Cambodia Mountain Biking Angkor to Beaches & Cardamom Mountain 11 Days

TOUR ITINERARY:

This 11 Days / 10 Nights Cambodia Mountain Biking from Angkor to Beach and Cardamom Mountain starts from the historical site of Angkor where it is the best way to explore by bike. The cycling trip, will take us to Phnom Penh by boat crossing Tonle Sap lake to visit the bustling capital to learn the recent history of Cambodia. Then cycling south to Takeo, the quiet town and less visit part of Cambodia and continue to the peaceful and beautiful beach of Kep and Rabbit island. We split Phnom Penh to Kep into 2 days as it is rather long to do in one day with long transfer. From Kep cycling, to Ream National Park where you will experience 1 night camping at Koh Sampoch, the paradise of the beach and off shore island tour in Sianouk Ville. We only recommend the camping at Koh Sampoch during the dry season from October to April. From May to October we provide nice wooden bungalow in nearby Sihanouk Ville with private beach and seaview.

The cycling tour to Chi Phat located in Cardamom mountain range remain one of the most highlight mountain biking for this trip on this largest tropical forest preserved in South-East Asia to visit the ancient jars and coffins featured by National Geography. Experience the real life in countryside at the eco lodge in Chi Phat and Ta Tai before crossing the border to Thailand where you will be transferred to Bangkok. Sine the beaches in Kep and Sihanouk Ville are included in the trip, we end this cycling tour with transfer only from Cambodia border to Bangkok for people who wish to continue traveling in Thailand or fly home. Another option is to transfer to Phnom Penh for people who wishes to fly out of Phnom Penh or continue to travel to Vietnam or Laos from Phnom Penh.

Detailed Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Siem Reap-Angkor Complex (30km by bicycle)
Depart from the hotel on the main road and cycling through Angkor pass check point. Cycling through the shady road with a little pumping because of the a few pot-holes. There you will begin to see Kravan temple, Banteay Kdei, and stop at the famous Ta Phrom, embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers. Visit Ta Phrom (45 minutes-1 hour). It was built in 12th century by the famous King Jayavarvan VII indicated to his mother. While clearing back the forest archaeologists decided to leave the vegetation of Ta Phrom in place to serve as a reminder of how the original discoverers found it and the other Angkor temples.

Many of the trees have grown around and through the remains and soar high above the temples. Continue the cycling through small circuit passing Ta Keo temple, Chao Say Tevoda, Tommanon before reaching to Angkor Thom city. There you will see, Terrace of Leper King, Terrace of Elephant, Baphoun, Phimean Akas. Stop at Bayon temple
and start the visit (45 minutes-1 hour). Angkor Thom built by Cambodia's great king, Jayavarman VII.

After the visit, cycle to Angkor Wat to finish the small circuit. Stop at South Gate of Angkor Thom for taking photo. Access via a causeway over the moat that are flanked by statues of Gods on the left and devils on the right. Then visit the magnificent 12th century Angkor Wat. It is visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking. Angkor Wat is a massive three-tiered pyramid crowned by five beehive-like towers rising 65 meters from ground level. Suryavarman II constructed Angkor Wat in the form of massive 'temple mountain' dedicated to the Hindu god, Vishnu. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 2: Tonle Sap Lake - Kampong Phluk (50km)
Depart from the hotel, crossing the bridge at Old Market to cycle 15km toward Rolous Group. The first 2km, is on the tarmac road toward the bus station. Then, passing the rice field and the village. cycling to Tonle Sap Lake passing small road along the river through villages, pagodas and schools. This road is good for cycling as to avoid the busy traffic. After cycling 8km, turn right across the bridge to the main road as there is no further access on the small road. Continue cycling toward the lake about 3km (July-December) where the boat stop. (Note: January-June, the water is low and the boat will stop further 3km). Board on the boat to visit the village on water, school, fishing farm. After 1 hour boat drive. Return the Siem Reap on the main road to avoid cycling the same road. Afternoon, free at leisure to relax and enjoy complementary 30 minute massage. Dinner and overnight in Siem Reap.

DAY 3: Siem Reap-Phnom Penh (18km)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to board speedboat to Phnom Penh. This boat trip takes 6 hours; the boat has life jacket and toilet. It is one of the best boat trip to cross Tonle Sap lake, one of the biggest fresh water lake in South-East Asia. When the boat leaves the dock, immediately you will be able to view the picturesque floating village. This community comprise of Cambodian, Vietnamese and Muslim minorities. The market, gas station and school are also floating. They move up and down depends on the season. In rainy season, Tonle Sap lake reaches 10,000 squre Km, but in dry season it's got only 5,000 squre Km. Arrive in Phnom Penh port, afternoon visit Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and National Museum. Overnight in Phnom Penh. (B,L,D)

DAY 4: PHNOM PENH - TAKEO (75km)
After breakfast. Transfer 15km out of the busy traffic in Phnom Penh. Begin to cycle to visit Ta Phrom and Yeary Pov temples (12 century). Take a break for water and snack before heading to Phnom Chisor to visit the hill top 11th century temple. Enjoy packed lunch overlook the scenery of the countryside. Afternoon, cycle to Takeo passing Ta Mok's house, the former general commander of the Khmer Rouge. Takeo is a less visited town with much relation to the past history. Board on the boat for sunset to Phnom Da to visit the hill top temple former the capital of Khmer Empire in the early century known as Funan. Overnight in Mittapheap Guesthouse. (B,L,D)

