Overview

 Highlights


  • Participate in a School Service Community Program at Treak Village School
  • Join the Free the Bears "Keeper for a Day" program
  • Explore one of the great wonders of the world by bike, Angkor Wat
  • Visit the Killing Fields and Toul Sleng highlighting Cambodia's more recent troubled past
  • Witness local life in Kompong Kleang stilt village, located on Tonle Sap Lake
  • Explore the tree lined streets of Phnom Penh
  • Experience spectacular NGO Phare circus
  • Participate in a local cooking class at Champey
  • Dining at NGO charity restaurants
  • Farewell dinner and Aspara Dance show

This is a unique school program combining service and social enterprise work with fully supported activities, especially designed for the students at Geelong Lutheran College. Our adventure begins in the capital city of Phnom Penh. Once considered the most beautiful city in the Orient, Phnom Penh is currently going through rapid change. Here we experience some of the cultural and historical highlights, exploring the same way the locals do, by cyclo. We discover the local markets and main places of interest including the sobering but important Killing Fields. We also experience one of the best wildlife facilities in South East Asia as we join Free the Bears "keeper for a day" program. We drive North to Siem Reap stopping at Skuon village, famous for its local delicacies before we continue to the bustling town of Siem Reap, the gateway to the temples of Angkor Wat. We then embark on a very important part of our journey, a Regenerative School Service program at the Treak Village Community. Our group then will explore the surrounds by bike and foot. The best way to explore the temples is by handlebar level, cycling along the back roads along shady tree lined streets, away from the main crowds. We pay a visit to the Kompong Kleang village set on the Tonle Sap Lake to witness how life on the water in villages built on stilts - homes, schools and hospitals purpose built to float on the water during the wet season. This is a wonderful and exciting opportunity for the students at Geelong Lutheran College to make cultural connections and to provide lasting help to the local community.

Countries:

Start and Finishing Point:

Melbourne

Grading:Introductory to Moderate   

Addressing:


After months of planning and preparation the wait is finally over! Please make your way to Melbourne airport for your flight to Phnom Penh. On arrival you will be met by your guide and driver and transferred to your hotel. After check in we will have a full group pre-trip safety briefing and language lesson before heading out for our first taste of Cambodian cuisine at a local restaurant. Learning some basic Cambodian phrases is an essential part of the experience so you can practice with the locals you encounter on your journey. Making a little effort goes a long way with the Cambodian people! Overnight 3* hotel Phnom Penh

Meals:  D

Today is a sobering but important visit of Cambodia's more recent bloody past. Whilst this is a very confronting visit, it is important if we are to understand the country's recent history and how the people are looking positively towards the future. First stop is Tuol Sleng Museum. Originally, this building was a high school until it became the Khmer Rouge’s main interrogation centre. During this period it was known as ‘S-21’. We then stop for de-briefing and lunch at a local restaurant (lunch is at your own expense) before proceeding to the Killing Fields, a stretch of countryside where over 10,000 people were executed. The remains of some of the people are stored in a memorial to remind people of the atrocities the Khmer Rouge inflicted on other Khmers. We will then head back into town and visit the National Museum, housing the world's foremost collection of ancient Khmer artefacts. Late this evening we have time to reflect on the day and debrief. Tonight we have dinner at the Friends or Romdeng restaurant, training restaurants for disadvantaged youth. The restaurant provides education and job training to street children. The visit helps support the training of these kids by being their guest. Depending on availability we hope to have the manager of the restaurant and some of the workers speak with our group about their experience. Overnight 3* hotel Phnom Penh

