Discover the Wonders of Cambodia
Your Gap Year in Cambodia
A Country Steeped in History
Cambodia is a land of ancient wonders, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes. From the temples of Angkor Wat and the bustling capital of Phnom Penh, it’s easy to see why Cambodia is a gap year favourite.
Understanding Cambodia’s history, marked by the Khmer Rouge genocide in the 1970s, is essential. The resilient Khmer people are rebuilding and reshaping their identity, but the impact of this dark period remains.
Join us in exploring Cambodia, where adventure and cultural understanding go hand in hand, and make a meaningful impact as part of something bigger.
Volunteering in Cambodia
Programme Overview
GapGuru Cambodia offers cultural immersion, impactful work, and exploration. Based at our hub in Battambang you’ll support our charity, the FutureSense Foundation, contributing to long-term development in local communities.
During your time in our hub, you’ll work closely with local learners in your chosen Impact Areas, driving sustainable change in the community.
Our Adventure Week is your perfect introduction to travel, designed to give you the confidence and knowledge to continue exploring well beyond your gap year. You’ll discover Cambodia’s highlights, while learning about its complex history.
Ready to be part of something bigger? Apply now to start your adventure, make a real impact, and gain skills that will benefit you long after your gap year. Let’s make memories together!
Induction
Your first few days will be packed with opportunities to immerse yourself in the local culture and learn about our work in Cambodia. You’ll explore Battambang on a guided walking tour, enjoy a welcome dinner, and get a rundown on health & safety. We’ll also teach you some Khmer phrases and introduce you to the FutureSense Foundation. It’s a great chance to bond with your fellow travellers and the hub team you’ll be working with over the next 5 weeks!
Project Delivery
From Monday to Friday each week during your project delivery, you’ll be based at our hub in Battambang. With guidance from your GapGuru mentor, you’ll help inspire change in the Impact Areas you have selected by engaging local learners in diverse activities outside the traditional classroom structure. This is a crucial part of our ongoing, sustainable programme, where you’ll build upon previous students’ work and be part of facilitating lasting change in our communities.
Adventure Week
It’s not all work and no play! On your Cambodia adventure week you’ll discover Cambodia’s highlights whilst gaining insight into some of the country’s darkest moments. Guided by local experts, you’ll stay in local hostels, savour authentic Khmer cuisine, and enjoy stress-free travel with all transport and activities included.
Our Adventure Week usually takes place on week 5 of your programme however this can be subject to change. Your full programme itinerary will be confirmed in your briefing pack at least 6 weeks before departure.
Weekends
Weekends are your free time to venture out and explore some amazing places like the incredible UNESCO World Heritage site of Angkor Wat Temple and the lively town of Siam Reap, or head south to find white sands and azure waters of the islands.
Our Impact Areas address key global issues, promoting long-term positive impact and sustainable development in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
In Cambodia you can choose to make an impact in:
This journey combines adventure and cultural exploration. Spend a week exploring the highlights of Cambodia whilst learning about its complex history.
Guided by local experts, you’ll stay in friendly hostels, savour authentic Khmer cuisine and visit bucket-list destinations, with all transport and activities included, making your first taste of travel stress-free.
Phnom Penh
- Royal Palace & National Museum: Explore the stunning Royal Palace and delve into Cambodia’s rich history at the National Museum.
- Killing Fields & Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum: Learn about Cambodia’s history with visits to these important historical sites.
Sen Monorom
- Doh Kromom Mountain: Trek to the top of this scenic mountain.
- Jungle Trek: Hike through the forest and experience the natural beauty of the region.
Kratie
- Mekong River Dolphin Tour: Take an afternoon boat ride to spot the rare irrawaddy river dolphins.
- Riverside Exploration: Enjoy the evening exploring riverside bars and restaurants.
In Cambodia, we work hand-in-hand with our charity, the FutureSense Foundation to ensure our programmes are long-term and create lasting change. Our work is focused in the Ek Phnom District where we support 10 rural villages, working on projects which include STEM, English, climate action, WASH, women’s health, and wellbeing support.
FutureSense Foundation Cambodia also provides free daily education for the students who cannot afford this themselves.
