Cambodia Tosnar Expedition

Camps International are partnering with Raleigh International in an industry first – combining Camps’ expertise in impact and service learning with Raleigh’s renowned leadership adventure model. Together, we are creating a new standard in purposeful youth development.

Go on your own Tosnar, meaning “journey” in Khmer, on a wild Cambodian trek, designed to stretch your comfort zone and grow your confidence. You’ll live off-grid, cook over open flames, trek wild trails, and contribute to meaningful community and conservation work.

  • Location Cambodia, Asia
  • Duration 2 weeks
  • Expedition Type Adventures By Camps

From Phnom Penh to the remote landscapes of Kulen National Park, this expedition challenges you to adapt, collaborate and lead. You’ll work alongside local communities on school and health clinic projects before heading into the jungle for multi-day trekking, camping and wilderness experiences. Along the way, you’ll learn to navigate unfamiliar situations, take responsibility and support your team through challenges.

A graphic of a map with the logo of Camp Cambodia
A group photo of student travellers in Cambodia in front of Angkor Wat temple
Traveller and a local from Cambodia posing together and smiling

A fully supported expedition, from start to finish

Your expedition cost is comprehensive and covers the incredible activities you’ll be taking part in, as well as the extensive support you’ll receive in the lead up to, and during, your expedition.

Don’t forget you’ll also need your vaccinations, visas, kit and some spending money. You can find guidance on all of these on your personal Traveller Gateway once you sign up.

  • Ongoing pre-expedition support
  • Flights and in-country transfers
  • Travel insurance
  • Food and accommodation
  • Adventure challenge
  • Project costs
  • Leader and staff costs
  • Camps t-shirt
  • Orientation and language lessons
  • 24 hour emergency support
  • Reserve location

This sample itinerary will give you an insight into what you’ll be getting up to. Please note, the exact projects, activities and camps may change closer to the time of your expedition.

Day

Activities

More details

DAY 1-3 PHASE 1: INDUCTION. GET EXPEDITION-READY. Your expedition starts here. On a 3-day Induction, you’ll get to learn the ins and outs of life on expedition to prepare you for the adventure ahead. Taking place at Fieldbase, you’ll learn survival skills, basic first aid, cultural insights from Cambodia and the foundations of what it is to be a day leader. You’ll be equipped, trained, and ready for the expedition adventure.
DAY 4-7 PHASE 2: RESEARCH + FIELD PROJECTS. MAKE AN IMPACT. Cambodia is a country of rich culture, welcoming communities and incredible natural landscapes. During this phase, you’ll work alongside local communities on field projects that support health clinics and schools, gaining hands-on experience while learning more about the challenges and priorities of the communities you’re working with. We’re not learning from textbooks here – this is curriculum-connected learning in the real world.
DAY 8-11 PHASE 3: ADVENTURE CHALLENGE. EARN EVERY STEP. It’s time to push your limits on an adventure which is fun, challenging and rewarding. Work alongside your team to trek through the jungle landscapes of Kulen National Park, climbing to the hilltop, discovering hidden temples and taking in incredible views along the way. You’ll learn about orienteering and map reading, all while exploring lush terrains and camping out under the stars in hammocks. You’ll gain independence and resilience as you’ll be carrying your own kit while you’re trekking through rainforest and will have the chance to take charge as Day Leader and guide your team through the unknown.
DAY 12-14 ENDEX: END OF EXPEDITION DAYS. CELEBRATE THE JOURNEY. Wow – you’ve made it to the end! You’ve taken the lead, pushed your limits and conquered challenges on your expedition. Now it’s time to reflect and celebrate. Endex is time to review and debrief on what you have achieved on your expedition. You’ll learn more on how you can take your expedition learnings back home with you and get inspired about what you can do next. And of course, there will be a farewell celebration as well.

How you’ll make a difference

You’ll work on a range of projects throughout your expedition, each aligned to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and designed to make a significant and lasting impact on the region’s most critical issues.

cambodia_encouragment-from-local-children_projects_leanne-wrightson-copy-2

Cambodia – Food and Water Security

Tuek Lich village in Siem Reap province has a longer dry season than the more southerly areas of Cambodia and does not have easily accessible ground water. One of our projects here is to make large water storage pots based on the traditional Cambodian design and to distribute them to the houses in the village and surrounding area to enable them to store as much rainwater as possible. We are also building chicken coops to enable families to raise chickens to supplement their food and to provide a source of income.

