Travel with a Purpose, Cambodia
8 Days. A Cultural Experience of a Lifetime.
International Experiences
A Cultural Experience of a Lifetime
Engage in meaningful service through Kids Play International, where sport is used to empower girls and educate boys in Cambodia for over 8 years. This isn't just volunteering, it's about real connection, learning from the people you meet, and truly experiencing a culture from the inside. You will be staying at safe and comfortable accommodations.
This journey is designed for individuals ready to step out of their comfort zone and are willing to experience and delve into a new culture.
This isn't just travel. It's a journey that inspires personal growth, meaningful connection, and inner strength, a transformative travel experience designed to blend conscious leadership, cultural immersion, service, and reflection.
What Makes Cambodia Special
This experience is designed differently. Instead of packing up and moving from place to place, we stay in one home base for the entire journey. You unpack once, settle in, and have time to actually get to know the people, culture, and rhythm of the place.
Stay awhile.
There's something different about returning to the same place each night. You begin to recognize faces, find your favorite coffee shop or restaurant, and feel more connected to where you are. You have time to wander, explore, and experience Cambodia beyond the major sights.
Shop local.
Cambodia is filled with beautiful boutiques featuring clothing, art, jewelry, home goods, and other pieces made by local artists and craftspeople. Shopping becomes another way to experience the country and support the people creating there. Through our partnership with DOON Collective, you'll also have the opportunity to discover special pieces or even build a capsule wardrobe during your stay.
And, of course, we'll experience the big local market. It's busy, colorful, sometimes chaotic, and an experience all on its own.
Experience the culture.
Cambodian culture is sprinkled throughout the entire journey rather than saved for one "cultural day." We'll learn more about the country and its history while experiencing traditional dance, theater, the Cambodian circus, and other forms of storytelling and expression.
We'll also visit organizations including APOPO and A21, giving us another perspective on Cambodia and the people working to create change within their communities.
Make room for R + R.
Not every moment needs to be filled. There is space built into the experience to slow down, sit by the pool, wander on your own, or enjoy a massage. Massages are incredibly affordable, so if a daily massage becomes part of your Cambodia routine, we won't judge.
Move your body.
Movement is woven into the experience through yoga and other opportunities to reconnect with your body. We'll also venture to Kulen, getting outside of the city and adding nature, movement, and exploration to the journey.
This isn't about seeing as much of Cambodia as possible. It's about staying long enough to experience one place more deeply.
Here's what makes this trip unique:
01
Full-Body Yes Approach
This isn't just about seeing Cambodia, it's about feeling it. Every step, every encounter, every reflection is designed to engage your mind, body, and heart.
02
Intentional Integration of Growth Edge Work
I structure the journey to stretch your edges safely: stepping into discomfort, noticing your habitual patterns, and choosing conscious responses. By practicing leadership in real situations, from trekking the hills to immersive service projects, you learn not just about the world, but about yourself.
03
Cultural Connection, Not Tourism
You'll engage in a meaningful service project, creating a lasting impact in Kids Play's local community and learn and experience their way of life. By being in genuine relationship with others, you'll see the impact of your choices, and the ways you show up in your own life.
04
Reflection and Integration Built In
Transformation only sticks when there's space to process it. Each part of the trip includes intentional rest, reflection, and journaling, and post-trip integration ensures the lessons come home with you.
Kids Play International
I am excited to be partnering with Kids Play International, a non-profit that leverages the power of sport and the Olympic values in a safe space so girls and boys can positively challenge and shift harmful gender, social and cultural norms. KPI believes that young people are the long-term solution to changing deep-rooted beliefs, and building a healthy society where each gender's contribution is highly valued.
After leading 15+ expeditions I've witnessed beautiful transformations. Some 'souvenirs' you may come home with:
Led By Courtney Lewallen
I've spent over a decade leading transformational journeys, from expeditions across the globe to conscious leadership programs for women and organizations. I bring a unique blend of experiential adventure, leadership coaching, and deep cultural immersion to every trip. My approach isn't about doing it all for you, it's about holding the space so you can step fully into yourself, meet your edges with curiosity and courage, and return home stronger, clearer, and more aligned than ever.
Itinerary:
Day 1
Depart, USA
- Depart from the USA.
Day 2
Arrive Phnom Penh
- Arrive in Phnom Penh late evening
- Transfer to hotel
- Dinner on your own
Day 3
Phnom Penh, Cambodian History
- Visit Choeung Ek Memorial: One of the infamous Killing Fields, where the Khmer Rouge executed around 17,000 of the estimated 2 million Cambodians who perished under the Pol Pot regime.
- Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum: Stark and moving reminders of Cambodia's recent tragic past. Guided Tour: Learn about the historical, political and social context of the bleak period of Khmer history which followed the fall of Phnom Penh in April 1975.
- Stop at sites of interest including the spectacular Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda (Emerald Buddha), the pagoda at Wat Phnom, the Independence Monument, and the recently unveiled statue commemorating the late King Father (Sihanouk).
