Cambodia School Expedition

This is a three-week programme which will challenge, educate and inspire your group in a country of beauty and contrast.

The itinerary takes in numerous parts of the country and a variety of activities including service, adventure and discovery.

Service – Projects Abroad supports numerous preschool and primary school settings. Your group will take on a community development challenge such as a renovation project at one of the schools, an education project in nutrition, health, upcycling or sustainability, or planting gardens and litter clean-ups. This aspect of the placement will take you into some of the less developed parts of Phnom Penh where government services are sparse and small community groups support early years development, the work your group does here is a boost for the setting and insightful and rewarding for your group.

Projects Abroad works towards UN Sustainable Development Goals in its programmes and these principles will shape the work the group undertakes.

Discovery – Learn about Cambodia’s history, from the Khmer Empire of several hundred years ago to the genocides of the Khmer Rouge era in the 1970s.

Travel to Siem Reap to visit the world-famous temple complex of Angkor Wat! Some of the temples here are nearly 1000 years old; you can really feel the history here. Exploring the temples is an unforgettable experience, matched only by watching the sun rise over this magnificent setting.

The town of Siem Reap is a great place to relax and explore; the restaurants and markets are always popular as you try new delicacies and haggle with the stallholders for souvenirs.

A very different part of the historical discovery of Cambodia is the insight your group will receive regarding the Khmer Rouge era and the tragic genocide they inflicted on the country.

Your group will visit the mass graves of the Killing Fields and speak with guides who survived those times, it is a confronting experience which gives a much better understanding of the country today and how these crimes still affect the country.

You will also visit the charming country towns of Battambang and Kampot to learn about traditional crafts, agriculture and Cambodia’s imperial past as part of the French empire.

Adventure – Kayak through the mangroves in rural Kratie and search for the elusive and rare pink dolphins of the rivers of Cambodia. This will act as a warm-up for a three-day trek through the jungles and mountains of the Kirirom National Park.

For this stage we engage the services of ex-military guides as you learn about the jungle environment, bushcraft and camp skills while spending three nights in the jungle, setting up a new camp each night.

This is a beautiful part of the country with a pristine jungle and many species of fascinating plants and animals for your group to learn about and try to spot.

This is a hugely varied programme and a great challenge for any group. It offers a great insight into the country and teaches intercultural competence, the ability to be a considerate and curious traveller, and increased self-confidence, resilience and perspective.

Projects Abroad staff will accompany the group at all times and manage daily debriefing sessions to help you reflect on and absorb the day’s events.

Days 1 and 2
Arrival by plane in Phnom Penh where the group will be greeted by the local Projects Abroad team. They will be taken by bus to their hotel in the city centre where they can settle in, eating and resting as required.

These first couple of days are for orientation, in the city and at the setting, and discussions around safety and cultural sensitivity. The tour of the city will take in the riverside area, markets, palaces and temples.

Days 3 – 6
Service work in Phnom Penh. The group will have decided on their project in advance and be prepared for four days of hard work in a renovation, education or landscaping project.

All group members will be involved in the project which will be based at a pre-school or primary school setting and students will engage with the local children too, perhaps organising some sports or other activities in between the work.

At the conclusion of this project, the students will know the area quite well and understand much better the day-to-day life of the children and how their school works. The rewards of completing such a project and meeting the children are memorable aspects of this programme.

Days 7 & 8
The group will drive to Kratie in the east of the country, on the banks of the Mekong River. Here the students will kayak in the creeks and mangroves, exploring the riverbanks and looking for the dolphins.

There is also time for relaxation here as well as exploring this country town and its history and best eating spots.

Days 9 - 12
From Kratie, the group will take a bus to Siem Reap in the north of the country, home to the huge complex of temples known as Angkor Wat, some parts of which are up to 1,000 years old. Walking through the temples that the rainforest constantly threatens to swallow is a magical experience which is only enhanced by watching the sun rise over their unmistakable silhouettes.
The group will stay in a hotel in Siem Reap and enjoy the shopping and restaurants of this popular town. They can have a swim at the hotel and reflect on their progress so far in between walking through the markets and temples.
The group will also spend a day at Tonle Sap, the largest lake in South East Asia and home to the famous floating villages and families who make their living fishing on the lake.

Days 13 to 14
A stop at beautiful Battambang, home to some of the most glorious of French colonial architecture. Explore the town and its history and wait for one of nature’s best shows, millions of bats emerging from their caves at sunset.

Days 15 – 18
Adventure time as the group embarks on a three-night trek into the Kirirom National Park. This is led by professional hiking guides and ex-military staff. They will teach the students about the jungle and survival skills. The trekking can be shortened or lengthened to suit the group and can be counted towards elements of the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
The jungle is full of beautiful spots such as waterfalls and lakes and even though it is challenging, it is a lot of fun and students are involved in all aspects of setting up camp, a proper adventure.

Day 19
After emerging from the jungle, the group will head to Kampot, a sleepy riverside town where the climate is a little cooler. Here the students can reflect on their time in the bush and visit local craft and agricultural initiatives.

Days 20 & 21
Back to Phnom Penh for the last couple of days, to debrief and reflect on everything that has happened. This is also a last chance to raid the markets for last-minute souvenirs and to enjoy the snacks and meals such as deep-fried locusts that the students have grown to love over their stay.

In addition to those listed above, Projects Abroad will organise many evening and out-of-placement activities such as cooking lessons, movie and quiz nights, meditation lessons and watching sporting events.

All group sizes of 5 or more. Free staff place with each 9 students.

Disabled facilities can be offered on request.

Projects Abroad provide an individualised service and schedule planning which is backed up by excellent pre-departure preparation and by a dedicated and highly experienced local team in each destination.

We aim to provide a challenging and rewarding experience for every student which promotes self-belief, resilience, leadership, teamwork, reflection, and a new perspective on the world.

Please contact us so we can support you with your trip planning.