Addventure VSA Cambodia

13-days travel in Cambodia focused on cultural insight and experiences, NGO visits and volunteering

Visit a country of extraordinary sights from the breathtaking temples of Angkor Wat to the incredible floating village on Tonle Sap Lake. Experience the warmth of the Cambodian people and find out more about their culture.

Addventure VSA is all about small group, responsible travel; finding out about grass-roots issues, and pitching in on a community project. It is designed to be a ‘hands-on’ experience that will reward you and contribute to a local community.

Come with us to Cambodia and have a trip of a lifetime!

Addventure VSA Cambodia Tour Highlights

• Small group sizes
• Interactive, responsible travel
• Good mix of cultural activities and sightseeing
• Spend time working on a project that has been initiated by the community you visit
• VSA partners with ethical travel company, Pacific Discovery - a personable, knowledgeable and responsible New Zealand travel company
• Fundraise to get there if you like - and know that you'll be supporting other volunteers
• Visit VSA and other local organizations working in development
• Encounter experiences you'd never get as a tourist

“What an amazing experience! You'll definitely love every moment.” Jasmine Wong, Addventurer 2009

Addventure VSA Cambodia Tour Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1 Arrive Siem Reap, orientation, sunset at Angkor Wat
Day 2 Boat trip to Prek Toal, floating village homestay
Day 3 Return to Siem Reap, Angkor Temples
Day 4 Temples and Siem Reap sightseeing
Day 5 Drive to Phnom Penh, sightseeing
Day 6 Explore Phnom Penhn
Day 7 Travel to homestay, introduction to project
Day 8-11 Volunteer project and NGO visits
Day 12 Volunteer project, return to Phnom Penh
Day 13 Farewell Cambodia, depart Phnom Penh

Addventure VSA Cambodia Itinerary

13-days travel in Cambodia focused on cultural insight and experiences, NGO visits and volunteering

BLD = Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

Day 1. Siem Reap

Depending on your choice of airline and routing, you will usually depart New Zealand the day before, on an overnight flight via a transit in Singapore to Siem Reap. On arrival in Siem Reap you will be met and welcomed by your tpur leader who is already in Siem Reap. Transfer to our hotel and enjoy a wonderful Khmer dinner at a local restaurant
D

Day 2-3. Prek Toal Biosphere Reserve

After sunrise and a morning at the Angkor Temples, we boat out onto Tonle Sap lake to homestay in a floating village. This provides a unique insight into the lives of people living on the lake. At sunrise the next day we boat into Prek Toal Biosphere Reserve to observe some of Southeast Asia’s rarest birdlife. The nesting area in a flooded forest is spectacular in itself. We return to Siem Reap for a late lunch followed by sunset at the temples.
BLD, B

Day 4. Temples of Angkor

From laid back Siem Reap we explore the impressive remnants of the Angkor Empire, renowned for their superb temples and monuments. They are a UNESCO World Heritage site, the largest temple ruins on earth, and truly awe-inspiring. See the restoration of some temples, and the disintegration of others, as the jungle reclaims them. The temples are best explored at dawn and dusk. In between, we’ll visit the Angkor Children’s Hospital (with the option of donating blood), and if time, Artisans D’Angkor (silk weaving NGO).
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Day 5. Siem Reap to Phnom Penh

Early morning departure for Phnom Penh for 5-6 hours of travel by bus following an ancient Khmer highway. We’ll have a late lunch in Phnom Penh and then visit Tuol Sleng Museum to gain insight into Cambodia’s tragic history under the Khmer Rouge. We finish the day with a short tuk-tuk trip through Phnom Penh to dine at Mith Samlanh’s Friends Café, run as a vocational training centre for street children.
BD

