Cambodia is a developing country that faces many social issues and marginalised groups, particularly children, often don’t receive the care and support they need. Institutions in the Battambang region, where we work, are poorly funded and ill equipped to deal with the many social problems that people face. We work with selected local NGO’s on behalf of the most needy and neglected.
Trek and travel in an exhilarating optional final week in Cambodia where you will gain a unique understanding of Cambodia’s tragic past, stay with hill tribes and come face to face with Irawaddy dolphins and elephants. Volunteering in Cambodia will definitely have an impact on your life…forever!
You will fly into Siem Reap airport where you will be met by a member of our in-country team. You will then transfer to Battambang, your home for the next 3 weeks. Over the next day you will have an induction and orientation to the local area, as well as a welcome meal with our local staff. There will also be time to prepare for the start of your volunteering the next day.
Your group will work with one of our partner NGOs and give invaluable help to a grassroots organisation in real need. You will take part in an unforgettable hands-on experience of a lifetime. Previous Challenges Abroad volunteers have built a computer lab, redecorated libraries and run sports tournaments. The impact Challenges Abroad volunteers have is very important to the FutureSense Foundation: a team of 20 volunteers could be volunteering for a total of 1,500hrs! So a big thank you in advance!
Whilst volunteering your evenings and weekends are free to relax and travel independently, visit the Killing Fields, Angkor Wat, the Royal Palace, and the incredible Mekong River! Today you can either transfer to Siem Reap for one last night before your flight the next day. Or you can carry on with your journey…
Extend your trip and take part 7 day overland tour of Cambodia for just $800
Your journey starts in Phnom Penh where you will explore Toul Sleng, the Killing Fields and the Royal Palace. Next you travel to Kratie to experience the incredible Mekong River boat trip and get a chance to see Irawaddy dolphins. Finally you are off to Sen Monorom where you will be trekking across stunning Cambodian scenery with hill tribe homestays, discovering elephants, waterfalls and much more along the way. Your trip finishes in Siem Reap where you can fly home or continue your travels.
Contact Name | Departure/Arrival Date | Availability | All Students | 5th January – 26th January 2019 (Ext. 1st February) | Book Now |
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All Students | 15th June – 29th June 2019 (Ext. 5th July) | Book Now |
All Students | 29th June – 13th July 2019 (Ext. 19th July) | Book Now |
All Students | 13th July – 27th July 2019 (Ext. 2nd August) | Book Now |
All Students | 30th November – 14th December 2019 (Ext. 20th December) | Book Now |
All Students | 18th January – 1st February 2020 (Ext. 7th February) | Book Now |
All Students | 1st February – 15th February 2020 (Ext. 21st February) | Book Now |
Please note that dates are subject to minor changes and these will be broadcast well in advance to your departure.
An early morning start will begin your journey towards the capital Phnom Penh where therewill be a stop off in the village of Kampong Chhnang. Here you will be able to witness howthe locals make traditional Khmer pottery and jars. After arriving in the capital and havinglunch, there will then be a cyclo tour of the city. As one of the most popular andcomfortable ways to explore the city, we will pass noted sights such as Wat Phnom, theIndependence Monument and the Royal Palace. You will also have some free time toexplore the city at your own leisure. (Lunch)
Today will take you to two of the most infamous sights in the area; TuolSleng museum (S-21) and Choeung Ek (Killing Fields). Learn about theturbulent history of Cambodia as you are guided around these sombresites. (Breakfast, Lunch Dinner)
The day begins with a jungle trek through spectacular views and mountainous areas. As younear the centre of the jungle, you will reach a waterfall and cave which you are can thenexplore. After a short walk further, you will come across another waterfall called Leng Oung.Here you can take a swim whilst a traditional bamboo soup and BBQ is prepared for you.
Today you will travel to Pu Long village which is home to alocal Bunong community. You will have the opportunity tolearn about their traditional ways of life before beingguided towards the elephants in the jungle. Trekking onthe elephants is not allowed in order to provide acomfortable environment for them, however, you will beable to walk alongside them.Eventually, you will reach a river where the elephants can have a dip to cool down. You canhelp to wash the elephants and have a refreshing swim yourself before lunch.After continuing your trek, you will return to the village to play games with the childrenbefore a traditional evening meal, once the village elders have returned. (Breakfast and Lunch)
After an early morning breakfast and a journey to Kratie, you will be taking the ferry to KohTrong where you will have the morning to immerse yourself into traditional Cambodian life.Discover the island by bicycle or via the hotels tuk-tuk (the only one on the island). KohTrong allows visitors to enjoy an unspoiled part of old Cambodia and is home to one of theworld’s largest freshwater turtles.On the south-west corner of the island lays a Vietnamese floating village which movesaccording to the seasons. The Vietnamese have their own pagoda on terra firma just abovethe village at the south point of the island, and, true to tradition, they make the best coffeein the province. After you have finished exploring the island, you will be directed to a resortwhere you can enjoy relaxing in the pool before you cross back to the mainland of Kratie. (Breakfast and Lunch
On day six you will be taken on a cruise to the dolphin pool of Kampi; the largest dolphinpool on the Mekong River and the best place to spot the critically endangered Irrawaddydolphin.After returning to the mainland, it is time to explore Sambok Mountain. As you climb the stairs to the top,you can enjoy and admire the beautiful panoramicviews of the countryside and surrounding ricepaddies. You will also be able to explore the quaintpagoda and temple which contains carefully painteddepictions of Buddhist beliefs.After your exploring is over, you will be transferred to Siem Reap ready to catch your flighthome the next day. (Breakfast and Lunch)
Today you will be transferred back to the airport in plenty of time for your flight home