Cambodia small group adventure vacation

Planet

Group Size:
This is a small group tour, meaning that we have a low impact on the environments and communities we visit and are able to ensure that we do not disrupt or lead to the displacement of local people. The small number also allows us to stay in unique, family-run hotels that cannot benefit from coach tours and other mass tourism due to their limited sizes.

UK Office:
It all starts at home where we work towards reducing our carbon footprint in our offices through energy conservation measures, recycling policies and the promotion of cycling and walking as a means for our staff to commute. Our head office has become a plastic-free zone with the use of plastic bottles being banned in our head office and we distributed reusable water bottles and tote bags to every staff member. We also support a large number of community and environmental projects in different parts of the world and try to give something back to the places we visit.

People

Community/ Local Craft & Culture:
We do a lot to celebrate the cottage industries on this tour, as this is not only a way to directly benefit the locals but it is also hugely fascinating and enjoyable for travelers. For example, we take a cycling tour of the local businesses around Battambang. This is run by a social enterprise called Soskabike which, with our support, provides employment and business opportunities for locals. We stop at small factories producing rice paper, dried banana, prahoc fish paste, kraline and rice wine. The next day we also visit Angkor Silk Farm, where Artisans d’Angkor have helped rebuild Cambodia’s traditional art practices after the Khmer Rouge genocide, and is now employing more than 900 artisans and 1300 staff.

A Fair Deal:
We work closely with our local operator and ensure that all of our guides are local and that in exchange for their expertise that they are paid and treated fairly. Our leaders and guides have been trained in responsible travel and actively encourage our suppliers, drivers, and other members of our team to respect the environment, protect the culture and support the local economy. They have also completed Child Safe training which enables them to take positive action should they encounter children at risk as well as educating clients re child protection within tourism.

Accommodation & Meals:
We use predominantly locally run accommodation, which contributes directly to the local community as local staff are employed and locally produced or sourced goods are bought for the accommodation benefiting the wider community. Where meals are not provided, clients are encouraged to buy locally grown produce and try the abundance of fresh food being made. For example, your tour leader will point out the best markets in Phnom Penh and Siem Riep and will be able to advise you on which dishes to pick and what they contain. The Kampot Province is also a great place to bring our business to encourage local growth- here we will be able to sample products from the salt & rice fields and fruit & pepper plantations. Don’t miss the crab shacks in Kep which serve crab in Kampot pepper sauce!