Cambodia Cycling Adventure | Siem Reap to Phnom Penh
Cambodia Cycling Adventure | Siem Reap to Phnom Penh
7 Days Starting in Siem Reap and ending in Phnom Penh
Visiting: Krong Siem Reap, Krong Battambang, Krong Pursat, Phnom Penh
Tour operator:
Tour code:
CAM07
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 10
Age range:
21-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Cycle from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh over 7 incredible days! The pace of our ride is relaxed and casual. There’s always time to stop for a photo and we rarely cycle more than 2 days in a row. When the journey is just as good as the destination, there’s no need to rush! You'll take in the famous temples of Angkor, travel by boat through the wetlands of the Tonle Sap to Battambang and cycle into the capital of Phnom Penh. This adventure suits the open-minded traveller that wants to escape the tourist bubble and learn more about the real Cambodia, via our local NGO network partners we visit along the way. The ride is completely flat and fully supported with a van that trails behind, should you want to shorten your cycling day. The small group policy of ten people ensures it's a relaxed and fun ride. In the evenings, we choose to stay in comfortable, boutique hotels and dine in social enterprise based restaurants where possible.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival Day And Welcome Dinner
Location: Krong Siem Reap
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
We arrive and stay in the heart of the cosmopolitan lifestyle that has been thrust on Siem Reap since the country has opened up to the outside world.
After we pick you up from the airport and take you to the hotel, take some time to relax or explore the city before we meet for a welcome dinner.
Dinner is at one of Siem Reap’s best restaurants, Marum. It’s part of the Friends International social enterprise projects, providing vocational training for marginalized youth.
Day 2 : Sunrise Cycling Around The Temples Of Angkor
Location: Krong Siem Reap
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Sunrise is from 4.30am as we hit the bikes for the first time, but it is so worth it. Sunrise over Angkor Wat is a bucket list achievement for good reason.
From here we’ll venture on to other, and arguably more impressive, temples in the area for the remainder of the morning.
In the early afternoon, we’ll have the chance to visit our first NGO of the trip. We will spend time with these incredibly inspirational people that have dedicated their lives to helping others.
Hear their stories and understand what the real issues of the country are.
We often dine at Hoem's house, with his family, for dinner. Hoem is the host for the tour.
Day 3 : River Riding, Local Villages And Coffee Stops
Location: Krong Battambang
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We ride out of Siem Reap to the boat port (20km). Travelling across the wetlands and navigating our way around Tonle Sap river is an experience you will never forget.
The road soon turns to single track as we get more and more remote. We farewell our support van and venture on into the rural and barren lands of Cambodia.
Few villages exist out here, supporting themselves through sustainable fishing methods. After the boat, it’s another 20-30km to Battambang, depending on the river levels.
Battambang is great for shopping, with colonial-style streets and hidden secrets where bric-a-brac abounds. Dinner is in another social enterprise based restaurant, Jann Bai, that is often hailed as the best dinner in Cambodia!
Day 4 : Battambang To Banan By Bike
Location: Krong Pursat
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After an early breakfast, we’ll make our way along the dusty red back roads to the nearby local attraction of Banan Temple. We’ll cycle back to the town of Battambang to explore a little more and grab lunch at leisure.
We’ll get to the town of Pursat by early afternoon and into our hotel to enjoy the swimming pool and on-site massage spa. We’ll get a great experience from an amazing NGO, Sustainable Cambodia. A full presentation by the executives in their office and a tour of their facilities.
See the difference the NGO makes first hand. Be inspired by the real difference made by real people.
Day 5 : Cycling Into Phnom Penh
Location: Phnom Penh
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We start cycling 75km out from Phnom Penh, and ride all the way up to the front door of the hotel. The back roads bring in some of the most spectacular scenery as we pass through villages living on Tonle Sap lake.
The ride takes in great coffee stops, endless photo opportunities and a couple of ferries.
For dinner, it’s a feast of tarantula’s and crickets at the famous Romdeng restaurant, a social enterprise restaurant from the Friends International team.
Day 6 : Friends International, S-21 Genocide Museum And Khmer Bbq
Location: Phnom Penh
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
We’ll start the day by meeting the incredible people at Friends International and learn about the wonderful work they do within the community. This is a great insight into REAL local everyday issues, from real local everyday heroes.
We then venture towards the Russian market and move to Tuol Sleng, also known as S-21 Genocide Museum. This devastating chapter of the Khmer Rouge and Cambodian history is emotionally challenging but strongly recommended.
There is some free time in the afternoon to process your day, whilst we’ll meet again for a local Khmer BBQ dinner.
Day 7 : Departure Day
Location: Phnom Penh
Meals Included: Breakfast
Congratulations! You’ve cycled across Cambodia, covered almost 165km in the saddle and more than scratched the surface as to what Cambodia about. We’ll enjoy a final breakfast together before you set off to the airport or your next adventure.
What's Included
-
1 bottle of Mineral Water per person per day
The support van will always have unlimited filtered water available for riding days, plus fresh fruits.
-
Accommodation
Three-star hotels (3 of 4 hotels have a pool).
-
Airport Transfers at Destination
Arrival transfers only
-
All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
Bike hire is included. We will also transit by boat and private van (also included).
-
Entrance Fees
Angkor Wat one day pass, S-21 Genocide museum
-
Free Wi-Fi at Accommodation
-
Fully Guided
Minimum two staff, one driver and one cyclist/mechanic. Both speak excellent English.
-
Meals – Half Board
All breakfasts included, some dinners and lunches as per the itinerary.
What's Not Included
-
Country Entry Visas
-
Drinks with Meals
-
Tipping and Gratuities
-
International Travel
Optional Extras
-
NGO Donation
For every Social Cycles tour, all riders are requested to contribute a nominal sum for the purpose of a donation. Usually US$150 per rider. During the course of the tour, you are given the chance to engage with, and learn from, local NGOs. We visit no less than three NGOs during the Cambodia tour and spend some time learning about their projects, strategies and challenges. At the end of the tour, the riders are then empowered with new-found knowledge and have the opportunity to combine the allotted donation money and make an impact towards a project of their choosing. In addition to building a profile for our impact partners, Social Cycles also pays each NGO for their time and resources. We spend 1-2 hours with each NGO.
Mode of Transport
Bicycles, Support Van, Boats
Accommodation
We understand how important it is to take rest in a place that’s clean and comfortable – especially after a hard slog on the bikes. That’s why we always make an effort to get you settled in somewhere in town suited to that description. Where we can, we will organise boutique style accommodation for everyone (with a pool) because quite frankly, you deserve it. We’ll also make sure that a massage is not far away!
Check out our Q&As
-
What is the tipping policy?
Most people tip the local guides a total of US$100 between the team. Although it is greatly accepted, it is not expected.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
1 Select your preferred date
Saturday - Friday
Dec 21, 2024 - Dec 27, 2024Book with Confidence
-
Low Deposit
Social Cycles requires a minimum deposit of 100 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.