Although your tourist dollars do help the local community, witnessing poverty while traveling can be heart-wrenching. We offer a tour that lets you experience Cambodia while giving something back. This tour shown here is a two week tour, but depending on how much time you want to spend volunteering, we’re happy to work with you and develop a volunteer program that suits you. This tour features a block of time devoted to volunteering at Journeys Within Our Community (JWOC), but can be tailored to suit your needs if you have already decided to volunteer with a different program.
Day 1 Siem Reap: Arrival and Orientation Tour
When you arrive at the airport in Siem Reap, you will be met by a Journeys Within representative just outside the airport exit doors and will be driven to the main part of town for a quick orientation tour. You will be given a quick introduction to the city, and the Journeys Within representative will point out the main roads, markets, some recommended restaurants and Wat Bo, before dropping you off at your hotel to check in.
Meals Included: None
Overnight at Shinta Mani Resort – Pool View Room
Day 2 Siem Reap: Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom: Sunrise to Sunset
Wake up early and head to Angkor Wat for sunrise and a morning tour of the temple before the crowds arrive. Mid-morning head back to your hotel for breakfast before relaxing in the garden, by the pool, or in your own room through the heat of the day.
In the early afternoon head to Angkor Thom, the famous walled city and see the many temples within its borders, including the fascinating Bayon temple with its many magnificent faces smiling out. There are several great spots from which to watch the sunset and your guide will discuss the options with you.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Shinta Mani Resort – Pool View Room
Day 3 Siem Reap: Banteay Srei, Land Mine Museum and Other Temples
This morning set off with your guide to Banteay Srei, the intricately carved temple located just 30km beyond Angkor Wat. Continue on to visit the Land Mine Museum, a rather humble look at the land mine problem, past and present, in Cambodia. Enjoy lunch in the temple complex overlooking Sra Srang, followed by a visit to the nearby Banteay Kdei and Ta Prohm, two of the prettiest temples in the complex. Return to your hotel mid-afternoon.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Shinta Mani Resort – Pool View Room
Day 4 Siem Reap: Free Day with Driver
Today you will have a car and driver at your disposal to explore the area on your own without a guide.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Shinta Mani Resort – Pool View Room
Day 5 Siem Reap: Kayaking Tour and Village Unique Dining
Experience a unique Journeys Within day kayaking on the Tonle Sap Lake. You will set out around 8am and drive for about an hour before boarding a boat for a 40 minute ride to one of the lake villages. Here the homes are built on stilts because, while in the dry season the surrounding area is dry, in the rainy season it is flooded and so they rise above the water level. You will arrive at the local home that stores the canoes and after a short safety briefing head off with your guide who will lead you through waterways, flooded forests and out into the Tonle Sap Lake where you can take a dip if you wish. After you’ve explored for a bit, wind your way back through the village, taking in local life in this watery environment before returning to a local home for some lunch and a leisurely boat and car ride back to town.
You will be met at your hotel at 4pm and taken to the beautiful Kompheim village, located just outside Siem Reap. Here you can enjoy a short stroll through a traditional village with one of the local guides, finishing with sunset drinks at the beautiful and unique Village House. Relax and enjoy your very own private dining experience, surrounded by nothing but rice paddies and accompanied by traditional music. After enjoying your very special culinary experience, you will be transferred back to your hotel around 9pm.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight at Shinta Mani Resort – Pool View Room
Day 6 – 12 Siem Reap: Volunteer Days
There are many areas where volunteers can become involved and benefit the people of Cambodia during their visit to this country. Depending on your skills and interests, there is always a way you can help.
Journeys Within Our Community (JWOC) will facilitate a tailor-made, unique volunteering experience in which we match your skills and interests with our current needs. Accompanying our scholarship students during their community projects, you will get an in-depth and firsthand introduction to the work we do. You will then be involved in a project where you skills can best be put to use. While volunteering at JWOC, Journeys Within will provide breakfast and lunch, as well and transport to and from your volunteer commitments.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight at Shinta Mani Resort – Pool View Room
Day 13 Siem Reap: Departure
Your driver will meet you at your hotel for your private transfer to the airport, where you will arrive in time for your onward flight.
Meals included: Breakfast
Tour Rate: $ 2,275.00 per person based on 2 people traveling (double occupancy) with a single supplement of $ 1,715,00
Price includes:
- Boat tickets as specified above
- Accommodation as specified above
- Air-conditioned car/van with driver
- Licensed English speaking guides
- Tours and admission fees as mentioned above
- Meals as specified in itinerary, including water
Price excludes:
- Personal expenses
- Visa fees
- Airport tax
- Drinks (except water) and meals not mentioned in itinerary
- Tips