DETAILED ITINERY

Description: Welcome to Cambodia with an engaging introduction to the country, its culture and the educational journey ahead.

Arrive at Siem Reap Angkor International Airport, where your educational tour coordinator will welcome the group and assist with the transfer to your hotel.

After check-in and time to settle in, gather for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. This first evening provides an opportunity for students, teachers and the local team to get to know one another.

Your guide will introduce Cambodia’s geography, history, customs and contemporary society while explaining the educational objectives of the program. Students will also receive guidance on cultural etiquette, responsible travel, health and safety, and expectations for the days ahead.

Educational Focus: Cambodia Today, cultural etiquette, responsible travel, program orientation, health and safety.

Meals: Dinner
Overnight in Siem Reap.

Description: Explore the extraordinary temples of Angkor while examining the achievements, beliefs and engineering knowledge of the ancient Khmer civilisation.

Spend the day exploring the Angkor Archaeological Park, using its remarkable monuments as an open-air classroom for history, architecture, religion and environmental studies.

Begin at the impressive South Gate of Angkor Thom before entering the ancient royal city. Explore the Bayon Temple, famous for its monumental stone faces, and continue to the Terrace of the Elephants.

The highlight is Angkor Wat, where students examine the architectural achievements of the Khmer Empire and learn about ancient construction techniques, Hindu and Buddhist symbolism, urban planning and sophisticated water-management systems.

Discussions throughout the day also introduce the challenges involved in protecting a major UNESCO World Heritage site for future generations.

After enjoying the late-afternoon atmosphere around Angkor, return to town for dinner.

In the evening, attend the internationally acclaimed Phare Cambodian Circus, where young Cambodian artists combine theatre, music, dance and acrobatics. Beyond the performance, students discover how arts, education and social enterprise can create opportunities for young people.

Learning Focus: Khmer civilisation, ancient engineering, water management, religion, World Heritage conservation, cultural identity and social entrepreneurship.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight in Siem Reap.

Description: Discover how Cambodian traditions, innovative humanitarian solutions and vocational skills contribute to communities and national recovery.

Begin with a hands-on Khmer cooking class, where students prepare traditional Cambodian dishes under local guidance. Through the experience, they learn about ingredients, nutrition, food preparation and the cultural importance of Cambodian cuisine.

After lunch, visit the APOPO HeroRAT Visitor Centre to discover an extraordinary example of humanitarian innovation. Students learn how specially trained African giant pouched rats are used in landmine detection and other humanitarian programs.

Continue to the Cambodia Landmine Museum, providing further context about the impact of landmines, Cambodia’s post-conflict recovery and ongoing humanitarian efforts.

Later, visit Artisans Angkor to observe Cambodian craftspeople and learn how vocational training and traditional craftsmanship can contribute to cultural preservation and employment.

In the evening, travel by tuk-tuk to the Night Market, providing another opportunity to experience contemporary Siem Reap.

Learning Focus: Food culture, humanitarian innovation, post-conflict recovery, traditional craftsmanship and vocational education.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight in Siem Reap.

Description: Experience ethical wildlife tourism while learning about elephant behaviour, biodiversity and the importance of protecting forest ecosystems.

Travel from Siem Reap to Kulen Elephant Forest, where rescued elephants live within a protected natural environment.

Accompanied by knowledgeable staff, walk through the forest and observe the elephants while learning about their behaviour, diet, social interactions and habitat.

Rather than focusing on direct animal interaction, the experience encourages students to consider animal welfare and the differences between ethical conservation-based tourism and traditional wildlife entertainment.

The surrounding forest also becomes an outdoor classroom for discussions about biodiversity, forest ecology, habitat protection and the relationship between wildlife conservation and responsible tourism.

Enjoy a picnic lunch in the forest before returning to Siem Reap.

In the evening, enjoy a Cambodian buffet dinner accompanied by a traditional Apsara dance performance, providing another perspective on Cambodia’s cultural heritage.

Learning Focus: Wildlife conservation, animal welfare, ethical tourism, rainforest ecosystems and biodiversity.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight in Siem Reap.

Description: Explore one of Cambodia’s most important freshwater environments and examine how communities adapt their lives to the changing lake.

Travel to Kampong Khleang Floating Village for an educational exploration of the Tonle Sap region.

Cruise through the community and, depending on seasonal water levels, through the flooded forest. Students observe how homes, transportation, fishing and everyday life are adapted to the lake’s dramatic seasonal changes.

Through guided interpretation, learn about the Tonle Sap ecosystem, freshwater biodiversity, sustainable fishing, climate adaptation and the relationship between natural resources and local livelihoods.

After lunch, continue by private coach toward Phnom Penh.

The overland journey provides an opportunity to observe another side of Cambodia, passing rice fields, farming communities and rural villages along the way.

After arriving in Phnom Penh, participate in an evening reflection session to discuss observations and lessons from the first part of the program.

Learning Focus: Environmental science, freshwater ecosystems, climate resilience and rural livelihoods.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Description: Work alongside Cambodian students and teachers in a collaborative day focused on education, cultural exchange and community learning.

Travel to Koh Dach, or Silk Island, crossing the Mekong River by local ferry.

Spend the day at a local primary school, where visiting students work alongside Cambodian teachers and students in carefully coordinated educational activities.

Depending on the needs of the school and age groups involved, activities may include English conversation, reading, arts and crafts, simple STEM demonstrations, sports and educational games.

The emphasis is on two-way cultural exchange rather than simply providing assistance. Students are encouraged to share their skills while listening, observing and learning from their Cambodian counterparts.

Later, visit a traditional silk-weaving workshop to discover how local families produce and weave silk using skills passed down through generations.

Students can consider how traditional livelihoods, education and community development interact in rural Cambodia.

Learning Focus: Service learning, education, community development, cultural exchange and traditional livelihoods.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Description: Put leadership and teamwork into practice through collaborative activities before reflecting on the educational journey together.

Return to the primary school for a second day of collaborative learning.

Students rotate through different activity groups, allowing them to take greater responsibility for planning, communication and teamwork. They will have opportunities to practise leadership while adapting activities to work effectively with local students.

The school experience concludes with a friendly farewell gathering featuring music, games and cultural exchange, providing a memorable conclusion to the community component of the program.

Return to Phnom Penh in the afternoon.

In the evening, board a boat for a farewell dinner cruise along the Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers.

Against the backdrop of Phnom Penh at sunset, students reflect on the week’s experiences, discussing what they have learned about Cambodia as well as their own development in leadership, communication and global awareness.

Learning Focus: Leadership, teamwork, global citizenship, reflection and intercultural communication.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Description: Conclude the field study by examining Cambodia’s difficult modern history, cultural resilience and continuing journey toward recovery.

Begin with a visit to the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, where students gain insight into one of the most difficult periods of Cambodia’s modern history.

The visit provides an opportunity for age-appropriate discussion about conflict, human rights, remembrance, peace and the importance of learning from history.

Continue to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, offering a contrasting perspective on Cambodia’s enduring monarchy, Buddhist traditions, architecture and cultural heritage.

After lunch at a local restaurant, and if time permits, visit the Russian Market to browse locally made handicrafts and souvenirs.

Transfer to Phnom Penh International Airport for your departure flight.

Students leave Cambodia having experienced the country not only through its historic sites, but also through its people, communities, ecosystems, conservation projects and living traditions.

Learning Focus: Modern history, human rights, peace and reconciliation, national recovery and cultural resilience.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

End of Educational Field Study