Cambodia · 11 days

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 bike fitting and welcome dinner.

The restaurant, Marum, is part of Friends International and doubles as a training ground for marginalised youth. The menu is local, with plenty of dishes to share.

Hotel: Bayon Modern · Meals: D

Our first ride begins at 4.30 am, in time for sunrise over Angkor Wat. The morning continues at Bayon Temple and Ta Prohm Temple, where ancient ruins are engulfed by jungle. In the early afternoon, we visit This Life, a local NGO supporting vocational training and community development, to learn about their work and the challenges facing local communities. In the evening, your guide Hoem welcomes us into his home for dinner with his family: a truly authentic Cambodian experience and a wonderful way to end the day.

Cycling: 30 km · Hotel: Bayon Modern · Meals: B

Activities: Angkor Wat

NGO: This Life Cambodia

Leaving the hustle and bustle of Siem Reap behind, we cycle straight into the Cambodian countryside, riding approximately 20 km along quiet rural roads before boarding our private, albeit basic, boat. The journey takes us through the vast, remote wetlands of Tonle Sap, passing floating villages where families rely on fishing and crocodile farming for their livelihoods. It’s a fascinating glimpse into life in one of Cambodia’s most isolated regions.

Back on our bikes, we cycle another 25 km through rural landscapes to reach Battambang, a charming town with colonial-era streets, quirky shops and hidden corners full of bric-a-brac. Tonight, we enjoy dinner at Jaan Bai, a wonderful local social enterprise restaurant.

Cycling: 40 to 50 km · Hotel: Cambana La Riviere · Meals: B, L, D

Activities: Boat ride (4.5 hrs)

We cycle through Battambang, exploring the town and visiting local traders who specialise in traditional Cambodian delicacies. Along the way, we discover everything from snake wine and bamboo-roasted rice to freshly made rice paper, banana chips and fish sauce. It’s a fascinating glimpse into local food traditions and everyday Cambodian life.

After lunch, we continue to Pursat, arriving in the early afternoon. Here, we visit Sustainable Cambodia, a local NGO making a real difference in surrounding communities. We meet the team, learn about their projects and tour the facilities to see firsthand the impact of their work.

Later, there’s time to relax at our hotel, enjoy a swim in the pool or treat yourself to a massage at the on-site spa.

Cycling: 50 km · Transit: 2 hrs · Hotel: Pursat Riverside Hotel · Meals: B

Activities: Banan Temple

NGO: Sustainable Cambodia

Often described by our riders as one of the highlights of the trip, today’s 75 km ride takes us along quiet back roads, through rural villages and beautiful countryside with views of Tonle Sap Lake. Friendly locals wave hello as we pass, with plenty of opportunities for coffee stops, photos and a ferry crossing. We finish the ride at our hotel’s front door, cycling through the hustle and bustle of Phnom Penh. In the evening, we come together to enjoy a traditional Khmer-style BBQ.

Cycling: Up to 75 km · Transit: 2 hrs · 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 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 dinner at Friends International’s own social enterprise restaurant.

Hotel: Check Inn · Meals: B, D

Activities: S-21 Genocide Museum

NGO: Friends International

The ride south of Phnom Penh ends at Chisaur Mountain Temple in rural Cambodia. At 130 m it is not much of a mountain, and the route is flat. We cycle casually along narrow dirt tracks through remote villages and waterways.

Lunch is at the temple, and there is plenty of time to explore the ruins, which are 200 years older than Angkor Wat. Then the van takes us down to Kampot, a Cambodian coastal town with good food on offer.

Cycling: 65 km · Hotel: JBreak · Meals: B

Activities: Chisaur Temple

The day starts with the optional, long Bokor Mountain cycle challenge. It is 30 km to the top. The first 10 km is flat, then it just keeps going up, and up, and up. If you’d rather have time off the bike, Kampot is a good town to caffeinate, people-watch and relax at a day spa.

Cycling: 60 km · Hotel: JBreak · Meals: B

Activities: Bokor Mountain

The morning is at Chumkriel Language School. There are no children at the school when we visit. Mr Suthy set this grassroots school up as an NGO, giving children of the salt field community access to education.

In the afternoon there is a Khmer cooking class, where we learn the best of Khmer cuisine.

Cycling: 10 km · Hotel: JBreak · Meals: D

Activities: Cooking class

NGO: Chumkriel Language School

Today we cycle to the border of Vietnam, but first comes the province of Kep. Just before the border, the town is famous for its fresh seafood, particularly crab. We spend a couple of hours on the way exploring the pepper plantations and salt lakes, then take back roads around the National Park to the border crossing at Ha Tien, Vietnam.
From Ha Tien the van takes us back to Check Inn in Phnom Penh.

Cycling: 65 km · Hotel: Check Inn · Meals: B

Activities: Pepper farm tour, Kep crab market

That is about 400 km in the saddle across Cambodia. Have a final breakfast together before you head to the airport or your next adventure.

Meals: B