ITINERARY – Tiny Toones Experience of Cambodia
7 - 20 January 2014 - 14 days/13 nights
Phnom Penh, Battambang, Siem Reap (Angkor Wat)
A Unique Fundraising* Tour for Tiny Toones Cambodia
Join us on this once-in-a-lifetime travel experience in Cambodia – The Kingdom of Wonder! This
unique tour itinerary combines a smorgasbord of varied activities suitable for individual travellers,
couples and families in Cambodia’s three major cities.
The trip begins with the option of a three-day customised dance & music workshop in Phnom Penh
at the Tiny Toones Learning Centre where over 200 disadvantaged kids take a range of classes in
breakdance, music, English and Khmer every weekday. Alternatively, let the others do the dancing
and be immersed in history, architecture, cuisine, cycling in countryside, Khmer culture and more.
We have created a travel experience that introduces you to extraordinary Cambodian people - adults
and children - and takes you to unforgettable places and projects around the country including Siem
Reap, Angkor Wat and the temples, Lake Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve and the countryside and
Battambang, Cambodia’s gracious second largest city (see detailed itinerary below). On the tour you
will also see first-hand the work and achievements of other outstanding social inclusion organisations
including Phare Ponleu Selpak in Battambang (www.phareps.org) that, like Tiny Toones, specialises
in developing the academic, physical and emotional capacities of disadvantaged young people
through performing arts.
More about Tiny Toones
Tiny Toones uses break-dancing and the culture of hip-hop to engage, inspire and educate young
people from some of Cambodia’s most impoverished neighbourhoods. In 2005, the founder (Tuy
Sobil, aka “KK”) began teaching breakdancing in his home to a handful of kids he had seen working or
living on the streets. Breakdancing – and the support and encouragement of KK – provided them with
focus, motivation and confidence and helped them to transform their lives. Since then Tiny Toones
has grown year-on-year, employing ex-students and using the popularity of hip-hop among
Cambodian youth to reach and educate thousands of at-risk children and young-people. In 2012 Tiny
Toones was one of only three projects worldwide to be shortlisted for the UNICEF Sport for
Education Award at the Beyond Sport Awards, an achievement they have repeated in 2013.
*Because this Tour is direct marketed to friends and supporters, 25% of the tour price is donated to Tiny Toones. The
funds raised will go towards Tiny Toones daily classes in English, Khmer (the Cambodian national language) and
computing as well as breakdancing, rapping and graffiti art.
www.dragonflytourscambodia.com
Details of Tiny Toones Experience of Cambodia Tour
We have then scheduled a Khmer Culture Course –
engaging, fun and surprisingly educational. Delivered
entirely in Khmer by Cambodian people with lots of
acting, miming, props and whiteboard it’s a fascinating
insight to understanding Cambodia through the life of
Rith. NB – may require some audience participation!
KK – founder of Tiny Toones with students
Day 1- 5 Phnom Penh (PP): Some cheerful marketing
person coined the slogan ‘Phnom Penh - The Charming
City’ and whilst that may be a little generous, PP is
nevertheless quite quaint. With only 2 million estimated
residents, its ambience is more big country town than
manic South East Asian capital city. PP is the capital of
Cambodia and located on the banks of the Tonle Bassac
but from riverside can be seen the mighty Mekong
River.
Our first night is a private river cruise with drinks and a
meal hosted by the Tiny Toones team – your chance to
learn more about this inspiring organisation. Tiny
Toones founder “KK” and others will share their stories
with you. The next three days are spent in two optional
ways. Workshop participants will be attending Tiny
Toones each day from 8 – 4. Tiny Toones Centre is
located in Chhba Ampou roughly 20 minutes south of
Riverside in a neighborhood that few – if any – tourists
visit. Soak up the incredible atmosphere of hundreds of
happy, engaged kids in or buzzing between classes. To
accommodate all the kids they attend the centre in
separate shifts – morning and afternoon.
Workshop participants will learn from Tiny Toones
teachers and work alongside Tiny Toones students to
create and record their own music and to come up with
their own dance moves and routines. We finish up with
a performance for the whole centre where everyone
showcases what they’ve accomplished including Tiny
Toones performers aged five to 25 (venue TBC).
