Cycling Phnom Penh to Angkor 6 Days/ 5 Nights |
Departure: Everyday
TRIP PROFILE
The trip can be started in Phnom Penh or Siem Reap, where the mountain bikes have been prepared. Our cycling guide will brief on the tour. Getting around and out of Phnom Penh is a busy traffic. So we might transfer a little bit if the traffic is worse. Most of the road surface is good with tarmac. Then we take the boat crossing Tonle Sap lake, which is best from July to February.
We ride approximately 320 km mostly on tarmac roads on most of the days except from Banteay Srei to Kbal Spean which is about 15km on the dirt road. Apart from Angkor complex, the other main interest are Kbal Spean known as the river of thousand lingas and Beng Mealea ruin temple hidden in the jungle. The temple is charming, peaceful and has its own special character. Once it was featured in the movie stared by Indiana Jones and the Two Brother by French movie maker Jean Jacques Anaud.
TOUR ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival Phnom Penh (35km by bike)
Arrive at Phnom Penh airport and transfer to your hotel. Explore this bustling city's major sights by bike including National Museums of Khmer Arts, Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and Toul Sleng Museum of Genocide S21 and the Killing Field. (B,L,D)
Day 2: Phnom Penh-Siem Reap (28km)
Transfer for speedboat to Siem Reap crossing Tonle Sap lake. One of the interesting boat trip which is best from July to February. The boat takes about 6 hours which has toilet, air-con and life jacket. Cycle 15km to the hotel. Late afternoon, view sunset tour at Phnom Bakheng. Overnight in Siem Reap. (B,L,D)
Day 3: Siem Reap-Angkor Small Circuit 25km
Depart from the hotel on the main road and cycling through Angkor pass check point. Cycling through the shady road with a little pumping because of the a few pot-holes. There you will begin to see Kravan temple, Banteay Kdei, and stop at the famous Ta Phrom, embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers. Visit Ta Phrom (45 minutes-1 hour). It was built in 12th century by the famous King Jayavarvan VII indicated to his mother. While clearing back the forest archaeologists decided to leave the vegetation of Ta Phrom in place to serve as a reminder of how the original discoverers found it and the other Angkor temples.
Many of the trees have grown around and through the remains and soar high above the temples. Continue the cycling through small circuit passing Ta Keo temple, Chao Say Tevoda, Tommanon before reaching to Angkor Thom city. There you will see Terrace of Leper King, Terrace of Elephant, Baphoun, Phimean Akas. Stop at Bayon temple and start the visit (45 minutes-1 hour). Angkor Thom built by Cambodia's great king, Jayavarman VII. Overnight in Siem Reap. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Banteay Srei and One Thousand Lingas (90km)
Depart from the hotel on the main road. Arrive at Angkor Wat and turn left to the west. Continue to cycle 2km before turn right to the rural road. The road is good for cycling as you can avoid the busy traffic but you can see rice field, village, pagoda. Arrive in Banteay Srei before lunch. Visit (45 minutes) Banteay Srei temple known as women citadel (built in 967 A.D dedicated to Brahma). While some of temple are impressive because of their sheer size, Banteay Srei stands alone in the quality of its construction and decoration. Its pink sandstone walls are decorated with what some consider the best carving of all, and still an 
excellent state of preservation.
The road is good for cycling Continue cycling to visit Kbal Spean, the River of Thousands Lingas, lying under the river bed, people believe it brings fertility and blessing Angkor area as the river flows to Siem Reap. Walk 1,200meters to visit the Lingas and enjoy lunch and the water fall. On the way back, cycle on the main road to visit Landmine Museum of Mr. Akira. Mr. Ra is dedicated to clearing the Cambodian countryside of landmines laid during the years of conflict and relies entirely on visitors' donation to fund his work. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 5: Beng Mealea (100km)
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart from the hotel on the National Road No.6, turn left at Dam Dek market after 42km. Visit Beng Mealea temple. Beng Mealea is an untouched temple hidden in the jungle surrounded by its mood 900 meters by 1,200 meters. Beng Mealea is a beautiful, charming temple. It has it own character which cannot be found in any other temple. We can feel very peaceful sitting inside the temple as we can get rid of the many tourists at Angkor area. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Day 6: Siem Reap Departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Free at leisure until transfer for departure flight.
| TOUR INFORMATION | ||||||||||||||||||||
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Tour Price Includes
- Accommodation 3* star in sharing room
- Cycling experienced guide
- Full board meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
- Support van & cool box
- Snack and water
- Boat ticket Phnom Penh-Siem Reap
- Complementary message 30 minutes by REAL Spa Cambodia
Price Excludes
- International Flights
- Departure Tax $25 (international)
- Visa Fees $20 (issued on arrival)
- Alcoholic, and other beverages
- Tips for guides.
- Personal travel insurance
- Any services not mentioned in itinerary
View Feedback About This Trip:
Names: Robin Martin (Canada, Sweden) 5 people
Date: 04 to 09 January, 2011
Dear Mr Hun,
Thank you so much for an AMAZING trip!!! I wasn’t sure about doing this tour, because I thought I could do Cambodia more cheaply, but it was worth every penny for a totally stress-free and authentic experience.
Sam was fantastic in Phnom Penh and getting us to Siem Reap, and sorted out my VN Visa seamlessly. It was such a blessing. Too bad he got sick (hope he’s feeling better soon!).
Aki was a most excellent replacement. We got to spend so much time off-road because he knows the area like the back of his hand! We even got to pass through the village where he grew up, and see authentic rice noodles being made. The highlight was getting to meet and play with some of the local children (I was on the bus waiting for the other real cyclists!). I cried when I left Siem Reap.
These guys know everything and everyone – it made it the best trip I’ve had in ages...
I’ll be back again – probably even next year. I found my soul and left my heart in Cambodia. Next time I’ll actually be in shape for cycling! This was the best way to see the real country...
Thanks again!!!
Robin
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