Cambodia


A regal gem of Southeast Asia with a haunting past, Rustic Pathways is proud to provide year-round essential services in Cambodia. Since 1999, our operations have grown to include headquarters in Phnom Penh, a base in Kampong Cham, and continued support of the Cambodia Children's Project. Experience the majesty of Angkor Wat, the splendor of the floating villages on Tonle Sap, and share the love with the future of this inspired nation. We offer summer programs for high school students, fantastic Gap Year programs, and year round customized itineraries for private groups and families.


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    Cambodia Children’s Project (Delayed until Summer 2014)

    Cost: $1,495
    Length: 11 Days
    Service: 36 Hours
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    Floating Village Service

    Cost: $1,695
    Length: 11 Days
    Service: 36 Hours
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    From the Ground Up

    Cost: $2,695
    Length: 18 Days
    Service: 55 Hours
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    Jewels of Indochina

    Cost: $4,995
    Length: 18 Days
    Service: None
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    Off the Map: Cambodia

    Cost: $2,895
    Length: 18 Days
    Service: 32 Hours
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    Snapshots of Indochina

    Cost: $3,895
    Length: 18 Days
    Service: None
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    Wonders and Riches of Southeast Asia

    Cost: $5,695
    Length: 18 Days
    Service: None
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Fact File

Population
14.5 million people
Capital City
Phnom Penh
Currency
Riel: 1 USD buys about 4,035 KHR (as of August 2012)
Language
95 percent of Cambodians speak Khmer. English and French are also spoken.
Attractions
Angkor Wat, Tonle Sap, Floating Villages

Local Lingo

ជំរាបសួរ (Suis day) Hello.
អ្នកចេះភាសាអង់គ្លសទេ? (Niak jeh phiasaa awngle te?) Do you speak English?
ជល់មួយ (Jul mouy) To good health!

Did You Know?

  • Only 45% of Cambodian children finish elementary school.
  • Cambodians typically give their children names that rhyme with another family member as a form of early endearment.
  • The Cambodian flag is the only flag in the world to feature Angkor Wat, the zenith of the country's many temples.

Contact Us: For more information about Cambodia you can email us at cambodia@rusticpathways.com.

“Just as treasures are uncovered from the earth, so virtue appears from good deeds, and wisdom appears from a pure and peaceful mind. To walk safely through the maze of human life, one needs the light of wisdom and the guidance of virtue."

Buddha

Packing List

To Help You Come Prepared...

All of us here in Cambodia are looking forward to welcoming you. The packing lists below are designed to help you prepare for your trip and to ensure you bring the stuff you need, and that you don't bring a bunch of stuff you don't need.

Cambodia is warm, tropical and sunny where days will be in the high-80s to mid-90s.

You may want to bring one suitcase for the things you will wear and use yourself, and another for any gifts, recycled clothing, or other donations you will be making to the service projects. Then use that extra bag to take home all the cool gifts, clothing, and crafts that you buy here.

On some programs you will need to pack additional items that are not on this general packing list. Please make sure you read the notes for every program you are participating in which can be found on each specific program’s webpage. Students who are participating in multiple programs should pack the contents of the general Cambodia packing list, plus any special items listed for their specific programs.

Bring with you any medications that you will need while you are away. You will need to tell staff what medications you have brought during your orientation period. This is done privately, but it is essential that you disclose to your staff all medications you are carrying.

Pack lightly for your journey! Airlines in Southeast Asia will not allow a checked bag weighing more than 15 kilos, so please pack accordingly. You must also be able to carry and load your own luggage, and space in the vehicles is limited.

Carry-On Luggage

A small backpack is the best carry-on bag and will be useful on your program day-trips.

  • Passport - you can not get on the plane without this!
  • Airline tickets - you can not get on the plane without these either!
  • Wallet - with about $100 emergency money
  • 2 Photo copies of your Passport - 2 additional copies should be kept in your checked luggage.
  • Sunglasses
  • Toothpaste (under 3 oz.)
  • Toothbrush
  • Medications - Must alert staff, but keep these in your carry-on in case of lost luggage!
  • Journal and pens
  • Refillable, durable - but empty - water bottle. Fill up at the gate and stay hydrated on the plane!
  • Snacks
  • Books - Suggested reading: Siddhartha by Herman Hesse & The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
  • Cameras - Don't forget to bring your chargers, batteries and memory cards! You can also bring your USB cords for downloading pics for emails.

Make sure everything you pack in your carry-on complies with the new carry-on regulations of the TSA.

Checked Luggage

A medium sized duffel bag or large backpack work best. Wheeled bags are OK as long as they are medium sized and can easily be carried like a duffle over rough terrain.

Please bring at least a few outfits that can get dirty or destroyed for service work or adventure activities.

CLOTHING ITEMS

  • Long Pants (1-2, something lightweight)
  • Underwear (7-10)
  • Socks (7)
  • Swimsuit
  • T-Shirts with sleeves (7-10)
  • Tank Tops (2-3)
  • Long Sleeve T-shirt (1-2)
  • Lightweight, waterproof rain jacket
  • Shorts (3-4) - not too short or tight, as this is offensive in Cambodian culture.
  • Pajamas (1)
  • Tennis Shoes (1)
  • Sandals that are strapped (Chacos or Tevas are recommended) - Cambodians live in sandals
  • Flip-Flops (1) - really cheap, lightweight ones you can slip on and off easily

TOILETRIES
Please pack all items that could leak in a PLASTIC or ZIPLOCK bag

  • Soap or body wash
  • Shampoo & Conditioner
  • Contact lenses and solution, in a plastic bag
  • Sunscreen (lots of strong Sunscreen) - we suggest that you bring two completely different types. alternate between them to avoid having any allergic reactions.
  • Lipbalm - with sunscreen in it.
  • Sunburn cream or aloe
  • Insect Repellant - bring one that is heavy in DEET and one that is natural Citronella - 2 cans or bottles minimum. Remember that the mosquito is your enemy wherever you travel in the world.
  • Hand Sanitizer (1-2 small bottles per week) - Always keep this with you!
  • Wet-wipes or towelettes - also good for cleaning hands when there is no water readily available
  • Small packs of Kleenex Tissues - public toilets in most of Asia do not supply toilet paper - you are meant to bring your own.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

  • Flashlight/Headlamp w/ Extra Batteries (to read at night or in the case of power outages)
  • Watch or Clock with an Alarm
  • Heavy-duty garbage bags (2) - for packing wet and dirty clothes/shoes
  • Large (one gallon) Ziplock© Freezer Bags (4)
  • Small Personal First Aid Kit (our guides will have comprehensive first aid kits on hand, but having a personal kit is always helpful)
    • Band-aids
    • Triple Antibiotic Ointment
    • Anti-itch Cream (1 Benadryl Anti-itch Gel works great)
    • Medical Tape
    • Moleskin or preferred blister care
    • Preferred Mild Pain Reliever
    • Antihistamine (Benedryl or preferred type)
    • 2 Non-adherent, sterile dressing
    • 2 Gauze dressing
    • 5-8 Sterile wipes

OPTIONAL ITEMS

  • Khmer phrasebook
  • Deck of cards, or other easily explained games.
  • Pictures of mom, dad, boyfriend/girlfriend, dog, pet rock, etc. Cambodians love to see what your life back home looks like!
  • Frisbee, Aerobee, hacky sack, football, soccer ball or other things that are fun and easy to carry!

PLEASE NOTE - Rustic Pathways will not be responsible for ANY lost or stolen items. During travel it is common for items to be lost or stolen so please bring only items you are prepared to part with.