Description

From its remote villages to its tranquil coast, Cambodia offers an abundance of service opportunities for students. Play volleyball, paint with orphans, teach English in local schools, and gain an appreciation for rural Cambodian life by working alongside local farmers. This Off the Map adventure will allow you to explore Cambodia's rich history and spectacular sights while visiting some of its most hidden places and assisting some of the poorest people in all of Southeast Asia.

Exploring Cambodia's Complex Past
Begin your trip with the bustle of Phnom Penh for a day exploring Cambodia's turbulent recent history. You'll have the chance to check out the S-21 Genocide Museum, the Killing Fields, and the Royal Palace. Only after visiting these places can you really understand life in Cambodia today. Then lighten things up in the afternoon with shopping at the Russian Market, where you'll find an amazing assortment of goods at great prices.

A Rustic Retreat
Heading south from Phnom Penh, you will travel to the cool Cambodian Coast and the sleepy town of Kampot. Located along the river beneath the beautiful Elephant Mountains, this peaceful town will be an oasis after the bustle of city life. Here you can ramble along the riverside or duck into the local market for a fruit shake. You'll spend the next couple of days exploring the rural communities in the area, working with children at an orphanage, and sampling delicious seafood.

Life in Rural Cambodia
Next your trip will take you on rough roads through Northeastern Cambodia on your way to the village of our sponsored school project in Mondulkiri province. Explore this indigenous Phnong village before heading off to school, where you'll help the local kids practice their English. The next morning you'll wake up with the villagers and head off to the ricefields. A trip to rural Cambodia is not complete without wading into the paddies and trying your hand at nurturing the country's staple crop  rice!

Life's a Boat
A wooden vessel will carry you on the next leg of your trip down the amazing Mekong River. Keep your camera out as you sail past the unforgettable floating villages and be on the lookout for endangered fresh water dolphins. After an epic boat trip, you'll arrive in Kampong Cham, your home for the next couple nights. Once a sleepy riverside town, Kampong Cham is growing up fast. Here you will spend some time working at a center for displaced and abandoned children. Join the Rustic Pathways students who are doing the Cambodia Orphanage Project as they work to improve the lives of the 50 children who depend on this center. You will never forget your time here!

Amazing Angkor
Leaving Kampong Cham, you'll travel through dozens of small hamlets before reaching Siem Reap, Cambodia's fastest growing city and the gateway to the Angkor temples. You'll watch Angkor Wat emerge from darkness as the sun rises and explore some of the other ancient temples in the area, including Angkor Thom, Bayon, and Ta Prohm (also known as the Tomb Raider temple). You'll also have the chance to catch up on the Internet, enjoy some great food, and shop at funky markets before departing Cambodia or connecting to your next trip.

You'll Never Forget It!

This program is a nonstop service adventure that explores undiscovered, rural Cambodia while also allowing you to visit some of the country's most famous sites. Get to know Cambodia and the kind-hearted Khmer people who call it home on this exciting Off the Map journey.

Highlights

EXPLORE Cambodia from the bustling metropolis of Phnom Penh to the relaxing beaches of Rabbit Island. This trip will show you all there is to see and experience in the Kingdom of Wonder.

LEARN about the resilient Khmer culture from our loveable local staff and expert guides. This is truly a history you won't forget.

RISE with the sun as it climbs its way over the sacred towers of Angkor Wat and explore the ancient ruins of this once powerful empire.

RENEW yourself in the cool waters of Phnom Kulen as it rushes over 1,000 intricate carvings in its sandstone riverbed. The memories of this unique scenery will last a lifetime.

NURTURE creativity in young minds and teach art and music to eager Cambodian youth in an effort to strengthen their futures.

Travel Types

• Native Culture Studies
• Overland Tours
• Student Tours
• Tours
• Volunteering

Qualifications

Students must be 15-years old and up to participate on the program. Additionally, participants must submit an application through the Rustic Pathways website and complete the appropriate documents before traveling on the program.

Type of Programs

• Community Service / Volunteerism
• Student Tours

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

2,895 USD + 155 USD Internal Airfare + International air

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

The above cost includes all ground transportation in-country, 3 meals a day, housing, staff through the duration of the program, all supplies for the volunteer projects and all excursions on the program itinerary not listed as optional.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Group living
• Other

Scholarships are Available

Rustic Pathways is providing over 100 scholarships for the 2012 season based on a mix of both need and merit. Application deadline is every year in early Spring. Please contact us for more details on applying for a scholarship and other financial aid options.

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

1-2 business days

Rustic Pathways's Mission Statement

Rustic Pathways is a pioneer in providing superior quality travel and service programs for students and families in some of the world's most welcoming countries. Rustic Pathways demands professionalism and integrity across all of its operations, insists on quality in all aspects of its programs, and places the safety of its students above all other considerations. We enrich the lives of our students and our staff, benefit the parts of the world we serve, and build cultural bridges that lead to greater global understanding and cooperation.

Year Founded

1983