Day 5: TAKEO - KEP (85km)
Breakfast in Takeo. Today, we cycle the whole route from Take to Kep on some sealed road and dirt road. The road is good enough for cycling where people enjoy more scenery on the dirt road and they get some speeds on sealed road. We cycle pass the railway which is under construction and some small villages and towns. We stop for lunch in Kampong Trach district. Afternoon, we cycle on the back road to take the short cut at Damnak Chang Eu. If people get tired, they can get on the back up van and the rest can continue until the beach town Kep located on the small hill overlook the ocean and Rabbit Island. Dinner and overnight at nice bungalow in Kep with private beach and swimming pool. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Kep - Ream National (75km)
Breakfast at the bungalow. We ride 3.5km along the coast line beach to the dock where we take the boat 15minutes to the nearest Rabbit Island to enjoy swimming and relaxing at the beautful beach. After the boat trip, we cycle 25km to Kampot town where we stop for lunch and we have a chance to cycle around this provincial town with some colonial charm of the French Old Building. Kampot is famous for pepper, durian and salt products. Afternoon, we cycle on the sealed road along Bokor Mountain leaving it in the back drop. We then complete our distance 75km at the junction town Veal Rinh. The National Raod No.4 from Veal Rinh is very busy, so we transfer this part for 45 minutes to Ream National Park. Overnight camping and enjoy sea food at Koh Sampoch. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Sihanouk Ville - Off-Shore Islands - Snorkelling
After breakfast, we have a choice of trekking on Ream National Park 15km or mountain biking through the single trail in the jungle. Or we transfer 30 minutes to Sihanouk Ville where we take boat trip to 3 off-shore islands to do the snorkelling at Snake Island, relax and swim at Bamboo Island before returning back to Sihanouk Ville for overnight at wooden bungalow with private beach and seaview. This evening,you are free for you own choice dinner. Overnight in Sihanouk Ville.

Day 8: Sihanouk Ville - Chi Pat (Cardamom Mountain)
Breakfast at the bungalow. Today, our tour starts with a transfer from Sihanouk Ville to Andung Teuk about 2 hours were we take the boat to Chi Phat eco-tourism community base. We have another option where people like more cycling than taking the boat. We get off the van at Andung Teuk bridge and cycle on the dirt road through the sugar cane plantation. Welcome by our local community guide who will explain us about their activities community, eco-tourism base for sustainable development. Then we have to take a bamboo ferry crossing small river to check in our nice eco-lodge with nice garden overlooking the junction of the 2 river views. Dinner and overnight in Chi Phat.

Day 9: Chi Phat - Ancient Jar Trails (40km)
Breakfast at the eco-lodge, we depart for mountain biking 20km through some the most beatiful scenery on this Southern Part of Cardamom Mountain. Our track is single trail, it has some up hill and down hill and we have to cross water point. Then we visit Peang Boran known as Burial Jar or the Mountain of Ancient Jars: This important Ancient Burial site of is an ancient burial site with clay jars and wooden coffins (National Geographic has produced a documentary about these artifacts). Return back to Chi Phat and enjoy swimming at Chrey Kbal Chhay water fall. We have dinner to enjoy sea food. Overnight at the Eco-Lodge.

Day 10: Chi Phat - Ta Tai (Eco-Lodge) 59km
We cycle on the dirt road 17km toward Andung Teuk bridge. Then we cycle on the sealed road for anther 42km to Trapaeng Rung. The sealed road here is not busy but the terrence is with some up and down hills. The highest alttitude on this Cardamom mountin is over 1,900m high. We have more regular stop less than 20km as we normally do on a flat road, for water and snack with some fruits and soft drinks to get energy on the top of the hill before getting down to get some speed to climb another hill. We have lunch at Trapaeng Rung. After lunch, we transfer about 45 minutes to Ta Tai bridge as it is hot in the afternoon. Then we take the boat 15 minutes to the Eco-Lodge. We have afternoon to Kayak along Ta Tai river for free of charge or take the boat 20 minutes to Ta Tai water fall (this option is USD15 charge by the Eco-Lodge). Dinner and overnight at Ta Tai Eco-Lodge.

Day 11: Tai Tai - Koh Kong - Bangkok (34km)
Breakfast at the Eco-Lodge. Then we take the boat 15 minutes back to Ta Tai bridge where we start our cycling 23km up hill and down hill to Koh Kong. The scenery here is nice with fresh air and long mountains range a head of us. We cycle another 11km to the border where we stop for lunch before immigration process to cross the border. The border here is quiet and easy for crossing. Then say goodbye to our Cambodian cycling guide and driver before continuing the journey by van to Bangkok. Arrive in Bangkok in the early evening. At the end of this trip, we offer two options for the transfers to Bangkok for people who wish to continue traveling in Thailand or fly home. Another option is to transfer to Phnom Penh for people who wishes to fly out of Phnom Penh or continue to travel to Vietnam or Laos from Phnom Penh. Tour Ends.