**Please note if you have visited in the past, the location of the ferry ports on both sides of the Mekong River have recently changed. Continue reading below for updated directions**

Cambodia is located in South-East Asia.  Flights to Phnom Penh from most non-Asian countries come via a stopover in a neighbouring city such as Bangkok, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul or Beijing.

A Cambodian visa can be easily purchased upon arrival at Phnom Penh airport.  A copy of the current (12/2007) visa application form can be downloaded by clicking here .  You will need a passport photo and US$20 for a 30 day tourist visa.  If you are staying longer than one month you need to purchase a business visa as it saves having to depart the country after one month. A business visa costs US$25 is renewed while being allowed to continue in the country.  When filling in the reason for your visit on the visa application form, writing ‘tourist’ or ‘volunteer teacher’ will be sufficient.

Sovanapoom Care is located near the Mekong River on an island opposite the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh.  Our village is accessible only by ferryboat from Phnom Penh.  Currently this area receives very few tourists and has limited local shops and restaurants.  If you have any special requirements please ensure you are prepared before you leave Phnom Penh.

We are now able to offer basic accommodation for a limited number of guests coming to volunteer with us.  If you are interested to stay with us please contact us with the dates of your visit for further information and to check availability and rates.

Phnom Penh is not a big city and it’s possible to get to the boat port to catch the ferry to Sovanapoom from just about anywhere in the city within half an hour.  The ferry boats to our village leave from Phnom Penh regularly and only take about ten minutes to cross the river.  The ferry port is located on the Tonle Sap Riverfront close to the Naga Casino.  Many motodop and tuktuk drivers know it in English as the ferry to (the village next to ours called) Ariksat or in Khmer as “Go-note Arreyk-sat”. 

If your driver doesn't know the ferry, it should be easy to direct your driver to the Naga Casino, it's the only Casino in Phnom Penh and is a large brown building near the riverfront, most people in Phnom Penh know this location.  Once you get to the Casino, continue past it (it will be on your right-hand side) to the end of this road and turn left. Along this road a little way the ferry port will be visible to your right at the riverfront.

The fare is 800 riel per person and can be paid to the attendant at the booth.  The trip across the Mekong River takes about 10 minutes.

Once you reach the village of Ariksat the motodop and tuktuk drivers will be able to bring you to our community centre if you ask to go to "Mr John's" they will know where to bring you.  Otherwise please arrange a time with us and we will be able to meet you at the ferry port.  

If you would like to volunteer with us at Sovanapoom please download and complete the documents below.  Please send send us the application form either by post or email and let us know when you would like to come.  (You will need to bring the other documents with you).  When we receive your application form we will be in contact with you.