by students from Phare Ponleu Selpak, an organization that educates disadvantaged youth through the power of the arts. It is truly a sight to see and something you will remember from your time here in Cambodia.
Overnight: Hotel, Siem Reap
Day 13: Temple Day
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. Then 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 Khmer dinner and spend time browsing the night markets.
Overnight: Hotel, Siem Reap
Day 14: Siem Reap Sightseeings
Make your last visit to one of the famous workshops in town, Artisan D’Angkor, a social enterprise, which you will be able to see the local artists work on sculpting, painting, and weaving silk products, etc. And then head to APPO center.
Overnight: Hotel, Siem Reap
Day 15: Departure Day
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 with Team Cambodia, your Program Leaders will take you to the airport for your departure as you say goodbye and reflect on your adventure!
Lee hi, Cambodia!