Cambodia tailor made tour, nature & heritage

Planet

Carbon Reductions
This tour embraces low-impact travel by minimizing carbon emissions, especially through eco-friendly transport choices and immersive experiences. For instance, the use of traditional rowboats for bird-watching on the Stoeng Prat River, as well as the remork rides around Siem Reap, reduce reliance on motorized vehicles, which helps lower carbon footprints. In Chi Phat, biking is a central mode of transportation, creating an adventure-focused journey while avoiding emissions from motorized transport. For travelers wanting to participate directly in conservation, Chi Phat offers opportunities to plant trees as part of the reforestation project for the Cardamom Mountains. Every tree planted here will help capture carbon from the atmosphere, contributing to long-term climate benefits and ecological health. This commitment to sustainable mobility and conservation-focused activities underpins our commitment to lower emissions and contribute positively to the planet.

Environment
Our itinerary prioritizes ecotourism and the preservation of Cambodia's unique environments. The visit to Tonle Sap Floating Village and Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary highlights the importance of Cambodia’s wetland ecosystems, as these areas support over 150 species of waterbirds. By promoting responsible tourism, we support efforts to maintain these critical habitats while encouraging travelers to appreciate the complex interconnections within Cambodia’s natural ecosystems. In Chi Phat, the ecotourism initiative overseen by Wildlife Alliance has empowered locals to protect the Southern Cardamom Mountains, Southeast Asia’s largest remaining rainforest tract. This hands-on approach to environmental protection in Chi Phat allows travelers to witness firsthand the reforestation and habitat restoration efforts, which play a critical role in countering deforestation and safeguarding biodiversity for generations to come.

Wildlife
Wildlife conservation is central to this journey, starting with the sanctuary at Prek Toal. This globally significant bird habitat hosts rare and endangered species like the Milky Stork, Black-headed Ibis, and Oriental Darter, offering travelers a rare opportunity to observe these birds in their natural habitat. Conservation efforts around Tonle Sap protect this unique bird population, while revenue from ecotourism directly supports habitat maintenance and monitoring programs. The Chi Phat Ecotourism Site in the Cardamom Mountains enables travelers to contribute to wildlife preservation by directly participating in reforestation. Every visitor strengthens conservation efforts, benefiting species like the Asian elephant and leopard, which rely on this forest. By engaging in responsible wildlife tourism, this tour supports ecosystems and endangered species, reinforcing our dedication to protecting Cambodia’s remarkable biodiversity.

We aim to raise awareness of the need for environmental and cultural conservation among young people and local residents.

The biggest threat that wildlife in Cambodia faces today is the loss of habitat due to the clear-cutting of tropical forest for commerce. The southern Cardamom Mountains are the site of one of Asia's last seven fully intact wild elephant corridors and Cambodia's largest remaining contiguous old-growth forest.

The local villagers at Chi Phat had previously been extracting wildlife and timber from the nearby forests to supplement their meager farming incomes, resulting in an increasingly degraded local forest environment and devastation for the indigenous wildlife. The Community Based Eco Tourism project here aimed to provide these villagers with an alternate livelihood – ecotourism – while also setting up schooling and training opportunities to better their lives. In this way, the community becomes an integral part of the effort to preserve the area’s forest habitat, making the project sustainable.

Your visit provides local people with worthwhile jobs, enabling them to sustainably support their families. Your visit contributes to improving their health care, education and environment. Ecotourism helps prevent unsustainable use of forest resources, protecting the area’s natural heritage and culture.

Accommodation on the trip includes homestays in sustainable accommodations and transport by bicycle, a low-carbon form of transport!

People

Local Economy and Employment
The tour itinerary fosters economic opportunities for local communities by prioritizing stays in local guesthouses, visits to community-run sites, and engaging local guides, particularly in Siem Reap, Chi Phat, and Phnom Penh. Chi Phat, once impacted by economic challenges, has transformed into an ecotourism site, thanks to Wildlife Alliance and the efforts of locals who now benefit from tourism. By dining locally and supporting community initiatives, visitors contribute directly to Chi Phat’s economy and support village families, thus creating a sustainable income source that fosters growth and financial stability. The approach taken on this tour ensures that tourism revenue supports local people, aiding in the development of infrastructure, training programs, and essential services that benefit the wider community.

Inclusivity and Diversity
Inclusivity lies at the heart of this itinerary by focusing on experiences that reflect Cambodia’s rich culture and history while embracing the diversity of its people. In Siem Reap, visitors are invited to connect with the spirit of Angkor’s ancient Khmer heritage, while in Chi Phat, travelers engage directly with local traditions and the eco-conscious ways of life. This tour welcomes diverse travelers and aims to make all feel respected and represented. By working closely with local communities and NGOs, such as Wildlife Alliance, our tours foster an inclusive atmosphere where guests can learn about the diverse traditions of Cambodia’s ethnic groups and rural communities. From handicraft-making to conservation activities, our approach to inclusivity ensures all people feel welcomed and supported within this program.

Culture and Heritage Preservation
This itinerary honors Cambodia’s profound cultural heritage by supporting the preservation of historic sites like Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom, as well as local traditions in the Tonle Sap and Chi Phat communities. Tourism provides funding that supports ongoing conservation at these iconic temples, ensuring they are maintained for future generations. In Chi Phat, visitors can connect with the cultural legacy of Cambodia's rural communities and experience the rich traditions of village life. By preserving cultural heritage through responsible tourism, this tour helps ensure that Cambodia’s history, from its temples to its village customs, remains vibrant and continues to inspire travelers.

This tour fits our philosophy of responsible and sustainable tourism. Wherever possible, we generate income for people living in poor areas by using local materials, transport, food and guides, and paying directly to the individuals concerned rather than intermediaries. By booking this tour, you’ll be helping us to support small businesses, boat owners, national park rangers and other poor people in these communities.

With the assistance of Wildlife Alliance, Chi Phat community members are working together to preserve the environment, while providing exciting and unique experiences for visitors. Villagers who once roamed the forest, their efforts to survive depleting the area of its environmental heritage, are now employed as guides leading trekking, mountain-biking, camping, and river boat tours through the wilderness surrounding both communities. Over 200 kilometers of hiking trails meander through the jungle, leading you to the rainforest’s natural wonders, deserted waterfalls, campsites, and post-Angkorian burial jar sites.

Villagers also operate homestays, guest houses, motorbike taxi services, and restaurants, giving visitors further insight into rural life in Cambodia. CBET Committee members are elected to manage the project and are provided ongoing training as they perform bookings, arrange itineraries, manage the accounting, and oversee community ranger patrols. A community waste management system has also been developed - one of the first of its kind in Cambodia.