Day 6. Phnom Penh

We start with an early morning visit to the Killing Fields. On the outskirts of Phnom Penh, the Killing Fields were used as a mass grave during the Khmer Rouge era. Many of the graves have been left untouched, a memorial has been erected and today, they are surprisingly peaceful. We return to the city and lunch at Lotus Blanc, an inspiring NGO that provides vocational training and support for young people from the Stung Meanchey dump community. We then take a short visit to a nearby orphanage, to gain some insight into life in these marginalised communities. Lightening up this afternoon, we visit the Russian Market and you have the option to enjoy a Seeing Hands Massage.
BL

Day 7. Phnom Penh to Takeo

Free time this morning gives us the chance to wander along the riverfront or explore nearby sights and markets – there are wonderful textiles and crafts on offer. After lunch we embark on the heart and soul of our Addventure as we head for the rural province of Takeo. Here we will get a taste of culture and an understanding of Cambodian rural life by home-staying with a Khmer family for the week. We visit the project site for an orientation and meet the people we will be working with. We then return to our homestay for an authentic Khmer dinner.
BD

Day 8-12. Takeo homestay and project

We will spend the next 5 days working each morning on a project within the community. In the afternoons, we have the option of going back to the project, visiting NGO's working in the district or spending time in the community interacting with local people. NGO visits may include Handicap International, which provides prosthetic limbs for landmine victims, and the Takeo Eye Hospital. One afternoon we have the option to travel to the seaside villages of Kep and Kampot, and enjoy a traditional music performance at the Kampot Traditional Music School, and an independent dinner in this sleepy town. On our last morning we wrap up the project, farewell new friends and return to Phnom Penh for lunch with VSA volunteers. There will be time for some last minute shopping at the Russian Market, or the chance to visit more of the city’s sights. Our final dinner in Cambodia will be the culmination of an incredible journey and a chance to share treasured moments from our trip.
BLD, BLD, BL, BLD, BLD

Day 13. Farewell Cambodia

Farewell your trip leader and Cambodia as you board your flight for the homeward journey. If flying on the suggested flight with Singapore Airlines via Singapore, you will take a mid morning flight to Singapore, and connect with an early evening flight to Auckland. During the 7-8 hour transit in Singapore, it will be possible to take a short independent trip on the city’s excellent free bus to visit sites around Singapore. Alternatively, you could trawl the expansive airport (it is among the world’s best with myriad recreational opportunities), or settle in at a café with a good book or your diary – you will have plenty to reflect upon.

Addventure VSA Cambodia Tour Notes

13-days travel in Cambodia focused on cultural insight and experiences, NGO visits and volunteering

Suitability

This tour is suitable for anyone who is moderately active - we’ve had 10-80 year olds join us on our itineraries. Southeast Asian towns and cities are often best explored on foot and bicycle however, motos, cyclos, and taxis are available for the less active.

Accommodation

Our accommodation is diverse, comfortable and carefully chosen to enhance our experience. On this itinerary we enjoy: 6 nights in locally owned character hotels and guesthouses with private bathroom/ensuite and air conditioning; 6 nights in simple homestays with shared facilities.

Meals

Food is a highlight when traveling in Asia and throughout there will be the opportunity to eat authentic Khmer or Western style food. Special dietary requirements are catered for. Asian style eating is often a communal affair, and allows for a far greater variety of dishes to be sampled - it’s also more fun. Many meals are included as indicated in the itinerary but we do have some independent meals enabling a choice of where, when and what you eat.

Transport

The itinerary has been designed to maximise comfort and safety whilst also giving you the opportunity to experience local transport and take part in daily life. We utilise private vans, taxis, boats, and tuk-tuks.

Tour Cost

Tour cost is NZ$3500, US$2450

Tour inclusions

› All tour related travel and transport from tour start to finish
› All accommodation*
› Many meals as indicated in the itinerary
› All excursions, activities and entry fees as described in the itinerary
› Approx. NZ$1000 as a financial contribution to VSA that supports VSA volunteers
› Escorted by a Pacific Discovery tour leader and the services of English-speaking local guides
› Online image library for your tour
›› Refer information booklet for international flight options and exclusions
*Twin or double share basis.