Riding: 47.6 km 29.5 mi

Meal: L,D

Leaving Phnom Penh in the morning is quite a sight for the uninitiated. Thousands of motor scooters, vying for space among larger vehicles with all manner of cargo, often with a few passengers sitting on, or hanging off the cargo. Next thing you know you are in flat, open plains with brilliant green rice fields as far as the eye can see, punctuated by a Cambodian arboreal favorite, the Sugar Palm.

We get started with the ride from a small town and we are immediately out on small roads through villages and farmland. There are few vehicles other than motor scooters and bicycles and the most persistent sound that you will hear is that of excited children calling out to greet and encourage you. The warmth of the Cambodian people is immediately apparent.

As we approach the provincial capital of Kampong Cham, we cross onto an island in the middle of the Mekong and then ride from that island over a bamboo bridge (from January to June) that is dismantled and re-erected every year to prevent it from washing away in the monsoon (July to November) flows of the Mekong.

We will have lunch in this town and then travel by van to our beautiful accommodation for the evening.

Special Information: 
Your day starts with a 2h30m transfer from Phnom Penh to Kampong Cham, where today’s biking adventure begins. You’ll cover a distance of 47.6 km (29.5 mi) with an elevation gain of 184 m (604 ft) on a mix of terrain. 

With a support van always on hand, you can comfortably push your limits. After today’s ride, sit back and enjoy a 2h30m transfer to your hotel through the beautiful countryside. 

Riding: 42.8 km 26.6 mi

Meal: B,L,D

Awaking in our charming and unique accommodation, a French colonial-era villa on the banks of the Mekong, enjoy a relaxed breakfast before we venture up along the Mekong River by bike to the town of Kratie. This modest town is the provincial capital and is home to a vibrant produce market with a dazzling array of weird and wonderful things for sale.

For lunch, we cross by ferry to an island in the middle of the Mekong River where cars do not exist and where only bicycles are used. This gives you a good perspective of the river's awesome size. On the island you'll enjoy lunch in a small family home and if we are lucky, we can sample the local produce, the Pomelo fruit. As well as being a tasty treat on its own, the fruit also makes a delicious salad when mixed with peanuts, shrimp and mint. After lunch, there is time for a refreshing dip in the river, then we take the van back to the hotel for a relaxed afternoon. Your colonial-style mansion, come hotel, has a fully equipped bar and a wonderful outdoor pool that overlooks the Mekong, the perfect place to enjoy a book or simply unwind.

Special Information: 
Total riding distance for today is 42.8km (26.6mi) with an elevation gain of 204m on a mix of trails. This is the highest elevation gain on tour! 

Meal: B,L,D

Our adventure for the day starts at the Kampi river pools just north of Kratie. After an instructional session on the kayaks, we push off into the atmospheric river where we hope to be joined by some curious, endangered, yet playful creatures, the Irrawaddy Dolphins. We take this non-invasive approach by kayak so as not to stress the Dolphins.

There are only around 90 of these creatures in this stretch of the Mekong River, but larger populations can be found in India and Bangladesh, although usually in brackish water. We are guided on our paddle route by a local who has been working with and around the dolphins most of his life and who can tell us a great deal about these intriguing creatures.

We continue to paddle downstream in the direction of Kratie, passing a couple of small islands before pulling in to shore. We will have lunch in Kratie, before moving on upstream to the town of Stung Treng. This slightly larger town sits on the confluence of the Sekong, Sesan and Mekong Rivers with glorious views out over the water. A more rustic, but comfortable, guesthouse in a prime position on the banks of the river awaits.

Special Information: 
A 1h30m transfer takes you to the starting point for an exciting 2-3 hour kayak adventure, with plenty of stops to admire the view and search for the elusive Irrawaddy dolphins.  

After your kayaking, a 30-minute transfer takes you to Kratie for lunch. Then, relax and enjoy the Cambodian countryside during a 2h30m transfer to Stung Treng. 

Meal: B,L,D

Jump into the van as we begin the day with a drive up to the Laos border to start our adventure. This is a magical part of the country, the Mekong River has made its epic journey flowing from the Tibetan Plateau, through Yunnan in China, Myanmar, along the Thai border and through Laos, to wind up here in northern Cambodia where it will continue its journey south to Vietnam and the Mekong Delta. But it is in this unique location that the river is reoxygenated by a series of rapids and falls, resulting in a stunning area known as the flooded forests. Hundreds of small, silt islands, held together by trees with gnarled roots dot the waterway, and it is through these that we will kayak. The trees offer shade and the islands provide little channels that accelerate the current for us at times, making for a really fun paddle.

After a couple of hours kayaking downstream and lunch on a river island, spotting birds as we go, we will travel back upstream by small motor boat. This area feels different from others in Cambodia, more relaxed, less urgency, lots of time spent in hammocks, and considering that is almost a national pastime they really take it to the next level! After doing a bit of unwinding ourselves, we will return to our guesthouse in Stung Treng by vehicle.

Special Information: 
Today you'll kayak for 1-2 hours through the flooded forest near the Laos border—there’s no better way to describe it than magical. After, hop in the van for a 1h30m transfer to your hotel. 

