Meaningful Tour: Discover the Forgotten Delights of Cambodia

  Cambodia

Phnom Penh

Dates: 2 week placements throughout the year

Description: Neglected though it might be by mainstream tourists, Cambodia is undoubtedly a great destination and this tour will give you the perfect opportunity to explore it. You'll be journeying to the eclectic city of Phnom Penh, where beautiful colonial architecture intermingles with traditional Khmer designs. This intriguing city is filled with history and will give travelers the perfect opportunity to investigate the country's troubled past. As you help your students to build themselves a better future you'll find yourself completely immersed in the remarkable Cambodian culture, a truly unforgettable experience. From here you will travel to Siem Reap, where traditional values have become entwined in modern life. This delightful city is the gateway to the Angkor Archaeological Park, where ancient temples allow visitors to envision the Khmer kingdom that once thrived in these rich lands. For hundreds of years these temples were hidden by the country's overgrown jungles and even now the site is surrounded by lush forests and exotic plant life. Such incredible experiences are only enhanced by your work with the local community and this trip will offer you a rare glimpse into the lives and customs of these remarkable and resilient people.

Day 1: Phnom Penh
On arrival at Phnom Penh airport you will be taken to your accommodation and receive an orientation before taking a city tour by tuktuk. You may also visit the project where you will volunteer later in the tour.

Day 2: Phnom Penh
After breakfast you will visit the most beautiful and interesting spots that the capital city of Cambodia has to offer. You will visit the Royal Palace and the most important temple in Phnom Penh, Wat Phnom, but Phnom Penh has more to offer, especially when it comes to the terrible history Khmer Rouge period. You will visit the Toul Sleng Museum and The Killing Fields to give you a clear understanding of the terrible cruelties committed during that era.

Day 3-8: Phnom Penh
On day 3 your volunteer coordinator will give you information about the projects you will be assisting and the work you will be doing.

You will be volunteering at an orphanage and other organizations in Phnom Penh, helping to improve the conditions and opportunities of Cambodian street children and orphans. You can use your skills to help the orphanage in providing a safe shelter, education and vocational training. During your volunteer work you can contact your coordinator at any time. You'll be provided with a bicycle for your travel to and from your project.

Day 9: Phnom Penh Siem Reap
Today you will take the early morning bus from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap. In the afternoon you will receive an orientation before taking a city tour by tuktuk.

Day 10: Siem Reap
Today you will explore the beautiful ancient temples of Angkor. You will visit Angkor Thom, The South Gate, Bayon, The Elephant Terrace, The Terrace of Leper King, Ta Prom and of course the most famous and important building: Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is not only famous for its breath-taking architecture but also for its unique decorations and reliefs. At the end of the day you will climb Phnom Bakeng Mountain from which you will have a view over several temples and hopefully enjoy a beautiful sunset.

Day 11: Siem Reap
As Angkor is the largest temple complex in the world, it is not hard to imagine that 1 day visiting the temples is just not enough, so today you will explore some beautiful jungle temples. Your guide will provide you with more information on the ancient history of the Khmer empire. Just close your eyes and imagine yourself living during this glorious period. It isn't that hard to imagine how things might have been. You will visit Bantey Srey temple, Kbal Spean.

Day 12: Siem Reap
Today you will visit projects such as the Sangkheum Center for Children where you can help the children with English or handicraft classes. You will also visit Artisan Angkor where you will see Khmer handicrafts.

Day 13: Siem Reap
In the morning of your final day in Siem Reap you will visit the Lolei temple and the Rolous group. In the afternoon you will take a trip to the floating village.

Day 14: Departure - Transfer to Siem Reap airport

Please note that this itinerary may be subject to change and is a guideline as to the timings you can expect on this project.

Highlights: Your role as a volunteer:
Your role as a volunteer will be varied. Amongst other things you could find yourself teaching English, teaching computer skills, helping to clean the project and doing daily activities with the children. Apart from this your role is to get as involved as possible, helping the children by caring for them, educating them and entertaining them.

Notable events in the Cambodian calendar are Chaul Chnam (Khmer New Year) in mid-April  a jovial time when Khmers throw water and talcum powder at each other and tourists; Visakha Puja (Buddhas birth), when monks form a candlelit procession at Angkor Wat; and Bon Om Tuk, celebrating the reversal of the Tonle Sap rivers current, which sees boat races on the river in Phnom Penh and the moat around Angkor Wat

Cost in US$: 1433 for 2 weeks

This Program is open to World Wide Participants.

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: Founded in 1994, i-to-i is an award-winning organization providing unique opportunities for you to travel, work and live abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 18 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations and over 15,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 300 projects on 4 continents, you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching, community development, sports coaching, conservation, building or internships in tourism, marketing, journalism, or health.

Year Founded: 1994