- Dinner
Day 4
Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, Intro to Kids Play International
- Breakfast at hotel
- Drive from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
- Lunch on the way
- Check into hotel
- Meet KPI Coaches + Prep for Play Fair Community Day, Celebrating Mental Health
- KPI Guided Walking Tour: Get your bearings! Discover Pub Street, local markets and temples, and lush riverside.
- Group Dinner at restaurant
Day 5
Siem Reap
- Breakfast at hotel
- Play Fair Community Day (PFCD) at KPI Partner School, PFCD's are held weekly on Sundays and are open to the entire village, impacting up to 3,000+ youth and adults annually in Rwanda and Cambodia.
- Lunch at Sister Srey Cafe or similar
- Tonle Sap Fishing Village Excursion + APOPO Museum, learn how Cambodia became one of the most landmine affected countries in the world and how rats are used in the mine clearance process.
- Dinner at Haven Siem Reap, a social enterprise training restaurant empowering vulnerable young adults.
Day 6
Siem Reap
- Breakfast at hotel
- Join KPI youth (ages 7-12) in the Let's Play Fair Program (LPF)
- Visit a KPI Family's home and hear the changes they've seen in their household
- Lunch at Paris Cafe
- 1–5pm: Visit the Kulen Elephant Forest, 1,100 acres of protected forest where the former elephants of Angkor now roam free
- Dinner on your own, recommend Street 60 for Cambodian-style barbecue
Day 7
Siem Reap
- Breakfast at hotel
- 8am–1pm: Visit Angkor Wat Complex, one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia and the largest religious structure in the world. Tour includes Angkor Thom South Gate, Bayon Temple, Ta Prohm, and Angkor Wat.
- Lunch provided on the tour
- Free afternoon, suggested activities provided
- Dinner at TBD
Day 8
Siem Reap
- Breakfast at hotel
- Join KPI youth (ages 7-12) in the Let's Play Fair Program
- Community Project TBD
- Traditional Cambodian Noodle Lunch "Nom Banh Chok"
- Free time, relax by the pool, visit markets
- VIP Tour, Dinner + Performance at Phare Circus
Day 9
Siem Reap, Spa Day, Shop and Relax
- Breakfast
- Rest and Relaxation Day at TBD Spa and Wellness Resort
- 7–8pm: Apsara dance show and dinner, one of the oldest and most well-respected forms of dancing in Cambodia
Day 10
Depart for Home
- Breakfast
- Begin your journey home
Frequently Asked Questions
What airport do I fly into?
We fly INTO Phnom Penh International Airport (KTI) and OUT of Siem Reap International Airport (REP)
Do I need a passport/visa?
Yes, a valid passport (with at least 6 months before expiration) Visa are required to enter Cambodia. It is recommended to apply for an eVisa however Visa’s can also be obtained upon arrival at the airport for ~ $30 USD (Price is subject to change).
What type of vaccinations do I need?
It is recommended to make an appointment with your physician or a health care provider before leaving on any international trip. Refer to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website for the most updated list of required and recommended vaccinations.
What is the weather like?
Like most of Southeast Asia, Cambodia is warm to hot year round. We are traveling during the cool and end of the wet season. Cool is a relative term in Southeast Asia, temperatures will still be in the upper 80’s to low 90’s with high humidity. By October the frequency of rain is usually dropping off considerably, but it’s still recommended to bring a light raincoat!
Do I need travel insurance?
Yes! Purchasing travel insurance is required for any Traverse Beyond Trip. Allianz is a popular travel insurance as well as Seven Corners.
How safe is Cambodia?
Your safety and well-being are my top priorities. While no travel experience can come with a 100% guarantee, I am diligent in selecting safe, well-established providers for all travel, excursions, and activities. Every decision, from accommodations to guides to logistics, is made with your safety and experience in mind.
Details and Logistics
Dates
Fall 2027 (TBD)
Locations
Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
Duration
8 days
Cost: $6,500
What's Included:
- Guided experiences by Kids Play International's Olympic Athlete Ambassadors.
- Participation in Let's Play Fair, All Girls United, and Play Fair Community Day Event programs.
- Visits to historical sites, including Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom.
- Trips to the Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Museum to gain insights into Cambodia's history.
- A special Community Day Event
- Accommodations during your stay in Cambodia.
- In-country transportation for planned activities.
- Meals as specified in the itinerary.
- Guided cultural immersion experiences.
- Support and assistance from the Kids Play International team.
- Contribution to the sustainability of KPI programs promoting gender equity and personal development in Cambodia.
- Sponsor of a KPI player.
What's Not Included:
- Airfare to and from Cambodia.
- Travel insurance (participants are encouraged to obtain their own insurance).
- Visa fees (if applicable).
- Personal expenses, souvenirs, and additional meals not specified in the itinerary.
- Optional activities or excursions not mentioned in the trip details.
- Vaccination costs (if required).
- Any additional expenses incurred outside the planned itinerary.
- Mandatory travel insurance.
Ready to step outside the familiar?
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