You’ll also work on the Jungle Garden at our camp where we’re developing growing techniques to help tackle issues of food production in the dry season.

UN Sustainable Development Goals

No Poverty Icon

No poverty

End poverty in all its forms everywhere

2 Zero Hunger Icon

Zero hunger

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

3 Good health and well-being

Good health and well-being

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

5 Gender Equality

Gender equality

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

6 Clean water and santitation

Clean water and sanitation

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

10 Reduced Inequalities

Reduce inequalities

Reduce inequality within and among countries

13 Climate Action

Climate action

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

classroom-kids

Cambodia – Reforestation and English Teaching

Take part take part in a reforestation project in Beng Mealea to counter some of the vast deforestation that has happened throughout Cambodia.

Get involved and support the English teacher with English lessons to the local children in Beng Mealea at our purpose built English school near our camp.

 

 

UN Sustainable Development Goals

3 Good health and well-being

Good health and well-being

Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

4 Quality Education

Quality education

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

14 Life below water

Life below water

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

Experience the local way of life in our authentic camps

Our camps are the heart of our expeditions. Built and staffed by locals in the traditional style, and located within the heart of communities, they are the perfect place to relax after a day of project work. You’ll get to stay in a number of camps during your expedition, which could include those featured below.

Camp Beng Mealea

Camp Beng Mealea

This delightful rural camp is set on the outskirts of Teuk Lich village within Beng Mealea commune.

Accommodation is in the form of traditional Khmer stilted longhouses positioned in the shade of large banana and papaya trees. The camp is surrounded by paddy fields and pretty amazing views on all sides. On a clear day you can see the impressive ridge line of the Kulen National Park from your longhouse. And if that isn’t enough, there is the ancient ruined temple of Beng Mealea to explore only a short walk away, as well as a large ornate pagoda where the Buddhist monks live. You’d be hard pushed to find a more authentic Cambodian experience!

  • Location: 75 km (1.5 hours drive) from Siem Reap International Airport
  • Accommodation style: Traditional longhouses
  • Bed type: Comfy mattresses & bedding including mosquito net
  • Toilets: Composting toilets
  • Showers: Cold water showers & wash basins
  • Power: Mains electricity. 2 flat pin style power sockets.
  • Social area: Chill out zone, camp fire, hammocks
  • Signature dish: Khmer curry – Mild coconut curry usually served as a meat or vegetable curry.
Camp Beng Pae

Camp Beng Pae

Beng Pae is located in the village of Ta Lek and within the Beng Pae Wildlife Reserve. Surrounded by impressive pine trees, the camp is designed and built in the local hill tribe house style.
The camp is set at the edge of the village and so all your project sites are only a short walk away, allowing you to become a local in no time!

  • Location: 220 km (3 hours drive) from Siem Reap International Airport
  • Accommodation style: Traditional longhouses
  • Bed type: Comfy mattresses & bedding including mosquito net.
  • Toilets: Flushing toilets,
  • Showers: Showers & wash basins
  • Power: Mains electricity. 2 flat pin style power sockets
  • Social area: Chill out zone, camp fire, hammocks
  • Signature dish: Beef Loklak, Stir fried, grilled aubergine.

My experience in Cambodia has really helped me to open my mind, and has also made me globally aware. It has inspired me to try and have my school be plastic free and has also made me want to do plastic as my Art topic for my school project.

Ellie, Camp Cambodia 2019

Our local camp legends

Our camps are staffed by members of the community who will make you feel like a local in no time. These legends will make your expedition spectacular and will show you the very best of their home country.

Han Hoeuy

Camps International provides many jobs for local people like me, enabling us to work together with volunteers on projects which help our communities. Having travellers spend time in camps and surrounding villages helps encourage parents in the community to recognise the importance of education for their own children, paving the way for a bright future for the people of Cambodia.

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