Overview

 Highlights


  • Participate in the Angkor Half Marathon
  • Immersion program at HAGAR Centre
  • Explore one of the great wonders of the world, Angkor Wat
  • Cycling around the temples of Angkor
  • Experience authentic Cambodian life at Bong Thom homestay
  • Explore the cultural and historical highlights of Phnom Penh
  • Behind the scenes tour of the Free the Bears wildlife centre

Countries:

Start and Finishing Point:

Melbourne

Grading:Moderate to Challenging   


This evening we check-in for our overnight flight to Siem Reap. Meals: on aircraft.

Meals:  Nil

On arrival at Siem Reap we will be met and transferred to our hotel, and after checking-in, we have a trip and safety briefing with our Cambodian guide. We will also have a brief language lesson where you can learn some simple Cambodian words that you can practise through out your journey. We then have the opportunity to freshen up before lunch. After lunch we travel by ‘remork’ (similar to the Thai tuk tuk) on an orientation tour of the town. We have the chance to relax this afternoon before heading out to dinner and the incredible PHARE, the Cambodian Circus, performed by artists of Phare Ponleu Selpak (PPS). Established in 1994 by young returnee Cambodians from the refugee camps, PPS has played an influential role in promoting and developing Khmer culture over the years after the Khmer Rouge genocide. The hour long show combines music, dance, acrobatics, juggling and contortion to tell a story about Cambodian lives and society. Overnight at Angkor Paradise Hotel, Siem Reap

Meals:  L,D

We enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Ankor Wat, and have breakfast before we cycle through the jungles of Angkor Wat, seeing the race route while enjoying the sights. We will have a back-up bus for those who require it, and we will be mindful of tomorrow’s half-marathon. We begin with a visit to Ta Prohm Temple (a setting in one of the Tomb Raider films). Built in the mid-12th to early 13th centuries, Ta Prohm Temple has largely been left as it was found, overgrown by jungle, trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground. This makes Ta Prohm one of the most picturesque and memorable of the Angkor temples. From Ta Prohm we cycle through hidden passages to the ruins Angkor Thom. This was the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. We enter via the ancient East Gate through an eight metre high wall that forms a perfect square around the ancient city ruins. On each side of the entrance path is a row of fifty-four stone carved gods and demons. We also visit Bayon Temple with its fifty-four towers representing the fifty-four provinces of the Great Khmer Empire, as well as the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King, both known for their intricate bas-reliefs.We finish with the famous Angkor Wat, the most significant of all the sites and displayed on Cambodia's national flag as the temple symbolizes the soul of the Khmer people. Overnight at Angkor Paradise Hotel, Siem Reap ** Cycling distance is up to 40km, but the back-up bus enables us to vary the riding distance.

Meals:  B,L,D

After an early breakfast we will drive to the 21km Marathon Race, arriving about 5:45am. The start and finish lines are in the temple complex, in front of the Angkor Wat Temple. After the conclusion of the race, and after the presentations we will have a sports massage to help recovery, and return to our hotel to relax and celebrate. You are free to choose your own restaurant tonight, and enjoy your favourite foods. After dinner we can visit the night markets where you can practise speaking in the local language as you bargain for goods. Overnight at Angkor Paradise Hotel, Siem Reap

Meals:  B

We enjoy a recovery morning today, with no activities planned until after lunch. You can sleep in, swim or relax at the hotel. After lunch we checkout from hotel and drive to Bong Thom to spend the night. The accommodation is in a traditional Khmer village where our group will sleep in a large open air dormitory. The home stay is surrounded by orchards of exotic fruit trees. Later this afternoon, we are going to learn more about traditional Khmer cuisine. Our culinary session will take place in an outdoor covered pavilion, surrounded by trees and nature. Take a short walk to visit the vegetable farm and the chef will show us the herb gardens and tell us about food superstition and beliefs in the Khmer culture. The class is very hands on and interactive, and each person has an individual cooking station. Led by a chef, you will learn step by step how to make several classic dishes of the Cambodian gastronomy. The session ends with a dinner made of all that we have cooked. Sit comfortably in the garden of the pavilion and enjoy the meal. Overnight in Bong Thom Homestay.

