Cambodia: Floating Village Service

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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.