Siem Reap to Phnom Penh in a week, by way of Angkor, the Tonle Sap and Battambang.
Difficulty note: Flat riding, with some off-road sections.
Also available: Cambodia · 11 days →
*per person, twin share 100 AUD deposit holds your place. Booking Terms
A week from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, with four days on the bike and about 210 km in all. The riding is flat, on a mix of paved roads, compact gravel and some single track. The pace is relaxed, and there’s always time to stop for a photo.
On the first riding day you are on the bike from 4.30 am, for sunrise at Angkor Wat and a morning among the other temples. The next day a boat takes you across the Tonle Sap wetlands on the way to Battambang, and from there red dirt back roads lead out to Banan Temple. The last ride is the longest: 75 km through villages on the Tonle Sap, with a couple of ferries, finishing at the front door of the hotel in Phnom Penh.
You visit your first NGO in Siem Reap, then Sustainable Cambodia in Pursat and Friends International in Phnom Penh. The same day in Phnom Penh takes in the S-21 genocide museum. It is a hard visit, and we recommend it.
From the Journal: Siem Reap → Battambang → Phnom Penh →
Day by day, hotels, what's included and prices. We'll email it to you.
At the end of the ride, you choose the organisation that impacted you the most, and we'll contribute 200 AUD on your behalf.
Siem Reap is a town that has turned cosmopolitan since the country opened up to the outside world. We pick you up from the airport and take you to the hotel, and you have some time to relax or explore the city before we meet for the welcome dinner.
The restaurant is NGO-based and doubles as a training ground for marginalised youth. The menu is local, with plenty of dishes to share.
Hotel: Bayon Modern · Meals: D
The first ride starts at 4.30 am, in time for sunrise over Angkor Wat. The rest of the morning is spent at other temples in the area. In the early afternoon you have the chance to visit our first NGO of the ride, and spend time with people who have dedicated their lives to helping others. You hear their stories and learn what the real issues in the country are.
Cycling: 30 km · Hotel: Bayon Modern · Meals: B
Activities: Angkor Wat
NGO: This Life Cambodia
It is 20 km from Siem Reap to the boat port. The boat takes us across the wetlands and around the Tonle Sap river. The road soon turns to single track and gets more remote, and our support van says goodbye. From here we ride on into the rural, barren lands of Cambodia. Few villages exist out here, and the people support themselves through fishing.
After the boat it is another 20 to 30 km to Battambang, depending on the river levels. The town is good for shopping, with colonial-style streets and hidden corners full of bric-a-brac. Dinner is at Jaan Bai, another social-enterprise-based restaurant.
Cycling: 40 to 50 km · Hotel: Cambana La Riviere · Meals: B, L, D
Activities: Boat ride (4hrs)
Breakfast is early. Then we ride the dusty red back roads to the nearby Banan Temple, and cycle back to Battambang to explore a little more and have lunch at leisure. We reach Pursat by early afternoon. The hotel has a swimming pool and an on-site massage spa.
We also visit Sustainable Cambodia, an NGO. Its executives give a full presentation in their office and we tour the facilities, so you see first-hand the difference it makes.
Cycling: 50 km · Hotel: Pursat Riverside Hotel · Meals: B
Activities: Banan Temple
NGO: Sustainable Cambodia
The ride starts 75 km out from Phnom Penh and finishes at the front door of the hotel. The back roads pass through villages on Tonle Sap lake. There are coffee stops, plenty of photo chances and a couple of ferries. The evening is free.
Cycling: Up to 75 km · Hotel: Check Inn · Meals: B, L
The day starts at Friends International. We meet the people who work there and learn about what they do in the community, and about the everyday issues local people face.
Next we head towards the Russian market and on to Tuol Sleng, also known as the S-21 Genocide Museum. It covers a devastating chapter of Khmer Rouge and Cambodian history. The visit is emotionally hard, and we strongly recommend it. There is some free time in the afternoon to process the day, and we meet again for a local Khmer BBQ dinner.
Hotel: Check Inn · Meals: B, D
Activities: S-21 Genocide Museum
NGO: Friends International
You have cycled across Cambodia, about 210 km in the saddle. Have a final breakfast together before you head to the airport for your next destination.
