CARDAMOMS: MOUNTAIN BIKING & SUNRISE CRUISE
from $140*
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4 days / 3 nights
Ref: CMBSR-4D |
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• Mangrove Forest River Cruise • Secluded Chi Pat Village • Remote Cardamom Mountains •
• Mountain Biking • Refreshing Waterfalls • Local Village Life • Mystical Ancient Burial Jars •
• Beautiful Sunrise • Tropical Birds • Rowboat along Secluded River • Monkey Spotting • |
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Day 1: Phnom Penh to Chi Pat
- / - / D
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An early start as you leave Phnom Penh and drive the 190km (3 - 4 hours) to the riverside community of Andoung Tuk. Here you will board a boat for the approx. 2 hour upstream journey along the Preak Piphot river. During this journey through mangrove forests, as well as witnessing typical river edge villages and homes, be on the lookout for birds and mammals coming to the waters edge to drink. Upon arrival in the small, remote community of Chi Pat you will be welcomed at the Community Ecotourism Office and then shown to you guesthouse (basic facilities inc. mosquito net). You are then free to wander around the delightful village of Chi Pat, gaining a real insight into rural Cambodia life, and meeting the very friendly and curious locals. In the evening you are treated to a ‘Welcome Dinner’ at the Community Ecotourism Office where your following days mountain biking will be explained to you. It is then an early night to be prepared for an early start the following day. |
Day 2: Burial Jar Trail Mountain Biking [45km]
B / L / D
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 After an early breakfast at the Community Ecotourism Office you are introduced to your cycle guide and fitted to your mountain bike. Once you have stocked up with water you head north through the village, soon cycling along single track amongst banana plants, before coming to Steung Chhay Chrey, your first river crossing. After paddling across you are soon spinning along old logging trails, a mix of double track and single track undulating trails that the surrounding vegetation is reclaiming, and splashing through streams… You will stop-off at Chruos Chhay Tekveth, a wide, curved waterfall, a perfect spot for a break. You continue along the trail passing through a mix of open meadow, bamboo thickets, lowland rainforest, and being treated to fine views over the  surrounding forested hills. Close to the Burial Jar site the terrain becomes more rocky and steep and you will leave the bikes for the final short climb to a rock outcrop where you will discover the mystical ancient burial jars, and small wooden coffins. These were only recently discovered and very little is know about them. This rock outcrop looks out over the forested valley below and is a delightful spot to enjoy your picnic lunch. After relaxing for a while you follow the same trail back to Chi Pat, however a small detour takes you to a picturesque ‘hidden’ waterfall, Chruos Chhay Ospoat, which you can walk behind and discover the ‘bat cave’. This waterfall is perfect for taking a refreshing shower and jumping into its plunge pool!  Just before reaching the village you once again cross the wide Steung Chhay Chrey river, a great opportunity for a late afternoon swim if you wish. Depending on how much energy you have left after returning to the village you may wish to cycle a few more kilometres to the top of Phnom Trangoarl or ‘Bald Mountain’, a perfect sunset location with 360 degree views of the surrounding Cardamom mountains. After freshening up a tasty dinner will be served at the Community Ecotourism Office. The rest of the evening is then free at leisure to wander around the village and experience rural community night life… |
Day 3: Sunrise Cruise & Wildlife Spotting
B / L / D
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Waking early whilst it is still dark you board you motorboat just as day is breaking and sail along the cool waters with the early morning mists rising from them. As the sun rises and you are entertained with the skies changing colours you can enjoy your packed breakfast. Soon you turn off the Preak Piphot river and sail up the secluded and winding Pruit River. After an hour the motorboat cuts its engines and you transfer to a traditional row boat and continue upstream. Now being engine-less you can really appreciate the stillness of your surroundings and hear the bird call from the thick forests lining the river. This is the ideal opportunity to see the area’s birdlife as well as watching out for other wildlife such as monkeys and flying squirrels.  Eventually the rowboats arrive at a small clearing where you can disembark for a while to stretch your legs. On the return journey your row boat stops in a delightfully shady spot where you can spend some time swimming in the refreshing waters. Back on the motorboat you arrive back in Chi Pat village in the early afternoon having had a very lazy, yet wonderful morning. In the afternoon you are free at leisure to further explore the village, or maybe hire a local bicycle to relax beside the nearby river rapids. In the evening it is back to the Community Ecotourism Office for another tasty dinner.
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Day 4: Chi Pat to Phnom Penh (or other destination)
B / - / -
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You may wish to rise early this morning and walk down to the river to catch another magical sunrise and the village slowly waking up, the smoke from breakfast fires rising up into the still air, roosters crowing, and half awake children rubbing their eyes... After a leisurely breakfast you will bid farewell to Chi Pat as you journey back to Andoung Tuk. On arrival at Andoung Tuk you will meet your waiting vehicle and be returned to Phnom Penh, allowing you time to reflect on the wonderful and unique mountain biking experience you have enjoyed in the seldom visited Cardamom Mountains of Cambodia, and taking away very fond memories…
N.B. from Andoung Tuk you may choose to travel on to the beaches of Sihanoukville or Koh Kong (the border with Thailand). |
| *The cost of the above tour is $140 (US dollars) per person based on 4 people travelling together. |
| If there are more of less than 4 people travelling in your party, or if the above suggested itinerary does not fully meet your needs please email us as we will be happy to discuss alternative arrangements. |
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- All sightseeing tour and transfer services as detailed in the above itinerary
- Community Guides (limited English)
- Accommodation in Chi Pat (basic no a/c)
- All necessary entrance fees
- All necessary boat trips
- Mountain bike & helmet hire
- Daily drinking water
- All meals as detailed in the above itinerary
(B = Breakfast - L = Lunch - D = Dinner)
- Services not detailed in the above itinerary
- Travel to tour start location (Phnom Penh)
- Cambodian Visa fees (currently $20 per person)
- International airport departure tax (currently $25 per person)
- Expenditure of a personal nature
- Drinks with included meals
- Discretionary tips
- Travel insurance
- Any payment / money transfer charges
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| N.B. Currently the English speaking skills of the Community Guides is limited. If you wish we can arrange an English speaking qualified guide to accompany you from Phnom Penh. |
| N.B. The above tour makes use of public bus transport from / to Phnom Penh to / from Andoung Tuk, 1 way Andoung Tuk to Chi Pat by public ‘cargo’ boat, and 1 way Chi Pat to Andoung Tuk by motorbike taxi. If you would prefer private road transport and private return boat transport, please contact us for prices. |
Cardamom Mountains Mountain Biking & Sunrise Birdwatching Cruise |
