Cambodia – Angkor Wat Guided Bike Tour

Welcome to Cambodia! Upon arrival at Phnom Penh Airport, your driver and local guide will greet you and take you to your hotel.The evening is yours to get settled in from a long day of travels, relaxing and exploring on your own as you like.

Overnight: Phnom Penh

In the early morning, meet your driver and cycling guide at your hotel for the start of your Cambodia Bike Tour. First, travel to Diamond Island and take the ferry across the Mekong River. Arriving on the east side of the river, you travel for a few kilometers to reach a local weaving house. Here, you stop and learn how Cambodians produce the beautiful silk which they use to create their famous scarves, called “Krama.” Continue traveling on the road and reach the starting point of your cycling adventure. Pedaling along the Mekong River, pass through colorful villages and admire the local people’s daily routine. After lunch, continue on before taking a second ferry to cross the Mekong River. Pedaling some more, until you reach Kompong Cham, your final destination for the day. Today’s cycling is mainly paved road with some off-road trails when crossing through local villages along the Mekong River.

Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Distance/Elevation: 60-90 km / 37-56 mi, +/-150 m
Highlights: Mekong River cycling, local silk weaving experience, colorful villages
Overnight: Kompong Cham

Your final destination today is Kompong Thom, the region where the famous Sambor Prei Kuk Archaeological site is located. This site has been recently nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It covers a vast area, including a walled city center, as well as numerous ancient temples, many which are unique examples of this type found only in Southeast Asia. To reach this stunning site, pedal along dirt trails, passing through rural villages, rice fields and different plantations. Along the way, stop at some of the different local stalls to taste the many delicious Cambodian fruits and snacks that are found here. After lunch, you reach the archaeological site. Here, you cycle through the wild and verdant jungles, but also explore some of the temples that are slowly being engulfed by the encroaching jungle.

Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Distance/Elevation: 60-80 km / 37-50 mi, 4-6 hrs, +150/-0m
Highlights: Kompong Thom & Sambor Prei Kuk
Overnight: Kompong Thom

After a 2 hour transfer to the start, you begin cycling to Beng Mealea temple. This slumbering giant was lost for centuries in the dense forests of Cambodia. Constructed by Suryavarman II in the 12th century, who also built Angkor Wat, the temple is the most accessible of Angkor’s lost temples. It is a mirror image of Angkor Wat itself despite being heavily affected by the overpowering nature around it. Spend some time visiting the surrounding hidden temples and end the trip exploring Beng Mealea. After the visit, continue cycling along the main road towards the south to reach a countryside trail. Along the way, notice the many charming and colorful villages, towering palm trees, and endless rice fields. Take a break to relax and enjoy your lunch, before continuing on to Siem Reap, your final destination.

Meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
Distance/Elevation: 65 km / 40 mi, 4 hrs, +105/-67m
Highlights: Beng Mealea and surrounding ancient temples
Overnight: Siem Reap

Today’s ride day is designed to provide access to Cambodia’s most famous Angkor temples. You will cycle along the riverside, passing through a village and forest, where you will then arrive at the Angkor Thom South Gate. From here, you will begin one of the most incredible rides within the Angkor complex, visting a succession of historical sites located within Angkor Thom, including the Elephant Terrace, the Royal Palace, Baphuon, and the unique architectural wonder that is the Bayon temple. Finish your expedition by visiting the magnificent Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world, and now an iconic symbol of Cambodia. Return to your hotel for an evening of rest or further exploration on your own.

Optional add-on: Phare, the Cambodian Circus Show
Tonight you will discover Phare Ponleu Selpak, an NGO founded in 1994 to provide artistic training to poor, young Cambodians. The show gives a real insight into Cambodian history and culture and is ideal for all age groups. Both performances are executed with professionalism by talented young performers. It is energetic, thrilling and shows the vibrant side of Cambodia. The aim of each performance is to give travelers a real insight of the modern artistic stage, with each story deeply revealing a piece of Khmer history.

Meals: breakfast
Distance: 27 km / 19 mi, +30/-27m
Highlights: Angkor Wat historical sites
Overnight: Siem Reap

In the early morning you will travel 20 minutes from your hotel to Angkor Wat, where you enjoy the most spectacular sunrise (weather permitting). From here, you start your cycling journey to discover the UNESCO site in its entirety. Ride along small trails and ancient royal pathways used during the majestic Khmer Empire, through wild forest and villages, discovering some truly remote and rarely-seen Angkor temples. Then, visit some 10th-century temples, including the impeccably-preserved Bat Chum Temple and Phnom Bok, situated on the top of a 200-meter forested hill. The view here is stunning! Continue your cycling through local villages, rice paddies, and narrow jungle trails towards the center of the Angkor Archaeological Park. Your tour ends at the masterpiece of the site, the majestic Ta Prohm Temple, which is famous for the way the surrounding vegetation has blended into the ruins. From here, cycle to the Royal Srah Srang water reservoir to enjoy the sunset, before returning to the hotel. Note: Today’s terrain is a mix of paved, dirt and sandy roads, with some narrow jungle tracks.

Optional add-on: Phare, the Cambodian Circus Show

Meals: breakfast box & packed lunch
Distance/Elevation: 45 km / 28 mi, 4 hrs, +50/-12m
Highlights: Angkor Wat cycling & exploration
Overnight: Siem Reap

This morning is dedicated to a visit of the complex and biodiversity-rich Tonle Sap Lake. You will discover the secrets of Prek Toal Village and the natural and unique ecosystem of Southeast Asia’s largest waterbird breeding colony. The bird sanctuary is important for eight species of bird: the Spot-billed Pelican, Greater Adjutant, Lesser Adjutant, Milky Stork, Painted Stork, Black-headed Ibis, Oriental Darter and Grey-headed Fish-Eagle. During the visit, discover the unique livelihoods of those living on the lake, where everything floats, from the pagoda to the school to the pharmacy! Experience a locally prepared lunch in a floating restaurant managed by a local NGO, and a creation of a final memory: a water hyacinth handicraft workshop. A villager will teach you the traditional way of creating a colorful household item from the water hyacinth plant. After a very special day, you will head back to Chong Kneas.
 
Note: Best season for bird watching is November to February

Meals: breakfast box on the boat & cooked lunch
Highlights: Prek Toal bird reserve, local lunch & water hyacinth workshop
Overnight: Siem Reap

After checking out you will meet your driver and guide and travel to Siem Reap Airport for your outbound flight.

Meals: breakfast