Karma Cambodia Cycle Tour
$1,200
|
2007: Sep 9 - 21; Dec 22 - Jan 3
2008: Jan 6 - 18; Jul 5 - 17; Aug 16 - 28; Sep 13 - 25
13 days / 12 nights
Ref: KCCT-13D |
|
• Fun Cycling • Discover the REAL Cambodia • Magnificent Angkor Wat Temples •
• Delightful traditional villages • Smiling, curious Cambodians • Vibrant rice paddies •
• Rubbery Kompong Cham • Mighty Mekong River • Charming Phnom Penh •
• Sleepy Takeo • Colonial Kampot • Sihanoukville's Beaches • Unforgettable memories... •
|
 A cycle tour of Cambodia is undoubtedly the best way to really connect with the country, its people, and experience the tempo of village life. This Karma Cambodia fully supported cycle tour begins with easy cycling around the spectacular Angkor Wat temples. After a few days we leave the tourist trail well and truly behind as we head east to the town of Kompong Cham, sitting on the banks of the mighty Mekong river, passing rubber plantations on route. We follow the Mekong through picturesque villages to charming Phnom Penh. After a days rest we pedal south to often forgotten Takeo, and then towards the coastal hills, stopping off in colonial Kampot before the final leg to the beautiful beaches of Sihanoukville. An unforgettable introduction to the real Cambodia!
Below is the detailed itinerary...
|
|
DAY 1: Arrive Siem Reap, the home of Angkor Wat!
- / - / D
|
| As you and your fellow cyclists will be arriving at differing times throughout the day today is a free day. On arrival in Siem Reap you make your own way to the hotel (full details will be given upon booking). We will all meet at the hotel in the early evening for introductions before heading out to a local restaurant for a ‘Welcome’ dinner.
|
DAY 2: Exploring the Magnificent Angkor Temples by Bike (40km)
B / L / -
|
This morning you will have time to re-assemble you bike if you brought your own, or be fitted with your hire bike. Once we are all ready our local cycle guide leads the way to the wonderful temples. On arrival at the Angkor Wat Conservation Area entrance our specialist temple guide will help us organise our 3 day entrance passes (included in the tour price) and then we begin our exploration of these incredible temples. Today we 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. |
DAY 3: Cycling to Beautiful Banteay Srei Temple (70km)
B / L / -
|
 We rise early this morning, shake our legs, and pedal off to experience the inspiring sight of the sun rising from behind Angkor Wat’s 5 towers. After this we cycle 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. Back at the hotel once again you are free at leisure to explore Siem Reap’s many wining and dining choices. |
DAY 4: Siem Reap ~ Free Day
B / - / -
|
Today is a free day. You may choose to return and take another look at your favourite temples or check out some of Siem Reap’s other sights such as: the old pagodas of Wat Bo and Wat Keseram, the Angkor National Museum, the Cambodian Cultural Village, the Aki Ra Land Mine Museum, or head out of town and discover the floating villages of the Tonle Sap lake. Perhaps you want to shop for souvenirs in the Aladdin’s cave of Phsar Chas, or after a couple of days cycling treat yourself and be pampered and massaged in one of the towns many excellent Spas. Or maybe just take it easy and chill out by the hotel’s pool… |
DAY 5: Cycle Siem Reap ~ Kompong Cham (45km)
B / L / D
|
This morning we bid our farewell to Siem Reap and the mighty Angkor temples as we take a 200km bus transfer along the busy National Highway 6, passing through Kompong Thom on route. However, after a few hours on the bus we do get the chance to spin our legs. 45km from Kompong Cham we break out the bikes and take a quite backroad, passing through rubber plantations, towards this quiet provincial capital. Our hotel in Kompong Cham looks out over the Mekong River - what better place to enjoy a well deserved drink than on the banks of this mighty river watching the sunset beyond the dominant Kozina bridge and pink French era guard tower. Kompong Cham’s heyday was back in the 1920s and 30s when it was a cosmopolitan river port supporting the French administered rubber plantations that covered much of the province. Today Kompong Cham retains a number of French influenced buildings and trader shopfronts - while often badly dilapidated they retain an austere grace so totally lacking from the more modern concoctions that invariably flank them. Given its small size its easy to explore by foot, checking out the many interesting back lanes. |
DAY 6: Cycle Kompong Cham ~ Phnom Penh (65km)
B / L / -
|
A delightful, shady 65km ride today as we follow the course of the Mekong River along a mostly unpaved road toward the country’s capital Phnom Penh. Foreigners are extremely rare through these parts so expect a few surprised faces as we cycle through the 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 & monks, and the sun-drying of bright red chilies, pepper, rice, and fish by the side of the road, and of course the river life on the mighty Mekong which keeps coming and going from view. There are plenty of cool, shady, scenic spots for rest breaks where the curious locals are sure to want to say ‘Hello’, and our pic-nic lunch stop is a treat, relax under the shade of a huge mango tree and enjoy views stretching out across the Mekong River. 40km from Phnom Penh we come to the main busy Highway 6 heading to the capital, from here we travel in the support vehicle. Once we check into our hotel you are free to explore the eclectic nightlife of Phnom Penh. |
