Pioneering Elephant Conservation in Cambodia

Wake up to the bright colours of Phnom Penh and jump into expedition life. Meet the ground team, get to grips with the currency (Cambodian Riel) and head out to buy a SIM card for the team phone. Jobs done, it’s time to explore. Navigate the buzzing streets and grab your first glimpses of the city’s French-colonial architecture and ornate temples. Feeling hungry? Seek out some tasty Khmer cuisine, think fish curry, beef stir fry and mango salad. Find out more about the Khmer Rouge regime and Cambodia’s tragic history, it’s a disturbing but important story. Take a deep breath and enter the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, this former school was a torture centre, where more than 20,000 people were held. Continue to the Choeung Ek Memorial, where the stupa contains thousands of human skulls at the site of the Killing Fields.

Take a day trip south of the city to a special sanctuary for endangered sun bears, saved from the illegal wildlife trade. Meet the keepers and help out with conservation work, which could involve anything from cleaning the bear dens to preparing food. You’ll also see gibbons swinging through the trees and meet other protected animals. This is a rare chance to get up close with Cambodian wildlife, so embrace the opportunity and learn all you can.

This is the moment you’ve been waiting for, it’s time to meet the elephants! First, you’ll need to travel to the capital of Mondulkhiri province, and after a night in the town, it’s a short trip to the sanctuary. The first of its kind in Cambodia, the sanctuary rescues elies from harmful tourist activities, like elephant riding, and helps to rehabilitate them. Meet the conservation experts, learn about the elephants’ stories and find out how they’re nursed back to health. Follow your guide into the forest and look for the herd. Observe the elies, follow them on foot and learn more about their forest home. Next, join the staff to help keep the sanctuary running, lend a hand with reforestation, have a go at banana harvesting and help out with maintenance work at the basecamp.

Travel to the cultural city of Siem Reap. It’s a full day’s journey, so bag a window seat, pick up some snacks and watch as Cambodian life whizzes past your window. You have a whole day to explore Cambodia’s coolest little city. Siem Reap is the gateway to Angkor Wat, but there’s loads more to discover here. You could start by exploring the town’s riverside walkways, then hit the markets for souvenirs and noodle salads. Another option is to book a boat or kayak trip on Tonle Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. Chat with the ground team and plan something awesome!

Time for your trek, you’re about to take on Tbeng Meanchey, one of Cambodia’s most sacred mountain ranges. At sunrise, head to the visitor centre to prepare for the adventure ahead. With your guides leading the way, ascend through dense forest trails toward the mountain’s peak. Reach the tranquil Tang Yu Waterfall and set up camp for the night, watching the sunset from Rock Top Pagoda’s stunning vantage point. The next day, trek deeper into the lush forest, spotting incredible rock formations like Thmor Hout and Thmor Bei Dom Pagoda. As you trek, keep your eyes peeled for unique flora and fauna. Arrive at your next campsite and spend the evening connecting with the local community, join a friendly sports match or enjoy traditional music under the stars. Wake up to a monk blessing before tackling the final climb: 1,345 steps up Tbeng Meanchey. Then, head back down and crash out on your way to Siem Reap for some well-earned rest.

Now for the moment you’ve been waiting for. Get ready to time-travel to the greatest city of the Khmer Empire, Siem Reap which sits right next to the famous Angkor temples. Maximise your time here by watching the sun rise over this mindblowing complex. Angkor Wat is just incredible, and you may recognise Ta Prohm temple from the Tomb Raider movie. There’s also the Terrace of the Elephants, Palace of the Leper Kings and the 54 towers of the Bayon Temple to discover. On your final night in Cambodia, gather the team for a celebratory meal. Tuck into your favourite Khmer cuisine, share your best memories and set your friendships in stone.

After the best two weeks of your life, it’s time to travel home, so cram everything into your backpack and head to the airport. Check in, sit back and let it all sink in, you’ve just experienced something incredible. Cambodia has opened your eyes and challenged you more than you ever imagined. You’ve fast-tracked your life skills and connected with the locals; you’ve led your team and made new friends for life. These experiences will shape who you are and put you on the path to becoming a true global citizen. Prepare to return home forever changed.