Cambodia cycling holiday, Phnom Penh to Angkor
| country: | Cambodia |
| location: | Angkor Wat |
| trip type: | Moderate cycling holidays |
| departures: | 2010: 10 Feb, 24 Feb |
| price: | From £1195 (11 days) excluding flights, bike hire £75. We can help arrange flights from the UK |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
A leisurely journey through an ancient country, this easy going cycling holiday is an excellent way to taste the cultural heritage and scenic highlights of Cambodia.
Our journey begins in the colonial charm of Phnom Penh. After exploring the city we warm up with a cycle ride to the coast at Sihanoukville to relax before our main journey begins. Following quiet costal roads, past the Elephant mountains, we cycle through a landscape of rice fields. Passing through fishing villages we journey to the French colonial town of Kampot. An optional climb takes us to Bokor National Park, providing great views of the Gulf of Thailand.
Cycling through quintessential Cambodian countryside we see first hand the daily lives of the friendly local people as we wind our way back to Phnom Penh visiting the Tonle Bati temple on route.
A boat journey takes us from Phnom Penh via the lake of Tonle Sap to Siem Reap, our base as we spend three days exploring the amazing Angkor complex and surrounding area. An unparalleled wonder of the world, built over seven centuries ago at the height of the Khmer civilization, we cycle around the area exploring the countryside and various temples, highlights of which include The Bayon, Ta Prohm, the fortified City of Angkor Thom and the breathtaking Angkor Wat.
Our journey begins in the colonial charm of Phnom Penh. After exploring the city we warm up with a cycle ride to the coast at Sihanoukville to relax before our main journey begins. Following quiet costal roads, past the Elephant mountains, we cycle through a landscape of rice fields. Passing through fishing villages we journey to the French colonial town of Kampot. An optional climb takes us to Bokor National Park, providing great views of the Gulf of Thailand.
Cycling through quintessential Cambodian countryside we see first hand the daily lives of the friendly local people as we wind our way back to Phnom Penh visiting the Tonle Bati temple on route.
A boat journey takes us from Phnom Penh via the lake of Tonle Sap to Siem Reap, our base as we spend three days exploring the amazing Angkor complex and surrounding area. An unparalleled wonder of the world, built over seven centuries ago at the height of the Khmer civilization, we cycle around the area exploring the countryside and various temples, highlights of which include The Bayon, Ta Prohm, the fortified City of Angkor Thom and the breathtaking Angkor Wat.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Flights from Europe. Today is scheduled as the day on which you will fly to Cambodia to arrive on Day 2 of the trip |
| Day 2: | Phnom Penh. Arrive Phnom Penh and transfer to hotel. This city was once considered one of the most beautiful in the Orient, and despite its recent turbulent history it still retains a colonial charm. The afternoon is free at leisure, or enjoy an optional city tour to the National Museum, the Silver Pagoda, the Royal Palace and Wat Phnom hill, the founding place of the city. Dine at the foreign correspondent’s club. Overnight in Phnom Penh (D) |
| Day 3: | Phnom Penh - the Coast - warm up ride (22 km). Heading out of the city, transfer two hours towards the coast and Sihanoukville. Arrive in Sihanoukville town for lunch. The afternoon is at leisure. Time to bike fit and take a short exploratory ride and swim. Overnight in Sihanoukville. (B,L,D) |
| Day 4: | Sihanoukville - Kampot (85 km). Transfer a short distance to avoid cycling on the National Road. At Veal Rieng begin pedalling a relatively quiet country coastal road passing rice fields and fishing villages all along the coast. Take time to stop to admire the scenery- with the sea on the right and the Elephant Mountain Range on the left. Lunch in a local fishing village. Continue riding to the old French colonial town of Kampot. Bike along the riverside and through the centre of town where there are many fine old French houses remaining. Overnight in Kampot. (B,L,D) |
| Day 5: | Kampot - Kep (30km). After breakfast we depart for the lesiurely 25km cycle to Kep a small Cambodian fishing village. The ride takes us along highway 34 through rural villages. Upon arrival in Kep we will cycle up hill to our evenings accommodation, check in and enjoy the views from the restaurant over the Gulf of Thailand. After lunch we depart for a relaxing boat trip to the uninhabited Rabbit Island where you can spend the afternoon exploring the quiet and empty beaches. (The locals refer to it as Rabbit island because it apparently has the shape of a rabbit!) We return in the late afternoon and enjoy the sunset while you cruise back to Kep. Overnight in Kep. (B,L,D) |
