{"id":25001,"date":"2024-12-17T17:25:21","date_gmt":"2024-12-17T17:25:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/?p=25001"},"modified":"2024-12-20T18:15:56","modified_gmt":"2024-12-20T18:15:56","slug":"12-days-of-giveback-experiences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/12-days-of-giveback-experiences\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Days of Giveback: Our Favourite Meaningful Travel Experiences That Transform Destinations"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=&#8221;25005&#8243; img_size=&#8221;Full&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;20px&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]The festive season is all about giving and gratitude, and at Experience Travel Group, we believe in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/holidays\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">creating holidays<\/a> that not only delight travellers but also make a meaningful difference. Our <strong>12 Days of Giveback<\/strong> showcases some of the extraordinary, meaningful experiences you can enjoy while supporting local communities, conservation, and cultural preservation. Here\u2019s how these experiences give back, making your travels even more special.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><a href=\"#Phare\">Phare Circus, Cambodia<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Kulen\">A Morning With Elephants, Cambodia<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#LivingLand\">Living Land Rice Experience, Laos<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Poomjai\">Bangkok&#8217;s Hidden Garden, Thailand<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#HikeNepal\">Community Hike, Nepal<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#OurLand\">OurLand Nature Reserve, Thailand<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Koto\">KOTO Restaurant, Vietnam<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#ChangChill\">ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary, Thailand<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Warung\">Fair Warung Bale, Indonesia<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Farm\">Farm Experience, Sri Lanka<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#SmilingGecko\">Smiling Gecko Farmhouse, Cambodia<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"#Nanga\">Nanga Sumpa Lodge, Borneo<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;20px&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1734456611868{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}&#8221; el_id=&#8221;Phare&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Phare Circus, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/cambodia\/holidays\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cambodia<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><em>Magic under the Big Top in Siem Reap<\/em><br \/>\nThe <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/cambodia\/exp\/phare-circus\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Phare Circus<\/a> is more than a dazzling display of acrobatics\u2014it\u2019s a lifeline for young Cambodian artists. Every ticket supports the Phare Ponleu Selpak school, helping disadvantaged youth discover their potential through art and performance.<br \/>\n<strong>Included in<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/cambodia\/itinerary\/cambodia-explorer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cambodia Explorer<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_video link=&#8221;https:\/\/youtu.be\/LBWY_xchcv8&#8243; align=&#8221;center&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1734456542751{margin-bottom: 15px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; el_id=&#8221;Kulen&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><strong>A Morning With Elephants, Cambodia<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><em>Gentle Giants in the Forest<\/em><br \/>\nNear Siem Reap, the Kulen Elephant Forest is a haven for rescued elephants, where they roam freely after years of carrying tourists. Spend a morning walking with these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.<br \/>\n<strong>Included in<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/cambodia\/itinerary\/cambodia-explorer\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cambodia Explorer<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;25004&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;20px&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; el_id=&#8221;LivingLand&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Living Land Rice Experience, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/laos\/holidays\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Laos<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><em>Get Your Hands Dirty in Luang Prabang<\/em><br \/>\nLearn the art of rice farming at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/laos\/exp\/living-land-rice-farm-experience\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Living Land<\/a>, a traditional farm that supports local families. Visitors help keep these age-old practices alive while directly contributing to community livelihoods.<br \/>\n<strong>Included in<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/laos\/itinerary\/laos-family-special\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Laos Family Special<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_video link=&#8221;https:\/\/youtu.be\/CxcopG6JYfQ?si=1I97YfouBKFppXke&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; el_id=&#8221;Poomjai&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Bangkok&#8217;s Hidden Garden, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/thailand\/holidays\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Thailand<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><em>A Secret Garden in the City<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Tucked away in the bustle of Bangkok, Poomjai Garden is a flourishing green space safeguarding rare plants and uplifting local communities with its focus on sustainability.<br \/>\n<strong>Included in<\/strong>: <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/thailand\/exp\/bangkoks-hidden-garden\">Bangkok\u2019s Hidden Garden<\/a><\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;25041&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;20px&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; el_id=&#8221;HikeNepal&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Community Hike, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/nepal\/holidays\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nepal<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><em>A Walk Through Rural Nepal<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Hike through the scenic villages of Sanga and Panauti, meet locals, and support grassroots tourism that uplifts rural Nepalese communities.<br \/>\n<strong>Included in<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/nepal\/exp\/community-hike-sanga-panauti\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Community Hike: Sanga to Panauti<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;25040&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;20px&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; el_id=&#8221;OurLand&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><strong>OurLand Nature Reserve, Thailand<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><em>Nature\u2019s Gateway in Kanchanaburi<\/em><br \/>\nAt <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ourlandthailand.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">OurLand Nature Reserve<\/a>, you\u2019ll learn about conservation while supporting wildlife corridors for elephants and habitats for snakes. It\u2019s educational, impactful, and utterly fascinating.