When you visit Cambodia, you will be part of something bigger. Supporting the FutureSense Foundations work with the people of Battambang to make the changes needed to break the poverty cycle in Cambodia.
During your programme, you will be staying at our volunteer house. All the rooms are dorm style, so you will be sharing with 4-5 other volunteers in bunk beds. There are fans in the rooms and mosquito nets available. Each room has an ensuite that includes a western toilet, shower and sink.
There is a kitchen and plenty of chill-out spaces where you can relax in your spare time – including a beautiful rooftop!
The accommodation is regularly cleaned and safe, however, the amenities aren’t the same standard that you might be used to. Be prepared for things like putting toilet paper in a bin rather than flushing it and having cold showers (which is refreshing because it’s so hot!).
Meals
All of our meals are served family-style and are vegetarian to ensure that we can provide you with safe food and also reduce our carbon footprint. You’ll eat a lot of the local cuisine which is delicious across the board!
Breakfast
We keep breakfast simple to give you time in the morning. Expect toast, jam and eggs with coffee and tea.
Lunch
Lunch will either be back at your accommodation or will be a packed lunch that you will take with you to your project.
Dinner
Dinner is a bigger affair, where our in-house cooks prepare delicious local meals. Dinners will be a combination of rice, noodles, soup, stir-fried vegetables, and/or a fried item. To give you a taste of home the team might even sneak in the odd western dish like pasta.
What's Included?
Prices Include
- A GapGuru Mentor during your stay
- Clean and safe Accommodation
- 3 x nutritious meals from Monday –Friday in the hub
- Training & orientation
- Support before, during and after your trip
- Airport pick-up & drop-off
- In-country transport
- All pre-travel materials
What we can help you with
- International Flights
- Visa and Travel insurance fee
- Vaccinations
- Local Transport and Travel
- Any Personal Expenses
- We know that sorting this stuff out can be hard so we’re more than happy to help!
Explore Cambodia
Why Make an Impact With GapGuru
- Support Local Communities
- Ethical and Sustainable
- Part of Something Bigger
Volunteering in Cambodia
A Country Steeped in History
Cambodia is a land of ancient wonders, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes. From the temples of Angkor Wat and the bustling capital of Phnom Penh, it’s easy to see why Cambodia is a gap year favourite.
Understanding Cambodia’s history, marked by the Khmer Rouge genocide in the 1970s, is essential. The resilient Khmer people are rebuilding and reshaping their identity, but the impact of this dark period remains.
Join us in exploring Cambodia, where adventure and cultural understanding go hand in hand, and make a meaningful impact as part of something bigger.
FutureSense Foundation Cambodia
Programme Overview
GapGuru Cambodia offers cultural immersion, impactful work, and exploration. Based at our hub in Battambang you’ll support our charity, the FutureSense Foundation, contributing to long-term development in local communities.
During your time in our hub, you’ll work closely with local learners in your chosen Impact Areas, driving sustainable change in the community.
Our Adventure Week is your perfect introduction to travel, designed to give you the confidence and knowledge to continue exploring well beyond your gap year. You’ll discover Cambodia’s highlights, while learning about its complex history.
Ready to be part of something bigger? Apply now to start your adventure, make a real impact, and gain skills that will benefit you long after your gap year. Let’s make memories together!
Induction
Your first few days will be packed with opportunities to immerse yourself in the local culture and learn about our work in Cambodia. You’ll explore Battambang on a guided walking tour, enjoy a welcome dinner, and get a rundown on health & safety. We’ll also teach you some Khmer phrases and introduce you to the FutureSense Foundation. It’s a great chance to bond with your fellow travellers and the hub team you’ll be working with over the next 5 weeks!
Project Delivery
From Monday to Friday each week during your project delivery, you’ll be based at our hub in Battambang. With guidance from your GapGuru mentor, you’ll help inspire change in the Impact Areas you have selected by engaging local learners in diverse activities outside the traditional classroom structure. This is a crucial part of our ongoing, sustainable programme, where you’ll build upon previous students’ work and be part of facilitating lasting change in our communities.
Adventure Week
It’s not all work and no play! On your Cambodia adventure week you’ll discover Cambodia’s highlights whilst gaining insight into some of the country’s darkest moments. Guided by local experts, you’ll stay in local hostels, savour authentic Khmer cuisine, and enjoy stress-free travel with all transport and activities included.
