Tour Route: Siem Reap | Phnom Penh
This cycling tour to the coast of Cambodia begins in Siem Reap, the gateway to Cambodia's awe- inspiring Angkor temples. After immersing yourselves in the grandeur of this ancient site, you'll pedal away from the bustling city of Phnom Penh, seeking tranquility and serenity in the southern regions of Cambodia. You’ll get to explore charming villages, witness stunning green rice fields, see water buffalo grazing, and admire the colorful temples as you pedal away. Your journey will conclude in the enchanting paradise of Koh Rong, an untouched coastal island awaiting your arrival.
Chum Reap Suor! Welcome to Cambodia.
Upon arrival, please look out for the Siem Reaper Travel welcome sign at the arrivals gate. We will transfer you to your hotel where you can take your time and relax by the pool or venture out for your first exploration of this ancient city.
Our tour guide will be waiting to meet you at your hotel promptly at 17:00 hrs to conduct your trip details, and join you for a delicious dinner to celebrate the beginning of your exciting journey in Cambodia.
After breakfast at the hotel, start your morning ride to Angkor Archaeology Park and enjoy a day of exploring the spectacular temples! Enter the Angkor Thom city through the ancient gate, which is carved with elephants and four giant faces. Then head to Bayon Temple, which is located in the center of the city. Admire its enigmatic faces that represent the 54 provinces of the Great Khmer Empire. Afterward, explore the Terrace of the Elephants and Baphuon Temple, which offer a window into Khmer culture through their sculptures and architecture.
Continue our ride through the forest trails and see the jungle-enveloped Ta Prohm. Explore this temple, which is overgrown with jungle trees and was once featured in the Tomb Raider film.
You’ll also stop for a lunch break by the tropical garden with a view over the pond. It’s a perfect place to take in your surroundings and relax.
Following the lunch break and a rest period, we then set out to visit the iconic Angkor Wat temple. With its rich history and symbolism, it’s also the largest religious monument in the world and the finest example of Khmer architecture. An afternoon visit to the magnificent ancient temple of Angkor Wat will give you a chance to appreciate the vastness and beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage Site without the crowds.
Today, our bike tour takes us on unpaved roads through rural villages. We cycle on a flat road to the temple of Banteay Samre. From there it goes back on unpaved roads through attractive villages, along with rice fields, and to the temple of Banteay Srei, which is located outside the actual temple city and is made of pink sandstone.
The roads are peaceful, narrow, and very pretty all the way to Bantey Srei. There are plenty of beautiful and real country views to see along the way as you cycle past the local markets, schools, villages, and Buddhist temples.
Taking a water break under the shade of the tree before we reach Bantey Srei, which is known as the Citadel of Women, this red sandstone temple is one of Angkor’s most significant structures as its walls are decorated with elaborate carvings, which have been preserved remarkably well.
This morning, we embark on the Siem Reap backroads to the former Angkor city of Roulous Group. The temple was the center of Khmer civilization and was built by the Angkorian king in the 8th century. We explore the three main temples here: Lolei, Preah Ko, and Bakong Temple.
We’ll eat lunch at a local house before we continue another 12 km to Tonle Sap lake to take a short cruise to Kampong Phluk to see the floating villages, where you’ll have an opportunity to learn about life on the water.
Tonle Sap Lake is the largest lake in Southeast Asia and offers a unique way of life for those living on Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Lake, which is recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
During the year, the lake supplies water to several provinces for agriculture. In the rainy season, the lake serves as a big water storage, and water flows out through its branches from the lake to the Mekong River and down to the China Ocean. En-route, we take the back road to Siem Reap. The road is the most peaceful part, and you will ride past many stilted houses and pagodas, making this final ride of today full of joy.
Today, we start the day with a 2.5-hour drive to Kampong Thom, where we will ride through the ancient temple site of Sambor Prei Kuk, one of the most important Pre-Angkorian sites in Cambodia, soon to become the next UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple was built in the Chenla period between the 6th and 7th centuries. After our guide leads us on a tour through the temples, we enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
After lunch, we have a beautiful ride through rice paddies and small villages, with locals greeting us as we cycle by. We then hop back into our van for a 4-hour transfer to Phnom Penh. The city is considered one of the most beautiful in the country as it still retains a colonial charm.