<br \/>\n<strong>Included in<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/thailand\/itinerary\/natural-beauty-and-local-life\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Natural Beauty and Local Life<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;25020&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;20px&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; el_id=&#8221;Koto&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><strong>KOTO Restaurant, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/vietnam\/holidays\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Vietnam<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><em>Good Food with Great Impact<\/em><br \/>\nHanoi\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/vietnam\/exp\/social-enterprise-lunch-hanoi\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">KOTO restaurant<\/a> serves up more than delicious meals\u2014it provides hospitality training for disadvantaged youth, paving the way for brighter futures.<br \/>\n<strong>Included in<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/vietnam\/itinerary\/cambodia-laos-vietnam\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cambodia, Laos &amp; Vietnam<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;25017&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;20px&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; el_id=&#8221;ChangChill&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><strong>ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary, Thailand<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><em>Elephants as They Should Be<\/em><br \/>\nWitness elephants as they should be\u2014free to forage, roam, and play. ChangChill\u2019s ethical approach means observing from a respectful distance, ensuring the elephants live their best lives.<br \/>\n<strong>Included in<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/thailand\/exp\/changchill-elephant-sanctuary\">ChangChill Elephant Sanctuary<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;25039&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;20px&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; el_id=&#8221;Warung&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Fair Warung Bale, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/indonesia\/holidays\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indonesia<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><em>Dinner with a Difference in Ubud<\/em><br \/>\nDine at Fair Warung Bale, where each meal funds medical care for those in need. This social enterprise combines incredible flavours with life-saving support.<br \/>\n<strong>Included in<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/indonesia\/itinerary\/family-bali-lombok-adventure\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Family Bali &amp; Lombok Adventure<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;25015&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;20px&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; el_id=&#8221;Farm&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Farm Experience, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/sri_lanka\/holidays\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sri Lanka<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/sri_lanka\/exp\/sigiriya-and-village-farm-experience\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Farm-to-Table<\/a> in the Cultural Triangle<\/em><br \/>\nMeet the farmers of Sri Lanka\u2019s Cultural Triangle and enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal. Your visit sustains rural communities and celebrates local traditions.<br \/>\n<strong>Included in<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/sri_lanka\/itinerary\/classic-itinerary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Classic Sri Lanka<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;25014&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;20px&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; el_id=&#8221;SmilingGecko&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Smiling Gecko Farmhouse, Cambodia<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><em>Sustainable Stays and Rural Revival<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Escape to this idyllic farmhouse where your stay helps fund sustainable farming, education, and livelihoods for Cambodian families.<br \/>\n<strong>Included in<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/cambodia\/hotel\/farmhouse-smiling-gecko\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Farmhouse Smiling Gecko<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=&#8221;25038&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_empty_space height=&#8221;20px&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221; el_id=&#8221;Nanga&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Nanga Sumpa Lodge, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/borneo\/holidays\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Borneo<\/a><\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><em>Cultural Immersion in the Rainforest<\/em><br \/>\nStay at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/borneo\/hotel\/nanga-sumpa-lodge\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nanga Sumpa Lodge<\/a>, deep in the Borneo jungle, and experience Iban culture firsthand. Your visit supports community conservation and tradition.<br \/>\n<strong>Included in<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/borneo\/itinerary\/ultimate-borneo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ultimate Borneo<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][vc_video link=&#8221;https:\/\/youtu.be\/ieQZ0wCCmts&#8221; align=&#8221;center&#8221; css=&#8221;&#8221;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Travelling with Purpose<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p>The <strong>12 Days of Giveback<\/strong> isn\u2019t just about doing good\u2014it\u2019s about experiencing something truly unforgettable. Creating joyful, meaningful memories that last a lifetime. Whether you&#8217;re watching a circus, walking with elephants, or exploring a hidden garden, travel can be transformative\u2014for both you and the destination.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Feeling inspired? Explore these and other immersive experiences by visiting our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/inspire\/giveback\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">experiences page<\/a>.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><\/h2>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\">FEELING INSPIRED?<\/h2>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Please get in touch on  <span class=\"InfinityNumber clickable \">020 7924 7133<\/span>\r\n \t.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Alternatively, fill out an online enquiry form to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.experiencetravelgroup.com\/make-enq\">start your journey<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=&#8221;1\/6&#8243;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From the phenomenal Phare circus in Cambodia to dining at a social enterprise in Vietnam, we\u2019ve rounded up 12 extraordinary travel experiences across Asia that give back to local communities and the environment.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":25074,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"gallery","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1348,827,11,639,10,1394,1444,15,1317,13,1344,1427,12],"tags":[1438,1399],"coauthors":[923],"class_list":["post-25001","post","type-post","status-publish","format-gallery","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-across-asia","category-borneo","category-cambodia","category-indonesia","category-laos","category-luxury-travel","category-nepal","category-sri-lanka","category-sustainable-travel","category-thailand","category-the-etg-take-on-travel","category-travel-inspiration","category-vietnam","tag-sustainable-travel","tag-ideas","post_format-post-format-gallery"],"aioseo_notices":[],"views":2999,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25001","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25001"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25001\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25074"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25001"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25001"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25001"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/archive.experiencetravelgroup.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=25001"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}