LEAP encompasses the best practices of student-centered learning. Your Tour Director will get to know you and your group, will push you to think deeply, and will prepare thoughtful, hands-on opportunities to display your learning. LEAP is exclusive to WorldStrides and is what makes our Tour Directors unique and our programs transformative.

Learn how this local Cambodian NGO supports youth development through education, scholarships, and community initiatives. Today, you can actively contribute by taking part in painting or construction projects, helping to brighten and improve the school environment for the children.

This half day tour will introduce you to the traditional Khmer skills of silk production. Located in the countryside, follow the artisanal silk-making process from silk worms and mulberry leaves to handmade fabric and explore the history and culture of local silk making.

Transfer to Chhong Kneas, a trading port for agricultural products on the edge of Tonle Sap Lake, also known as the Great Lake of Cambodia. Board a private local boat and journey across the lake to explore its floating villages and unique wildlife. Learn how communities live and work on the water, passing floating schools, markets, police stations and more as you observe daily life unfold.

Phnom Bakheng is a 9th-century Hindu and Buddhist temple dedicated to Shiva, built during the reign of King Yasovarman. Perched atop a hill, it offers panoramic views of Angkor Wat.

New Hope Cambodia provides free education, health care, and community and crisis support for pre-school children and youth from families in Mondul Bei Village, Siem Reap. The school offers hope and opportunity, helping students break the cycle of poverty for themselves and their families. Today, learn about the school’s work and contribute to its mission by teaching English to Cambodian students.

The Angkor complex is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. Stretching over 4000 square feet, Angkor Archaeological Park contains the glorious remains of the capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. Explore the famed Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations.

Angkor Wat was built in the first half of the 12th century (113-5BC) and is the largest religious monument in the world. It is estimated that it took 30 years for construction to be completed. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu god, Vishnu.

Angkor Thom, or "Great City", is an ancient fortified city with five gates. Ta Phrohm is located within Angkor Thom.

Ta Prohm, originally called Rajavihara, was built in in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. The UNESCO site was left in the same condition it was found in, and is now very popular for its ruins and jungle atmosphere.

The Bayon is a richly decorated Khmer temple. Built in the late 12th or early 13th century as the official state temple of the Mahayana Buddhist King Jayavarman VII, the Bayon stands at the centre of Jayavarman's capital, Angkor Thom. Following Jayavarman's death, it was modified and augmented by later Hindu and Theravada Buddhist kings in accordance with their own religious preferences. The Bayon's most distinctive feature is the multitude of serene and smiling stone faces on the many towers which jut out from the upper terrace and cluster around its central peak.

This Australian NGO supports communities through sustainable development programs, working with children and families to empower Cambodians to address complex social justice issues. Learn about their initiatives related to Human Rights, Juvenile Justice, and Education, then contribute directly by helping repair second-hand bicycles that will be donated to those in need. This hands-on activity promotes responsible tourism and allows visitors to leave a meaningful, positive impact on the community.

More than just a circus, Phare performers combine theater, music, dance, and modern circus arts to tell uniquely Cambodian stories, historical, folk, and contemporary. The young artists captivate audiences with their energy, emotion, and talent, making Phare Circus the top-rated modern cultural performance in Siem Reap. The circus also provides Cambodian students with a space to develop their skills and earn a fair wage, helping them rise out of poverty while gaining self-respect and independence.

Lend a hand by supporting current projects and initiatives, including the LaValla Project with Marist Solidarity Cambodia. Note: organization, project or initiative might differ.

Stay in a traditional Khmer house in Prasat Sambour, a district within Kampong Thom Province.

Travel to Phnom Penh and stop at Skun Village, also known as “Spiderville,” famous for its edible insect market, where stalls sell fried tarantulas and other local delicacies.

Marist Solidarity Cambodia is part of the Marist Brothers’ mission, helping children and young people with disabilities through education, support, and advocacy. Learn how programs like the LaValla Project give them purpose and opportunities, and contribute to their education by teaching either English or educational games.

Tiny Toones uses break-dancing and the culture of hip-hop to engage, inspire and educate young people from some of Cambodia’s most impoverished neighbourhoods. Their mission is to provides a safe, positive environment for at-risk youth to channel their energy and creativity into the arts and education, empowering them to build self-confidence in their daily lives, aim for better employment possibilities, and feel supported pursuing their dreams. Enjoy a Tiny Toones performance and then participate in a dance lesson.

The National Museum of Cambodia strives to preserve Cambodian cultural traditions. It houses the largest collection of Khmer art in the world, and also serves as a place of worship for the community.

The Royal Palace is Cambodia's royal residence. The Throne Hall within the Palace is painted in symbolic yellow (for Buddhism) and white (for Hinduism). The golden thrones used for coronations are found in the Hall. The Silver Pagoda is an ornate temple, one of the few to survive the terror of the Khmer Rouge.

Just outside Phnom Penh, in a peaceful rural setting, the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek provide a stark reminder of the devastation caused by the Khmer Rouge regime where thousands of people were killed and buried between the years of 1975 and 1978.

Formerly the Tuol Svay Prey High School, in 1975, Tuol Sleng Prison became the interrogation and torture facility for the Khmer Rouge regime. Kept largely unchanged, the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, as it is now known, showcases photographs and exhibits about the thousands of victims that passed through these doors - only seven of whom came out alive.

Khmer Community Development NGO is a local organisation working to improve the lives of Cambodian communities through education, health initiatives, and sustainable development programs. Learn about their strategies, including raising awareness of children’s and women’s rights, promoting understanding of human rights and democracy, and fostering inter-ethnic peace.

Explore the labyrinth of stalls from silk, crafts and antiques to souvenirs and authentic food. A great place to score a bargain!