BANGKOK to SIEM REAP CYCLE TOUR
from $1,010*
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9 days / 8 nights - 510km (& from Siem Reap to Bangkok)
Ref: BSRCT-9D |
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• Beautiful Thai Beaches • Discover the REAL Thailand & Cambodia • Remote Border Crossing •
• Pristine Cardamom Mountains • Traditional Village Life • Delightful River Cruise •
• Colonial Battambang • Amazing Floating Villages • Magnificent Angkor Temples • |
 A cycle tour is undoubtedly the best way to really connect with a country, its people, to experience the tempo of village life, and escape the well trodden tourist trail. This Bangkok to Siem Reap cycle tour is fully supported and fully guided, and it keeps you away from the main roads which many similar tours follow. Your cycle tour of Thailand begins by hugging the coast and passing some beautiful beaches, before heading inland towards the Cardamom Mountains. You cross into Cambodia at a remote border crossing and follow dirt roads to colonial Battambang. After a relaxing cruise passing fascinating floating villages you arrive in Siem Reap and discover the spectacular ancient temples of the mighty Khmer Empire. For anyone wanting to discover the real Thailand and Cambodia, this is the tour for you!
Below please find the detailed itinerary... |
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Day 1: Arrive Bangkok and transfer to Laem Mae Phim Beach (30km)
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 On arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok, you will be transferred south away from the busy streets of Bangkok to the laidback and beautiful Laem Mae Phim Beach. Here you will have some free time to relax, have lunch, and maybe even take a dip in the clear warm waters of the Gulf of Thailand. In the afternoon you will spend some time preparing bikes and going on a gentle warm up cycle ride through the surrounding countryside, nearby villages and fruit plantations (this region of Thailand is renown for its exotic fruit). This short ride allows you to get to know your fellow cyclists as well as ensuring your bike is in fine working order. Back at the resort you will enjoy your traditional Thai ‘Welcome’ dinner. [ Terrain: Mostly flat tarmac ] |
Day 2: Cycle Laem Mae Phim Beach to Chaolao Beach (80km)
B / L / D
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An early start today as you acclimatise to the weather. The ride hugs the coastline as you pass from beach to beach on small local roads that are very quiet to traffic, the seascapes are marvellous. This is an interesting ride that lets you see the local Thai way of life, as you pass through local fishing villages, sea food markets and of course plenty of temples where you can stop for a well earned rest and refreshments. The mangrove swamps and fruit plantations add a diversity to the scenery on this very picturesque of rides. You also take some short ferry crossings which help to save some distance by taking you directly across the estuaries. You finish the ride right on the quiet beach of Chaolao. From here it is so easy to take a refreshing dip in the sea before dinner… [ Terrain: Mostly tarmac with some gentle climbs ] |
Day 3: Cycle Chaolao Beach to Pong Nam Ron (110km)
B / L / D
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 A big day today as you spin through 110km with some steady climbs near the end. Initially you head inland and notice the scenery changing from coastline to forests and distant mountains. Again this ride is on small paved roads that have little traffic and are a joy to ride on. You are now in Chantaburi province which is well known for its fruit and you will see (and taste!) plenty as you pass by plantations, forests and lots of small local villages. The last 12km of the ride is on a busier road and this is where the small climbs begin. However, on arrival in Pong Nam Ron the reward is the hotel’s pool where you can relax with a well earned beer, overlooking the adjacent golf course with a backdrop of forested mountains… [ Terrain: Mostly undulating tarmac with some long steady climbs, and short sections of flatish dirt roads ] |
Day 4: Cycle Pong Nam Ron to Pailin (into Cambodia!) (65km)
B / L / D
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This morning you head east on the road less travelled pedaling towards the quiet Thai / Cambodian border crossing nestled in the foothills of the scenic Cardamom mountains. In times gone by this was strategically important as a life line for the Khmer Rouge, both for trading gems and receiving supplies, and as an escape route when threatened by the Cambodian army. Immediately on crossing the border you will notice the difference in the fortunes of these neighbouring countries as you leave the tarmac of Thailand and cycle on the bumpy red dirt roads of Cambodia! It is also very obvious how the concrete homes of Thailand give way to the wood and thatch shacks of Cambodia. After 20km of Cambodian cycling you arrive at the small, dusty town of Pailin, which was once home to both a thriving semi-precious stone mining industry and some former high ranking officials of the expired brutal Khmer Rouge regime. [ Terrain: Tarmac in Thailand and bumpy dirt road in Cambodia ] |
Day 5: Cycle Pailin to Battambang (85km)
B / L / -
