IS COMMUNITY BASED TOURISM AND ECOTOURISM IN CAMBODIA SOMETHING FOR ME?
Are you wondering if visiting community based tourism sites and ecotourism in Cambodia is the way you want to experience this country? Not sure if it’s possible with children? Or if you’ll even like this kind of vacation?
We may be biased, but we reckon that whatever your age, whatever your life experience and whatever the purpose, duration or type of vacation you imagined, sustainable tourism in the Kingdom of Wonder might just change the way you travel forever. With a range of homestays and carefully selected ecotourism sites in beautiful locations throughout Cambodia, there is something for every style and taste.
Whether you want to explore the iconic Angkor Temples and learn more about Cambodia’s history, sleep in a hammock in the jungle, visit an elephant sanctuary or see one of the country’s many national treasures, we can help you plan an itinerary that embraces authentic, amazing experiences that bring the real Cambodia to life, right in front of your eyes.
By visiting one of the projects, you help to protect the cultural heritage and environment of Cambodia and its local communities. Your travels will take you off the beaten path, away from the tourists and into the beating heart of this fascinating country. From wildlife projects for animal lovers to home stays which give you a unique insight into what life is really like in Southeast Asia, we’ve carefully curated sustainable, community-led experiences suitable for all ages and lifestyles.
From twenty and thirty-somethings taking a career break to travel and explore, to families with children or teenagers who are looking for a vacation with a difference to a retiree fulfilling his/her lifelong dream with an adventure to Asia, you are sure to find a project that exceeds your expectations.
Still not convinced? Don’t take our word for it. See what some of the travellers had to say about their Cambodian journey…
DOING ECOTOURISM IN CAMBODIA WITH SMALL CHILDREN
“Can nappies, wet wipes, toys and toddlers ever really be compatible with eco tourism? Will the kids be bored? How hard will it be to entertain them? Wouldn’t an all-inclusive resort be so much easier? I admit, all of these feelings crossed my mind too but in fact, sustainable tourism and a family vacation are a natural fit.
Think about it. Children love to be outside and close to nature, they love exploring, learning, experiencing and trying out new things. If that can involve animals and feeding or seeing them, even better. My kids (2 and 4 years old) loved observing and chasing the jumping frogs after a rain storm. They don’t want glitzy, fancy shows and attractions, which often rank at the bottom of the sustainability ladder. Engaging with local communities comes naturally to children – they have that genuine curiosity towards others that means they thrive on this sort of trip.
As for comfort, don’t worry – you can have that too! We found that travelling on a train is much more fun and more comfortable for the children than being stuck in the car for hours. Exploring on bikes, kayaks and in a boat just adds more fun to the experience. While the most basic homestays might not be suitable for families with very young children, from toddler age and above it’s not much different to camping. My kids loved to be bathed in a bucket of water, they found it hilarious.” By Jane White
Cambodia is a popular and safe destination for young professionals to visit and explore. So, why are they attracted to community based tourism and ecotourism in Cambodia? What makes them to use their two weeks holiday to travel to remote villages to meet local people and explore the rural life.
THE ROOKIE CONSCIOUS TRAVELLER
“Ecotourism means different things for me. First, as a young person and a rookie traveller, I sometimes feel concerned about the way we travel in foreign countries, particularly how we influence the local culture and the impact our trip can have. For me as a young traveller, I think we can sometimes be looking for something more, like a personal quest. Often when we are visiting a country, we usually go to the places not to miss, but we don’t go deeply in to the rural areas and try to really understand the culture of the people.
Travelling abroad means preserving the area you are visiting. Enjoying nature in a responsible way is possible and recommended. With global warming and deforestation, our impact on the environment is very important. If we still want to enjoy wildlife, flora and fauna in the future then we need to protect our forests and the environment today.
I think that being conscious of this doesn’t take much effort. For me, ecotourism has been about escaping the commonplace and tackling new things. Travelling differently has been a rich and unforgettable experience, meeting people who want to share some aspect of their life with you and understand too where you come from.” By Anais Schall
Whatever your age, whether you are travelling solo, in a couple or as a family, ecotourism and community based tourism sites will make it possible for you to discover the real Cambodia, in the way that you always imagined.