Overview
Ride the hidden trails of Angkor National Park by bike after witnessing the sunrise over Angkor Wat and a private breakfast in the forest. Skirt crowds of tourists by pedaling through jungle paths as you visit some of the most significant Buddhist and Hindu Temples. Mount your bike again and head out into the countryside surrounding Siem Reap to pedal through bright green rice paddies to red dirt roads through rural villages filled with friendly, waving locals. Kayak the waters of Tonle Sap, Southeast Asia’s largest body of freshwater, to glimpse the stilted floating villages and visit a private home for an authentic Khmer meal.
From here we switch gears with a flight to Luang Prabang and immerse ourselves in the vibrant culture of this Laotian city. Wander the peaceful city streets and check out the hum of activity in Luang Prabang’s Night Market. Cycle the countryside of Laos with cultural stops along the way. Venture into the Pak Ou caves and bathe yourself in the cool waters of Kuang Si Falls. This journey highlights two incredible parts of Southeast Asia and will be both a rewarding cycling trip and a unique cultural experience.
171 Km riding. We’ll cover a wide variety of terrain, from sealed and unsealed roads to countryside paths and dirt trails through national parks. Most of the riding is flat, and we choose roads with little-to-no traffic. This tour should be achievable for a wide variety of cyclists, with mostly flat terrain and distances typically under 35 km.
Highlights
Take in a once-in-a-lifetime sunrise over the towers of Angkor Wat on a memorable day of temple exploration.
Paddle through floating mangrove forests and villages as you kayak Tonle Sap.
Discover the many wonders of UNESCO favorite Luang Prabang as you receive a monk’s blessing and pedal back roads to interesting sights.
Pedal through stunning scenery to the aquamarine waters of the Kuang Sii Waterfalls for a dip.
Day to Day
We begin the day by gathering at our hotel for a quick briefing and bike fitting. Once we are all set up we will take a quick warm-up ride along the river through the countryside to test them out. After freshening up at the hotel, we will transfer to dinner. Afterwards, take in a performance by the renowned acrobatic troupe Phare Circus. Phare’s performers come from an NGO-run performing arts training school in Battambang, and these talented individuals specialize in weaving a beautiful story along with their impressive acrobatic acts. The night is sure to be entertaining for all!
We’ll make our way to Angkor National Park before the first rooster crows in order to catch the sunrise over the spires of the main temple: Angkor Wat. Have your cameras at the ready to capture the spectacular colors the sky puts forth to light up the ancient, holy structure. As the other tourists scatter, we’ll make our way on foot around this former capital of the Angkor Empire with the expertise of a local guide to enrich our understanding of this incredible place.
Once we’ve enjoyed a private breakfast in the forest of the park, we’ll cycle our way down back trails through crumbling ruins of ancient places of worship. In addition to visiting some lesser-known temples, we will park our bikes to explore the many Buddha faces of the Bayon temple and the walls of Ta Phrom that have been swallowed by tree roots in the jungle. Following lunch by the Sra Srang Reservoir, we’ll head back to town and enjoy a traditional Khmer dinner at a local family’s house, made from vegetables they grow in their own garden. Our local guide will provide more information about the ingredients.
This morning we’ll saddle on our bikes and head into the countryside towards Banteay Srei temple. We will be riding on hard-packed laterite back roads today, with hardly another vehicle in sight until we approach the temple. Our route takes us through stretches of farmland and large plantations, through much-appreciated shady sections, and past school children heading to and from the classroom who will excitedly wave and cheer us on as we pass.
We’ll park our bikes at the intricately carved, red sandstone 10th-century women’s temple known as Banteay Srei before pedaling onwards towards the ACCB Wildlife Conservation Center. After a lunch break to refuel, we will head into the center for a tour that will include glimpses of huge birds, cheeky Langur Monkeys, gibbons, and more! Later we will return to town by van for a free evening to explore the increasing variety of Siem Reap’s culinary scene.
After sampling local treats for breakfast, we will mount our bikes and cycle out on red, dirt roads and hard-packed tracks through the countryside surrounding Siem Reap. Look up as you pedal, and see cows being led on ropes through rice paddies, water buffalo bathing in muddy canals, friendly children who will wave excitedly as you pass, and the flat landscape dotted with tall palm trees.
Once we’ve reached a nearby river, we’ll rest our bikes for a short cruise to the unique floating villages on Tonle Sap lake, collecting smiles from locals along the way. If the water level allows, we’ll swap the boat for kayaks and paddle through the floating mangrove forests. Here a local guide will explain the importance of this body of water to Cambodia. We will return to Siem Reap by van in time for a quick shower and then transfer to the airport for our early evening flight to Luang Prabang, checking in on arrival to our charming hotel.
This morning soak up the power of a monk’s blessing before we hit the bikes and spend the day on a cycling exploration of this cultural hotspot. We’ll make our way on two wheels to Wat Xiengtong- the royal temple of Luang Prabang- before discovering the endless wonders of the local fresh market. Your guide will introduce you the various products for sale, including fresh fruits and vegetables, insects ready to be snacked on, and even small frogs.
After powering up with a coffee from one of the city’s oldest coffee stands, we’ll pedal onwards towards another, lesser-known temple, then along a path by the Mekong River to check out papermaking and a rice wine distillery that produces the well-known “Lao Lao”. This stuff is strong, so better to not indulge too much before getting back on the bike!
A change of pace will put us on a boat down the Mekong to explore the far side of the river where pottery making happens in the villages. We’ll head back to town to Ock Pop Tock to learn about silk production before savoring a lunch of local Luang Prabang specialties. Afterwards, it’s a short ride back to the hotel and you’ll have the evening free to explore.
This morning you’ll awaken to a peaceful view of the Mekong River- a great way to start the day! After breakfast, we’ll mount our bikes and head for the holy Pak Ou Caves. These caves, situated on the Mekong River, are packed with icons of the Buddha and are considered to be an extremely sacred site. Discover their significance for yourself before enjoying a local lunch and boarding a boat downstream back to Luang Prabang.
Let’s make the most of our last day together in Laos with a scenic ride to the iconic Kuang Si waterfalls. After 30 km of pedaling out of town, reward yourself with a dip in the turquoise pools of this hillside waterfall. We’ll enjoy a tranquil visit and swim before a transfer by van back to town. The tour concludes at noon and we can assist you with your further travel plans.
Dates & Price
EARLY RIDER PRIZE: Be in the first 4 to book a departure and get 5% OFF the tour price*
*Not applicable with guaranteed, private, or self-guided tours, other discounts, trip credit, or special offers
WHAT MAKES US STAND OUT
GRASSHOPPER STYLE
This two-country cycling tour is designed to show you the highlights as well as the off-the-beaten-path must-sees of Cambodia and Laos as you explore by bike. You’ll visit two UNESCO favorites, the Angkor Archeological Park and old town of Luang Prabang as well as getting some local flavor with a visit to the floating villages of Tonle Sap or the Pak Ou Caves. Rest assured knowing we’ve taken care of all of the small details, carefully planned out the cycling route, booked your accommodations and transfer your luggage so you can focus on discovering the wonders of Southeast Asia by bike.
