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Cambodia

Cambodia: Floating Village Service — Custom School Trips

Groups of 8+ | Custom Dates | 24 Service Hours | Fully Supported | 4.9 on GoOverseas

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Experience Khmer culture and daily life during this program’s homestays and village service. Contribute to ongoing infrastructure projects and share cultural exchanges with community members. Explore Siem Reap and the renowned Angkor Wat. Along the way, learn about the complex culture of this beautiful, ancient part of Southeast Asia.

Custom School Trip

Contact us for a custom quote

Custom dates & duration. Groups of 8+.

Response within 1 business day

Anna Beckerman

Anna Beckerman

Head of School Group Travel

Dartmouth · 15 years at Rustic

321+ school partners since 2010

What Does a 8-Day Program Include?

A typical program. Daily activities are subject to change based on group logistics and weather.

1

Depart for Southeast Asia

Arrive at the airport where you’ll meet your group. Check in, go through security and get to know your fellow travelers as you prepare for your journey.
2

In Transit

You’ll seemingly lose time as you travel through time zones, but don’t worry you’ll get the hours back when you return home.
3

Welcome to Cambodia!

Arrive at Phnom Penh Airport (PNH) and meet your program leaders who will be with you for the duration of the program. Head to the hotel and settle in, relaxing after your long flight, and join the group for an orientation discussion and an introduction to the local culture. Have a Khmer dinner and head back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep.
4

Learn Cambodia’s Difficult History

Arun-sure-sdey! Begin with visits to cultural and historical locations in Phnom Penh. Head to Tuol Sleng, a former school that was used as a prison and has since been converted into a museum to educate visitors about the country’s genocide. Visit the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek. In the afternoon, tour the Royal Palace where the King currently resides and Wat Phnom, which is the birthplace of the capital city of Phnom Penh. Enjoy a sunset cruise on the Mekong river and visit Silk Island. Overnight: Hotel, Phnom Penh
5

Depart for Kampong Cham

Head to Kampong Cham to start your service projects. Stop along the way for a famous local snack – fried tarantulas – and arrive in the community located about 25 minutes outside of town. This afternoon, learn about your service project and past projects that were previously completed. Rustic Pathways has a long-standing partnership with this community. After your orientation, get acquainted with this peaceful community by taking time to explore. Overnight: Village Homestay, Kampong Cham Province
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Contribute to Infrastructure Projects

Beginning early each day, your group will eat a quick breakfast before heading to the service site. You will break for lunch each day, heading to your host family’s home where you’ll have an hour or so to relax and prepare for the afternoon service project. Each evening, spend time engaging in a variety of team building activities – be ready for games and friendly competition, group debriefs, and purposeful time spent building and deepening friendships with your classmates. Overnight: Village Homestay, Kampong Cham Province
8

Siem Reap and City Life

Bid farewell to your new friends in Kampong Cham and begin your journey to Siem Reap, the home of world famous Angkor Wat! Arriving into Siem Reap, you will have time to settle in before hitting the town. Siem Reap is an easy city to fall in love with, especially while strolling through the famous Night Market for some evening shopping and local souvenirs. After dinner, head to Phare,the Cambodian Circus. This inspiring acrobat show is performed by students from Phare Ponleu Selpak, an organization that works with youth on art-based education. Overnight: Hotel, Siem Reap
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Ancient Cambodia and Angkor Wat

Wake up early for a morning exploring Angkor Wat and the ancient Khmer Empire. See the intricate carvings of Angkor's historical battle scenes. Climb to the top of the highest tower to see the temples from a new perspective. Then travel to Bayon to see the huge, carved faces in rock, and make your way to the shady temple of Ta Prohm, where massive trees have given this ruin a fairytale-like feel. After a day of ancient adventures, enjoy a final Khmer dinner and spend time browsing the night markets. At the end of the program, the students join in a closing discussion and the traditional Rustic Ties ceremony. This unique and powerful activity allows students to capture their memories and contemplate ways to share what they’ve learned with their communities back home.
10

Lee hi, Cambodia!

After some final group photos with Team Cambodia, your program leaders will take you to the airport for your departure as you say goodbyes and reflect on your adventure.

How Does Rustic Pathways Handle Safety?

24/7 Support

In-person staff + US emergency line

Trained Program Leaders

Background-checked, first-aid certified, deep local knowledge

Licensed & Insured Transport

Risk management plans for every program

Customizable Itinerary

Custom dates and duration

Cambodia

What Do School Organizers Ask?

How do flights work?

School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways coordinates airport pickup and handles all in-country logistics.

What's included in the price?

Included: Lodging, all meals, in-country transport, all activities, 24/7 staff.
Not included: International airfare, travel insurance, personal spending ($150–200).

Is travel insurance required?

Travel insurance is not included in the program fee. Rustic Pathways recommends that families purchase travel insurance. Get a quote from our recommended provider →

Who supervises the students?

Rustic Pathways Program Leaders complete a four-month vetting process, and programs maintain a 7:1 student-to-staff ratio. All Program Leaders are first-aid certified, and most have led multiple Rustic Pathways programs. Leaders range from 25 to 35 years old.

Are rooms gender-separated?

Yes. Students room with same-gender peers. Staff stay in adjacent rooms.

What about medical emergencies?

All Program Leaders are first-aid certified. Nearest hospitals are mapped out in all locations. Our health & safety team reviews all medical forms before departure and works with families to plan medications, allergies, and dietary needs.

Can students contact home?

Yes. Rustic Pathways’ policy is that students can call, text, or WhatsApp anytime. Rustic Pathways is happy to defer to established school policies instead.

How do families stay informed?

Rustic Pathways sends daily photo updates throughout the program.

How big is the group?

Group size varies based on the school’s needs. Contact Rustic Pathways for a custom quote.

Can friends room together?

Yes. Rustic Pathways provides a room list prior to travel. Schools can assign rooming allocations or allow students to choose their roommates.

Will students have unsupervised time?

Structured independence with staff nearby. No unsupervised time in public areas.

Can Rustic Pathways accommodate food allergies? 

Yes. Dietary needs are collected during enrollment and shared with all meal providers.

How much spending money should students have?

$150–200 recommended. Tipping is included, no extra cash needed.

What if a student gets homesick?

Homesickness can be common during the first few days; Rustic Pathways is well-prepared. See how staff support students through homesickness

Does Rustic Pathways support neurodiverse students?

Rustic Pathways welcomes all students. Read how Rustic Pathways supports neurodiverse students.

What Should Teachers Know?

Which students thrive on this program?
Students who are curious, adaptable, and open to new experiences. No prior travel experience is required.
What will students do each day?
Each day includes a mix of structured activities, cultural experiences, and group time. See the itinerary above for a day-by-day overview.
Cambodia offers a unique combination of cultural richness, safety, and meaningful engagement opportunities for student groups. Rustic Pathways has operated programs here for years and maintains strong local partnerships.
How Do Flights Work?
School groups can arrange their own flights, or Rustic Pathways can arrange them as an optional add-on. In either case, teachers fly with students, and Rustic Pathways program leaders meet the group at the arrival airport and manage all in-country logistics from there.
What Meals Are Included?
All meals included. Dietary needs accommodated.
Included:
  • All lodging
  • All meals
  • In-country transport
  • All activities and excursions
  • 24/7 staff support
Not Included:
  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance
  • Personal spending money

What Other Program Types Are Available?