Real Cambodia

Day 1 Ho Chi Minh City  
Welcome to hectic Ho Chi Minh City! There will be an important welcome meeting with your group leader and fellow travellers at around 6pm.        
         
Day 2 Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh  
Today, travel to Phnom Penh by public bus, which includes two border crossings and a stop for your own lunch. After your long bus ride to Phnom Penh, why not treat yourself to a traditional Khmer massage? Look no further than Seeing Hands, a great cause supporting visually impaired masseurs.        

Day 3 Phnom Penh        
Today, wake up and enjoy an authentic street food breakfast at one of the local markets. Afterwards, the group will head to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek on an included visit – both very sobering but important and informative experiences in Cambodia. In the afternoon, head with your group to Futures Factory: a new hospitality concept from Friends International for at-risk youth, providing them with hospitality experience. You’ll have the chance to participate in this program and shake your own cocktails or mocktails.        

Day 4 Phnom Penh to Kampot  
This morning, it’s time to head south. Take a private vehicle to the township of Kampot, approximately 3.5 hours from Phnom Penh. Once arrived and settle in, time to look around. Take a heritage walk with your group around the city. Afterwards, capture a spectacular sunset from the water as you embark on a cruise on the Kampot River.    

Day 5 Kampot  
Good morning Kampot! Life is laidback here, and with your full day of freedom, you can do what you want. Opt to hike in the thickets of Kep National Park, followed by a visit to the veranda restaurant for panoramic scenery, and hopefully a colourful sunset! Otherwise, take a day trip to Rabbit Island for a snorkelling expedition, or head to a pepper plantation in Kep Province on the mainland.          

Day 6 Kampot to Chambok      
Travel by private vehicle into countryside Cambodia to Chambok. A homestay tonight is your chance to really immerse yourself in everyday life with the locals. You and your group will have the option to trek to an awesome 40-metre waterfall nearby. At night, feast on a traditional Khmer dinner, prepared by the talented women of the community, and enjoy a celebration of traditional dancing.        

Day 7 Chambok to Kampong Cham        
Kampong Cham in a nutshell is frontier charm with French-colonial character. Take a private vehicle there (4.5–5 hours) and soak it all up. Included today is bicycle hire to explore the surrounds, and potentially ride across to the island of Koh Pen.    

Day 8 Kampong Cham to Siem Reap      
Take a public bus to Siem Reap. Your leader will take you on an orientation walk to get your bearings of the town. Afterwards, you might want to hit the markets or head to a restaurant for some cheap and tasty street food.  

Day 9 Siem Reap        
The Angkor complex is arguably South East Asia's biggest highlight. This area been made famous by films such as Tomb Raider, but more importantly has a deep history spanning six centuries from around AD800. The obvious attraction is the world-renowned Angkor Wat, which is every bit as amazing as everyone says it is, especially at sunrise and sunset. As a group, you'll have a guided tour of the whole site, and depending on the weather and the group’s desires, your leader can tailor the time of day and the parts of the complex you’ll see.  

Day 10 Siem Reap        
Kick back in Siem Reap and wander around town, visiting its market, shops and restaurants. Depending on the season, you might like to visit Tonle Sap, the big freshwater lake, for a glimpse of local life. Adventure-seekers and adrenaline-junkies can do the Angkor zip-line course that will have you soaring like an eagle over the lush rainforest.    

Day 11 Siem Reap to Bangkok      
Goodbye Cambodia, hello Thailand. Drive from Siem Reap to Bangkok in a private minivan including a border crossing and lunch stop). Upon arrival, a traditional Thai massage may be a good option to relax into the evening. Bangkok has some great nightlife and rooftop bars, so be sure to stake out a place with your travel buddies and watch day turn to night.  

Day 12 Bangkok        
Depart at any time.