With a fleet of over 120 bikes, ranging from mountain bikes to hybrid road/mountain bikes, kids bikes & tagalongs, it’s no small feat to keep the bikes moving and in tip-top shape for our guests from around the world. 

Responsible for this task in Cambodia are 5 young Khmer guys: Bunthai, Chally, Des, Theara, and Rong. Dedicated is the word that comes to mind when we think of the way these guys work every day to keep our bikes safe and ready for our adventures. 

Workshop:

Each Cambodia Grasshopper store location, including Siem Reap, is equipped with a fully-fledged bike mechanic workshop. This is the primary workspace for our mechanics as they conduct safety checks, minor services, full services and complete overhauls of our bikes. Each bike is meticulously checked before every tour to ensure that it’s safe to ride and ready to roll. 

Equipment to Make Riding Easier:

Our mechanics are experts at tailoring the bikes to be the perfect ride for our guests. It all starts with the guests’ height which we collect during the signup process. The mechanics than match a perfectly-suited bike to each guest based on this information. 

At the start of the tour, our mechanics are on standby to make finer adjustments to the bikes fitting guests out so they will ride comfortably and ensuring you have the right size helmet. And catering to the most important part of all – your butt! All the bikes, you may notice, are fitted with an extra comfy seat which we install ourselves after taking out the stock seat to ensure a supremely comfortable ride.

Road Safety:

The mechanics’ job doesn’t stop in the workshop – for tours with larger groups, the mechanics are out on the road supporting the cyclists. They are specially trained in road safety to ensure you can move through the city & jungle with ease and safety. 

What Do They Do In Their Downtime:

Our mechanics live and breath cycling. Often as they clock off, our mechanics are changing into their own cycling gear, getting their road bikes out of storage and heading off to Siem Reap’s only mountain climb – Phnom Kroam for training. A few take cycling to the next level and compete on a national level, with our senior mechanic Bunthai often taking a podium position in these contests while proudly sporting a Grasshopper Adventures cycling jersey. 

If you are joining us on a bike tour in Cambodia take the time to say hello to our mechanics, as they love engaging with guests and knowing that their work is appreciated!

The Kingdom of Wonder is aptly named, as any exploration of Cambodia yields the discovery of numerous wonders-especially when you’re traveling by bicycle. Unsure of what to expect when pedaling through this Southeast Asian country? Read on. 

Caution: may cause immediate booking of a trip to Cambodia.

1. World Wonders

There is no doubt that Angkor Wat is one of the world’s greatest treasures, and luckily for us, it is easily accessible by bike. Angkor Archeological Park features the ruins of temples from the ancient Khmer Empire, all scattered in the jungle near Siem Reap. 

Snaking dirt paths through the jungle connect many of the temples, and are so much fun to ride! Whether you are traveling with your family, are in town for a short time, or want to include this incredible site in a greater adventure, there are plenty of options to visit. 

 2. Friendliest Locals Around

Anyone who has spent time in Cambodia will tell you that engaging with the locals is a highlight of every visit. When pedaling through small villages in the countryside, don’t be surprised by enthusiastic greetings, especially from the children. You may even need to park your bike for a few minutes to dole out the high-fives and respond to young ones practicing their English. 

In the city of Battambang, your visit will include a cycle tour of local industries, where you’ll have a chance to catch Cambodian artisans at work. It is hard to say whether you’ll be more impressed by the beautiful crafts or the beautiful smiles as you interact with these inviting people. 

Nothing is better than a home-cooked meal, especially when you need to gather your energy to hop on a bike the next day. There is also no better way to immerse yourself in the local culture than to join the incredibly generous and hospitable Khmer around a table to share in their delicious cuisine. Beware that you may come away with more friends than you were anticipating!

 3. Accessible Cycling

For those who have less experience on a bike, Cambodia is an excellent destination to ease into the joys of cycle touring with some quality time on the bike. Most of the country is extremely flat and much of the riding will be on comfortable dirt paths, with the occasional sandy spot to navigate. 

What is so great about exploring Cambodia by bike is that it allows you to penetrate to the heart of the country and see things you never could reach in a large tour bus. Often, roads through rice paddies in the countryside or past small villages are too small for vehicles larger than a bike or motorbike. As the large tour buses roar past large swaths of land on the highway, cyclists can delve deeper into the rural lanes, in places where locals are shocked and happy to see foreigners.

