Adventure travel in any location is an exciting endeavor; along with the normal nerves about being in a new location, you’re willingly taking yourself even further out of your comfort zone and adding adrenaline-pumping activities to the mix. In a country that is as diverse and relatively “under the radar” as Cambodia, there are no limits to the type of adventure you could choose.

Along with more popular Cambodia adventure tours like backpacking and scuba diving, the country offers a host of other activities. In the aquamarine waters off the country’s coast, you could do your part to aid in ocean conservation by charting the health of the coral, recording marine life population information, and learning about sustainable fishing practices from traditional island fishermen. If your day’s work involved snorkeling past living jewels in an island paradise while feeling good about helping a worthy cause, you may find yourself explaining to your parents that your adventure travel in Cambodia has been extended indefinitely.

You could also take part in a tour that focuses on the Mekong River, the coursing lifeblood of Cambodia that is being irrevocably altered by population growth and technological advances. By combining a traditional river adventure full of rafting, trekking, and canoeing with a more in-depth look at the changing culture and economics of a developing region, you can be sure you’ll have an adventure travel experience that few will rival.

Adventure tours don’t strictly have to make you fear for your life or constantly involve strenuous outdoor activity, however. A unique option in Cambodia is an in-depth look at the changing politics of the country, and how the push for a more democratic rule affects things from environmental conservation to livelihoods. With homestays and meetings with regional experts in between adrenaline-pumping activities, you will get an intimate look at Cambodia’s complicated human rights history and the chilling effects of the Khmer Rouge. These hands-on trips to Cambodia may be less lighthearted than some, but it will leave you with a profound understanding and knowledge of global politics and international development.

Cambodia is nearly always hot and humid, no matter what time of year you go; if you’re hoping to stay a bit drier, you should aim to be there between November and March. However, prices drop during the rainy season between March and November, so be sure to take into account what matters the most to you! Weigh the pros and cons of avoiding frizz versus keeping your bank account happy.