Cambodia is a well kept secret that offers the visitor much more than the world-renowned jungle temples of Angkor. Join us on this cycle holiday along an unspoilt tropical coastline, through rural backroads and deep into the interior. Along the way we visit the vibrant capital Phnom Penh, national parks, brilliant beaches and the floating villages of Tonle Sap Lake. We end our journey deep in the jungle of Angkor exploring temples of the once mighty Khmer empire.
Itinerary
[+] Detailed Itinerary
1
Join tour Phnom Penh. Afternoon city tour
Our journey begins in Phnom Penh, an engaging mix of tree lined boulevards, colonial villas and vibrant city streets that is a fascinating testament to Cambodia’s ancient and colonial past. This afternoon we enjoy a tour of the city, visiting its National Museum with its impressive collection of Angkor statues, as well as the impressive French built Royal Palace, whose spectacular pagoda-style structure is without doubt one of Phnom Penh’s most impressive sights. We also take in the hilltop sanctuary of Wat Phnom, from which the city gets its name.
Overnight Standard Hotel
2
Exploring the outskirts of Phnom Pehn. Drive to the coastal city of Kep
Our cycling begins after breakfast this morning, with a visit to the emotive settings of the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the nearby Killing Fields of Choeung Ek, chilling testaments to life under the Khmer Rouge. Continuing on to Tonle Bati, we have a chance to take lunch by the river and pay a visit to the temples of Ta Phrohm and Yeay Peou, before carrying on to the 11th century mountain top temple of Phnom Chisor. Later we then drive to the resort city of Kep, on the south-west coast.
Total cycling distance approximately 55 kilometres.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
3
Morning visit to Rabbit Island. Cycle to Kampot and the Tek Chhou Waterfall
Founded by the colonial French during the 1960s, Kep suffered badly at the hands of the Khmer Rouge. However its colonial heritage still offers us an interesting morning’s ride as we make our way to the Rabbit Island boat dock after breakfast. Boarding a boat, we then cruise out to the island to enjoy some free time before returning to the mainland to resume our journey. Cycling to Kampot next, we have a chance to enjoy the colonial architecture, villages and tree lined roads that skirt the banks of the Prek Kampong Bay River as we make our way towards the Tek Chhou Waterfall.
Total cycling distance approximately 65 kilometres.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
4
Cycle through Bokor National Park. Drive to Sihanoukville
One of our more challenging days, we cycle through the landscapes of the Bokor National Park today. Created by the French as an elegant hill station, the mountain and its surrounding countryside provides a stunning backdrop to today’s ride, its densely forested hills providing us with the perfect setting as we make our way towards the town of Veal Rinh. Stopping here for lunch, we then complete the rest of the day’s journey by bus, driving on to the resort city of Sihanoukville later this afternoon.
Total cycling distance approximately 57 kilometres.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
5
Free day in Sihanoukville; optional Ream National Park
Sihanoukville sits in a bay lined with white sandy beaches and off shore islands, providing us with the perfect setting for some rest and relaxation after yesterday’s endeavours. One option available is to pay a visit to the nearby Ream National Park, which is home to the country’s only protected marine reserve. A haven of beaches, mangrove forests and offshore coral reefs, the park provides sanctuary to rhesus monkeys, over 150 species of birds and a diverse array of marine life and affords us the chance to enjoy some trekking or perhaps a boat trip out to the outlying islands.
Optional total cycling distance approximately 56 kilometres.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
6
Bus to Phnom Pehn. Explore Kiriom National Park by bike en route
This morning we travel back to Phnom Pehn by road, stopping along the way to complete part of the journey by bike, as we pay a visit to the Chambok Ecotourism site in the Kiriom National Park. Located in Kampong Speu Province, this area provides an ideal insight into Cambodia’s natural and cultural attractions and includes dense forest, a 40 metre high waterfall, a bat cave and a number of local villages. There may also be an opportunity to join the locals in harvesting the crops during the season, before we cycle back to the main road to resume our journey back to the capital.
Total cycling distance approximately 36 kilometres.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
7
Drive to Oudong, then cycle on to Kampong Chhang
Another challenging day, we head out of the city by bus to begin with, driving north towards the ancient Cambodian capital of Oudong. The route north takes us past a number of Cham villages, before depositing us at the foot of the hills that lay claim to a city that ruled over Cambodia for nearly 250 years. We’ll have a chance to explore the abandoned city, taking in its ruined temples and stupas, before boarding our bikes for the journey on to Kampong Chhang, lying to the north-west.
Total cycling distance approximately 55 kilometres.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
8
Explore the floating villages of Tonle Sap. Drive to Battambang
A 95 kilometre drive to Pursat Province brings us to the start of our cycling route for the day. From here we then take to dirt roads to ride on to Kampong Luong (a 35 kilometre ride each way). Set against the backdrop of Tonle Sap, Kampong Luong is one of the largest floating villages in the region, playing host to some 1,200 families. On arrival we take a cruise through the village by boat, before riding back to the main road and our waiting bus. We then drive on to the city of Battambang, where we have the rest of the day to explore this historic old city.
Total cycling distance approximately 70 kilometres.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
9
Exploring around Battambang
Today we explore the attractions of Battambang by bike and train, taking in the highlights of the Provincial Museum, Wat Ek Phom and Wat Banan, before exploring the paddy fields and countryside that lies around the city. Later we have an introduction to the Bamboo Train, a unique enterprise that was set up by the villagers to transport passengers and goods. Basic in the extreme, the train comprises a platform on four wheels, operated by a small motor. Later we cycle back into the city.
Total cycling distance approximately 70 kilometres.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
10
Drive to Sisophon. Cycle to Banteay Chhmar
We drive to the town of Sisophon this morning (68 kilometres), from where we begin cycling through a rural landscape of rice fields and villages to the temple of Banteay Chhmar. The former capital of King Jayavarman II, rebuilt by Jayavarman VII as a memorial to soldiers killed fighting against the Chams, this huge temple has a number of bas-reliefs that compare favourably with those at Bayon and Angkor Wat. Driving back to Sisophon after our visit, we then continue on to Siem Reap, home to the renowned treasures of the Angkor Empire.
Total cycling distance approximately 60 kilometres.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
11
Exploring the Angkor temples around Siem Reap
Our cycling today is optional, but the plan is to spend the day exploring the UNESCO World Heritage sites of the Angkor Archaeological Park, probably one of the most important ancient sites anywhere in South East Asia. We plan to visit the fortified city of Angkor Thom (home to the Bayon, whose exquisite bas-reliefs are one of Angkor’s true gems) and the wonderfully atmospheric collection of towers and courtyards of Ta Phrom. This afternoon we then head for the magnificent complex of Angkor Wat itself, without doubt one of the most breathtaking of all the jungle sites.
Optional cycling distance approximately 25 kilometres.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
12
Explore Beng Mealea and Banteay Srei
Our final day’s cycling sees us heading though the remote countryside around Siem Reap. Riding through a landscape of rice paddies and forest, we head first for the 11th century temple of Beng Mealea, a setting that almost rivals Angkor Wat in size. Shrouded in jungle and surrounded by a 45 metre wide moat, it dates from the same period of the Angkor temples, although its artwork and friezes differ markedly from their neighbours. Heading back to Siem Reap, we then stop at the wonderfully preserved Banteay Srei, considered to house some of the finest carvings of all the temples.
Total cycling distance approximately 70 kilometres.
Overnight Standard Hotel
Included meals: Breakfast
13
Tour ends Siem Reap
The tour ends in Siem Reap this morning after breakfast.
Included meals: Breakfast
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