Meanwhile, non-participants will be exploring PP
through a wide variety of quality activities that take you
beyond the tourist trail. To get a feel for greater PP we
jump on quality mountain bikes for a guided leisurely
ride across the river with our friends Grasshopper
Adventures to visit the islands directly east of the city.
We are immediately in countryside and immersed in
traditional life with gorgeous wooden Khmer houses,
lush gardens and local industry, much of which focuses
on silk weaving. The cycling is on flat ground and
leisurely and lunch is provided. If cycling is not your
thing we can easily organise alternative activities or
point you in the direction of a wonderful spa/massage.
Scheduled on the third morning is a quality cooking
class including a market visit and preparation of your
own delicious and healthy lunch. In the afternoon we
undertake a visit to Phnom Penh’s many excellent fair
trade shopping outlets and the Russian Market – and
now you will know why there are so many kramas
(Khmer scarves) for sale and what to do with one. In the
evening consider joining an outdoor exercise class (for
25 cents) at dusk in one of the Penh’s public spaces such
as riverside.
The fourth morning can include a range of options –
some people choose to learn more about the recent
traumatic past by visiting The Genocide Museum and
The Killing Fields, made famous in the movie of the
same name, but this is personal choice. Our Leaders can
give you advice on other activities including glamorous
Khmer-style photo shoot (lots of fun and a great
souvenir), tour of architecture of PP, spas and more.
Tiny Toones on a visit to Melbourne to perform in 2012
Day 6 – 7 Battambang: Leaving Phnom Penh we travel
to Cambodia’s second largest city, it’s a lovely place to
visit with a small but flourishing arts scene. The region is
an agricultural hub boasting the best soils in the
country. During day trips to the countryside we learn
more about food production and local delicacies, Khmer
Rouge history, and experience the idiosyncratic
“Bamboo Train” – a lot of fun. We enjoy a delicious
meal at home with our expert local guide who is also a
superb host. We finish our trip to Battambang with
another of our outstanding partners: Phare Ponleu
Selpak School of performing and visual arts. We have a
tour of their incredible facilities before being treated to
an evening performance by the world-renowned Circus
on their home campus under The Big Top. The School
also teaches traditional and contemporary music, arts
and culture, and visitors can see an art exhibition and
the next generation of Cambodian artists at work.
www.dragonflytourscambodia.com
Day 8 – 14 Siem Reap (SR): SR is justly famous for its
access to the incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site
where the Angkor temples built by a succession of Kings
are a significant part of the Khmer cultural heritage.
The superb Ta Prohm (Tomb Raider) Temple
Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites
in South-East Asia. Stretching over some 400 km2,
including forested area, Angkor Archaeological Park
contains the magnificent remains of the different
capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th
century. They include the famous Temple of Angkor Wat
and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its
countless sculptural decorations.
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/668
Monk at Ta Prohm temple near Siem Reap
But temples are not the only attractions in SR. On our
first full day we go to Artisans D’Angkor – an
outstanding social enterprise model now entirely free of
subsidies that operates a profit sharing model with its
staff. We visit their Silk Farm where the entire silk
production process, from mulberry tree to exquisite silk
weaving and clothing, is demonstrated and also the
artisans’ workshops and exquisite gift shop. After lunch
at the renowned Sala Bai training restaurant we visit the
Angkor Museum – a comprehensive and truly
impressive introduction to Khmer history and culture.
The quality of the interpretive information is excellent
and it’s worth visiting just to see the Room of 1,000
Buddhas. Our guests consistently tell us this is a very
worthwhile pre-temple activity.
Man drinking freshly harvested palm wine
The following day we start our temple tour with a dawn
visit to Ta Prohm – the mystical over-grown temple
made famous by the movie Tomb Raider – then visit
more sites including Bayon with its enigmatic smiling
faces (a favourite for many visitors) to finish the day at
Angkor Wat, the largest religious building in the world.
We also schedule a day trip to Kbaal Spean, the linga
carved riverbed atop a small mountain 50 km from SR,
visiting the small but superb Banteay Srey Temple en
route and, when possible, go to ACCB so you can learn
more about wildlife protection and rehabilitation. We
also visit the Land Mine Museum, set up by a former
soldier, to educate and raise money for land-mine
removal and pass through villages with local produce.
