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Peregrine Travel Centre

Cambodia Family Holiday with Teenagers

Cambodia Family Holiday with Teenagers

From $ 2,165 AUD

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Description

Uncover layers of history, long-held cultural traditions and cuisine that’s bursting with flavour on this nine-day trip to Vietnam and Cambodia that’s made for families with curious teens. Kick off in bustling Ho Chi Minh City, then spend a day getting to know historic Cu Chi before crossing the border into Cambodia. Encounter wildlife during a visit to Cambodia’s largest elephant sanctuary, a boat ride on the Mekong to see endangered Irrawaddy dolphins and a meet-and-greet with clever Gambian pouched rats who are helping detect landmines. Plus, go on active adventures like cycling on Koh Trong Island and ziplining at the mighty Angkor archaeological site – there’s so much to soak up on this family-friendly journey.

Trip Name
Cambodia Family Holiday with Teenagers
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
9
Capacity
16
Highlights
  • Spend a day immersed in Vietnamese cuisine and history in Cu Chi. Learn to cook traditional dishes during a farm-to-table cooking class, then take a guided tour of the fascinating Cu Chi Tunnels.
  • Volunteer at the Elephant Valley Project. Go on a hike to see the gentle giants that call this sanctuary home, learn about the traditions and culture of the local Indigenous Bunong people and help with reforestation or building projects.
  • Take a boat ride on the Mekong River in Kratie to spot the rare and endangered Irrawaddy dolphins, considered a sacred animal by the Khmer people.
  • Stay with a local family on Koh Trong Island – the perfect chance to slow down and experience authentic Cambodian life.
  • Explore the incredible temples of Angkor from the back of a tuk-tuk, then fly through the canopy of this UNESCO World Heritage-listed archaeological park on a zipline.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Ho Chi Minh City
Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins in Ho Chi Minh City. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 5 pm tonight to meet your trip leader and the other families you’ll be travelling with. If you arrive early, why not get out and about in Vietnam’s largest city, formerly known as Saigon. Go for a stroll to see some of the city’s most iconic landmarks like the People’s Committee Building, the Opera House and the French-era Central Post Office, or head to a cafe to try the famous Saigon ca phe sua da (iced coffee with condensed milk). After the meeting, get to know your fellow travellers over a welcome dinner of delicious southern Vietnamese cuisine.
Day 2 - Tay Ninh
Have a leisurely morning before taking a private bus to the Spice Garden in Cu Chi for a farm-to-table cooking class. See how the organic produce is grown and harvested at this community-run garden, then head into the kitchen and learn to prepare some authentic local dishes like Vietnamese pizza (a crispy rice paper base topped with egg, spring onion and sausage), banh xeo (crispy, savoury pancakes filled with meat, seafood or mung beans and served with a tangy sauce) or fresh spring rolls. The kids will love getting their hands dirty in the kitchen, and you’ll go home with a new recipe to cook together. Tuck into your freshly prepared feast for lunch, then hop back into the bus, headed to the Cu Chi Tunnels for a guided tour. This extensive underground network was initially dug by the Viet Minh and later expanded by the Viet Cong, spanning about 200 km (124 mi). They were used to house hospitals, dwellings and schools and were extensively used for refuge, storage and as a military base. After, travel to Tay Ninh – this mountainous province is known for the ornate Cao Dai Temple and the Black Virgin Mountain, the highest peak in southern Vietnam.
Day 3 - Sen Monorom
Today is a long travel day, so make sure you and the kids are set up with plenty of good books or playlists for the drive. Travel to the Xa Mat Border and cross through the Trapang Phlong border into Cambodia. Continue the drive to your hotel, stopping for lunch on the way. When you arrive in Sen Monorom, you’ll join your leader for an orientation walk through the city. Sen Monorom is the capital of Cambodia’s Mondulkiri province and is filled with picturesque waterfalls, hills and forests. After the walk, head out for dinner with your leader and the other families.
Day 4 - Sen Monorom
