AFTER 18 years working as a Queensland criminal defence and child protection lawyer, Redland Bay resident Deb Daniels is taking Australians to Cambodia for a holiday with a difference.
Ms Daniels has launched Travel Cambodia, a small-group tour business for travellers aged over 50 which combines landmark attractions, local experiences and hands-on support for rural Cambodian families.
A single mother of six, Ms Daniels first visited Siem Reap in 2011 and lived in Cambodia from 2013 to 2015.
She speaks Khmer conversationally and is also the founder of WaterWorks Cambodia, a charity which builds water wells and toilets for rural families.
“Most tours visit a charity. On this one, your host started it,” Ms Daniels said.
She said the tour concept grew after supporters of WaterWorks Cambodia repeatedly asked whether they could travel to the country and see the charity’s work first-hand.
The 10-night itinerary includes Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm and Bayon Temple, tuk-tuk rides, local markets, a sunset cruise past Tonle Sap floating villages and time in Cambodian villages.
Four days are set aside for guests to give back alongside WaterWorks Cambodia and local builders, including a water well and toilet project for a family in need.
Travellers can choose how involved they would like to be, from helping with the project and cooking lunch with local families over an open fire to simply observing village life.
The tours are run separately from WaterWorks Cambodia, with Ms Daniels saying no charity money is used to operate the travel business.
Instead, $200 from every booking will be donated to the charity, while the tour price also includes the construction of a water well and an “A LOO 4 A POO” toilet for a rural family.
Ms Daniels will personally host each group from airport pick-up to farewell, drawing on her years living in Cambodia and the relationships she has built there.
The inaugural Travel Cambodia departure is scheduled for March 2027 and costs $2543 per traveller (plus airfare).
Five places remained available at the time of publication – details at travel-cambodia.com.au or phone 0447 025 841.