Meals: B
Flat, paved, easy
Off road, some single track, moderate
out of 7 days cycling
Easy to moderate
Approx 210km
All flat
Mostly off road, compact
Average pace 15-18km/h
Paved roads, flat, easy
Off road, compact gravel, easy to moderate
This ride side by side with two others. Change either one to compare a different ride.
| Ride | Cambodia · 11 days | Cambodia · 7 days | Cambodia → Vietnam · 12 days | Cambodia → Vietnam · 16 days | Laos · 11 days | Laos → Vietnam · 12 days | Laos → Vietnam · 20 days | Mongolia · 11 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Days | 11 | 7 | 12 | 16 | 11 | 12 | 20 | 11 |
| Total Distance | 400 km | 210 km | 460 km | 670 km | 403 km | 419 km | 794 km | 350 km |
| Difficulty | 2 of 5 | 2 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| From Price | 2,750 AUDper person, twin share | 2,100 AUDper person, twin share | 2,950 AUDper person, twin share | 3,850 AUDper person, twin share | 3,150 AUDper person, twin share | 3,450 AUDper person, twin share | 5,850 AUDper person, twin share | 3,950 AUDper person, twin share |
| Single Room | from 550 AUD | from 350 AUD | from 550 AUD | from 750 AUD | from 500 AUD | from 550 AUD | from 850 AUD | Ask Us |
| Group Size | Up to 10 riders | Up to 10 riders | Up to 10 riders | Up to 10 riders | Up to 10 riders | Up to 10 riders | Up to 10 riders | Up to 10 riders |
| E-Bikes | Available (350 AUD) | Available (220 AUD) | Available (300 AUD) | Available (450 AUD) | Available (290 AUD) | Available (290 AUD) | Available (580 AUD) | Ask Us |
| Route | Siem Reap → Phnom Penh via Kampot | Siem Reap → Phnom Penh | Phnom Penh → Saigon | Siem Reap → Saigon | Vientiane → Luang Prabang | Luang Prabang → Hanoi | Vientiane → Hanoi | Ulaanbaatar return |
| Next Departure | 12 Nov 2026 Guaranteed | 12 Nov 2026 Open | 16 Nov 2026 Open | 15 Oct 2026 Guaranteed | 2 Nov 2026 Open | 10 Nov 2026 Open | 2 Nov 2026 Open | 9 May 2027 Open |
| Ride Page | View Ride | View Ride | View Ride | View Ride | View Ride | View Ride | View Ride | View Ride |
A flat-bar mountain bike with flat pedals and a unisex saddle, in frame sizes from small to XL. The make varies from country to country. Bike hire is included in the price of every ride. You are welcome to bring your own saddle or pedals.
One of our standard bikes.
A mountain bike with a motor that helps as you pedal. You still ride; the hills and the long days get easier. Available on this ride for an extra 220 AUD. Ask for one when you book. We hire our e-bikes from different suppliers, so the model varies.
One of our e-bikes.
Bikes shown are examples. The make and model on your ride may differ. Helmets are compulsory: we have some on hand, but bring your own if you can, so you know it fits.
Bringing your own saddle, pedals or bike: see FAQ & Travel Info →
Practical details for every ride, visas to bikes: FAQ & Travel Info →
“This trip was totally unlike anything that I’ve done before and went way beyond my expectations! There was such a fun and relaxed atmosphere throughout and the group genuinely felt like family by the end of the week! Exploring Cambodia’s beautiful scenery by bike was incredibly rewarding and I was willing to push my comfort zone with my cycling because I felt I could completely trust the Social Cycles team. These guys were simply the best - the most encouraging, supportive and upbeat people you could ask to cycle 200kms alongside! This really set Social Cycles apart from other tours for me, as they create such a unique and personal experience that I will remember for years. This is without a doubt a trip for your bucket list...!”
“Botree, So and Hoem made the trip. They were so kind and happy to share their knowledge with us. We got to see some beautiful sights, eat foods I would’ve been scared to try on my own and learn loads about the life & culture in Cambodia! Highly recommend!”
“We're not cyclers but we absolutely loved cycling around Cambodia. Such an incredible way to see and enjoy a country and we'll definitely do it again. Super well organised, amazing team+++, great bikes. We did ride at a reasonable pace (always with the van as backup - which no one needed) so I wish I'd done a bit of cycling in the lead up and defs bring riding shorts!”
Fifteen minutes on the phone with Brett answers most questions about Cambodia · 7 days.