Charismatic Cambodia Bike Tour (13Days)

We leave the day free for you to relax after your arrival at Siem Reap. Arrive here and check into Raffles Grand d’hôtel. Local history, architecture and aesthetics unfold in front of you as you enter Raffles. The hotel is located in the atmospheric French Quarter of the city with slight infusion of Angkorian architecture. Our guide meets you post-lunch, 2pm, at your hotel and takes you on a short walking tour of Siem Reap. Meals: Dinner

The Angkor temple complex is synonymous to Cambodia, so a ride around the temple is essential. We start riding directly from hotel and reach the moat of Angkor Wat. Exquisite sculptures, tall towers and maze like trails flanked by large banyan roots, you might want to spend ample time photographing as you would have seen nothing like this before. We will loop back to Angkor Wat for a detailed tour at the end of our ride. Continue riding towards Angkor Thom and enter the city from South gate. Beat the crowd and climb the surrounding wall of city and ride on top of it. Take a break here for a rich fascinating account of the city from our guide. A further ride through East gate takes us to Bayon, a richly decorated face temple within the Angkor complex is one of the highlights here. Exit from second East gate of city and ride towards jungle clad TA Prohm. Our guide shares historical anecdotes and walks you through temples along the way. The Angkor Wat requires more than a morning, so we loop back for a more detailed guided tour. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered one of the largest religious complexes in the world and its bound to enthrall you. If time permits, climb Phnom Bakheng for a classic view of Angkor during sunset. In the evening, explore some of the local food in the cafes that flank the narrow roads. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Distance cycled: ~ 30km / 18mi

A short transfer today brings us to the countryside of Siem Reap. Ride along the river past Barays and reach Rolous Group of temples, north of Tonlé Sap. Rolous group marks the beginning of classical period of Khmer civilization, dating from the late 9th century. Some were totally built with bricks, others partially with laterite or sandstone. After an informative walk of the temples, head north towards Banteay Srei by bike. Stop off at village en-route to experience everyday Cambodian country life and taste some sugar palm tree sweets famous for this region. Visit the decorated temple of Banteay Srei, jewel of the era, intricately carved from pink sandstone, and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. We shuttle back & explore Preah Khanor (Sacred Sword) temple en-route. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Distance cycled: ~ 40km / 24mi

Make a final early morning visit to Angkor and witness the magnificent views in the backdrop of sunrise. Ride through bucolic countryside with spectacular view of paddy fields and lotus farms all around. After lunch, take a shuttle transfer to Kampong Thom, a picturesque town on the banks of the Stung Sen River. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Distance cycled: ~ 60km / 36mi

In the morning, ride around Kampong Thom’s Sambor Prei Kuk temple complex, which predates Angkor Wat by at least 200 years. Later ride past varied plantation landscape consisting of rubber, cashew and cotton. We also ride along Mekong river bank and arrive at Kompong Cham. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Distance cycled: ~ 60km / 36mi

It’s a classic ride today along the Mekong river to Phnom Penh, and through tropical plantation landscape consisting of rubber, cashew and cotton. Today’s ride takes us through remote bucolic villages, and past beautiful wats and riverside towns. The last stretch of ride is covered in shuttle to avoid busy traffic. Arrive at the capital city of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, at the edge of the Mekong River. Historical splendors are spread in every corner whether it’s the local palace or the horrific remnants of the Khmer atrocities. In the evening, taste some local khmer cuisine at one of Phnom Penh’s finest dining place Romdeng. End day with a walk or tuk-tuk ride back to hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Distance cycled: ~ 60km / 36mi

Today get ready to be immersed in the Cambodian culture and history of the city as we kick off our walking tour from Independence Monument. Enjoy walking along the Tonle Sap river, considered as lifeline of the region. Continue towards National Museum, houses several national treasures from three different eras: Pre-Angkorian, Angkorian and Post-Angkorian, giving the flavour of diverse culture and architecture. The last leg of our walk takes us to gilded Royal Palace, shimmering with silver tiles and sculptures of Buddha, that gives an insight about Cambodian Royal Life. After the museum, hike up the steps of a small hill to see Wat Phnom Temple, the birthplace of Phnom Penh. We insist that you step outside for dinner after a short break, to enjoy the local nightlife and enjoy the street food. Traditional dishes like amok (coconut fish curry served in a banana leaf), bobor (rice porridge) and lok lak (stir-fried beef) are easy to find by the streets. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Get up early and start with a shuttle transfer to Killing Fields. An essential on the itinerary due to the historic hook and for understanding the country better, we walk through the killing fields. Experience the painful story of country that lead to death of 2 million Cambodian people between 1974-1979. A short shuttle transfer from here brings us to Angkor era Ta Prohm temple. Take a quick tour of the temple and get ready for a ride towards Phnom Chiso Temple, situated on the top of a hill with 400 steps to climb up. Continue riding towards Takeo past some amazing lake scenery surrounded with paddy fields and lotus farms. Ta Keo is a small town situated amidst beautiful lakes. Enjoy the rest of evening walking around the town. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Distance cycled: ~ 70km / 42mi

We gradually amp up the tempo by picking up on the kilometres. Today, it’s long ride to Kep and we end the ride with a short transfer. The topography that will be forever etched in your mind is that of a sprawling countryside of fields, palm trees and lotus farms. We ride slowly, taking pictures along the way and taking in the stunning vistas. Kep’s seaside front is the perfect place for weary legs to feel rejuvenated. Earthy colours and breezy wind make for the perfect ambience to unwind. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Distance cycled: ~ 60km / 36mi

Another stretch of riverside villages and exquisite countryside awaits the cyclists today. We ride to the quaint riverside town of Kampot. Along the way, visit stunning cave and pepper plantations. After lunch at a beautiful riverside restaurant, step out to discover local life at Kampot. Enough anecdotes and local street food flows to keep us engaged. Do try the pungent Durian fruit, famous of this place. Kampot is also known for its salt and pepper production. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Distance cycled: ~ 50km / 30mi

Another stretch of fishing villages and riding along the Bokor National Park at one side and beautiful coast at another. Emerald lakes peep out of the sprawling expanse of green as we manoeuvre slights crests and troughs on this route. We break for lunch beside a large lake and then take a transfer to Sihanoukville and boat to Koh Rong Island. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Distance cycled: ~ 60km / 36mi

Spend the day at leisure admiring beautiful sea views all around. Meals: Breakfast

Extend for more nights at Island or take a boat to Sihanoukville and then depart for Phnom Penh in our support vehicle. Meals: Breakfast *with shuttle – short transfers