A bike allows you access to the Silk Islands of Phnom Penh, where even near the capital city, village life runs at a slow pace. There is no greater pleasure than emerging from riding in the forest only to be greeted by spectacular views, which happens as you pedal your way from Kep National Park to the sparkling sea.

4. Unique Traffic

While riding your bike down the road, have you ever come across a motorbike with more than 4 people on it? What about a monk in orange robes, or a cart piled precariously high with wares headed for market and perhaps a young child sitting on top? If you have answered no to these questions, it probably means you haven’t cycled in Cambodia before!

Some of the greatest scenes you will witness in Cambodia will be from your bike as you pedal amongst the local traffic. Whether riding through Phnom Penh on a traditional cycle rickshaw, paddling a kayak on the waters near a floating village, or pedaling your bike through the countryside near Angkor Wat, plenty of interesting sights await. 

5. Variety of Sights

Is your dream to lie out on white-sand beaches near crystalline waters? Are you inspired by cycling through the bright green of rice paddies and the shade of palm trees? Does the jungle hold countless secrets you are excited to discover? What about the floating villages of Southeast Asia’s greatest freshwater lake, the Tonle Sap? With a variety of natural sights, National Parks, temple ruins, and quickly modernizing cities, Cambodia has it all, and you can reach it all by bike.

From the land that brought you such technical wonders as the Bullet Train and Tamagotchi pets, you’d expect there to be the latest in bicycle technology – E-bikes –  and you’d be right… As of mid 2019, you can now choose from 3 different e-bike (also referred to as electronic or pedal assist bicycles) brands in Japan that are suitable for longer distances.

E-bikes in Japan?

In fact, e-bikes have existed in Japan longer than most other places in the world. No huge surprise there, with the world’s first prototype built by Japan’s own Yamaha (the brand we use). The same company also invented impressive pedal-assist technology. Initially, these bikes weren’t really suitable for longer distances, as they were only available in small sizes, more appropriate for zipping around town or to the local metro station.

E-bikes have actually been used by Japanese people to get around for years. While exploring Japan it’s typical to see a local mother or grandmother pedaling down the street at quite a clip, with two young children on board. That style of bike is commonly known as a Mamma Cherry (it’s actually Mamachari), although the e-bike version is referred to as the E-Mama or perhaps E-Cherry? Not so sure about that… In any case, these are low frame/step-through style bikes with a long wheelbase in order to accommodate the drive unit, battery, rider and then a child seat on both front and rear of the bike. Talk about a people mover!  

Other styles of e-bike have also been used by office workers in city centers. You’ll see people riding bikes all over Japan for short-distance travel, and therein lies the key reason why we haven’t been able to use e-bikes in Japan on cycle tours of more than 15km before. The models that were available were created for every day, shorter-range usage and just weren’t big enough. 

Now, with the release of the Yamaha, Trek and Giant models, we can finally make e-bike travel in Japan a possibility for riders ranging from 155cm up to about 188cm. If you join a Grasshopper Adventures trip and opt for an e-bike, you’ll be on the Yamaha Cross Core. The Japanese aren’t renowned for their tall stature, so, unfortunately, the XL and XXL sizes are still unavailable, but we hope that this will change in the future. 

E-bikes are available for rent in Japan.

Is using an e-bike in Japan worthwhile? 

E-bikes are becoming hugely popular all over the world and some places are more suited for them than others. Japan is about as ideal as it gets as far as e-bike travel is concerned. Pretty much all of the interesting areas for bike riding in Japan are hilly, and while often these hills are not incredibly steep, some require you to climb for an extended time. A pedal assist e-bike augments your pedaling power and allows you to climb at a higher speed. Because of this, when you reach your destination, you’ll still be feeling pretty energetic (and less sweaty). This, in turn, means you can enjoy the views and recover nicely to do it all again the next day. 