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we rise early for breakfast at our hotel as we will head out at 7:30am for a very special day. We drive to Phnom Tamao to the Free the Bears wildlife sanctuary to join their "Keeper for a Day" program to help with the bears enrichment program. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to get behind the scenes at one of the best wildlife centres in South East Asia. The facility, set up by Perth lady Mary Hutton, now houses over 100 sun bears and over a 7 hectare area. We will help with the bear enrichment program. Late this afternoon we will return to Phnom Penh and enjoy a low key dinner and can then spend time at the night markets as we practice our Cambodian language as we barter for fashion, electronics and crafts.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we leave Phnom Penh for Siem Reap. A short distance outside of Phnom Penh we will stop in the town of Skuon to see their most famous speciality: deep-fried tarantula! A stop off on the Hamish and Andy gap year Asia program, this town is home to the favourite snack of many Cambodians. Many local buses stop here at the market to buy a bag of the “ch’ngain” (tasty) eight-legged creatures. The spiders are caught in the soft ground of the surrounding countryside. We continue to Siem Reap. On arrival we will have some time to relax at the hotel before heading out to dinner at a local restaurant. After dinner we head to the famous Phare Cambodian circus. Despite being known around town as the Cambodian circus, it is anything but a traditional big top. A non-profit school for the arts, Phare is a demonstration of the graduate students’ acrobatic abilities. Exceptionally talented players act out everything from Cambodian folklore to the very real history of the Khmer Rouge; a must see for anyone visiting Siem Reap. After the performance we will get the opportunity to meet the performers. Overnight 3* Siem Reap Hotel

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we will get up early for breakfast before heading to our project site at the Treak Community Centre School. You will be divided into sub groups to work on different components of the project. We will take the time to take a walk through the surrounding community whilst gaining a better understanding of the people and their way of life. You should wear clothing you don't mind getting dirty. The people from the local village and school will be very receptive to your visit and the improvements that you are making which will bring long term benefits to the entire village. The difference this work will make for the community can not be underestimated. In addition to the friendships formed, it will foster closer relationships between the two countries and schools. At the end of our second day, we say farewell to the centre and our new found friends. The project is set up alongside our regenerative Travel, Give, Grow concept, offering unique experiences to help foster respect for the natural world as well as the diverse peoples and cultures that live in it. This regenerative style of travel helps develop confidence, resilience, tolerance, problem solving abilities, team work, fitness and key life skills. The designated work for the Geelong Lutheran Students will be as follows: The main group will split the group into 4 teams. Their first 2 days at Treak will consist of 4 sessions. Each team will experience all activities, and have time to prepare for a Literacy Day on day 3. Session 1 - morning on Day 1. Teams A and B will help in the classes Team C will make bricks/manual work Team D will prepare for the literacy day Session 2 - afternoon on Day 1. Teams A and B will help in the classes Team D will make bricks/manual work Team C will prepare for the literacy day Session 3 - morning on Day 2 Teams C and D will help in the classes Team A will make bricks/manual work Team B will prepare for the literacy day Session 4 - afternoon on Day 2 Teams C and D will help in the classes Team B will make bricks/manual work Team A will prepare for the literacy day Treak staff will choose the books/topics for the Literacy Day to fit in with the current topics they will be teaching at the time. This information will be provided to Geelong Lutheran students approximately 4 weeks prior to arrival. The 4 activities: puppet show; arts & crafts; presentation/quiz; role play will be based on the books/topics chosen by Treak staff, and they will work with Geelong Lutheran students in their preparation sessions for the literacy day on days 1 and 2. We will return to our hotel late in the afternoon to refresh before heading out to dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight: Siem Reap

Meals:  B,L,D

Today we make our way out to the magnificent temples of Angkor where we will explore the surroundings from handle bar level! We will have a full safety briefing with our guide as well as being sized up for our bike. Cycling is a wonderful way to explore the temple complex as it is relatively flat and we can travel along small shaded streets and avoid the queues as we enter the temples. Our cycling is fully supported, anyone needing a rest or not comfortable can ride in the support vehicle. The largest and most impressive of all the temples in Angkor is Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat was built between 1112 and 1152 by King Suryavarman II and dedicated to Vishnu, the Hindu god of preservation. It is the best preserved of all the temples. Its layout and its scale are simply breathtaking: the wall surrounding the enclosure measures 1,000 by 800 meters in length and the moat, said to represent the oceans of the world is 200 meters wide. We explore Ta Prohm, known as the temple filmed for the movie Tomb Raider which is still overgrown by jungle, trees and vines. We will have lunch near the complex and continue our exploration until we return to our hotel later that afternoon. Tonight we will enjoy dinner at Pizza Company and explore the night markets. Fully supported cycling **Appropriate attire must be work when visiting the temples of Angkor. Long pants (covering the knee) and shirts that cover the shoulders must be worn. Skirts, shorts above the knee, tank tops or other revealing clothing are not allowed to be worn within the temple grounds. Visitors are frequently turned away from the temples when wearing revealing clothing