Meals:  B,D

After breakfast, we explore around the village area and see sugar palm making and hand made crafts in the village. We then drive back to Siem Reap where we board our flight to Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia which was once known as the "Paris of the East". Here we will be greeted by our guide and driver at Phnom Penh International airport for your transfer to the hotel. Overnight in Phnom Penh Ohana Hotel

Meals:  B,L,D

Among the city's prime attractions, you will gain insight into Cambodia's recent history on a visit to the remarkable Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, housed in a former school that was taken over by the Khmer Rouge and used as its main detention and torture centre, named 'S-21'. A grim but important visit that will help you to understand Cambodia better. Afterward, we visit the HAGAR centre. Hagar works directly with people who are the human face of Cambodia to provide healing, justice, and freedom from fear. At the individual level, they ensure they have a safe place to live, and loving foster families to care for children in the community. Hagar provide them with trauma counselling, medical care and legal advice to help them understand their rights and seek justice. They have the opportunity to go to school, learn vocational skills or gain a university degree. Ultimately, they are supported to secure a job so they can live independently. We visit the HAGAR centre and learn about the great work they are doing in Cambodia. Tonight we will join a sunset cruise on the Mekong River before visiting the night markets. Overnight in Phnom Penh Ohana Hotel

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we explore Cambodia's more recent history with a visit to the Killing Fields. Whilst this is a confronting visit, it is important if we are to understand the countries recent history and how the people are looking positively towards the future. The Killing Fields is 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. Here we will take a tour for students to familiarise themselves with the events that took place here. We stop for lunch and have time to reflect and debrief on our visit. These sites are moving and important, but how Cambodia has put this behind them and worked together for the future is the big story. We are then in for a treat and get to see a very positive side of conservation in Cambodia with a visit to the Free the Bears Phnom Tamao rehabilitation centre. Set up by Perth lady Mary Hutton the centre cares for over 130 rescued Sun bears and Moon bears. We get to have a behind the scenes tour with the Free the Bears team. The facilities are world class and you will get to see first hand what the FTB team are doing to build a brighter future for bears in the wild. Overnight in Phnom Penh Ohana Hotel

Meals:  B,L,D

After breakfast, you will continue to visit the famous Royal Palace, built in 1866 under the French protectorate and King Norodom. The adjoining Silver Pagoda, built in 1962, is famous for its lavish decorations, silver paved floor and several Buddha statues made from precious metals & stones. We return to our hotel to freshen up before making our way to the airport for our departure flight to Melbourne.

Meals:  B,L


Learning outcomes for students

A World Expeditions Schools adventure is a unique learning experience. Our journeys are designed to encourage thriving and positive youth development along with leaving the communities and environments where we travel in a better condition than when we arrived.
The programs are designed to enhance the following life skills that will help you grow as an individual:
• the confidence to lead a group and make decisions
• the value of working together as a cohesive team to achieve a common objective
• the ability to face mental and physical challenges
• the ability to adapt to new environments outside of their 'comfort zone'
• to appreciate and care for the natural environment. The environments we trek 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
• build strong friendships and bonds with their peers and also the local peoples
• basic outdoor skills obtained on trek such as personal hygiene, pitching a tent, helping to prepare meals
Importantly our adventures help increase general well-being and build resilience in young citizens to help them deal with adverse situations in life.


Inclusions

  • Return economy class flights from Melbourne including all international taxes
  • All meals as indicated in the itinerary
  • 6 nights good quality hotels/lodge in twin room
  • 1 night at homestay (shared facilities)
  • All transfers and transportation during the trip by air conditions coach and internal flight
  • Local English speaking group leader throughout
  • All entrance fees for activities described in program
  • Back up bus and truck to carry bikes on cycling days
  • Bike rental on cycling days
  • Snacks and fruit during cycling days
  • Participation fees for Half Marathon
  • Monk Blessing Ceremony
  • Village life experience program
  • Mineral water on bus on days of transfer and sightseeing
  • 3 staff members from MGGS traveling with group

  • Any donations to local school or any other organisation
  • Meals not indicated in the itinerary
  • Visa fees: Cambodia
  • Personal travel insurance (covered by M.G.G.S)
  • Optional excursions and activities
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Tips and gratuities

Grading

Moderate to Challenging


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.


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