Our Adventure Week usually takes place on week 3 of your programme however this can be subject to change. Your full programme itinerary will be confirmed in your briefing pack at least 6 weeks before departure.
Weekends
Weekends are your free time to venture out and explore some amazing places like the incredible UNESCO World Heritage site of Angkor Wat Temple and the lively town of Siam Reap, or head south to find white sands and azure waters of the islands.
Our Impact Areas address key global issues, promoting long-term positive impact and sustainable development in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
In Cambodia you can choose to make an impact in:
This journey combines adventure and cultural exploration. Spend a week exploring the highlights of Cambodia whilst learning about its complex history.
Guided by local experts, you’ll stay in friendly hostels, savour authentic Khmer cuisine and visit bucket-list destinations, with all transport and activities included, making your first taste of travel stress-free.
Phnom Penh
- Royal Palace & National Museum: Explore the stunning Royal Palace and delve into Cambodia’s rich history at the National Museum.
- Killing Fields & Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum: Learn about Cambodia’s history with visits to these important historical sites.
Sen Monorom
- Doh Kromom Mountain: Trek to the top of this scenic mountain.
- Jungle Trek: Hike through the forest and experience the natural beauty of the region.
Kratie
- Mekong River Dolphin Tour: Take an afternoon boat ride to spot the rare irrawaddy river dolphins.
- Riverside Exploration: Enjoy the evening exploring riverside bars and restaurants.
In Cambodia, we work hand-in-hand with our charity, the FutureSense Foundation to ensure our programmes are long-term and create lasting change. Our work is focused in the Ek Phnom District where we support 10 rural villages, working on projects which include STEM, English, climate action, WASH, women’s health, and wellbeing support.
FutureSense Foundation Cambodia also provides free daily education for the students who cannot afford this themselves.
When you visit Cambodia, you will be part of something bigger. Supporting the FutureSense Foundations work with the people of Battambang to make the changes needed to break the poverty cycle in Cambodia.
During your programme, you will be staying at our volunteer house. All the rooms are dorm style, so you will be sharing with 4-5 other volunteers in bunk beds. There are fans in the rooms and mosquito nets available. Each room has an ensuite that includes a western toilet, shower and sink.
There is a kitchen and plenty of chill-out spaces where you can relax in your spare time – including a beautiful rooftop!
The accommodation is regularly cleaned and safe, however, the amenities aren’t the same standard that you might be used to. Be prepared for things like putting toilet paper in a bin rather than flushing it and having cold showers (which is refreshing because it’s so hot!).
Meals
All of our meals are served family-style and are vegetarian to ensure that we can provide you with safe food and also reduce our carbon footprint. You’ll eat a lot of the local cuisine which is delicious across the board!
Breakfast
We keep breakfast simple to give you time in the morning. Expect toast, jam and eggs with coffee and tea.
Lunch
Lunch will either be back at your accommodation or will be a packed lunch that you will take with you to your project.
Dinner
Dinner is a bigger affair, where our in-house cooks prepare delicious local meals. Dinners will be a combination of rice, noodles, soup, stir-fried vegetables, and/or a fried item. To give you a taste of home the team might even sneak in the odd western dish like pasta.
Want to learn more
Upcoming Departures
Thailand
📍 Mae Sariang
15th November 2024
From £2,595
Tanzania
📍 Arusha
15th November 2024
From £2,595
India
📍Palampur
11th January 2025
From £2,595
Peru
📍Urubamba
1st February 2025
From, £2,595
Cambodia
📍Battambang
15th February 2025
From £2,595
Nepal
📍Kathmandu Valley
15th February 2025
From, £2,595
Panama
📍El Valle de Anton
1st March
From, £2,595
Need Gap Year Advice?
Want some help planning your gap year? Whether you’ve already booked a gap experience with us, or are wondering where to start, don’t hesitate to reach out to our fantastic GapGurus! We’ve got plenty of gap year experience and nearly 20 years of turning dreams into reality. Chances are, we’ve heard your question before. Drop us a message and let’s make the most of your gap year!