Meals:  B,D

After breakfast in our hotel we head to the famous Tonle Sap Lake, South East Asia's largest fresh water lake. The lake swells to around 4 times its normal size during the wet season. We get to explore the lake and stilt villages at sea level on our private long tail boat. We travel through sunken fields and floating forests to the stilt village of Kompong Klaeng. We enjoy lunch at this village town before heading back to Siem Reap. We can relax at the hotel and freshen up before we head to the Champey Cooking Class we were will visit an authentic Khmer market to purchase local ingredients before we unlock the secrets of Cambodian cuisine at a private cooking class. Afterwords you get to dine on the results! Overnight in Siem Reap.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we will have our last breakfast in Cambodia before we can pack our bags and head to the airport for check in for our flight back to Melbourne

Meals:  B


Addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals

No Poverty:  Economic growth must be inclusive to provide sustainable jobs and promote equality.

Quality Education:  Obtaining a quality education is the foundation to improving people’s lives and sustainable development.

Decent Work And Economic Growth:  Sustainable economic growth will require societies to create the conditions that allow people to have quality jobs.

Sustainable Cities And Communities:  There needs to be a future in which cities provide opportunities for all, with access to basic services, energy, housing, transportation and more.

Partnerships For The Goals:  Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

Life On Land:  Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss


Learning outcomes for students

World Expeditions Schools journeys are designed to encourage positive personal development and the learning of life skills, while leaving the communities and environments we travel to, in a better condition than when we arrived.
The programs are designed to:
• build strong friendships and bonds with their peers, their teachers, and the local people they meet.
• increase the confidence to engage with new people, and collaboratively make informed decisions.
• discover the benefits of working cooperatively together as a cohesive team, to achieve a common objective.
• Increase the ability to face, and cope with, mental and physical challenges and therefore increase resilience.
• give students a chance to appreciate and care for the natural world. The environments we travel through are beautiful and often pristine, invariably the students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding about how their individual actions impact on the environment.
• personal skills i.e., time management, personal hygiene, responsibility for personal gear, patience, tolerance, and public speaking.
We help encourage students to learn what it means to be a true global citizen.


Inclusions

  • Return economy class flights from Melbourne including all international taxes
  • All meals as per the detailed itinerary
  • 9 nights comfortable hotels
  • Service program at Treak Community Village School
  • All local transport and airport transfers
  • Daily allocated drinking water and snacks
  • Guided exploration and entry fees as listed in itinerary
  • Expert bilingual guides
  • Free the Bears "Keeper for a Day" program
  • Support vehicle for cycling days
  • Teachers from Geelong Lutheran College traveling with the group
  • Phare NGO circus
  • Tips and gratuities

  • visa fees: Cambodia
  • expenditure of a personal nature such as drinks, souvenirs and laundry
  • additional drinking water can be purchased at supermarket

Grading

Introductory to Moderate


Customise your program

We can fully customise a School Travel Program to suit your students' learning objectives and budget. Whether you require a Service Learning program, physical challenge, cultural immersion or certain curriculum targets - talk to one of our educational travel experts about the elements you need in your itinerary. We pride ourselves on developing unique itineraries to meet the learning requirements for schools.

World Expeditions Schools is a division of one of the world's leading adventure travel companies, World Expeditions. We can develop itineraries in any destination that is offered by World Expeditions, which is to every continent on earth.

Use our simple Expedition Design Form to contact us with your requirements and an educational travel expert will be in touch to assist.


Why travel with us

Why travel with us

Assisted over
14,000 Students Worldwide

Since the 1980's, we have helped students from around the globe to experience the world's most exciting destinations, allowing them to travel, give, grow.

400+ Service Learning
Programs

Together with students, we have completed over 400 Service Learning programs in developing countries. We will always continue to support causes including social justice, animal welfare, the environment and more.

Fully Customised
School Travel Programs

Want to include service learning, your school curriculum and a physical challenge, or any of the above? Contact us and we can design a program fully catered for your students and budget.