DAY 7: Phnom Penh ~ Free Day
B / - / -
|
Today is another free day where you are left to your own devices to explore Phnom Penh. The main attractions are the Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda, the National Museum, and Wat Phnom, and for those wanting to gain a clearer understanding of the brutality of the Khmer Rouge regime, the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum. There are also fun shopping experiences to be had at, for example, the Russian Market and Central Market. Phnom Penh is a small city and with the assistance of the ever present tuk-tuk and cyclo drivers you should have no difficulty in exploring its surprising charm. |
DAY 8: Cycle Phnom Penh ~ Takeo (85km)
B / L / D
|
As we pedal from the early morning hustle and bustle of Phnom Penh we stop off at Cheoung Ek, more commonly known as the 'Killing Fields'. This is where Toul Sleng prisoners were forcibly marched and then executed; it is now a memorial site located in a beautiful tranquil setting. After some contemplation we pedal south towards Takeo. After a further 15km we take a break at Tonle Bati, a riverside location where we will have time to explore the small, yet picturesque Angkorian temples of Ta Prohm and Yeay Peau. Takeo, our stop for the night is a very small provincial capital made up of many local government department buildings. However, around the market area there are some old colonial villas in differing states, and the waterfront promenade makes for a pleasant evenings stroll. |
DAY 9: Cycle Takeo ~ Kampot (85km)
B / L / D
|
Today we continue south as we spin along Highway 3 leaving the flat plains of rice fields as we reach for the coastal mountains – fortunately the road passes between the hills and not over them! Kampot, yet another provincial capital, has an undeniable charm and is the favourite town of many Cambodian expats who visit at weekends for a taste of provincial Cambodia. It’s a sleepy, quaint place with a relaxed ambience and friendly locals, the streets are quiet and there is a lot of French colonial and Chinese influenced architecture still surviving, and it all that wasn’t enough there is a wonderful riverfront where you will experience possibly the most beautiful sunset in Cambodia as the sun slips down behind the nearby mountains. |
DAY 10: Kampot ~ Sihanoukville (105km)
B / L / -
|
After 6 days of cycling in Cambodia you’ll be in top condition for the last and longest day as we face the 105km to the seaside resort town of Sihanoukville. For the first half of the ride we are sandwiched between the mountains of Bokor National Park and the sea, providing great views, particularly as we pass picturesque fishing villages. And then the sting in the tail… 25km before Sihanoukville there are a few challenging climbs. Just keep thinking of the beautiful beaches and before you know it you’ll be freewheeling down the other side with a well deserved refreshing swim only minutes away… |
DAY 11: Sihanoukville ~ Free Day
B / - / -
|
Today is yours to enjoy, savour your achievement, and reflect on the fascinating sights, sounds, and smells you experienced, as well as the many friendly Khmers who encouraged you on your way. Perhaps you just want to sit back and relax on the beach enjoying the fresh, and cheap seafood that is on offer, or if you still have excess energy explore all of Sihanoukville's seven beaches by bike, or perhaps charter a boat and take a day trip to the beautiful surrounding islands. |
DAY 12: Sihanoukville ~ Phnom Penh
B / - / D
|
Today we travel back to Phnom Penh in our support vehicle (4-5 hours). After checking into our hotel you are free until we meet up in the eveing for our celebration ‘Farewell’ dinner. A great chance to toast our achievement, recall all the great stories the previous 11 days camaraderie will undoubtedly have provided, and swapping email addresses to continue those newly forged friendships… |
DAY 13: Phnom Penh ~ Free Day
B / - / -
|
| Yes, all good things come to an end - departure day. You are free to continue your onward journey, taking with you a host of unforgettable memories…
|
|
| *The cost for the above tour is $1,200 (US dollars) per person based on 2 people sharing accommodation (single room supplement $250).
Good quality cycle hire is available for an additional charge of $100. |
| Form more information on this Karma Cambodia 13 Day Cycle Tour, or if the suggested itinerary or scheduled dates do not fully meet your needs please email us as we will be happy to discuss your requirements. |
|
|
- All sightseeing tour and transfer services as detailed in the above itinerary
- English speaking guide
- English speaking cycle guide / mechanic
- All accommodation based on two sharing a room
- All entrance fees for attractions included in the above itinerary on cycling days
- Air conditioned support vehicle
- Daily drinking water & snacks whilst cycling
- All meals as detailed in the above itinerary
(B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner)
- Services not detailed in the above itinerary
- International flights to / from Cambodia
- Cambodian Visa fees (currently $20 per person)
- International airport departure tax (currently $25 per person)
- Bicycles, however these can be hired
- Expenditure of a personal nature
- Travel insurance
|
