Explore on two wheels as you venture back in time through the majestic temples of Angkor, past the stilted houses of Tonle Sap and lesser known Kampong Phluk and through rural villages still retaining their traditional ways of life.
Learn of the mighty Khmer Empire as you hike the holy Mount Kulen and are rewarded with sweeping views over the Angkor plains. Share a smile with the enigmatic faces of the Bayon Temple before getting your Indiana Jones on and climbing though the jungle strangled ruins of Ta Prohm.
Welcome to Cambodia! Upon arrival in Siem Reap, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Siem Reap, located just 7 kilometres from Angkor is the ancient seat of the Khmer Empire and the largest pre-industrial city in the world.
Enjoy the rest of your day relaxing or exploring Siem Reap at your own pace. You’ll find plenty of restaurants, cafes, handicraft shops and some lively nightlife, along with the usual crowd of touts and travellers.
For dinner, you’ll sample local Khmer cuisine at the Malis Restaurant. (D)
3 nights at The Frangipani Villa Hotel & Spa or similar
Spend all day exploring the beautiful Angkor temples by bicycle. First, you will take scenic back roads through the rural Cambodian countryside to Ta Prom Temple. Caught in the slow process of being swallowed by the jungle, the tree-and-vine choked towers of Ta Prohm make it one of the most atmospheric temples in Angkor.
Next, you will head to the many-faced edifice of Bayon temple located in the centre of the ancient city of Angkor Thom. This perfectly square, 9-kilometre-by-9-kilometre city is an astounding relic of Khmer stonework. To get there, we’ll cycle along a forest road, passing the 12th-century Hindu temple Thommanon on the way. Enter Bayon by the North Gate of Angkor Thom, then cycle along the wall to Bayon temple.
After working up a healthy appetite, tuck into lunch at the home of a local family who will prepare a traditional Khmer meal. After lunch, saddle up again for a ride to Angkor Wat, the most famous Angkorian temple. Angkor Wat was built by several generations of Khmer engineers and labourers in the 12th century, evolving over the years from a Hindu place of worship to a Buddhist one. The temple is so beloved by the Khmer people and so symbolic of the Khmer spirit and culture that its distinctive silhouette is on the Cambodian flag. It’s the only building in the world to be featured on a national flag. Transfer by van back to the hotel.
Tonight is yours to explore or relax. To get away from the hustle and bustle, go for a quiet walk along the Siem Reap River or take a remork (a Cambodian tuk tuk) to the Angkor Silk Farm 20 minutes outside of town. (B,L)
Cycling Distance: 40 km of dirt road
Today explore Siem Reap and its verdant surroundings by bike and by foot. After breakfast, embark on a 36 kilometre ride to Kulen Mountain, a holy and historical site where King Jayavarman II proclaimed independence from the kingdom of Java in 802 CE and founded the first Khmer state. The mountain became the first capital of the Khmer Empire. Ride on quiet forest paths and dirt roads edged by rice paddies and cashew plantations. Along the way, pass the hilltop temple of Phnom Bok.
Rattanak Tey Pagoda at the base of Mount Kulen is where you will drop off your bikes and continue your ascent on foot. After 88 steps, stop for a short break in the shade of Preah Chup, where you’ll encounter 16th-century Buddhist statues. Continue for four more kilometres, crossing the “River of 1,000 Linga” (divine phallic figures), to arrive at the temple of Pres Ang Thom, which houses a startling, 17-metre-long reclining Buddha.
After you’ve explored the ruins of Pres Ang Thom and drink in the spectacular views over the forest canopy, enjoy a picnic lunch by a rushing waterfall. Feel free to wade into the cool water or to jump right in for a dip. After you’re sated and refreshed, hike back to the pagoda where a car will be waiting to transfer you back to Siem Reap. (B,L)
Cycling Distance: 50 km on dirt roads
Hiking: 2 hours
After breakfast, explore a different, watery side of rural Cambodia with a cycling trip to the floating village of Kampong Phluk, pedaling down the back roads you will see a different side of life of the local people living in this area. We will make a stop at the fascinating Bakong Temple before arriving at Kampong Phluk where you will board a boat and head out to the Tonle Sap Lake to appreciate the vastness of this huge body of water. Take a small boat through the magical sunken forest. You experienced guide will be able to explain the highlights to you. Transfer back to your hotel by minivan.
