Begin an unforgettable experience as you board your flight to Phnom Penh. Kick back and enjoy the transit as you get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.
Cycle Cambodia
Need to know
- Best time to travel: Feb to March or Sept to Nov
- Tour duration: 10 days
- Group size: 10–20 travellers
- Challenge grade: 3.5/5
- Accommodation: Twin share in 3-4 star hotels
- Minimum age: 18 (younger ages considered on application)
Tour from AUD: Prices available upon request
Trip at a glance
Join us on an unforgettable cycling journey through the landscapes of Cambodia.
We begin our ten-day trip in the beautiful city of Phnom Penh, taking in the sights of the city with visits to the Royal Palace and S21 Museum. Spend the next six days cycling through peaceful rice fields and quaint villages. Pedal along narrow paths to the banks of the mighty Mekong river. Journey alongside your teammates as you pass waving locals, experiencing the warm and friendly nature of the Cambodian people.
Explore the Mekong islands by bike and boat and enjoy the local cuisine full of fragrant flavours with a stop in a small family home. Get the chance to encounter the endangered Mekong Dolphin while boating through the Kampi River Pools. Experience the breathtaking views over Dangrek Mountain to visit Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Stop and take a moment with the sunrise over Angkor Wat, a truly momentous experience, before cycling the hidden trails of Siem Reap to explore hidden ruins. Enjoy an authentic Cambodian cooking class using ingredients bought by you from local markets to finish off your last day in Cambodia.
Give back
We know travel is better when you can give back as much as you get. That’s why we have designed our trips around contributing, supporting and participating in local projects and community initiatives that have a positive social and environmental impact.
Each of our tours provide a unique way to get up close and personal with the destination and incorporate a fundraising target or donation into the travel costs, which enables travellers to connect, give back and travel with purpose.
If you are a charity, corporate or a private group interested in cycling Cambodia, please get in touch with amanda@soulfulconcepts.com
Itinerary
DAY 1: DEPART AUSTRALIA
DAY 2: PHNOM PENH CITY TOURS
Welcome to Phnom Penh! The capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh sits at the confluence of the Mekong and Tonlé Sap Rivers, and was once considered one of the most beautiful cities in the Orient. Despite its recent, turbulent history, it still retains much of its former colonial charm. Wide, tree-lined boulevards and a range of rich architecture reflect the city’s glory days and adds to the allure of the city, where Asian and Western traditions meet in a fascinating way. Begin the day with s visit to the 19th century Royal Palace and its Silver Pagoda, named for the over 5,000 heavy silver tiles that cover its floors. The temple is known for its marvellous collection of Buddhas in gold, silver, crystal, and bronze.
We continue to the S 21 Museum. Built in 1962 as a high school before being converted into a torture and killing site by the Khmer Rouge regim. After exploring the city, head to the hotel for some rest and relaxation. Dinner this evening will be served at an NGO restaurant which is located in the heart of the city center.
Accommodation: Ohana Phnom Penh Palace hotel
Meals: L,D
DAY 3: DEPART PHNOM PENH, TRANSFER & RIDE TO KRATIE
Leaving Phnom Penh in the morning is quite a sight for the uninitiated. Thousands of motor scooters, vying for space among larger vehicles with all manner of cargo, often with a few passengers sitting on, or hanging off the cargo. Next thing you know you are in flat, open plains with brilliant green rice fields as far as the eye can see, punctuated by a Cambodian arboreal favorite, the Sugar Palm. We get started with the ride from a small town called Srey Santho and are immediately out on small roads through villages, farmland and along the Mighty Mekong bank. There are few vehicles other than motor scooters and bicycles and the most persistent sound that you will hear is that of excited children calling out to greet and encourage you. The warmth of the Cambodian people is immediately apparent.
As we approach the provincial capital of Kampong Cham, we cross onto islands Koh Soten and Koh Pen in the middle of the Mekong before riding over a newly constructed concrete bridge, originally a bamboo bridge that was dismantled and re-erected every year to prevent it from washing away in the monsoon flows of the Mekong. We will have lunch in Kampong Cham town and then drive to our accommodation for the evening in Kratie.
Accommodation: Mekong Dolphin hotel
Meals: B,L,D
Cycling distance: 60Km
DAY 4: BIKE ALONG THE MEKONG & EXPLORE THE MEKONG ISLANDS
Awaking in our charming and unique accommodation, we enjoy a relaxed breakfast before venturing up along the Mekong River by transferring to the cycling point and starting our ride along the Mekong to Kratie. This modest town is the provincial capital and is home to a vibrant produce market offering a dazzling array of weird and wonderful things for sale. We take the ferry to the other side of Mekong and pedal through the countryside, paddy fields and villages.