Cambodia’s capital is a bustling city, majestically located at the confluence of the mighty rivers of the Mekong and Tonle Sap Lake. The city contains many colonial-era buildings that reflect the glory days and add to the allure of the city, where Asian and Western traditions meet in a fascinating way.
Today, we escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and cross the river by ferry boat, making our way towards the north of Phnom Penh and the Silk Islands.
After arriving on land, we will bike through orchards and vegetable farms, enjoying the peaceful farmland and learning about the lives of the people who call the Silk Islands home. Along the way, we will park our bikes for some interesting cultural stops as we check out traditional village industries and get a better sense of authentic Cambodian life on these islands. The cooling calm of the island is not only a great respite: it’s also a fun way to learn more about Cambodia’s silk weaving history, stroll through quiet villages, relax on the riverbank, or go for a dip.
In the afternoon, we enjoy lunch at a restaurant in the city. Then, take a city tour through the captivating city of Phnom Penh. Explore the highlights of the city’s turbulent history: Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda, Wat Phnom and Tuol Sleng Museum.
This morning we take a short transfer away from hustle and bustle of Phnom Penh to the Killing Fields, an extermination camp for political prisoners during the terror reign of the Khmer Rouge.
We will then start riding to the Phnom Tamao Wildlife Rescue Centre, where you will have a unique opportunity to witness Cambodia’s exotic wildlife up close. You will get to see Asiatic and black bears, gibbons, and elephants that have been rescued from poachers. You will also have the chance to meet with the passionate staff and learn about their tireless efforts to end wildlife trafficking in Cambodia.
We will have lunch at the park before transferring to Kep National Park for the resort. The hotel is unique, located within the forest and with sea views.
This morning, we’ll start our ride on a tarmac road, then continue on dirt and gravel to reach Secret Lake, a man-made reservoir. Then, we continue our ride to the pepper plantation, located in a protected and privileged rural environment, with a breathtaking view and a luxurious tropical garden. Explore the farm with a local expert to learn more about the growing techniques and the origin of the different colors of peppercorns, as well as to understand the traditional and organic growing methods.
After taking some time to explore, we’ll have lunch at the farm before transferring to the town of Kampot and exploring Kampot town at our own leisure.
Today, we will embark on a bike tour to explore the “unseen” parts of Kampot! We will have the opportunity to visit a lotus farm and a rice mill, admire the expansive fields of paddy, and greet the friendly local villagers along the way.
En-route, we will have the fantastic opportunity to embark on a kayaking adventure along the stunning Kampot River. Immerse yourself in breathtaking views of picturesque mountains, vibrant green jungle scenery, and charming local fishing villages. Get ready for an unforgettable experience surrounded by nature’s beauty at every turn.
Today, we depart from the hotel in the southern direction for Sihanoukville. We ride on the tarmac road with the buzz of day-to-day life in Cambodia and the view of the coastline. The blue of the Gulf of Thailand at your left will always wake you up from the hot weather of today as the road is a bit wide open from the shade of the tree. We’ll have lunch at the local hut near the sleepy houses along the way, where your lunch will be offered with very tasty Khmer food.
After lunch, you will be transferred to Sihanoukville to catch the speed boat to Koh Rong. For the rest of the day, enjoy yourself at leisure at the beach as today is the last day of your bike ride.
Today is the free day of cycling. Relax on the beaches of Koh Rong, Cambodia’s most stunning island, with plenty of wonderful beaches and beautiful water.
The picturesque paradise island of Koh Rong will undoubtedly blow you away on your vacation with its clear emerald beaches, great long sandy stretch, and brilliant sunshine. When visiting Koh Rong, relax on the beautiful beach and sample delicious drinks made with local ingredients.
Today, we gather for one final breakfast at our hotel, followed by goodbyes with your guides. Our tour concludes today with a transfer to Phnom Penh. Take the day to reflect upon the rewarding cycling, beautiful coastal views, and cultural immersion that this tour has provided!
2 - 12 People
3 - Moderate
Approx. 355 km
Approx. 40 - 45 km
9 Days
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