There are places in the world where the roads aren’t such hot stuff. Potholes and rough surfaces are the most notable problem, but cracks or lips between sections of road can also be bothersome. Because e-bikes are a bit heavier than other bicycles, when you hit a crack, you get more shock through your wrists. This can be avoided by using a bike with front shock absorbers, but in Japan, all the e-bikes available have rigid forks without suspension, so a comfortable set of riding gloves helps balance this out. For even greater comfort, a slightly lower psi in the front tire will absorb extra road chatter.

Why did Grasshopper choose the Yamaha for Japan?

We inspected every option before picking the Yamaha Cross Core. Cannondale, our normal go-to bicycle of choice, is not ready to distribute e-bikes in Japan. The Yamaha Cross Core, our next option, is a respectable e-bike, actually, it’s better than that. The Yamaha e-bike is a more reliable, better-designed bike than the Trek and Giant options as far as we are concerned. This is purely a matter of opinion, but when we took a deep dive into the choices, we saw that the Yamaha bike has a solid build quality and that the drive unit has a good track record. We also had the opportunity to test them all and found the Yamaha has the greatest range, the best handling and the most effective overall design. It also fits nicely onto our rooftop Thule Bike Carriers and is light enough to lift up there! 

When we’ve had guests on tour use the bike, they have generally engaged the most basic/mild “eco boost” on flat terrain. Then, they’ve used the mid-level for the hillier sections. During our rides, we have successfully completed 60-70km routes on a variety of terrain with a single battery charge. 

The bike has Shimano Sora 9 speed gearing and mechanical disc brakes, although we will be upgrading the brakes to hydraulics in 2020. The tires are sturdy, puncture-resistant, slick urban tires, but are wide enough for plenty of shock absorption. 

Can I Upgrade to an e-bike during a tour? 

Can you change horses mid-stream? In this case, no, unfortunately, you can’t. It’s something that needs to be requested in advance of your tour. We have a limited number of e-bikes available and they are in very high demand, so getting in early with your request will serve you well. There is a charge to upgrade to an e-bike which currently stands at $55 a day. Your Grasshopper Trip Planner or Reservations Coordinator can assist you in securing this upgrade option at the time of booking.

Tours with E-bikes options in Japan:

Stunning Shikoku

Japan E-bike Tour

Although Siem Reap is rapidly becoming well-known as one of Asia’s most affordable destinations, it doesn’t hurt to save a few extra dollars along the way during your visit. That way, you can enjoy those moments when you do indulge a little more in that perfect night’s stay or the tour of a lifetime. To help our traveling friends out, the team at Grasshopper Cambodia has put together our list of top free things to do in Siem Reap! You might notice our own little community initiatives might get a mention or two 😉

Sunset

The absolute best thing to do for free is Sunset, and I don’t just mean sitting on Pub Street as the sun goes down. There is a little-known secret among us living that after 5:30 pm (or even 5:20 pm if you are polite) you can actually enter the Angkor Park free of charge to watch the sunset. Grab a bike or tuk-tuk for the evening and head into the park to enjoy the sunset in some of the lesser-known spots without purchasing a ticket, including:

-South Gate of Angkor Thom

-The eastern side of Sras Srong (wait until Oct when the water levels are up)

-Or Pre Rup where you can actually walk up onto the temple and see the sun dip below the treeline. 

Make sure to remember, however, that just because you can get into the Angkor Park, doesn’t mean you can enter the temples themselves – especially Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Prohm which are all no-go zones after 5:30 pm and strictly for those with a ticket. 

Explore The Local Markets

Siem Reap has a thriving market scene, where you can weave your way through the commotion and excitement of the local crowd as they go about their routine shopping. Most tourists visit the Old Market and that’s it, but for those looking for a little more authentic spot to explore, head out on road 6 to Psar Leu or Psar Samaki – this is where the real action is at. Beyond people watching it’s a great place to stop if you are craving fresh fruit, or searching for fabrics or anything beyond the typical souvenirs found in town. This is a unique cultural experience not to be missed!

West Baray

West Baray is another secret favorite among us folk who call Siem Reap home. The ancient reservoir to the Northwest of the city is a great scenic spot to chill out, experience local culture and explore without the need for a ticket. Towards the end of the rainy season, starting in October as the water levels rise, you can actually hire a bungalow next to the water’s edge, hang out in a hammock, have a BBQ meal and dip your toes in the murky water. 

Royal Garden Sunset Bat Flight

The Royal Gardens of Siem Reap are rarely visited by independent travelers! This is a fun stop to end the day as the sun goes down and watch the garden’s inhabitants – about 1000 fruit bats (also know as Megabats!) – head off for their evening. Keep an eye on the sunset time throughout the year and make your way to the park about 15-20 mins before sundown to watch them take flight. 

Free things to do in Siem Reap: Community Bike Ride

Another initiative which grew out of our own desire to enjoy cycling and new company! First Sunday of every month is Siem Reap’s community bike ride – a 40km guided tour into the countryside on the outskirts of Siem Reap. No need to sign up in advance, just show up at 7:30 am and enjoy the company of expats and locals alike! If you have your own bike bring it along, otherwise rent one for $5 from the Grasshopper shop – the starting point of the ride.

Important Note: We’re sorry to say that our community rides have been put on hold for now, but we’d highly recommend checking the local forums for other group rides that may be happening.

That’s a wrap from team Grasshopper! We hope you enjoy some of these free things to do in Siem Reap

As of July, The World Heritage Committee has produced 29 new additions to its listing, several of which we visit on Grasshopper Adventures tours. What makes a site UNESCO World Heritage-worthy? And which ones can you expect to see on which tours?

What UNESCO World Heritage is all about

The World Heritage Committee was founded in 1977, with the mission of recognizing and preserving cultural sites across the globe “considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.” Representatives on the committee hail from different corners of the Earth, and come together to designate these special places each year. Since 1977, a total of 878 have been added to the list. A visit to these sites is a visit to the precious heritage of our world, with an insight into the ways of people who came before us.

What’s new this year

Among the 29 new sites listed by the committee are 2 we visit on our tours, and of all the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Asia, you have the opportunity to see 30 with us. 

Plain of Jars, Laos

These mysterious jars, assumed to be part of funeral rites, are located on a plain in central Laos and date back to the Iron Age between 500 BC and 500 AD. Explore these thousands of ancient relics with sweeping views of the verdant mountains that rise up from the horizon. You’ll have the chance to visit this incredibly site by foot on our Mountains of Laos tour that explores this stunning region of the country. 

Bagan, Myanmar

This ancient sacred city, located on arid plains in central Myanmar, features numerous Buddhist pagodas, stupas and temples from the 11th – 13th centuries AD. Cycling among these sacred structures is a special experience, so unique that we have included a visit to this UNESCO favorite in no less than six of our tours!  Watching the sunrise over Bagan will undoubtedly take your breath away, but taking in the temples at sunset from a cruise down the Irrawaddy isn’t too bad either! An exploration of this special ancient city makes a great addition to any trip in Myanmar, whether you’re experiencing the land in between Mandalay and Bagan, getting off the beaten path on the way to Salay, or checking out Inle Lake. 

Other notable World Heritage visits

Angkor Wat, Cambodia

No journey to Southeast Asia is complete without a visit to the sacred temples of Angkor Wat. This extensive temple complex features Hindu and Buddhist places of worship from the 12th century, and these impressive structures are hidden in the beautiful jungle. We offer many ways in which to see the temples, whether you are in town for a short time or are seeking a longer exploration. 

Kumbhalgarh Fort, India

The Rajasthan State of India is so full of history that we have dedicated an entire tour to exploring it: Riding the Real Rajasthan. UNESCO has singled out the Hill Forts of Rajasthan as a World Heritage site, including the imposing Kumbhalgarh Fort. You’ll have the chance to reach this structure by bike as you discover the fort for yourself while enjoying dramatic views of the Aravalli Hills. 

Ancient Kyoto, Japan

This former Imperial capital of Japan was built in 794 AD, and featured multiple examples of traditional Japanese architecture. Cycling is surely the most enjoyable way to visit Kyoto, with wide roads and fun alleyways along canals in addition to considerate drivers. Visit a few famous temples in the city, as well as the Bamboo Forest on our Stunning Shikoku tour.

Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

This incredible valley in the foothills of the Himalayas features no less than seven groups of UNESCO World Heritage sites. Included among these are the Monkey Temple, the giant Buddhist Stupa of Boudhanath, and a sacred Hindu temple thought to be the birthplace of Shiva. You’ll have the chance to discover these sites for yourself before embarking on a cycling journey through the Kingdom of Lo in our Mighty Mustang tour. 

Sinharaja Rainforest, Sri Lanka

This incredible rain forest reserve is one of the many UNESCO sites you can visit on a trip to Sri Lanka with us. Over 50% of Sri Lanka’s species of mammals and butterflies make their home among the trees of Sinharaja, as well as numerous birds, insects and reptiles. On our Bike Sri Lanka for Families tour, you and your family even have the chance to stay the night within this incredible site, surrounded by the sound and movement of the rainforest. 

My Son Sanctuary, Vietnam

These tower temples are the remainders of a powerful kingdom of the Cham people, dating back to the 4th to the 13th centuries CE. Soon afterwards, the region was conquered by Khmer and Vietnamese civilizations. Discover these sacred ruins on a cycling tour that spans from the countryside outside of Hoi An to these ancient temples. 

Historic Center of Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Step back in time-2,000 years back in time that is- to this city situated on the ancient Silk Road. Here you’ll find impressive Muslim monuments as well as madrasas that date back to the 17th century. Our Uz-biking-stan tour dedicates two days to this fascinating city, including visits to the Moon and Stars Palace and Bahauddin Naqshband complex. 

Do you think these sites are worthy of UNESCO World Heritage status? Come visit these places and more the best way possible, on a cycle tour and decide for yourself!

Meet Jake Stalker, currently living a life behind bars in Cambodia. What sounds like a tragic scenario is quite the opposite, as we’re referring to handlebars of course! This is the first of our ‘Life behind bars’ series – a chance for you to get to know the personalities and stories behind our cycle tours.

Let us introduce you to Jake – an invaluable member of the Grasshopper family who heads both the Cambodia and Sri Lanka teams. Jake is a wonderful example of how the passion and commitment of our crews set Grasshopper apart.

Jake didn’t come to Cambodia to work for a cycle tour company. After growing up in Riverstone, Australia, with a father who had fought in the American/Vietnam war. He was intrigued by the darkness of that time in his dad’s life and wanted to visit Vietnam to see what progress the region had made since and begin the healing process for his father. At 19 years old, Jake and a friend did just that, but fate ran its course when the two guys took a bus from Vietnam through Cambodia, on their way to Thailand. The bus stopped in Phnom Penh, and they were so inspired with the generosity of local people that they never made it to Thailand. “I was deeply moved with the culture and people here and was blown away by the fact that many Southeast Asians have so little, but they tend to give so much.”

After making his way up to Siem Reap and experiencing life there, Jake decided to start a scholarship program that would allow young Khmer people to attend university. For the next few years Jake split his time between Cambodia and Australia, where he raised money for the new scholarship initiative. 

Once permanently stationed in Siem Reap, he took on work at a local social enterprise cafe called Footprints, where he helped get the business going and managed a team of local employees. One of Jake’s regular customers was Adam, the head of Grasshopper Adventures, and over several months they developed a friendly back and forth. Although Jake had no prior tourism experience, he had worked in customer service and was well versed in setting up teams and motivating them. A few interviews later, Jake joined the Grasshopper family, where he has been ever since. 

Working with Grasshopper Adventures has given Jake the opportunity to travel to places such as Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam and Laos, and inspired him to hop on a bicycle more often than he ever had before. “If you’re on a bus, motorbike or quad bike, you’re just flying through all these amazing places, and being out there on a bicycle just slows everything down. You get to engage with the people you’re passing by, you get to experience with all the senses.” 

Speaking about his past five years as an overseas worker in Siem Reap, Jake cites his favorite part of the lifestyle as the incredibly warm Cambodian people. “They welcome you with open arms, they’re interested in the difference between your life and theirs, and they’re interested in a very genuine way. They want to learn from you and share the experience. They don’t have a fear of difference like I often see in the west, they instead replace it with intrigue”.

The hardest part of living in Cambodia, according to Jake, is being away from loved ones. In their absence, Jake relies on the familial nature of the tight-knit expat community, as well as local friends. “It’s the people who keep you grounded, and the people for me who keep me missing Cambodia when I go away. I go back to Australia and I sort of feel like life is so fast paced and people are so in their zone that they forget about engaging with each other.”

