Overview

After experiencing rural Cambodia, joining this extension tour helps you witness the contrast of the Cambodia’s vibrant capital, Phnom Penh. Simply walking around the streets of this energetic city is exciting as you watch the intricate weave of cyclos and motos in traffic, stroll past street vendors, take in the beauty of the Royal Palace and sunset over the Tonle Sap River. You will get a better understanding of the atrocities of the Cambodian past, which help put the realities of modern-day Cambodia in context.

Description

First we will visit Toul Sleng Genocide Museum also known as S21, located in a quiet Phnom Penh suburb. This group of buildings was once a school but was turned into a prison and torture facility by the Khmer Rouge. Post-Khmer Rouge, this disturbing site has been transformed into a museum to document and enumerate the crimes committed there.

Once you have gained an initial understanding of the brutality of the Khmer Rouge regime, you will visit the ‘Killing Fields,’ locally called Cheoung Ek. This is where thousands of Tuol Sleng prisoners were taken to be executed; it is now a memorial site located in a tranquil setting.

After this difficult morning, we’ll eat lunch together in Phnom Penh at an NGO that assists marginalized women and victims of domestic violence. Their delicious restaurant also serves as a training facility for women to learn vocational skills, giving their families a means of improving their livelihoods. You will also have the opportunity to learn about the revitalization of traditional Cambodian arts and dance and you will visit numerous other NGOs to learn more about sustainable development in Cambodia.

There will be plenty of spare time for you to scour the local markets for exotic Cambodian handcrafts or to treat yourself to a traditional Khmer massage. Prepare your taste buds for luxury when PEPY takes you to our favorite restaurant in Phnom Penh, which is run by an NGO that trains former street children. Working in the restaurant gives these youngsters the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of the hospitality business, serving customers, taking orders, cooking, and learning about hygiene in the workplace. Since its opening, the restaurant has succeeded in becoming wholly self-sufficient and all its profits are reinvested into the Training Centre activities.

We recommend this extension trip to everyone. Learning more about the history of Cambodia and coming face-to-face with the historical sites of Phnom Penh are vital for a better, more profound understanding of the Cambodian culture and psyche. It also provides a more realistic look at urban Cambodian life in contrast to the posh tourist-fueled grandeur of Siem Reap. This extension tour is both educational and exciting, and we hope you will stay a little longer to join us in Phnom Penh!

Trip Facts

Group Size: 3-12 people

Grade: Easy – no strenuous activity involved, any level of fitness is welcome.

Accommodation: In Phnom Penh we put our guests up at comfortable mid-range hotels that support responsible travel.

Transport: tuk-tuk, air-conditioned bus

Length: 3 days (2 nights)

Start/End Location: The tour starts in Siem Reap and ends in Phnom Penh.

Pricing

Tour Price: $275 ($350 for groups less than 5 people)

Inclusions: The trip includes all transportation while in Cambodia, accommodation, tour and entrance fees for listed attractions, and most meals. We leave a few meals free as there are many choices in Phnom Penh and past participants have enjoyed the chance to find their favorite food!

Exclusions: The trip does not include international flights to/from the start and end points. Visas are available upon arrival and cost $20 for most foreign nationals. Also excluded is an international airport departure tax of $25. Additionally, participants are responsible for purchasing their own international travel insurance.

Cancellation Policy: If six people have not signed up for the trip four weeks before the start date, PEPY staff may cancel the tour and any deposits will be refunded in full. If a participant cancels for any reason, their $200 deposit is non-refundable. Refunds will be made for the remainder of the tour fees (excluding deposit and fundraised money) on this schedule:

· Full – more than 3 weeks before trip’s start

· 50% - more than 2 weeks before trip’s start

· 25% - more than 3 days before trip’s start

· 0% - less than 3 days before trip’s start