Cambodia: Heritage, Community & Service

Welcome to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s lively riverside capital. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be welcomed by your driver and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Take time to settle into your new surroundings before gathering for a welcome dinner. This first evening provides an opportunity to meet the programme team, discuss the adventure ahead and enjoy your first taste of Cambodian hospitality.

After breakfast, begin a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of Cambodia’s recent history. Travel approximately 15 kilometres outside Phnom Penh to the Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre, commonly known as the Killing Fields. With sensitive guidance from your tour leader, you will learn about the Khmer Rouge period and pay your respects at the memorial stupa dedicated to those who lost their lives.

Return to Phnom Penh to visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, formerly the S-21 detention and interrogation centre. Although emotionally challenging, these visits provide essential insight into Cambodia’s history, the consequences of conflict and the extraordinary resilience of its people.

Following lunch, discover Cambodia’s artistic and royal heritage at the National Museum, the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda. Admire remarkable Khmer sculptures, elegant ceremonial buildings and the impressive Throne Hall. End the afternoon with a traditional cyclo ride along the lively Mekong riverfront towards Wat Phnom, experiencing the sights, sounds and atmosphere of Cambodia’s capital.

From Phnom Penh to Rural Cambodia

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for the short flight to Siem Reap, the gateway to the legendary temples of Angkor. On arrival, meet your local guide and travel into the countryside to Camp Tbeng, located in the peaceful village of Tbeng.

Following an introduction to the camp and its community programme, settle into the traditional shared longhouse accommodation and become familiar with your rural surroundings. In the evening, enjoy a barbecue welcome dinner before listening to the personal story of a Cambodian landmine survivor. This moving encounter will help students understand the lasting human impact of conflict and the courage required to rebuild a life and community.

Learning and Service together

Following breakfast at the camp, travel to a local school to begin your supervised service-learning programme. Working in small teams alongside community members, students may help deliver educational and recreational activities, improve learning spaces or contribute to practical projects identified as priorities by the school.

The emphasis will be on collaboration rather than simply providing assistance. Students will learn from local children and teachers, consider the realities of rural education and reflect on how responsible community partnerships can create lasting benefits.

After lunch, return to camp for an introductory Khmer language session. Learn useful words and phrases before putting them into practice during the afternoon’s activities. Return to camp for dinner and a group reflection on the day’s experiences.

Building for the community

Today’s service project focuses on improving living conditions for a local family. After breakfast, join skilled Cambodian builders and community members to help construct or restore a home using durable materials and appropriate local building methods.

Students will take part in suitable supervised tasks while learning about housing, family life and the challenges experienced by some rural communities. The project encourages cooperation, perseverance and practical problem-solving, while demonstrating the importance of projects being guided by local needs and expertise.

Lunch will be served at the project site or back at camp. Once the work is completed, participate in a traditional house-blessing ceremony celebrating the new home and the collective effort behind it.

Begin the day with a fascinating introduction to traditional Cambodian rice-noodle making. Working with a local family, follow the process from preparing the rice mixture to pressing and forming the noodles. You will then help create a traditional Khmer soup to accompany them.

Share the freshly prepared meal with local students and teachers, providing a relaxed opportunity to exchange stories and learn more about one another’s lives. Afterwards, say farewell to the Camp Tbeng community and travel back to Siem Reap.

In the evening, enjoy dinner accompanied by an elegant Apsara dance performance. Inspired by the celestial dancers depicted on the walls of Angkor, this classical art form combines graceful movement, detailed costumes and traditional Cambodian music.

After breakfast, set out to explore the extraordinary Angkor Archaeological Park, one of Southeast Asia’s greatest historical treasures. Begin at Angkor Thom, the final capital of the Khmer Empire, entering through its monumental gateways before seeing the many enigmatic stone faces of the Bayon Temple.

Continue to atmospheric Ta Prohm, where enormous tree roots twist around ancient walls and courtyards. Left partly in the condition in which it was rediscovered, the temple offers an unforgettable example of the relationship between human achievement and the natural environment.

After breakfast, set out to explore the magnificent Angkor Archaeological Park, one of the world’s most remarkable historical landscapes. Begin at Angkor Thom, the final capital of the Khmer Empire, entering through its monumental gateways before discovering the mysterious stone faces and intricate carvings of the Bayon Temple.

Continue to atmospheric Ta Prohm, where enormous tree roots twist around ancient walls and courtyards. Left partly in the condition in which it was rediscovered, the temple offers a dramatic example of the relationship between human achievement and the power of nature.

Following lunch at a nearby restaurant, visit the breathtaking Angkor Wat. Built during the 12th century, this vast temple complex is celebrated for its symmetry, detailed bas-reliefs and immense cultural importance. Complete an unforgettable day by watching the sunset from Phnom Bakheng or Pre Rup, subject to weather, local access and group suitability. Afterwards, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel.

A special farewell

Enjoy your final breakfast at the hotel, followed by some free time to relax, purchase souvenirs or reflect on the experiences of the past week. At approximately 11:00, meet your driver and transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for your return journey to Dubai.

You will leave Cambodia with far more than photographs: a deeper appreciation of Khmer civilisation, a sensitive understanding of the country’s recent history and lasting memories of the people and communities who welcomed you.