For lunch, we cross by another ferry to an island called Koh Trong in the middle of the Mekong River, where cars do not exist and only bicycles and scooters are used. This gives a good perspective of the river's incredible size. On the island you will enjoy lunch in a small family home and if we are lucky, sample the local produce, the Pomelo fruit. As well as being a tasty treat on its own, this fruit also makes a delicious salad when mixed with peanuts, shrimp and mint. After lunch, there is time for a refreshing dip in the river, then we take the van back to the hotel for a relaxed afternoon. Dinner is in the hotel.
Accommodation: Mekong Dolphin hotel
Meals: B,L,D
Cycling distance: 45Km
DAY 5: BIKE TO THE DOLPHINS
Our adventure for the day starts by pedaling to Kampi river pools just north of Kratie to observe the endangered Mekong dolphin in Cambodia.
There are only around 80 of these creatures in this stretch of the Mekong River. Due to habitat loss and pollution, these species are among the last of their kind. Keep a sharp eye out for the dolphins as they frolic through the water. We are guided on our boats by locals who have been working with these dolphins most of their lives and who can tell us a great deal about these intriguing creatures. We lunch there before moving upstream to the town of Stung Treng. This slightly larger town sits on the confluence of the Sekong, Sesan and Mekong Rivers with glorious views out over the water. A more rustic, but comfortable guesthouse in a prime position on the banks of the river awaits. Along the way, keep an eye out for some of the local livestock such as lazy cows, wallowing buffalo, and wayward chickens.
Accommodation: 4 River hotel
Meals: B,L,D
Cycling distance: 25km
DAY 6: STUNG TRENG - PREAH VIHEAR RIDING
Today we rise with an early morning pedal through the open country, heading toward Preah Vihear temple. The routes here are quiet, and the population of the area sparse. A few roadside shops dot the landscape.
After lunch, go up the mountain to witness the breathtaking view of Dangrek mountain range where Phrea Vihea temple awaits. The road to the top remains unfinished, so a four wheel drive transfer is necessary to tackle the steep grade. The Khmer kings built the temple of Preah Vihear on top of the hill to better worship the Hindu gods. The impressive ruins reach skyward (nearly 500 meters), perched on the edge of cliffs with amazing views over the seemingly endless Cambodian jungle. While the temple has not yet been restored, it still boasts spectacular carvings and lintels (nearly as splendid as those at Banteay Srei.) The temple’s spectacular location paired with a unique design is the reason UNESCO listed Preah Vihear as a World Heritage Site.
Transfer to the hotel for this evening's dinner and leisure at the hotel.
Accommodation: Phrea Vihea Jaya hotel
Meals: B,L,D
Cycling distance: 60km
DAY 7: PREAH VIHEAR -SIEM REAP TO BANTEAY SREI TEMPLE
After breakfast, we depart for Siem Reap with a stop at Banteay Srei, the pinkish and intricately carved 9th century AD sandstone temple known as Lady Citadel. We eat lunch nearby before enjoying our ride to the final destination in Siem Reap.
Accommodation: Lotus Blanc hotel
Meals: B,L,D
Cycling distance: 40km
DAY 8: BIKE THE ANCIENT TEMPLES
Siem Reap and the Angkor Temples definitely deserve days of your time, but first you need an overview, which is what you can expect from this morning's ride. We make an early start to see the sunrise over Angkor Wat, an experience bordering on spiritual, and after exploring this most important architectural masterpiece in the soft morning light with the absence of crowds, we pause for breakfast.
Well fueled, we take to our bikes for the final time, and this is one to remember! You'll ride the secret trails and dedicated bike paths to visit other highlighted ruins such as the Bayon and Ta Prohm, as well as a couple of hidden gems along the way. Don't forget your camera today. We conclude our ride with lunch and a transfer back to the hotel where you have time to freshen up before going out to enjoy the Phar Ponleou Selpak circus show.
Accommodation: Lotus Blanc hotel
Meals: B,L,D
Cycling distance: 25km
DAY 9: COOKING CLASS - DEPARTURE DAY
Before heading to the airport today, we offer a great opportunity to learn how to make authentic quality Khmer food with our professional and friendly chef. You will also have a chance to visit the local market to do some ingredient shopping. This will be truly an unforgettable and unique experience while visiting Cambodia.
Meals: B,L
DAY 10: ARRIVE HOME
Welcome home! You have just completed a 255km cycle across Cambodia.
- What's included:
- Twin-share accommodation in 3-4 star-hotel
- Group airport transfers
- Meals as indicated in itinerary
- Snacks and fruit throughout the day
- Bike mechanic and support vehicle
- Local English speaking guide
- 1 assistant guide for 7-19 pax, 2 assistant guides for 20+ pax
- Bikes & helmets
- Water to refill bottles
- Cooking class
- Circus at Phare Ponleou Selpak
- Sightseeing tickets and zone entrance fees and taxes
- What's not included:
- Return international flights
- Individual airport transfers
- Single supplement
- Cambodian visa*
- Optional tours and excursions
- Soft drinks, or beverages beyond water
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal travel insurance and vaccinations
- Items of a personal nature
- Other services not listed in the inclusions column
* Travellers are responsible for valid visas throughout the duration of the trip
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