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August Rural Experiential Tour
August 8 - August 16, 2009
Cambodia
PEPY’s Rural Experiential Tour is designed to give short-term travelers a chance to support long-term development. Each Rural Experiential tour is unique in that it is designed to give travelers a chance to learn about and support a current need in the area we are visiting. We will start the tour with a visit to Cambodia’s vibrant capital, Phnom Penh. Simply walking around the streets of this energetic city, watching the cyclos and motos weave around in the traffic and joining in the organized chaos yourself, is an exciting welcome to Cambodia. Spend the first day strolling past street sellers on the pavement, taking in the beauty of the Royal Palace, and enjoying the sunset over the Tonle Sap River.
Visiting significant historical sites, you will learn about the Khmer Rouge atrocities of the recent past. The Toul Sleng Genocide Museum, also known as S21, is a group of buildings that were once a school but later turned into a prison and torture centre by the Khmer Rouge. Post-Khmer Rouge, this disturbing site has been transformed into a museum to explain the crimes committed there and serves as a reminder of their brutality. Once we have gained an initial understanding of the brutality of the Khmer Rouge regime we will visit the ‘Killing Fields’, or Cheoung Ek. Located 15 kilometers from Phnom Penh, this site is where Tuol Sleng prisoners were forcibly marched and then executed; it is now a memorial site located in a tranquil setting. During this difficult day, meals will be at partner Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) where the food is delicious and the profits go to a good cause!
After learning a little about the history of Cambodia we spend the next few days meeting with our partner organization to learn about the service portion of our trip. In order to transform short-term visits from travelers into long-term positive impact, we partner with organizations working full-time with the communities we visit and working on the issues we are addressing on our trip. On this trip we will help build a rainwater collection unit which will provide clean drinking water, year-round, to the over 500 students attending the school. Diarrheal disease from unsafe drinking water is a top killer in Asia, and the number one cause of death for children under five. Through work with our partner organizations, children at this school will be educated about water-born illnesses and also given a water container with which to bring clean water home to their families and further the impact of this project.
We will conclude this tour in Phnom Penh where you will have time to explore it on your own, as well as visit some of the PEPY staff’s favorite restaurants. You can visit many sites of interest, such as the National Museum, or spend some time shopping and getting lost in the sprawling Russian and Central markets.
As each trip with PEPY is unique and designed around current needs, PEPY guests can walk away knowing that the impact from their time and money will continue long after they leave.
· Trip Price: $700 if you make your trip deposit by June 30th, 2009 ($750 thereafter)
· Additional Minimum Fundraising/Donation Amount: $500
Inclusions: The trip includes all transportation listed while in Cambodia, all overnight stays, all tour and entrance fees for listed attractions, and most meals. We leave a few meals free as there are many choices in Phnom Penh and past participants have enjoyed the chance to find their favorite food!
Exclusions: The trip does not include international flights to/from the start and end points. Visas are available upon arrival and cost $20 for most foreign nationals. Also excluded are your departure taxes: $6 domestic, $25 international.
Cancellation Policy: If six people have not signed up for the trip four weeks before the start date, PEPY staff may cancel the tour and any deposits will be refunded in full. If a participant cancels for any reason, their $200 deposit is non-refundable. Refunds will be made for the remainder of the tour fees (excluding deposit and fundraised money) on this schedule:
· Full – more than 3 weeks before trip’s start
· 50% - more than 2 weeks before trip’s start
· 25% - more than 3 days before trip’s start
· 0% - less than 3 days before trip’s start
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
Are there any health concerns?
Check with your doctor and the CDC webpage www.cdc.gov/travel, but don’t let them scare you! We can get you in touch with a past participant for a reality check!
What will our accommodations be like?
One rider described the accommodation as “the best each place has to offer.” In smaller towns, that might mean a basic hotel with hot water and a fan, though almost all hotels have A/C options (though PEPY supports the use of fans!). In bigger towns and cities we put our guests up at a mix of the most responsible hotels supporting local development programs and unique guesthouses built with environmental consideration.
Will I need to know the local language?
No. English is widely understood and the PEPY team and our partners will always be available to help you with anything you might need. But it’s a lot of fun to learn some of the language while you are here!
View other Frequently Asked Questions
To request more information about this tour and to receive updates, please send us your name and email address using the form below.
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Once we receive your registration form, we will contact with instructions on how to send in your deposit. We can not secure you a spot on this tour until we receive your deposit.
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