| Day 6: | Kep - Takeo (89 km). Depart for Takeo province. Cycle through quintessential Cambodian countryside. This route passes beside numerous limestone formations and paddy fields. It is a beautiful day ride, giving you the opportunity to really get in touch with the local communities and the daily lives of the friendly local people. Overnight in Takeo. (B,L,D) |
| Day 7: | Takeo - Phnom Penh (75 km). A busier days ride in terms of traffic today, especially the closer one approaches the capital city of Phnom Penh, but there are still quiet patches of riding with time to rest under shady trees for lunch and to explore Tonle Bati temple, 31km from Phnom Penh. Tonle Bati is an Angkor era temple without the Angkor tourists! Transfer this last section as the traffic in to Phnom Penh makes riding unpleasant. Overnight in Phnom Penh. (B,L,D) |
| Day 8: | Phnom Penh - Siem Reap. After breakfast transfer by private vehicle to Siem Reap. The journey is on a smooth tarmac road and will take around 5.5 hours in total. We arrive in Siem Reap around lunch and enjoy lunch at the Angkor Cafe from where we start to explore the magnificent temples of Angkor.We cycle to the Great City of Angkor Thom. Visit the South gate, the Bayon temple, the Terrace of Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. Overnight in Siem Reap. (B,L,D) |
| Day 9: | Angkor Wat (30 km). Continue the visit of the Angkor Complex, with this morning dedicated to the visit of the famous Angkor Wat temple. In the afternoon ride a small loop to visit Ta Prohm temple. Remarkable Ta Prohm, a temple that has been left to be reclaimed by nature and features incredible tree roots breaking through the stone carvings and walls. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Siem Reap. (B,L,D) |
| Day 10: | Siem Reap - Banteay Srey (70 km). This morning you will ride to the Banteay Srey Temple. The road goes through the countryside and you will be able to pass by small villages en route. On arrival at Banteay Srey we visit the temple. Picnic lunch is taken here before continuing your ride. On the way back ride to the Bnateay Samre temple, a mini Angkor Wat temple which is rarely visited. Return to Siem Reap and enjoy a farewell dinner and dance performance. Overnight in Siem Reap. (B,L,D) |
| Day 11: | Depart Siem Reap. At leisure until transfer to the international airport for onward flights. (B) |
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
this tourism business was Highly Commended
In our 2005 First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards, the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine. The idea behind the Awards is that all types of tourism – from niche to mainstream – can and should be operated in a way that respects and benefits destinations and local people. how this holiday makes a difference
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Global adventures start with a local perspective - that's our philosophy. Whether abroad, or just as importantly at home, the starting point is the same; how to get the most enjoyable holiday for our customers while benefiting the local people, economy and respecting the environment. Cycling is a great way to taste the cultural heritage and scenic highlights of Cambodia, travelling at a speed that enables you to take in the surroundings without damaging the environment.
We select locally run accommodation in small villages, farm stays or Guest Houses and make sure that the local people benefit, whilst assuring quality for our guests. By buying local produce and using local services we support local skills and services and contribute to the regional economy. We work with local people and guides in order to gain a greater understanding about the daily lives of the Cambodian people. Being able to participate and connect with the local people and culture provides a richer holiday experience and enables our guests too understand in depth about Cambodian culture. We provide travellers with Travellers Codes that encourage the reduction of water usage, systems for collecting, recycling or safe disposal of litter and relevant suggestions to minimise damage to the environment, wildlife and marine ecosystems. All our holidays have a maximum group size of 12 to 15 people minimising both the social and environmental impact. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |