Home > Virgin Cycle Cambodia
Virgin Cycle Cambodia
Price from
1250 USD
Duration
7 Days | 6 Nights
Level
4
Average Ride
Overview
The first run of our Cycle Cambodia is set to be a blinder – over 350 km on a mix of tarmac and dirt through the jungle on local bikes, ending at one of the world’s most captivating historic sights, Angkor Wat, a vast Hindu temple complex built at the height of the Khmer Empire nearly a thousand years ago!
Our journey will take us from the bustling streets of the capital, Phnom Penh, into the heart of rural Cambodia riding dusty (and sometimes muddy) tracks through rice paddies, banana and sugar palms and friendly villages with traffic principally made up of bicycles, buffaloes, tractors and maybe the odd tuk-tuk full of orange-clad monks! Along the way we’ll learn a little about the turbulent history of this former French colony, and the challenges for its future.
On the final day we’ll ride into the small community of Sam Roang where we’ll hand over our beloved bikes to their new owners, the students at a community led evening school which teaches local kids how to speak English, perceived as the gateway to a better future in the tourist mecca of Siem Reap, only 30km away.
Highlights
Ride local bikes from the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, along jungle tracks, countryside trail and rice paddies to reach Angkor Wat, the world's greatest archaeological site. A memorable two-wheeled adventure through the 'Kingdom of Wonder' for a good cause.
Ride local bikes from the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh, along jungle tracks, countryside trail and rice paddies to reach Angkor Wat, the world's greatest archaeological site. A memorable two-wheeled adventure through the 'Kingdom of Wonder' for a good cause.
In order to give the best value for money according to the number of people who sign up the pricing will be structured as follows:
30 - 39 people: US$1450 per person
40 - 49 Riders: US$1350per person
50+ Riders: US$1250 per person
NB This price does not include international flights to Hong Kong and on to Cambodia. Please ensure that your flights arrive in Phnom Penh by the evening of Feb 17th latest, and leaves from Siem Reap no earlier than the morning of Feb 23.
The cost of the donation bicycles will be a part of the fundraising.
Day to Day
Today you just need to get yourselves to our lovely central hotel, Aquarius Urban Resort, complete with spa, rooftop pool and restaurant. There are no scheduled tour activities today. For those arriving early we are offering a sightseeing package taking in some of the highlights of the city, including a visit to the grim S21 camp, a boat ride on the Mekong and tour of the Royal Palace.
We’ll start the day early with a transfer out of Phnom Penh, traveling alongside the Mekong to the small town of Prey Chor. En route we’ll have a full briefing to the week ahead. On arrival we’ll have a bike fitting before commencing our ride through the traditional Cham villages that give the province its name, passing by pepper and rubber plantations, and countless Wats. Ride’s end is pretty Bronze Lake where a pool awaits.
Today’s ride continues northwest through idyllic Cambodian countryside, where life continues much as it has done for centuries. Towards the end of the day we’ll cross the Stung Sen River to arrive at our comfortable overnight lodgings where another refreshing pool awaits.
In the afternoon there will be an optional trip to explore the sprawling complex of pre-Angkorian temples known as Sambor Prei Kuk just outside of Kampong Thom city. These 7th century ruins are remarkably intact and their leafy surrounds and the absence of visitors makes this a really special experience.
Today’s ride is one of the longest and most challenging of the route, taking us through rice paddies and the jungly forests that fringe vast Tonle Sap, a seasonal lake that feeds into the Mekong. We’ll ride through stilted villages and over rickety footbridges on our way to the small settlement of Kampong Kdei where we’ll overnight in a simple guesthouse.
Another long day in the saddle on the backroads of Cambodia, bringing us ever closer to the tourist mecca of Siem Reap, where bars, restaurants and shops await, as well as, of course, one of the world’s greatest archaeological treasures, magnificent Angkor Wat. After a huge day, we’ll settle into our central and comfortable hotel for the next couple of nights, and then head out for a great local dinner.
As the roosters begin to crow, we will ride out through the most important religious monument in Cambodia, and the largest temple complex in the world, to watch the sunrise over the triple towers of Angkor Wat. A short pedal away a delicious breakfast spread awaits and then we’ll make the final push out to Sam Roang where we meet the team and students of Angkor Kids Center and handover the beloved bikes to their new owners. After we bid farewell to the school we’ll drive back to Angkor for some lunch before visiting the iconic temples of the Bayon and Ta Prom. In the evening we’ll return to Siem Reap for a celebratory dinner.
AKC operates a free English school for over 300 students with the idea that education is the key to sustainable change, and a holistic developmental approach which empowers children, parents, teachers, and communities to make the positive changes they want to see in their lives. Bicycles are critical to their access to education, giving kids of all ages the ability to commute to school and better their lives by saving time and energy. Donating your bicycle will change a life of student giving them and their family a chance to more easily access schools and the local area.
Today we’ll transfer you to the airport for your return flight to Hong Kong.
WHAT MAKES US STAND OUT
GRASSHOPPER STYLE
This tour brings you to iconic places in Cambodia as you ride local bikes, eventually ending up at a local kids’ center where we’ll leave the bikes to their new owners. Visit the capital city of Phnom Penh, the floating villages of Tonle Sap and the charming temple town of Siem Reap and come away with a great appreciation for Cambodia and its warm people and ancient culture.
