Expedition Dates:
June 7-19, 2027
Cost:
$3995 + Airfare
Ages:
Worldwide youth ages 15-19
Trip Pace:
Moderate
Physical Activity:
Moderate
Humanitarian Highlights:
Village School Project, Orphanage Service, Dinner with Local Families, Community Food Donation, English Language Classes, Low-Income Reading Center and Garden Project
Cultural/Adventure Experiences: Visit Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, and Bayon Temples, Khmer Cooking Class, Phnom Kulen Waterfalls and Reclining Buddha, Cambodian Phare Circus, Traditional Apsara Dance Performance, Landmine Museum, Taste Crickets and Tarantulas, Baptisms at Phnom Pehn temple
Vaccine Requirements:
None, some recommended.
Visa Requirement:
Yes, $30. RISE will assist with detailed instructions closer to your expedition dates.
International Airport:
Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH)
overview
an experience worth remembering
Cambodia
Serve with your whole heart. Spend a day shopping for supplies and hand-delivering food donations to a local family in need, sharing a meal together and hearing stories that stay with you long after you're home. Work alongside children at an orphanage, teach English at low income schools, and spend full days of hardwork at a rural village school. Bring energy to English language classes, helping students build skills that open doors for the rest of their lives. Roll up your sleeves at a low-income reading center, tending a garden and building a space where children can be educated to break the cycles of poverty.
Explore the iconic temples of Angkor on foot and by bike, tracing the carved stonework of a civilization that has endured for a thousand years. Stand in Ta Prohm with roots of enormous trees wrapped around ancient walls, and walk among the serene stone faces of Bayon. Swim beneath waterfalls, and visit a reclining Buddha that overlooks the valley below.
Ride tuk-tuks through the city to a local market, then learn to cook a traditional Khmer cuisine. Watch the storytelling of a traditional Apsara dance performance. Taste-test deep-fried crickets and tarantulas roadside and decide for yourself whether courage is a flavor! Witness the incredible work of landmine-detecting rats and understand firsthand what it means to dedicate your skills to protecting lives. Attend the Phnom Pehn LDS temple and participate in baptisms (optional).
Learn the History. A visit to S-21 and the Killing Fields is among the most significant experiences of this expedition, one that allows you to know the struggles of the people that you are serving.
All accommodations are in 3-4 star facilities vetted by our in-country partners and ROAM Humanitarian to ensure they are clean, comfortable, and safe for every participant.
Itinerary is subject to change based on group size and availability.
Tax Deduction: A large portion of trip fees and related travel expenses are tax deductible through our partner ROAM Humanitarian, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. A Charitable Contribution Acknowledgment form will be sent at the end of the year. We recommend consulting your personal tax advisor for details specific to your situation.
Trip Overview
A Day in the Life
What makes us stand out from the rest! Every hour planned for your personal growth and experience.
Day 3 | History, Culture, and Khmer Cuisine Begin at the Independence Monument before spending a sobering and meaningful morning at S-21 and the Killing Fields. Afternoon brings a complete shift in tone when you hop aboard tuk-tuks for a guided Khmer cooking class, beginning with a local market tour of Cambodian fruits, vegetables, and spices, then moving into a hands-on cooking station where each participant prepares traditional Cambodian dishes with their own wok. End the day with a devotional, time to reflect, and group meeting.
Day 4-6 | Humanitarian Day + Village School Pack your lunches, shop for supplies at the central market, and head into the countryside for a service day at a rural village school. Help bring vision to the elderly through screenings and working side by side with a seasoned optometrist. End the memorable day with a group dinner, devotional, reflection, and group meeting.
Day 7 | Full Day at the Orphanage + Dinner with a Local Family A full day of service at a local orphanage school that is built on a trash dump, working with children, improving the space, and simply being present. As the sun goes down, gather around the table with a Cambodian young single adults for a traditional family home evening and home-cooked meal with an evening filled with dance and FUN! End the day with a devotional, time to reflect, and group meeting.
Day 8 | Travel Day: Phnom Penh to Siem Reap Hit the road toward Siem Reap for a scenic 6-hour journey. Make a roadside stop to sample deep-fried insects, crickets, tarantulas, if you're brave enough. Serve alongside a local organization at a low-income school en route. Arrive in Siem Reap in time for a spectacular traditional Apsara dance performance and buffet dinner. End the day with a devotional, time to reflect, and group meeting.
Day 9 | Angkor Wat + Reading Center and English Classes A morning guided walking and bike tour of the ancient Angkor Wat complex. Afternoon moves into service: work at a community reading center and garden project, then close the day teaching English to local students eager to learn. End the day with a devotional, time to reflect, and group meeting.
Day 10 | Phnom Kulen, Ancient Temples, Landmine Museum, and Phare Circus Hike to the breathtaking Phnom Kulen waterfalls for swimming and a visit to the giant reclining Buddha. Afternoon exploration of famous temple carvings and a powerful stop at the Cambodian Landmine Museum. End the evening in the best possible way, Cambodian Phare Circus, a world-class acrobatic performance. End the day with a devotional, time to reflect, and group meeting.
Day 11 | Angkor Complex: Ta Prohm and Bayon Two more iconic temples: Ta Prohm, where ancient trees have reclaimed the stone walls, and Bayon, famous for its hundreds of serene carved faces. Afternoon drive back to Phnom Penh. Dinner in the city. End the day with a devotional, time to reflect, and group meeting.
Day 12 | Royal Palace, Markets, Arts, and Final Dinner Your last full day in Cambodia. Attend the Phnom Pehn LDS temple. Visit the Royal Palace and Wat Phnom, then explore the unique markets for last-minute treasures. Afternoon includes a traditional Cambodian painting class and the chance to observe and practice traditional dance at a respected arts academy. Close the expedition with a final group dinner in Phnom Penh. End the day with a devotional, time to reflect, and group meeting.
Day 13 | Depart Phnom Penh International travel day. Fly home changed.
kind words from those who
— Ben M. (Parent)
The variety of activities and experiences packed into such a short time. [This company] gave my son an unforgettable
experience and was a wonderful way to help prepare him for serving a church mission!
— lizzie f.
"My favorite part was meeting the people and getting to experience the different culture."
— Addison M.
"My favorite part was being able to experience a different way of life and interact with the people there.This was an amazing trip especially for people who want to travel but don't want to do it alone."
— Daycee R.
"I loved that they made service fun. I got to dedicate two weeks of my summer to helping people less fortunate than me and somehow it was a blast the whole time. I was impressed that they managed to combine adventure and exploring with the gospel and service. Overall an amazing and life changing experience!!!"
