Sacred Civilisations School Expedition to Vietnam & Cambodia

Wake up in Vietnam and jump into expedition life. Meet the ground team, get to grips with the currency (Vietnamese Dong) and head out to buy a SIM card for the team phone. Jobs done, it’s time to explore Vietnam’s biggest city. Also known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City has ancient pagodas, colourful markets and shimmering skyscrapers. Check out Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, then enter the War Remnants Museum and discover the stories that changed Vietnam’s future. To experience more, book a cycle ride to the Cu Chi tunnels. Pedal through the countryside and discover how the Viet Cong used the tunnels during the Vietnam War. Hungry? Get your first taste of pho noodle soup, fresh spring rolls and rice paper pizza.

Head south to the Mekong Delta. Spend the next few days living alongside a community, contributing to an initiative that aims to improve access to affordable and sustainable energy for local families. Discover how residents here are improving street lighting to make the community safer, then roll up your sleeves and get involved. Help out with installing solar energy lighting polls. To make a positive contribution, you’ll need to learn some new skills and take your lead from the locals. Learn about rice farming and lend a hand in the paddy fields. Watch the experts make conical hats from palm leaves, then make your own creations. Dive deeper into Mekong life with cooking lessons and visit a traditional ceramics workshop. Step outside your comfort zone and you’ll gain a rare insight into another culture. Then wave goodbye to the community and return to HCMC.

Goodbye Vietnam, hello Cambodia! Pile into the transfer vehicle and cross the border, then continue on to the cultural city of Phnom Penh. Cambodia’s capital is located on the banks of the mighty Mekong River. Navigate its buzzing streets and grab your first glimpses of the city’s French-colonial architecture and ornate temples. 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.

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. Keep your eyes peeled for unique flora and fauna. Arrive at your next campsite and spend the evening connecting with the local community by joining a friendly sports match or enjoying 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.

On your final day in Cambodia, prepare to time-travel to the greatest city of the Khmer Empire, Siem Reap sits right next to the famous Angkor temples. Maximise your time by watching the sun rise over this mind-blowing 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. Mark the end of your trip with a team 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. 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. Vietnam and Cambodia have opened your eyes and challenged you more than you ever imagined. You’ve fast-tracked your life skills and connected with 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, so prepare to return home forever changed.