Hanoi to Siem Reap Cycle

Two hours transfer by car after breakfast takes you to the border with Cambodia. At this point it is time to say goodbye to the Vietnamese team. After the immigration formalities at the Le Thanh border check point, you will be met by your Cambodian cycling crew. We start our ride from the border to the Banlung town of Ratanakiri. Banlung is one of the most far-flung of the Khmer provincial capitals. You continue your riding along a recently paved, winding road with some ups and a few less downs as we climb into the highlands that are home to the former Ho Chi Minh Trail. While the exact location of the trail is hard to pinpoint, it is obvious from the surrounding terrain and dense forest that it was no easy feat for the North Vietnamese to use this as their main supply route between north and south during their war with the US. We spend the night in the surroundings of Terres Rouge a traditional style Khmer house oozing with old world charm in this remote part of Cambodia.

After breakfast you will be transferred for 1 hour a half to Kbal Romeas market where you will set out on bikes into Stung Treng province through rice paddies and stop to enjoy the simple pleasures of rural life. Stung Treng is on the Mekong, just about 30 kilometers downstream from the Laos-Cambodia border. We arrive and checking Mekong Bird resort, a rural retreat just under nine kilometers from Steung Treng town. After checking in, you will explore its surrounding area by renting a kayak to explore the area on the Mekong River. Dinner will be reserved at the resort.

An early rise this morning and breakfast before we start heading south and cycle along the Mekong River and experience a local life along the bank of Mekong river. We cycle until we reach a highway. From here, we transfer to Kampi and hop on a boat in hopes of seeing Irrawady dolphin. You then cycle to Kratie Town then board a ferry to Koh Trong where you will spend a night with homestay. Enjoy tasty Cambodian food with your hosted family.

This morning, we transfer south towards to the tiny town of Chhloung which has beautiful French colonial style buildings. We then start our ride passing many Cham communities which are predominantly Muslim. Buddhist pagodas form a pretty contrast with small mosques and the particularly friendly locals will welcome you warmly in each village you pass. Arrive in Kampong Cham in the evening, a city on the Mekong River in southeastern Cambodia. It’s known for its French colonial buildings.

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.

After breakfast, we will have a beautiful ride to the ancient temple of Sambor Preikuk through the paddy fields and small villages. Sambor Preikuk temple is the lesser visited pre-Angkorian temple complex. Most temples in the complex brick between the years 615 and 650. Cycle through these magnificent ruins, which are connected by shady dirt paths. Stop for lunch at a local community.

After lunch, we transfer 2 hours 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. We then transfer to your hotel.

(Note: Due to low water levels during the dry season, the boat trip is only possible from July to March)

Begin your cycling exploration of the incredible Angkor temples, focusing on the Small Circuit featuring the pyramid of Takeo, the jungle-clad Ta Prohm, Sras Srang known as the King’s bathing pond; and the impressive Royal City of Angkor Thom where you will find the Bayon, a temple famed for its many gigantic carved smiling faces. You will also visit other important sites in this immense walled city, including the pyramid of Baphuon, Phimeanakas and the royal viewing stands known as the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King.  After lunch, visit the incredible and 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 and personal to fully appreciate its architecture and intricately detailed bas-reliefs. Return to your hotel to freshen up. This evening, we enjoy a final farewell dinner this night accompanies with a traditional Khmer Apsara dance. The Apsaras are legendary characters from the ancient Khmer tale of Reamker, which is closely related to the Hindu Ramayana.