Siem Reap is a small, easily navigable city offering a
wide range of experiences and is home to a number of
social enterprises and NGOs including wonderful
restaurants, craft workshops and retailers. During your
stay in SR, you have a chance to stroll around or grab
one of the many friendly and helpful tuk-tuks, relax with
a massage and chat with locals to help them practice
their English. We will also have the opportunity to see a
performance by the exquisitely graceful Apsara Dancers.
On our final day in SR we undertake a very special day
trip with our partners Osmose to access the Tonle Sap –
the largest freshwater lake in South East Asia and a
unique hydrological marvel that is of critical importance
to the economy and psyche of Cambodia providing up
to 75% of the country’s protein. The size of the lake
fluctuates from 2,500 km2 in the dry season to 15,000
km2 at the height of the wet when it reaches a critical
size and the Tonle Bassac River changes its course and
starts to empty the lake past Phnom Penh and into the
Mekong River. We take a long boat trip to visit the Tonle
Sap Biosphere for some superb bird-watching
opportunities and Prek Toal a floating village to see how
some of the 1.5 million lake residents live. We visit a
water hyacinth weaving workshop, take long boats
around the village to see small crocodile farms, fishraising, floating gardens and eat at the restaurant.
Sunrise at the iconic Ankgor Wat
www.dragonflytourscambodia.com
Tiny Toones Experience Tour Itinerary: January 2014
Date
DAY
ACTIVITY
Tues 7
Day 1
Wed 8
Day 2
Thurs 9
Day 3
Fri 10
Day 4
Sat 11
Day 5
Sun 12
Day 6
Mon 13
Day 7
Tues 14
Day 8
Wed 15
Day 9
Thurs 16
Day 10
Friday
17
Day 11
Morning: Leave for Kbaal Spean (1 hr each way by private vehicle) return via
afternoon visit to Banteay Srei temple and Land Mine Museum.
SR
Sat 18
Day 12
Free Day - Possible activities include hands-on Ceramics Workshop, more temples,
spa/massage. Your Leader will provide advice.
SR
Sun 19
Day 13
Full Day Trip: Eco-tourism visit by small boat to Tonle Sap Lake Bio-sphere Reserve
– Prek Toal Floating Village – most significant bird sanctuary in South East Asia.
Lunch included
Evening: Final dinner
SR
Mon 20
Day 14
Departure Day
SR
Group Meeting at 2 pm in Hotel Lobby
Afternoon: Orientation visit to Tiny Toones
Evening: River boat cruise followed by dinner (not included)
Workshop Participants: Workshop at Tiny Toones
Non-participants
Morning: Bicycle Tour to the Islands of the Mekong countryside east of Phnom
Penh to see home based silk weaving, countryside and local industries. Incl. lunch
Afternoon: Khmer Culture Course (2 hours) – a fun way to learn about culture
Workshop Participants: Workshop at Tiny Toones
Non-participants
Morning: Cambodian Cooking Class (lunch included)
Afternoon: Fair trade shopping tour
Workshop Participants: Workshop at Tiny Toones
Non-participants
Morning: Options (Leader will organise) include
 S21 and Killing Fields
 Architecture Tour of Phnom Penh
 Glamour Photoshoot
Morning: Options as previous day or more, discuss with Leader
Afternoon: free time
Option: Attend SSFC free training for local children from 5 - 7
Evening: Tiny Toones Dance School performance with workshop participants
Morning: Leave for Battambang 5-6 hours via road (private vehicle).
Afternoon: Orientation Walk and looking at architecture.
Delicious home dinner (incl)
Day Trip: Countryside Tour & Bamboo Train with local specialist guide
Late afternoon visit to Phare Ponleu Selpak school.
Evening: Circus performance!!
Leave for SR by private vehicle 3-4 hours
Afternoon: Angkor National Museum
Dinner: Local BBQ
Morning: Temples! Visit Ta Prohm at dawn leaving hotel at 5.30am. Return for
rest.
Afternoon: Visit to Angkor Thom temple, continue to Angkor Wat.
Morning: Visit Silk Farm and Senteurs D’Angkor workshop for beauty/spa
products.
Lunch at Salabai Hospitality Training School (not included).
Afternoon: Artisans D’Angkor art/craft workshops and other fair trade shopping
www.dragonflytourscambodia.com
PLACE
PP
PP
PP
PP
PP
BB
BB
SR
SR
SR