1 Week Summer Special in Cambodia – Temples and Adventure!

This is a fantastic way to explore before or after a volunteer program. Everything is included, so it takes the hassle out of organising individual tours and excursions! Plus a great way to make new friends 🙂

• Accommodation
• 3 meals p/day weekdays
• Arrival airport transfer & Drop off
• Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
• 1 day orientation
• Daily transportation to project
• Activities as per the program
• In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
• Fundraising support
• University course credits (where applicable)
• Certificate of Completion

• Airfares
• Travel Insurance
• Tours, Souvenirs & spending money

Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project. Your accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees.

A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI). You must arrive between 06:00 – 19:00 on Sunday.

If arriving outside the pickup times on Sunday, you can book a private transfer and any extra nights for an additional fee.

Alternatively, if arriving early you could wait at the arrival’s terminal for the pickup time, book accommodation at the airport and meet us during the pickup times or make your own way to the project (we will advise on how to do this). 

From the airport to Samraong, it takes 3-3.5 hours by by Airport Bus and Taxi, and from the airport to our local centre in Siem Reap around 1-1.5 hours by Airport Bus and Tuk Tuk. 

Sunday
Pickup and Transfer to the Center and Welcome Dinner

Monday
Enjoy a free morning for additional orientation, relaxation by the swimming
pool, or leisure time at a local coffee shop.
Purchase the Angkor Wat ticket and explore the floating village, followed by
a sunset experience at Phnom Krom (a mountain near Tonle Sap lake).
Optional: Visit the night market and pub street.

Tuesday
Witness the sunrise at Angkor Wat and embark on a tour of Angkor Wat,
Bayon Temple, and Ta Prohm Temple (Small Circle Tour).
Explore Preah Khan Temple, Neak Poan Temple, and Banteay Srei
Temple (Big Circle Tour).
Optional: Visit the night market and pub street.

Wednesday
Engage in a bicycle tour around Siem Reap.
Optional: Visit the night market and pub street.

Thursday
Journey to Kulen Mountain and marvel at the waterfall.
Optional: Visit the night market and pub street.

Friday
Visit Preah Khan Temple, Neak Poan Temple, and Banteay Srei Temple
(Big Circle Tour).
Optional: Visit the night market and pub street.

Saturday
Farewell to the local team and departure

Here are a few things to do in Cambodia…

Angkor Wat

You can’t make a trip to Cambodia without visiting Angkor Wat. This is a stunning temple. Head there for sunrise to get the reflection over the water. Angkor Wat can easily be reached from the friendly backpacker town of Siem Reap. 

Rabbit Island

Koh Tonsay or ‘rabbit island’ is situated a 30 boat ride from the town of Kep. This small paradise island has no wifi, only a handful of cafes and that’s about it! All the accommodation are simple wooden beach bungalows, which just adds to the simple way of living. This is a great chance to get away from the crowds, enjoy the sunset over the ocean and to really and truly relax. 

S21 Prison & Killing Fields

The Khmer Rouge era was a tragic and horrific few years in Cambodia’s past, where millions of people were killed or sent away to work at various camps. Visit the S21 prison, where people were held as prisoners. This is quite a saddening visit but one that allows a better insight and understanding into exactly what happened during this time. The killing fields are situated just out from the capital. Again, a sad but very humbling visit. 

Sihanoukville

This beachside town is popular with backpackers, for its lovely beaches and great nightlife. The best beaches are found off from the mainland, where there are plenty of island-hopping tours. 

Siem Reap

The main town closest to Angkor Wat, this is very backpacker friendly, with plenty of cheap places to stay of you want to visit on a weekend. There are many bars, clubs and entertainment in the evenings. During the day you can visit the nearby temples, floating markets, get a fish pedicure in town or a relaxing massage. 

Jungle Trekking

There are plenty of hiking and trekking trails available in Cambodia. There’s lush jungle, gorgeous waterfalls and plenty of wildlife. You can head into the Cardamon mountains, Mondulkiri province or head to natural waterfalls on the outskirts of Siem Reap or Phnom Penh.

Battambang

This countryside town is known for it’s colonial buildings and artsy vibes. While still quite rural, the town has lots of cafes and western places to eat, as well as markets of all kinds. Head out into the country and check out the bamboo train. This used to be a very basic wooden panel which you sat on to ride through the countryside. It has now been updated with proper seats but still a fun and unique thing to do!

∙ Sunscreen, sunhat, and sunglasses for sun protection
∙ Mosquito/insect repellent (Deet)
∙ Comfortable working shoes
∙ Hand sanitizer and wet wipes for personal hygiene
∙ Modest and comfortable clothing suitable for cultural interactions
∙ Personal medication and a basic first-aid kit
∙ Personal toiletries for your convenience
∙ Daypack or backpack for daily excursions
∙ Reusable water bottle to stay hydrated during activities

For information on holidays and any programs affected, please see the following link: KH – Holidays – All Programs 

Although the Kingdom of Cambodia is rich in natural resources, decades of war and internal conflict have left it one of the world’s poorest countries. The average salary in Cambodia is less than US$1.50 a day, and around a third of people live below the national poverty line. Poor living conditions are particularly  prevalent in rural parts, where access to safe drinking water is barely above half.  Human traffickers exploit the vulnerable with heart-breaking cruelty.

Cambodia’s poor people number almost 4.8 million, and 90 per cent of them are  in rural areas. Most of them depend on agriculture for their livelihood.  Two thirds of the Cambodia’s 1.6 million rural households face seasonal food  shortages each year. Rice alone accounts for as much as 30 per cent of household  expenditures. Rural people are constantly looking for work or other  income-generating activities, which are mainly temporary and poorly paid..

Involvement Volunteers programs in Cambodia enable you to experience Cambodia as a local, participating in their daily activities while offering yourself in the benefit of those less fortunate. All the projects are grass rooted; working with local people for local people. Within all the projects we value the education factor and the intercultural exchange very highly delivering an educational experience for volunteers.

Cambodia is warm and tropical throughout the year, with a wet and dry season and temperatures ranging from 21 to 35 °C. 

December to Febuary are considered the best months to visit, due to the cooler climate (although still warm).

March to June is very hot, sometimes over 40 degrees but it’s usually dry.

June to September is hot, humid and monsoon season. The positive of travelling in this season is that everything is so grean, prices are cheaper and there are less tourists.

October and November also have showers but the weather is slightly cooler. Showers are usually predictable and happen for short bursts in the afternoons. 

Cambodia has a rich culture, with around 97% of the population following the Buddhist religion. They have many great temples, including the most famous one, Angkor Wat, which is a must visit. Cambodian people have a great respect for their elders and put an importance on having a strong family unit. They are very kind, a little shy but very friendly and will be eager to learn about your culture back home. Cambodia also has a dark past and you will see many reminders of the Khmer Rouge era where millions of innocent people were captured and killed. Despite this, Cambodia nowadays has a relaxed, friendly and welcoming vibe, with lots of arts and culture. 

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