When asked for words of advice for young people considering a move to Asia, Jake simply says “Do it.” Jake urges those contemplating the move to be critical when choosing volunteer placements and to seek long-term employment that will allow them to stay comfortably in Asia for as long as they wish. Even if you spend only a few months or a year living in Asia, the experience will still open your mind and change your thinking, as well as lead to future opportunities. 

Jake speaks very highly of working at Grasshopper. Because each tour is  “meticulously crafted” to ensure the highest quality experience, Jake and the other members of Grasshopper Adventures truly believe in what they are working on and selling as they bring people from around the world to participate in genuine experiences. The team agrees that the best part of touring by bike is you finish the day feeling satisfied, and you’ve had the chance to experience plenty of sights and culture along the way. Another aspect of the company Jake appreciates is Grasshopper’s unwavering commitment to its team. From the senior members, to the shop workers and mechanics, everyone is deeply cared for and allowed to grow. Mechanics who previously spoke little or no English make their way to becoming tour leaders, something they never would have imagined prior to beginning with Grasshopper Adventures. Others like the incredible young lady Socheata who joined the team at 19 and now manages the whole division of online communication for the Cambodia team.

From a manager of a cafe at 22 years old to leading a team of 40 Cambodians at age 24, Jake certainly has come a long way. “All of us here at Grasshopper, have been out on the road ourselves and we see that in a way our tours are changing lives, definitely changing perspectives on Asia and the countries we visit. And that’s incredibly rewarding, that’s what we stand for.”

Updated: Jan 6, 2021

Just a few hours’ drive west of Bangkok lies a favorite destination for nature and history lovers alike: Kanchanaburi. It may only be a short hop from Thailand’s capital, but this town couldn’t be further from the hustle & bustle of the big city. You’re in for a pleasant surprise as you discover all the hidden gems this captivating area hosts.

The forest-covered jagged mountains of Kanchanaburi frame a landscape of great beauty. Kanchanaburi is home to the Western Forest Complex, one of the largest protected forests in Southeast Asia lining the Thai – Burmese border, and is home to a number of critically endangered species of animals.

Kanchanaburi’s geography forms a natural passageway from the plains of Central Thailand to lower Burma, carving a natural valley through which the armies of many nations and kingdoms have marched and fought from ancient times up until World War II.

The story which attracts most curious visitors to Kanchanaburi is the that of the Japanese occupation and the horrendous conditions the allied POWS labored under during the construction of the infamous Death Railway that stretches from Thailand to Myanmar.

5 Must-dos and Must-sees in Kanchanaburi

1. The Bridge on the River Kwai is the railway bridge over the Kwae Noi, better known as the River Kwai that inspired a 1950s war film. Due in part to the movie, this has become one of Kanchanburi’s best-known landmarks.

2. Ride the historic Siam – Burma Railway! There are several trains a day from Bangkok to the waterfall at Nam Tok. One of the most scenic sections of the railway is a trestled section along the river bluff above the Kwae Noi River and is worth a ride.

3. Hellfire Pass today is a museum and memorial to the 13,000 allied prisoners and 80,000 Asian labourers who died building the railway. This section of the railway was particularly difficult to build, and laborers often worked around the clock in brutal conditions. At night they worked by torch light which reminded the prisoners of the fires of hell, hence the name Hellfire Pass. The highlight of the visit is hiking an abandoned section of the rail bed as you walk through living history.

4. Sai Yok Yai Waterfall in Sai Yok National Park is a picturesque waterfall of limestone cascades not far from the last station on the railway. The Sai Yok National Park, part of the Western Forest Complex, is primarily a wildlife preserve but is also has numerous waterfalls, caves and hiking trails for visitors to enjoy. This lush national park is an idyllic setting for a nice walk!

5. Prasat Muang Singh National Historical Park is the site of an ancient outpost of the Khmer Empire. Two temples, built at the height of the Khmer Empire, are styled after the famous Bayon and fascinating pieces of history.

The best way to experience the captivating natural beauty of Kanchanaburi is to explore by bike & boat. The riding is not demanding, as you’ll cycle through flat fields and forest on well-maintained rural roads during the mornings, then in the afternoons, relax on the boat as it cruises up the river – unforgettable!