Overview
There was a time when the Angkor temples were accompanied only by a small dusty town with a couple of restaurants and a bar or two. Times have changed, and Siem Reap is now a cosmopolitan center with a great range of activities, some amazing hotels, delicious food and many opportunities for cultural involvement.
This tour shows you not only the iconic temples such as Angkor Wat, Bayon and Ta Prohm, but also takes you well off the tourist trail to see the hidden side of the Angkor Park where monkeys swing through the trees and quiet trails lead you through the forests surrounding the temples.
Visit the people who call the Tonle Sap waterways home and learn about the customs, challenges and rewards of their lifestyle. This is the largest lake in Southeast Asia and a source of protein and irrigation for the Cambodian people. Our active exploration is peppered with amazing local meals and even a cooking class where you can learn to make some of your own.
This trip is focused on luxury and comfort as you explore the fascinating town of Siem Reap and all it has to offer by bike.
Traveling in a group of 6 or more people? Contact our team about special group pricing for our on-request tours.
55 KM riding. This is a predominantly flat ride, but we do encounter a few smaller hills as we ride along the banks and levees. The surface is mostly unsealed as we ride on small paths and trails created by walkers, bicycles or motor-scooters. We spend some time on the road, but this is almost always quiet back roads.
Pedal-assist E-bike is an available option for this tour for $70 surcharge.
Highlights
Take in a bucket list sunrise over Angkor Wat before exploring the main sites and hidden gems by bike.
Cycle back roads through small communities where you get an up-close look at daily Cambodian life.
Paddle the waters of Tonle Sap as you explore floating villages by kayak and connect with locals.
Learn more about the signature flavors of Cambodian cuisine with a private cooking class.
Day to Day
You will be greeted on arrival by a driver and taken to your comfortable and centrally located hotel. Your guide will meet you to discuss the trip ahead, to fit your bike for you and to begin the adventure on a culinary level. This evening we eat at one of Siem Reap's best restaurants, during which your guide will provide an overview of Cambodia and its customs, traditions, history and current state of affairs.
You are rewarded for your early start this morning with the breathtaking view of sunrise over the spires of Angkor Wat from a special viewpoint away from most of the crowds. The clarity of the sunrise is weather dependent, but in any case this is the best time of day to take in this sacred structure. An early morning glow and cool temperatures provide excellent conditions to walk through this impressive monument. We’ll avoid the crowds as we make our way through the extensive grounds and interior, learning about the history of the ancient Angkorian kingdom along the way.
Following a delicious breakfast spread in a private area, we continue through the Angkor Park on back trails through the forest, at times cycling on levees and walls built by the great kings of the Khmer Kingdom. We’ll cycle to the iconic temples of Bayon and Ta Prohm, then visit a few lesser-known temples while avoiding the main throng of tourists. As the day heats up, we sit down to lunch, overlooking one of the smaller reservoirs of the complex, Sra Srang, from where it's just a short ride in the car back to the hotel.
A relaxing massage this afternoon ends an active day, then you will be free to explore the food scene of Siem Reap independently this evening (with some suggestions from your guide).
Please note: Appropriate dress (knees and shoulders fully covered) is compulsory for entry into certain sections of Angkor Wat, and should also be observed throughout all temple areas for reasons of cultural sensitivity.
Another early start (but not before sunrise today!) to cycle the countryside surrounding Siem Reap this morning. Life in the village starts early, and as we pedal by you’ll see people out tending to their buffalo, their vegetable gardens or their other daily chores. We ride on trails only wide enough for two wheels, along with some unpaved back roads. Along the way, we’ll park our bikes to learn a little about how village life works as well as the challenges, rewards and customs of a typical Cambodian community. This is a great opportunity to connect with locals and learn about authentic Cambodian life. We stop at a modern-day temple and then ride along the levees of the West Baray, one of two huge reservoirs constructed to irrigate the rice fields of the Angkor Kingdom, and thought to be the cornerstone of the success of the empire. As the temperature rises, we enjoy a picnic lunch in the shade and see out the hottest time of the day in hammocks.
After a rest, we head to the Tonle Sap Lake, a huge natural lake with a seasonal height variance of up to ten meters due to an amazing natural phenomenon linked to the Mekong River. This is Southeast Asia’s largest body of freshwater and provides an astounding amount of fish to the Cambodian people. The lake is populated by fishing communities who live on floating homes. We’ll hop in the kayaks to explore a couple of smaller examples of these villages and to meet the people who live here, many of whom only venture onto dry land to trade and shop. Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.
Dry Season: March through July the water level in the Tonle Sap Lake can drop quite low and it is not possible to kayak as we normally do. In this instance we will provide a local rowing boat to the village instead. If it is a particularly dry year we have suitable land-based activities available to substitute.
This morning, you will learn how to prepare a few of the signature dishes of the unique and tasty Cambodian cuisine that you might like to cook after you return home.
The class starts with an herb and vegetable information session so that you understand the fresh ingredients. We then prepare three or more dishes from scratch. As this is a private class, you can ask all the questions you wish and have a degree of flexibility in the dishes prepared. Of course, the best part comes when you get to taste your work for lunch!
Your guide will see you off at the airport this afternoon. Please arrange your departure flights any time from 15:00 onwards in order to fit in with today's itinerary. A late checkout of anything up to 18:00 can be arranged. Should you wish to remain in Siem Reap or explore Cambodia further, our team can assist with any travel advice and can book any transport or accommodation required.
WHAT MAKES US STAND OUT
GRASSHOPPER STYLE
We use our expertise and experience in Cambodia in order to bring you the best itineraries full of backroad cycling, exploration of must-see sites as well as hidden gem spots, luxurious accommodation, delicious eats, and plenty of cultural immersion along the way. Make the most of your time in Siem Reap with a two-wheeled exploration of the temples, local countryside villages, and Tonle Sap that will combine lots of fun with a great learning experience and insight into authentic Cambodian life. Get on your bike and let's explore Angkor and beyond together!