Riding: 26.6 km 16.5 mi

Meal: B,L,D

We say goodbye to the Mekong today and head northwest to the Thai border, arriving in the mid-morning. This area is home to Preah Vihear, a temple complex constructed in the 11th century and remarkably intact. It differs from most other Angkorean temples in that it is orientated on a north/south axis. It is intended as a stylized representation of Mount Meru, home of the gods and in certain conditions, when the mist lingers in valleys below, you might agree that the creators succeeded. To discover the temple and its unique architecture, we will jump in a Jeep that will bring us up the hill.

After exploring the ruins and hearing some of the ancient and more recent history of the temple (Cambodia and Thailand have exchanged gunfire over ownership of it and there is still a military presence, albeit not a very active one), we descend in SUV’s and make our way to tonight's hotel in the tiny nearby town of Sra Em.

Special Information: 
After a morning packed with local market visits, a delightful lunch, and exploring Preah Vihear Temple, hop on your bike for a scenic ride to your hotel. Total riding distance is 26.6km (16.5mi) with a 157m elevation gain, on mostly paved paths with some unpaved sections. 

Riding: 43.8 km 27.2 mi

Meal: B,L

We leave the hotel by van and travel through the former Khmer Rouge stronghold of Anlong Ven on our way south to the pink temple, Banteay Srei. This temple is unique in a number of ways. It is the only major temple constructed not under the instigation of a monarch but of the courtiers. It is also built from red sandstone, which allowed for some absolutely stunning artwork in the intricate carvings that remain to this day. You will frequently see replicas of these sandstone carvings used in restaurants and hotels throughout nearby Siem Reap. The temple is smaller than many of the others and thus a short visit still allows us to fully appreciate it.

We will lunch and then start our ride towards Siem Reap on tree lined, minor roads, with rarely a vehicle in sight, aside from motor scooters. Farmers will be out, tending to their cattle or rice fields, and will be happily surprised to see a group of two-wheeled visitors rolling through their quiet corner of the world. The area is also renowned for its superior palm sugar and if we are lucky, we may encounter a village where they are busy cooking the nectar harvested from their trees in preparation to sell it at market.

We enter Siem Reap through the Angkor archeological park and what a way to make an entrance! While we won’t be stopping at any of the temples, they and the mature trees that are protected in this area, provide a magical backdrop in the fading temperatures of the late afternoon.

Special Information: 
After breakfast, hop in the van for a 2h30m transfer to Siem Reap, with stops to visit a few temples and enjoy the scenic countryside as farmers tend to their crops. After lunch, saddle up for a ride to Siem Reap, covering a total distance of 43.8km (27.2mi) with an elevation gain of 195m (640 ft) on a mix of paved and unpaved paths. 

With plenty of stops and a support van always nearby, you can feel comfortable to push your limits.  

Walking: 5.8 km 3.6 mi

Meal: B,L,D

We drive north of Siem Reap today to the Kulen Plateau. This is the nearest mountain range to Siem Reap and was the source of most of the stone used in the construction of the temples and ancient city. What’s more, it came to light only a few years ago that a vast city that outsized and predated Angkor once existed atop the plateau. That city is now mostly lost to nature.

We start our walk at the waterfall where Cambodian families will likely be gathering for picnics and a swim in the rock pools. We then walk a trail known as the Langur trail, named for the Dusky Langur Monkey colony that was discovered here in recent years, although they are hard to spot. The walk takes us through dry rainforest and various large sandstone boulders. We then descend the escarpment to a modern-day Pagoda where the monks maintain a swimming pool. You heard right! A tiled pool, fed by the mountain spring, has been built into the side of the escarpment, and colder, fresher water you will not find elsewhere in Cambodia. Meet with the monks for a traditional water blessing whereby a series of chants are conducted with sprinkling blessed water over us. The ceremony ends with a tie of red cotton thread bracelets around our wrists to protect us from evil spirits and misfortune for our journey home. After a very refreshing dip and a picnic, we return to Siem Reap by vehicle. Total walking time today is around 2.5km.

Special Information: 
A 1h30m transfer brings you to Phnom Kulen. Today you'll hike 5.8km (3.6mi) with an elevation gain of 169m. Enjoy plenty of stops to admire the natural beauty of Kulen Mountain and a picnic lunch along the way. 

Riding: 24.8 km 15.4 mi

Meal: B,L

Siem Reap and the Angkor Temples definitely deserve a number of days of your time, but first you need an overview, so that is what you can expect from this morning's ride. We make an early start to see the sunrise over Angkor Wat, an experience bordering on spiritual, and after exploring this most important architectural masterpiece in the soft morning light in the absence of crowds, we pause for breakfast.

Well fueled, we take to our bikes the final time, and this is one to remember! You'll ride the secret trails and dedicated bike paths to visit some of the other highlight ruins such as the Elephant Terrace and Ta Prohm, as well as a couple of hidden gems along the way. Don't forget your camera today!

As our journey comes to a close, we cap it off with a delightful lunch before heading back to the hotel. It's important to note that while we don't include the departure transfer, we're happy to assist you in arranging one through our customer service team. So, as you savor your last moments in Siem Reap, whether you're eager to catch your flight or tempted to extend your stay amidst the captivating temples and bustling activities, we've got you covered!

Special Information: 
On the last day, wake early to catch the sunrise over Angkor Wat. After a picnic breakfast, cycle 24.8km (15.4mi) through the park with an elevation gain of 147m on a mix of paved, unpaved, and off-road trails.