Cambodia Trek Expedition: 3 Weeks

Discover Cambodia like never before on this immersive 3 week expedition. From hands-on community projects in rural villages to trekking through vibrant jungles and exploring the world-famous temples of Angkor Wat, this trip balances adventure with purpose.

  • Location Cambodia, Asia
  • Duration 3 weeks
  • Expedition Type Trek

This expedition goes beyond travel – it’s about connection and impact. You’ll work side-by-side with local communities on sustainable projects that improve education, water access, and infrastructure. Gain real-world skills, confidence, and perspective while contributing to meaningful change aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The expedition culminates with a multi-day trek through the forests and mountains of the Kulen region, staying in pagodas, witnessing spectacular sunrises and sunsets, and reflecting on Cambodia’s spiritual and natural heritage before returning to the capital.

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A fully supported expedition, from start to finish

Your expedition fee covers not just the incredible activities you’ll experience, but also the extensive guidance and support you’ll receive every step of the way. From the moment you sign up through your safe return home, our team ensures everything is organized and supported.

You’ll also need to plan for essentials like vaccinations, visas, personal gear, and a bit of spending money. Don’t worry—we make it easy. Once enrolled, you’ll get access to your personalized Traveller Gateway, with clear guidance and resources to help you prepare with confidence.

  • Round-trip international flights
  • Expedition Leader (qualified and experienced)
  • Accident and health insurance
  • All meals
  • Unlimited, safe drinking water
  • All accommodations listed in the itinerary
  • All activities listed in the itinerary
  • Entrance fees for all included excursions
  • All in-country transfers by private, approved vehicles
  • Project materials, costs, and management
  • 24/7 support throughout the expedition

This sample itinerary will give you a preview of what your expedition could look like. Please note that specific projects, activities, and camp locations may vary depending on local needs and conditions at the time of your expedition.

Day

Activities

More details
Day 1 Arrival in Phnom Penh Upon arrival in Phnom Penh, you will be met by our local staff and guide, who will take you into the city for lunch and hotel check-in. After freshening up and enjoying a restful afternoon, see the city by night as you head out for dinner on the banks of the Mekong River.
Day 2 Cultural Day Spend today immersing yourself in Cambodia’s rich culture and powerful history. You’ll gain a deeper perspective on the country’s tragic past by visiting the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) and the Choeung Ek Killing Fields. Set the scene for your expedition by learning about the millions of lives lost – a quarter of Cambodia’s population at the time – during the Khmer Rouge regime under Pol Pot from 1975 to 1979. Later, visit a local market to feel the hustle and bustle of the city while picking up any forgotten supplies.
Day 3 Transfer to Camp Beng Pae This morning, travel to Camp Beng Pae. Upon arrival, you’ll be welcomed by the camp manager and team before enjoying lunch together. In the afternoon, you’ll receive a full camp orientation and an overview of your upcoming activities. During your orientation walk around the community, a local Buddhist monk will conduct a traditional water blessing, promoting good energy for your time in Cambodia. After dinner, you’ll settle down for your first night’s sleep in a traditional longhouse.
Day 4-8 Community Service Learning Project Spend the next several days working alongside local community members on meaningful projects that are designed by and for the community themselves. You will help improve living conditions by working on essential infrastructure projects, such as building wells and constructing toilets.
Day 9 Transfer to Siem Reap Today, you’ll travel to Siem Reap. Along the way, you’ll visit Tonlé Sap Lake and a fishing village that appears to float during the rainy season. There are no roads here; the school, temple, shops, and houses are all built on floating structures. After checking into your hotel in the late afternoon, enjoy dinner and a visit to one of Siem Reap’s lively night markets – perfect for souvenir shopping and sampling local snacks.
Day 10 Explore Angkor Wat Temple An early rise and a short transfer will bring you to sunrise over the world-famous temples of Angkor Wat. You’ll spend the day exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site and enjoy a guided tour of the ancient temples and uncover centuries of Cambodian history hidden within the ruins. fter dinner in the city, you will be treated to an evening watching the incredible Phare Circus, where talented acrobats and jugglers will amaze you with their daredevil show.
Day 11 Cultural Exploration & Transfer to Camp Beng Mealea A visit to the APOPO Visitor Center on the outskirts of Siem Reap offers a unique learning opportunity. This non-profit organisation trains African giant pouched rats to detect tuberculosis and sniff out landmines. Their work saves lives and returns safe land to farmers, allowing local communities to thrive once again. In the afternoon, travel to your second community at Camp Beng Mealea. You’ll receive an orientation of both the camp and the community before settling in for dinner and an evening reflection.
Day 12 – 14 Community Service Learning Project Over the next few days, you will be working on more worthwhile community projects. This includes building traditional-style clay water jugs from scratch. These jugs have been crafted using the same methods for millennia; once finished, they will be gifted to a local family for immediate use. In the evenings, unwind with cultural activities, local sports, and time spent getting to know your neighbors.
Day 15 Kulen Elephant Forest & Trek Preparation Elephants hold close ties with Cambodian society and culture. A visit to the Kulen Elephant Forest will encourage you to engage in the conservation discussion. This protected forest serves as a sanctuary for elephants that have retired from working in the nearby Angkor Wat tourism industry. You can assist with preparing healthy snacks, walk with them through the forest, and witness how they choose to spend their time. In the afternoon, the focus shifts to the upcoming trek, with local guides briefing the team on the route and equipment, followed by time to prepare gear.
Day 16 – 19 Trek Over the next few days, you will undertake an immersive trek through the varied environments of Kulen Mountain. A mixture of dense jungle, cashew plantations, and mountain views will leave you will memories that last forever. Spectacular sunset and sunrise views at different campsites, sleeping in traditional pagodas, and gaining an understanding of the sacred history of this region will keep your mind off the distance travelled. At the end of the trek, you will be transferred back to Siem Reap for a well-earned meal, a warm shower, and a restful evening.
Day 20 Journey to Phnom Penh Say farewell to Siem Reap and head back to Phnom Penh. Time permitting, you may have a chance for last-minute souvenir shopping at the Russian Market before enjoying a final celebration meal on the waterfront.
Day 21 Departure After checking out of the hotel, you will be transferred back to the airport in time for your flight home.
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See what life is like on expedition

Check out photos from past travelers for a first-hand look at what an expedition is really like.

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For even more amazing shots, explore our Photo Competition Gallery. See more

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.

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Cambodia – Sanitation, education, food and water security

The remote and rural community of Ta Lek does not have any mains water supply and the small reservoir that they do have is not big enough to last through the long dry season that they experience in this part of Cambodia. Without a water source, sanitation has been poor and the risk of disease high. What they do have is reliable source of ground water that is reasonably close to the surface. As part of our project work here that you may get involved in we are building wells to provide drinking water and water for irrigation to ensure a reliable source of essential food. You may also build toilets and it is our aim to provide a toilet for every household in the community.

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

4 Quality Education

Quality education

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

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

13 Climate Action

Climate action

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

15 life on land

Life on land

Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

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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 at the heart of every expedition. Built in traditional styles and staffed by local community members, they offer an authentic place to rest and recharge after a day of service learning project work.

Depending on your itinerary, you’ll stay in several of our camps. These 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.
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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.
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My time in Cambodia with Camps International was an incredible experience, I was able to learn so much about not only Cambodia but myself.

UNKNOWN, CAMP CAMBODIA 2018

Our local camp legends

Our camps are staffed by local community members who will quickly make you feel at home. These amazing team members bring each expedition to life and share the very best of their country with you.

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.

Meet our Crew

Interested in this expedition?

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