Small group cycling holiday in Cambodia
Optional single supplement from £240 - £250.
Minimum age 16.
Description of Small group cycling holiday in Cambodia
Described by one traveller as “a perfect mix of cycling, sightseeing and history lesson,” this 10-day small group cycling holiday in Cambodia is a relaxed and culturally immersive way to explore parts of the country that most tours miss altogether.
Taking to the saddle in the capital, Phnom Penh, known as ‘the Pearl of Asia’ for its beauty, you’ll have time before departure to browse the street food stalls in the vibrant waterfront area. The group will also travel by private vehicle to the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek and the Tuol Sleng Prison Museum, for a sobering introduction to the legacy of the Khmer Rouge and the Cambodian genocide.
Day three sees the group head off in a north-westerly direction via Udong Mountain and the former royal capital, towards the busy port town of Kampong Chhnang on the Tonle Sap River. You can expect a sociable atmosphere among a group drawn from many different backgrounds, with numbers usually capped at 16 or so, meaning that everyone gets to know each other, and the tour leader, very quickly. Cycling in a small group also means that you can stay in small, often family-run hotels which don’t have the space to accommodate larger groups.
Continuing on via Battambang and Pailin province, you’ll reach Siem Reap where the bustling ambience is a thrilling contrast to the sedate countryside you’ve just left behind. Here, the incredible jungle-clad ruins of the Angkor Wat temple complex await you, and exploring them on two wheels makes for a unique perspective. (Note that groups transfer to tour support vehicles in cities, for reasons of safety).
As spectacular as Angkor Wat is, the true pleasure of this Cambodia cycling tour lies in the company of your fellow travellers, and the opportunity to roam parts of the country that most trips never reach. From islands in the Mekong River to tiny riverside communities, you’ll ride at a relaxed pace through many small villages that see few tourists passing through and genuinely welcome those who do. Cottage industries, from silk weaving to pottery, flourish here, and groups popping a few souvenirs in their saddlebags can have a significant impact on the local economy.
Many holidays tout themselves as offering a glimpse of ‘the real Cambodia’ – this trip doesn’t just glimpse it, but through its choice of route, accommodation and local guide, ensures you are thoroughly immersed in traditional ways of life here. And travelling at an easy-going pace, you’ll have plenty of time to soak up the culture and scenery.
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Price information
Optional single supplement from £240 - £250.
Minimum age 16.
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Holiday information
Reviews
1 Reviews of Small group cycling holiday in Cambodia
Reviewed on 09 Apr 2019 by David Bristow
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Perfect mix of cycling, sightseeing and history lesson.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
However much you love the heat, and however fit you are, the fearsome midday sun can be hard to handle for some, so be prepared to swallow your pride and
jump on the bus for a while.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Difficult to assess how far the tourist dollar trickled down. I don't think we taxed the environment unduly.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent
Responsible Travel
Planet
Water/Plastic:Plastic bottles are a big issue in many countries where recycling isn’t yet widely available; they often end up in landfill sites or get burnt, both processes are harmful to the environment and we would like to reduce our impact here. The vehicle on this tour will be equipped with a large drinking water container, enabling you to refill as needed. Not only a necessity in the tropical climate of Northern Queensland, it also reduces the amount of single-use plastic bottles that are still the standard.
Activity:
Being a wildlife based tour, we are very conscious of our effects on the environment and how we can reduce negative impact and aid conservation. Many of the organizations we partner with in providing you with this unique travel experience, both accommodations and activity operators, are (Advanced) Eco Certified or have ingrained sustainable and responsible travel practices. They are part of Australia's leading and most innovative ecotourism products, committed to achieving best practice, using resources wisely, contributing to education and conservation and helping the local community.
We spend a good portion of the trip wildlife watching: Humpback whales, Whale sharks, Manta rays, dolphins and turtles - the list is endless. This abundance of marine life in Ningaloo Marine Park prompts us to follow a strict ‘leave no trace’ policy, to inform our guests as much as possible on environmental responsibility on the trip and to tie in aspects of conservation wherever possible.
Group size:
This is a small group tour and so numbers do not exceed 16, meaning that local environments and the communities and variety of species (endangered and otherwise) that we encounter are not seriously impacted by our stay.
UK office:
It all starts at home so we have first worked at reducing our carbon footprint in our UK offices. Through energy conservation measures and recycling policies, we are proud to be actively reducing the waste produced and our impact on the environment. We support various projects all over the world to try and give something back to the places we visit.
People
Community, Accommodation and Meals:This trip uses mostly independent, locally owned hotels and lodges. All the accommodation we use is of benefit to local people by providing employment opportunities in the region. We also frequently use local specialist guides, local shops and family run restaurants and in doing so contribute economically to the communities we visit. The not included lunches and dinners are a good chance to support small businesses along the route.
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