Angkor Wat Explorer Cycle Tour

Today, 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, we cycle head further north into the jungle and foothills heading to Kbal Spean or the ‘River of a Thousand Lingas’. This site was only ‘rediscovered’ in 1969 and is a tranquil, cool place with an attractive waterfall as a back drop. A moderate 2km trek up the hill through dense jungle will reward you with the magical sight of the river bed covered with glistening ancient sculptures of lingas.

We return to Siem Reap and pay a visit to Visit the Landmine Museum on the way, 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. The museum serves also as a rescue centre for a number of landmine amputee children that Aki Ra has brought off Phnom Phnom Penh’s streets or from impoverished rural communities.

We pedal east on small trails through pleasant countryside and small villages en route to the hilltop temple of Chau Srei Vibol, known as Wat Trak. We then continue to Beng Mealea Temple, an untouched temple hidden in the jungle surrounded by its mood 900 meters by 1,200 meters. We turn off the main road and begin off-the-beaten-track journey that takes you through some of the most stunning Cambodian countryside; where fisherman and ox cart farmers line the green, water flatlands and where orange dirt tracks and luscious palm trees guide the way. We’ll spend some times to explore this temple before getting back to Siem Reap town.

We board our bikes and begin cycling to Roluos Temple, the oldest of all Angkorian temples. Visit the temples of Preah Ko and the pyramid of Bakong. We enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before we cycle on to Tonle Sap Lake. Here, we board a boat to the floating village of Kampong Phluk, observe and learn more about the daily life activities of floating villagers.  Enjoy romantic sunset view from your boat. Last, we transfer back to your hotel.

Depending on the lake level you will also have the surreal experience of being paddled in a small wooden boat amongst tree tops as you explore the flooded enchanted forest and witness the vast expanse of the Tonlé Sap Lake, the largest in South East Asia.

This morning, we take part in a Cambodian cooking class. Using local ingredients and traditional cooking techniques, we will learn the secrets to Cambodian cuisine and create a sumptuous feast to enjoy. Feeling full, the remainder of the day is yours to continue exploring Siem Reap on your own.