Bangkok to Angkor Wat

Day 1: Bangkok – Soi Dao

We depart from our meeting point in Bangkok and transfer down to Soi Dao a very scenic area, in Chantaburi province, that borders Cambodia with only the Cardamon Mountains separating the two countries. This area is great for biking and we have a chance to ride to help blow away those travelling cobwebs.

Day 2: Soi Dao - Pailin

Today we ride about 40 km to the border, we pass through some beautiful countryside on our way. This is an area where very few foreigners visit and the pace of life is slow and relaxed – just right for a bike trip. Once immigration and custom formalities have been taken care off we cross into Cambodia and ride 17 km to Pailin set in the attractive Chour Phnom Kravanh (Cardamom) foothills. The ride has some undulating sections, nothing to difficult, and the views of the mountains make for a very pretty ride. Pailin is now a home to former Khmer Rouge leaders and also famous for its ruby mines.

Day 3: Pailin - Battambang

We saddle up and ride east to Battambang. This is really rural Cambodia with lots of mango orchard, corn, peanut and of course paddy fields. The ride itself has some great views as we ride along red dirt roads past the Cardamon mountains, one the wildest areas in Cambodia. We will cross streams and bridges and really get a feeling of riding into un-chartered territory. We have lunch at Wat Phnom Sampeau and after eating we have a chance to visit the temple which is atop a limestone outcrop. Finally we reach Battambang, Cambodia’s second city, a sleepy backwater full of a faded colonial buildings and charm. This is a tough ride on an unpaved surface with lots of potholes – but we have full van support for any one who does not wish to ride the whole way.

Day 4: Battambang – Siem Reap

If water levels permit, today‘s journey is by boat as we cross the Tonle Sap towards the lost city of Angkor. The Great Lake is the beating heart of Cambodia and we cruise past floating villages and sunken forests before arriving at Siem Reap.

Day 5: Angkor Complex

We ride to the Angkor Temple complex before starting the Grand Circuit which includes Angkor Thom, the South Gate, the Bayon, Baphoun, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. After a picnic lunch continue to cycle to Banteay Kdei, Ta Prohm, Ta Keo and back to Siem Reap. We do stop at each major temple area and you will have plenty of time to explore and take pictures as your temple guide will inform you about all the history of this magnificent area. At sunset we return to the temples by car for a sunset view from Phnom Bakheng.

Day 6: Angkor Complex

Leaving Siem Reap by bike after breakfast we enter the temple complex by an alternative route and much quieter gate. We then ride through the complex taking some smaller roads. Once we leave the main complex we enter into the countryside and we turn off the main tourist road to Banteay Srei. We will pass many local villages and schools and people going about their day to day business and getting a really good feel for life in Cambodia. On the way we have a chance to visit Banteay Samre often missed but well worth a visit. This is one of the best rides on the tour. We stop at Banteay Srei for a well earned rest before continuing on to Kbal Spean (River of 1,000 Lingas), hiking to the top to view the riverbed carvings. After a picnic lunch we transfer by bus back to Siem Reap.

Day 7: Siem Reap countryside

Leave after breakfast to cycle to the small village of Kro Bey Real and another chance to ride in the countryside surrounding Siem Reap. After we head to the Tonle Sap and take a short cruise through the floating villages. (If water levels are too low to visit the floating village we will visit the Roulus group of temples). On the return ride we will ride on the opposite bank of the river passing through many of the local communities before arriving back in Siem Reap.