5 Day Family Cycling Vacation in Siem Reap

Facilities

Day 1: Arrive in Siem Reap and welcome dinner

Upon arrival, please look out for the Siem Reaper welcome sign at the arrivals gate. They will transfer you to your hotel, where you can take your time and relax by the pool or venture out for your first exploration of this ancient city.

In the early evening, your guide will meet you at the hotel reception where a trip briefing will be held. Then, you will enjoy the creative local cuisine at Spoons Restaurant (Spoons is a social enterprise, they have had a great role in providing vocational training and education to unskilled youths from rural areas and poor family backgrounds, and have had a very positive impact on Cambodia community for over 10 years.).

• Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Cycle the Angkor Temples (19 miles / 30 kilometers)

After breakfast at the hotel, you'll start biking for the morning temple exploration at the most illustrious temple with the smallest crowds. First, you will visit Ta Prohm, which is unique in that it has been left largely as it was found: overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground. This makes the so-called Tomb Raider Temple, as it was used during the filming of the movie, one of the most picturesque and memorable temples in the Angkor complex.

You will then head out to the ancient city of Angkor Thom and enter the city through the ancient Gate, an impressive stone gate carved with elephants and four giant faces. From here, continue to Bayon Temple, located in the center of the city and famed as the enigmatic faces representing the 54 provinces of the Great Khmer Empire.

The Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King are also must-visits as they are both known for their intricate bas-reliefs. You will take a break at lunch and stop at the local restaurant to enjoy tasteful Cambodian dishes. Lastly, you will bike to the gem of the Angkor complex, Angkor Wat. Following your tour leader, you will be mesmerized by the rich history and symbolism of this unique ancient temple. Afterward, you will return to your hotel.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 3: Cycle to Banteay Samre and Banteay Srei temple (16 miles / 25 kilometers)

Today, your bike tour takes you on unpaved roads through rural villages. Continue on a flat road for about 7 kilometers to the temple of Banteay Samre. From there, it goes back on unpaved roads through attractive villages, along with rice fields, and to the temple of Banteay Srei, which is located outside the actual temple city and is made of pink sandstone.

The roads are peaceful, narrow, and very pretty all the way to Bantey Srei. There are plenty of beautiful and real country views to see along the way as you cycle past the local markets, schools, villages, and Buddhist temples. Taking a water break under the shade of the tree before we reach Bantey Srei, which is known as the Citadel of Women, this red sandstone temple is one of Angkor’s most significant structures as its walls are decorated with elaborate carvings, which have been preserved remarkably well.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 4: Biking and kayaking to Mechrey

Today, cycle to Tonle Sap Lake through the attractive countryside surrounding Siem Reap, following the dirt road that winds through endless rice fields and Cambodia’s ubiquitous sugar palms. On arrival at the boat station, board Finfoot, a refurbished fishing boat that takes guests along a charming channel lined with water-loving plants to where you'll launch the kayaks and paddle out to the floating village of Mechrey.

Kayaks allow to experience and learn about the culture and environment that are shaped by the extraordinary habitual rise and fall of the water level. Discover the mystifying and varied landscape of the Great Tonle Sap Lake, the largest in Southeast Asia.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Day 5: Siem Reap departure and transfer

Your tour comes to an end this morning. There are no activities on your final day, and you are free to leave at any time. Your time is at leisure until your transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for your onward flight and you say goodbye to your tour guide.

• Meals: Breakfast

Tour guide

Each activity comes with an experienced tour leader responsible for offering local insight, pursuing great experiences, and making every tour exceptional. They are trained to make your trip magical. They know that it’s unexpected surprises that make a trip memorable. That’s why the guides pride themselves on anticipating your needs before you ask.

Level 2: Leisure

Leisure tours are for participants who prefer to take in the surroundings at a comfortable pace. You enjoy a good move on a bike and feel comfortable while on the ride. You used to ride your bike on a regular basis, to commute to work, or just for fun. Around 6-8 hours of riding. You can ride about 25-30 kilometers per day over relatively flat terrain with a few small hills, all very manageable for people trying their first cycling tour.

Terrains

The terrain is varied, mainly flat, and characterized by a mixture of tarmac roads and single dirt lanes passing through the countryside and Angkor complex. Cycle on backroads with lovely open landscapes, leisurely with plenty of stops to rest or take photos. The Siem Reaper guides can also easily accommodate type riders who seek a shorter ride with a boost in the van.

Bike and personal equipment

They strongly recommend that you ride a mountain bike for the trips that involve asphalt, dirt, and backroads, some of which are sandy and rocky. If you are much more comfortable with your own stuff, they highly suggest bringing items such as pedals, saddles, helmets, and water bottles. The mechanic will make adjustments to your bikes and personal belongings.

Bike repairs

The tools and spares are carried by your tour guide in the vehicle along with a full toolkit for the tour. However, it is also gauche for them to carry spares for every eventuality. Therefore, it is necessary that before departing, you have a quick look at your two-wheeler to see whether it is in good order.

Safety

They recommend you wear a helmet on all the biking adventures. This is non-negotiable. If you do not wear a helmet, you will not be allowed to cycle. Your tour guide is trained in first aid and emergency rescue, but to a large degree, you must be responsible for your own safety while riding.

This cycling vacation will be held in Siem Reap, Cambodia. It will cover places such as Ta Prohm, Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, Terrace of the Elephants, Terrace of the Leper King, Angkor Wat. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Pub Street, Angkor Wat, and Angkor Trade Center. The nearest airport is Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (REP), eight kilometers from Central Corner d'Angkor.

Distances

• Chau Say Tevoda, 6.54 miles
• Golf course, 3 kilometers
• King's Road Angkor, 400 meters
• Prasat Suor Prat, 6.37 miles
• Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (REP), 8 kilometers

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You will be served four breakfasts, four lunches, and one dinner. Meals are characterized by fresh, seasonal ingredients, prepared in a simple, classic style of Cambodia. Western food is also available during the trip. If you have any specific food requirements (vegetarian, vegan, food allergies), please inform Siem Reaper Travel in advance so that they can provide a notice to the restaurant or hotel where you will be served.

What to eat

The local dishes are among the healthiest in the world. It smells and tastes good and is reminiscent of Thai cuisine, but without the strong seasoning. Because of the shared history, there is also a great closeness to Vietnamese cuisine. The best-known local dish is “Amok“, a fish curry with coconut cream, whereby the fish can also be replaced by chicken. Only drink bottled mineral water that is cheap to buy anywhere. Do not drink tap water!

• Guided cycling days
• All must-see attractions and sightseeing
• 4 nights accommodation
• Quality mountain bike and helmet
• Roundtrip airport transfers
• Daily drinking water and cold towels
• Angkor temple pass
• All land transportation by private air-conditioned vehicles
• The floating village excursion and kayaking
• First aid kits per tour guide

• International and domestic flights
• Visa or visa arrangements
• Personal travel insurance
• Sunscreen, mosquito repellent, hats, and protective clothing
• Personal expenses (drinks, laundry, telephone, tips, etc.)
• Other services not clearly indicated in the package inclusions above

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• A reservation requires a deposit of 20% of the total price.
• The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
• The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.