Spend a full day coming face-to-face with gentle giants at the Elephant Valley Project. This was the first elephant sanctuary established in Cambodia and is the region’s largest, providing more than 1500 hectares of forest, grassland, rivers and bamboo groves for the seven elephants in the sanctuary’s care to roam. You’ll have an early start, kicking off your day with a guided hike where you’ll learn about elephant welfare as well as the traditions and culture of the local Indigenous Bunong people. Observe these incredible creatures as they go about their daily activities – these elephants have all either suffered from injuries or were former working elephants and are in the process of rehabilitation. Your hike will finish up at the forest basecamp, set in a valley with a view over the neighbouring 300,000-hectare Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary. Tuck into a buffet lunch prepared by local Bunong cooks, then enjoy some time to lounge in a hammock and really soak up your surroundings. In the afternoon, you’ll play your part by doing some volunteering. Depending on the season, you might help with reforestation or small building projects.
Day 5 - Kratie
Go on a coffee farm tour this morning. Walk through the coffee nursery, plantation and processing facilities as you learn about growing, harvesting and processing coffee from bean to cup. Taste a fresh brew for yourself while sitting on the mountains, taking in views of the landscape below. You might also spot some of the farm’s wildlife like the endangered, black-shanked douc. After your tour, transfer to the province of Kratie. When you arrive, you’ll take a boat trip on the Mekong River to see the endangered Irrawaddy dolphins. It's estimated that only 92 of these dolphins still remain here in the Mekong and they are considered a sacred animal by both Khmer and Lao people. Later this afternoon, take a ferry across the Mekong River to reach Koh Trong Island. When you arrive, hop onto a bike and explore the island on two wheels – this island is completely vehicle-free. Tonight, sit down to a home-cooked dinner and get to know your hosts who you’ll be spending the night with.
Day 6 - Siem Reap
Have a home-cooked breakfast, then say goodbye to your host family. Hop back on a bike for the short ride to the pier, where you’ll catch a ferry back to the mainland, then travel on to Siem Reap. When you arrive, follow your leader on an orientation walk to get the lay of the land. Siem Reap is known for the incredible Angkor temple complex, which you’ll spend a full day exploring tomorrow. For dinner tonight, why not take the kids out for some street food – try num poum (coconut waffles), prahok ktis (a rich minced pork dipping sauce, typically eaten with fresh veggies) or num pang, which is similar to a Vietnamese banh mi.
Day 7 - Siem Reap
After breakfast, set off to discover the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Angkor temple complex. Hop onto a tuk-tuk for a guided tour with a social enterprise that provides sustainable employment opportunities for local women. Follow the Small Circuit to see the mighty Angkor Wat, the grand Bayon and the jungle-covered Ta Prohm. Some of the buildings in the complex are more than a thousand years old, dating back to the Khmer Empire. Make plenty of stops to take family photos and keep an eye out for the monkeys that gather on the temple ruins. Tonight, you’ll head to Phare, the Cambodian Circus. Combining music, theatre and dance with acrobatics, juggling, aerial acts and contortion, this circus is made up of young performers from vulnerable backgrounds and is sure to be a highlight of the trip.
Day 8 - Siem Reap
Head to the Apopo Visitor Centre this morning. This centre has trained the Gambian pouched rat to sniff out explosives, and these animals now help to detect landmines so that they can be cleared from the Cambodian countryside. Cambodia is one of the most heavily landmine-affected countries in the world, but these rats play a key role in efforts to combat this issue. During your guided tour, you’ll see how these clever rats are trained and learn a bit about Cambodia’s history. The kids will get the chance to hold a rat, too! Next, dial up the adrenaline with some ziplining through the rainforests of the Angkor archaeological park. You and the kids will get to see the site from a new perspective as you zip through the canopy. You’ll then have a free afternoon. Maybe visit the Angkor National Museum for interactive exhibits about the ancient Khmer empire or take another cooking class. Tonight, you’ll have a farewell dinner with your group – here’s to the incredible memories you’ve shared!
Day 9 - Siem Reap
With no further activities planned, your family adventure comes to an end after breakfast. A complimentary departure transfer to the airport is available. If you’d like to extend your stay, and it’s highly recommended you do, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
04-04-202712-04-2027AUD $ 2,165-
17-04-202725-04-2027AUD $ 2,165-
03-07-202711-07-2027AUD $ 2,165-
10-07-202718-07-2027AUD $ 2,165-
31-07-202708-08-2027AUD $ 2,165-
07-08-202715-08-2027AUD $ 2,165-
14-08-202722-08-2027AUD $ 2,165-
26-09-202704-10-2027AUD $ 2,165-
02-10-202710-10-2027AUD $ 2,165-
19-12-202727-12-2027AUD $ 2,165-
27-12-202704-01-2028AUD $ 2,165-
30-12-202707-01-2028AUD $ 2,165-

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights)

Transport

Private bus, Tuk Tuk (Cambodia Remork)

Map

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