Safety and
Support - Our #1 Priority

Every school receives a detailed risk management plan that is guided by government advisories and the local partners we work with. We never compromise on the safety of your students to reduce the price of the program.

Testimonials


Want to find out more?

Our educational travel experts are ready to help you tailor an itinerary or service learning project to suit your school’s needs and budget. Contact us today to receive a free consultation.


Join Newsletter
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/ADS.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Adventures South"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Adventure South</div>
Adventure South NZ is unrivalled in their geographic coverage, originality and overall quality of adventures holidays in New Zealand. Choose from walking, cycling, winter or multi-activity holidays, on either the North or South Island.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/AWH.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Australian Walking Holidays"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Australian Walking Holidays</div>
Australian Walking Holidays specialises in small group guided walking adventures. Since 1982 we have been guiding small groups of travellers on Australia's finest walks across our tropical, coastal or red centre landscapes.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/GCT.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Great Canadian Trails"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Great Canadian Trails</div>
Great Canadian Trails specialises in active holidays in Canada. With both guided and supported self-guided options available, our unique itineraries draw upon some of Canada's most inspiring parks, trails and landscapes from coast to coast.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/HUM.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Humac Challenge"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Huma Charity Challenge</div>
Huma enables those with adventurous spirits to challenge themselves and make a difference for a cause close to their heart. Travel, fundraise and meet life-long friends on one of Huma's meaningful and unique challenges around the world.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WB.jpg?v2' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Walkers’ Britain"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Walkers' Britain</div>
Walkers' Britain (formerly Sherpa Expeditions) have specialised in walking and cycling trips in the United Kingdom and Europe since 1973. Explore iconic trails and destinations on a self guided or small group active holiday with Walkers' Britain.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WB.jpg?v2' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Walkers’ Britain"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Walkers' Britain</div>
Walkers' Britain (formerly Sherpa Expeditions) have specialised in walking and cycling trips in the United Kingdom and Europe since 1973. Explore iconic trails and destinations on a self guided or small group active holiday with Walkers' Britain.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/TAS.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Tasmania Expeditions"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Tasmanian Expeditions</div>
Tasmanian Expeditions is the most experienced operator of treks and adventure travel holidays in Tasmania. We own and operate the most comprehensive range of adventure holidays available across Tasmania's varied landscapes.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/UTX-new.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Utracks"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>UTracks</div>
UTracks are the active European holiday specialists. Whether you prefer cycling or walking, 2-star or 4-star, small groups or self guided, land, river or sea – UTracks can help you to explore Europe exactly the way you want.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WYA.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="World Expeditions Schools"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>World Expeditions Schools</div>
World Expeditions Schools is our specialist division dedicated to organising tailor made overseas school group adventures. Specialists in Service Learning projects, choose from more destinations than any other school group provider.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/YOM.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Yomads"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Yomads</div>
Yomads offers adventures for the 20s and 30s on six continents. Designed as a way to bring young and likeminded travellers together, Yomads caters to those interested in lightly structured and active trips that allow freedom to roam and explore.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/ACT.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Australian Cycle Tours"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Australian Cycle Tours</div>
Australian Cycle Tours specialises in high quality self guided and guided cycling experiences in a selection of the most beautiful regions in Australia.
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/WEX.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="World Expeditions"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>World Expeditions</div>
The pioneers of original, worldwide adventure travel holidays since 1975
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/TJX.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Trail Journeys"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Trail Journeys</div>
Self-guided cycling experts on New Zealand's Otago Rail Trail and more
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/BMAC.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Blue Mountains Adventure Company"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Blue Mountains Adventure Company</div>
The original Blue Mountains canyoning, hiking, climbing and abseiling experts
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/GWNZ.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="Great Walks of New Zealand"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>Great Walks of New Zealand</div>
Explore New Zealand's most spectacular wilderness regions with the self-guided hiking experts
<img src='/portals/World%20Expeditions/Icons/brands/small/NAA.jpg' class='brandPopoverIcon' alt="North America Active"> <div class='brandPopoverBrandName'>North America Active</div>
USA Canada hiking & cycling tour specialists, choose from self-guided or guided trips