Temple to the Sea Cycle 12D

You may choose to rise early today to catch the awesome sight of the sun rising behind Angkor Wat’s five carved towers, then return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast, we cycle to the main circuit road and just as we enter Angkor Thom, we leave the road and spend the rest of the day on charming, quiet trails through these majestic structures. We visit The Bayon, famous for its serene faces, we continue to Baphoun and Phmeanakas then the Elephant Terrace and Terrace of Leper King. We then continue to our ride to Ta Prohm, made famous by the Hollywood blockbuster “Tomb Raider,” and Srah Srang.

After lunch it is time to take on the majestic Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious building. After being initially inspired by its overall size you will explore in more detail, getting up close to fully appreciate its architecture and intricately detailed bas reliefs.

Then, we head to Tonle Sap, the largest in South East Asia, where you will have the opportunity to learn about life on the lake. Board a local boat and visit the village of Chong Khneas, witnessing the residents going about their daily life. It is quite a sight to see a whole bamboo village complete with homes, petrol stations, schools, hair dressers and even karaoke bars, floating on a lake. You can experience the full beauty of Tonle Sap, the boat will then head out into the vast expanse of the lake and cut its engine, as you watch the setting sun disappearing into the waters in silence – perfect…

After breakfast, we ride towards Banteay Srei, through wonderful Cambodian countryside inhabited by friendly villagers. On the way, stop at a couple of villages for a close encounter with everyday local life. Arrive at the temple of Banteay Srei, decorated with floral motifs and scenes from the Ramayana.

After lunch in a local restaurant, cycle back towards Siem Reap and visit the Landmine Museum, which promotes mine awareness. Mr. Aki Ra, the museum founder, was trained as a child soldier during the Khmer Rouge regime and is working today as a de-miner.

We continue your Angkor encounter with a visit to the spectacular temples of the Grand Circuit, beginning with Preah Khan or ‘Sacred Sword’, one of the largest temples at Angkor. Then it’s onwards to Neak Pean surrounded by fountains and ponds, then to Ta Som and its famous strangler fig tree. Finally, you arrive at Pre Rup, a pleasant spot to experience another Angkor sunset if you wish.

After your breakfast, we head to Kampong Thom by private vehicle (2.5 hours). We then start to cycle to the lesser visited Sambor Prei Kuk, a pre-Angkorian temple complex. Most temples in the complex brick between the years 615 and 650. Sambor Prei Kuk served as the capital before the Angkor period, under the Chenla Kingdom. Cycle through these magnificent ruins, which are connected by shady dirt paths. Stop for lunch at a local community. After lunch, you can continue to cycle or get in a vehicle to the hotel.

An early start this morning as you leave Kampong Cham on a paved road along the Mekong River toward Wat Hanchey, we cycle up to Wat Hanchey, a small hilltop pagoda that houses an 8th century pre-Angkorian temple and offers spectacular views over the Mekong. We then continue our ride along the river to Steung Trang, then we gradually climbing through many traditional villages, where you will witness people busy with their everyday lives: cooking, cleaning, playing, leading the cows to the river, cycling school kids, pagodas and monks and bright red chilies, rice and fish drying in the sun by the side of the road. After lunch, we hop in the van and transfer to Kampong Thom.

Follow the course of the Mekong River towards Phnom Penh. Foreigners are rare through these areas, so expect a few surprised faces as you cycle through the many traditional villages. You will witness people busy with their everyday lives; cooking, cleaning, playing and leading the cows to the river. Pass by cycling school kids and see pagodas and monks. Watch the sun drying bright red chilies, pepper, rice and fish by the side of the road, and experience the river life of the mighty Mekong, which will keep coming in and out of view. There are plenty of shady and scenic spots for rest breaks, where curious locals are sure to say “Hello.” After ride for 65km, you will be transferred to the Phnom Penh city.

Today it is someone else’s turn to do the pedaling! Rest your legs as you are treated to a fun cyclo tour of Phnom Penh. See the city via this traditional mode of transport, and stop at the National Museum, which offers a charming setting for a comprehensive collection of Khmer artifacts. Continue to the nearby Royal Palace and the neighbouring Silver Pagoda. We then continue on to the nearby French Quarter and Wat Phnom, the inconspicuous hill after which the city is named. Today it is topped by a small pagoda and provides a shady area to wander around.

After lunch, we drive to Tuol Sleng Museum, ironically a former school located in a quiet Phnom Penh suburb, which was an infamous Khmer Rouge prison / torture center. You will be driven 15km out of the city to visit the “Killing Fields”, where prisoners were forcibly marched and then executed; it is now a memorial site located in a beautiful tranquil setting.

This morning, leave the early morning hustle and bustle of Phnom Penh to Cheoung Ek, more commonly known as the “Killing Fields”. This is where Khmer Rouge prisoners were forcibly marched and then executed; it is now a memorial site located in a beautiful tranquil setting. Then continue pedalling south and after a short ride along almost traffic-free dirt roads and some lightly trafficked tarmac roads you will arrive at Tonle Bati. This pleasant riverside spot is where you will have lunch, before exploring the small yet picturesque Angkorian temples of Ta Prohm and Yeay Peau.

After lunch continue cycling south towards Takeo and experience Cambodian local life by spending the night at Meas Family Homestay, located in the outskirts of a small village in Takeo. Staying with the Meas family is a unique way to experience authentic village life in Cambodia.

After a good breakfast we take a short transfer into the countryside to the starting point. We then start riding the back roads pass villages and rice fields. The topography that will be forever etched in your mind is that of a sprawling countryside of fields and palm trees. We ride slowly, taking pictures along the way and taking in the stunning vistas.

Kep was a popular seaside resort with Cambodia’s elite in the 1940s-60s, but it was abandoned during the Khmer Rouge period. Today it is experiencing a revival with many of the empty, decaying villas being restored into delightful hotels. Kep is also famous for its seafood, which you can taste at the numerous beach-side restaurants.

Another stretch of riverside villages and exquisite countryside awaits the cyclists today. This morning starts with an early morning visit to the lively crab market, to watch the women hauling their crustacean-laden baskets ashore and the local restaurateurs haggling and making their deals.

Then, we’ll ride We ride on small trails then minor roads past ‘Secret Lake’ or also known as “Brateak Krola Lake”, a man-made reservoir. Along the way, visit the pepper plantations and the stunning cave temple of Phnom Chhnork which is located amongst rice paddies. Follow a 200-step staircase up the hill and down into the cave. Keep your eyes open for a stalactite elephant and a small 7th century Funan-era temple inside the main chamber.
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.

It’s uphill today, it’s 40km to get to the top and 1,048m above sea level. The first 10km is flat, then it just keeps on going up, and up, and up! Whist at the top, we can take some time to explore the French ghost town of Bokor Hill Station and the romantic, highly atmospheric old casino — a legacy from Cambodia’s colonial days and the deserted Black Palace, one of the Kings former mountain top residences, which has stunning views out over the sea. Then, we drive back to the hotel freshen up. This evening, we’ll take a cruise down the river and watch the fire flies come to life (if we’re lucky).