In the afternoon, we’ll wish you safe onward journey and transfer you to Siem Reap International Airport for your departure flight. (B,L)
Cycling distance: Approximately 13 km of flat country road
Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start your planning offline!
**Please note that this tour can be organised on request for private departures.
* Pricing is subject to change at anytime until full payment has been received.
* A minimum of 2 adults is required to guarantee this departure.
A non-refundable deposit of $1000 AUD per person is required to secure your place. Final payment is due no later than 60 days prior to departure. Travel insurance is mandatory for travelling with Crooked Compass. For full terms and conditions, please click here.
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This category of tours involves light trekking, walking, cycling, rafting or kayaking for a few hours each day with a small amount of inclines and declines. You will require a reasonable level of fitness and good health to participate. It is important to note that due to the nature of some of our trips, they may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and can involve long travelling days on various modes of transport.
Suggested preparation : At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake aerobic exercise (this may include jogging, cycling or fast walking) for 30 minutes, three times a week. It is also advised to walk on variable terrain and in variable weather conditions. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week is recommended and for adventures which involve paddling and kayaking, it is important to gain confidence and rhythm rather than speed prior to departure.
This category of tours involve trekking, kayaking and cycling for period of 6 to 8 hours a day at a fairly consistent pace. Ideal for people looking to slightly increase the heart rate. For our moderately rated tours, you must have a good level of fitness and also be in good health. It is also important to be prepared for variable weather conditions. Altitude may also come into play. This category of tours may involve visiting remote areas where facilities can be quite basic. Accommodation may also involve camping, homestays or basic accommodation where facilities may not be considered of western standards. To enjoy this style of travel, it is suggested for travellers to have a reasonable level of fitness and health, a positive attitude, as well as a fairly active lifestyle. An open mind is also required.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 months prior to departure, it is recommended that you undertake 45mins – 1 hour of aerobic exercise, three to four times a week. Some potential exercises that could be beneficial include hill walking with a backpack on over variable terrain and weather conditions, as well as running and cycling dependent on the activity you plan on undertaking.
This category of tours involves trekking, kayaking, cycling or other adventure activities in remote areas for up to 8 to 10 hours a day. It is important to note that with the remoteness of some regions comes a variety of other challenges such as variable weather conditions, accommodation as well as facilities. You must have an excellent level of fitness and good health to be able to partake in this category of tour. You must have confidence in your own ability and be in good physical condition. Includes extended periods of endurance.
Suggested preparation: At least 3 to 4 months of strenuous exercise, four times a week. When preparing for treks it would be beneficial to participate in hill walks with a weighted day pack (approximately 5-8 kg) once a week for aerobic fitness and strengthening of leg muscles. It is also important to do this on variable terrain to prepare for challenging adventures. When preparing for cycling adventures, regular bike riding (at least 4 to 5 times a week for 1-4 hours is essential). It is also important to cycle on uneven surfaces or even participate in other aerobic exercises such as running or swimming to build up strength and stamina. Altitude may also be a factor in these tours.
This category of tour often involves extreme trekking, cycling or other extreme adventure activities. It is important to expect remote and poorly defined tracks and to be prepared for variable weather conditions for 10 to 12 hours per day (may sometimes be more depending on weather and altitude). These adventures are suitable for travellers who have prior experience in strenuous travel and activities, are extremely fit and have excellent health. It is also important to note that some of the terrain on these adventures will involve trekking in snow, at high attitude levels and may require technical equipment.
Suggested preparation: It is important to note that physical fitness should be an ongoing activity, commencing around 5-6 months prior to departure, or even before if you have no prior fitness. Exercise should focus on building maximum endurance and stamina. Four to five hard sessions of 40-60 mins per week should be completed and can include exercises such as going to the gym, running, swimming or cycling to focus on building aerobic stamina. It could also be beneficial to prepare by hiking on rough terrain, in extreme weather conditions or partake in altitude training.
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