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Make the most of the tarmac in town as shortly after leaving Pailin the tarmac disappears and you will have the company of a winding dirt road all the way to the outskirts of Battambang. After a few early climbs the majority of the day is downhill, not that you will obviously notice it as you weave around the large potholes! Initially you cycle through cash-crop plantations such as corn, cassava, and cashew nut, however getting closer to Battambang this changes to the emerald green of endless rice paddies. You pass through various pleasant small villages made up of wooden shacks and shady trees. Excellent places to stop for a rest and get some real interaction with the curious and friendly locals. They don’t see many tourists along this route and certainly not on bicycles! About 15km from Battambang you cannot fail to miss the imposing limestone outcrop of Phnom Sampeau with its hilltop pagoda. If you still have excess energy you may choose to climb the 700+ steps and be rewarded with great views of the surrounding countryside. Battambang is a relaxed and laid back town sitting on the banks of the Sangker River and it still has a very local, untouristed, provincial atmosphere. Much of the town’s architecture is French colonial and traditional Cambodian with very few buildings over three stories. A pleasant place to explore before dinner. [ Terrain: Bumpy dirt road all the way except for short streches of tarmac in Pailin and Battambang ] |
Day 6: Cruise Battambang to Siem Reap (20km)
B / L / D
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An early start as you cycle through the sleepy streets of Battambang to board the boat to Siem Reap. This is arguably the most fascinating river trip in Cambodia and takes around 6 - 7 hours. Yet the timeless scenes you pass makes the time disappear: fishermen returning from the lake with their nights silvery catch; the blue smoke of fires shifting like mist in the pale pink light of dawn; the scent of breakfasts being prepared; and always, the sound of laughter and conversation. As the river winds its way into the Tonle Sap lake (South East Asia’s largest freshwater lake) you pass an amazing variety of landscapes and lives, seemingly unchanged for hundreds of years. As the river joins the Tonle Sap Lake you pass the protected wetland of Prek Toal, regarded as the single most important breeding ground for globally threatened large waterbirds in South East Asia. After crossing the vast expanse of this inland sea and heading towards Siem Reap port you pass through the floating village of Chong Khneas where we witness an entire bamboo village complete with homes, gas stations, schools, hair dressers, and even karaoke bars floating on water! Once you arrive at the port you get a chance to shake your legs as we spin the 15km into Siem Reap and to your hotel. [ Terrain: Mainly flat tarmac ]. N.B. When the water levels are low it may not be possible to take the boat trip, and the journey will be made by road. |
Day 7: Exploring the Magnificent Angkor Temples by Bike (40km)
B / L / -
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On your first morning in Siem Reap we head out to begin our cycle exploration of these incredible temples. Today we will focus on the Small Circuit which features temple greats such as: the pyramid of Takeo, the jungle-clad Ta Prohm, made famous by the Hollywood blockbuster ‘Tomb Raider’; 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 faces smiling beguilingly down at you. You will also visit other important sites in this immense walled city. 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 and personal to fully appreciate its architecture and intricately detailed bas-reliefs. After returning to the hotel you are free at leisure to experience Siem Reap’s nightlife which includes many fine restaurants and lively bars. [ Terrain: Mainly flat tarmac ] |
Day 8: Cycling to Beautiful Banteay Srei Temple (80km)
B / L / D
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This morning you head north towards Banteay Srei. This cycle ride is a real delight and your first introduction to the wonderful Cambodian countryside and its friendly villagers. On route we will stop off at a couple of villages to get a closer look at the wooden stilted homes and every day life. One thing you will notice for sure is large black pots in people’s gardens containing a thick light brown bubbling mixture - this area is famed for its sugar palm tree sweets, sure to give any cyclist a much needed energy boost! On arrival at Banteay Srei you will be struck by its delicate beauty. It is an elaborately decorated temple, embellished with floral motifs and scenes from the Ramayana, all carved from pink sandstone. It is said the carvings must have been done by women as the detail is too fine for the hands of a man. You will have lunch at a local restaurant, after which you cycle back towards Siem Reap, and depending on the time explore some other temples on the way. This evening you will enjoy a 'Farewell' dinner and a mesmerising Apsara dance performance [ Terrain: Mainly flat tarmac ]. |
Day 9: Depart Siem Reap
B / - / -
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Today you are free to continue your onward travel plans, leaving the home of the mighty Khmer Empire with many wonderful cycling memories… |
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| *The cost for the above tour is $1,010 (US dollars) per person based on 6 people cycling and sharing 3 rooms
Good quality cycle hire is available for an additional charge of $120 |
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| For more information on this 9 Day Bangkok to Siem Reap (Angkor Wat) Cycle Tour or if the suggested itinerary does not fully meet your needs please email us as we are happy to discuss your requirements. |
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- Air conditioned support vehicle
- Accommodation (aircon)
- English speaking local guide
- English speaking local cycle guide / mechanic
- All entrance fees for attractions included in the above itinerary
- Daily drinking water, cool face towels & snacks whilst cycling
- All boat trips as detailed
- All meals as detailed in the above itinerary
(B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner)
- Services not detailed in the above itinerary
- International flights to Thailand / from Cambodia
- Thailand & Cambodia Visa fees
- Any airport taxes
- Bicycle, however they can be hired for $120
- Expenditure of a personal nature
- Drinks with included meals
- Discretionary Tips
- Travel insurance
- Payment / money transfer charges
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Bangkok to Siem Reap (Angkor Wat) Cycle Tour |
