Cycling Cambodia

Upon arrival at Phnom Penh Airport, make your own way to the hotel. We recommend arriving before 11:00 to allow time to settle in and join the afternoon activities.

At around 14:30, your guide will meet the group in the hotel lobby to begin an afternoon tour of Phnom Penh by local tuk tuk – an engaging way to experience the city's vibrant contrasts. You'll visit sites rarely seen by tourists, offering a unique glimpse into Phnom Penh’s culture, history and daily life. Highlights include hidden temples, local markets, architectural landmarks, cultural institutes with private short film screenings, and even a visit to a fortune teller along the riverside.

In the evening, we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, where your guide will introduce the cycling tour ahead.

Phnom Penh - Kampong Cham. After an early breakfast, we depart the hotel at 07:30 to begin our Cambodian cycling journey. Meet your driver and cycling guide before transferring to Diamond Island, where we’ll take a ferry across the Mekong River.

Once on the eastern bank, we travel a short distance to a local weaving house to learn about the traditional silk-making process used to craft the distinctive Cambodian krama scarves.

We then continue to our cycling starting point and begin pedalling along the Mekong, passing through vibrant villages and observing the rhythm of daily life along the riverbanks.

Following lunch, we resume our ride and take a second ferry crossing before continuing on to Kampong Cham – our destination for the night.

Distance and duration of cycling: 60 to 90 kilometres / 4 to 7 hours
Difference in elevation: Less than 150 metres
Terrain: Mainly paved road with some off road trails crossing local villages along the Mekong River

Kampong Cham - Sambor Prei Kuk - Kampong Thom. After an early breakfast, we depart the hotel at 07:30 and set off towards Kampong Thom – home to the remarkable Sambor Prei Kuk archaeological site, recently recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This extensive complex spans 25 square kilometres and includes a walled city centre along with numerous temples dating from the 6th to 9th centuries, including ten rare octagonal structures unique in Southeast Asia.

We’ll cycle along dirt tracks through rural villages, rice paddies and plantations, with opportunities to stop at roadside stalls and sample seasonal Cambodian fruits and local snacks. After lunch, we reach Sambor Prei Kuk, where we’ll ride through wild, jungle-clad surroundings and explore the ancient temple ruins by bike. We then continue to Kampong Thom by vehicle or bike, depending on your preference.

Distance and duration of cycling: 60 to 80 kilometres / 4 to 6 hours
Difference in elevation: + 150 metres
Terrain: Flat dirt roads, paved road last 5 kilometres

Kampong Thom - Siem Reap. Today’s ride takes us to Beng Mealea – a once-forgotten temple now reclaimed from the forest. Built in the 12th century by Suryavarman II, the architect of Angkor Wat, this temple mirrors its more famous counterpart in layout, though it has been left largely unrestored and overgrown. We begin by exploring the surrounding hidden temples before concluding our visit at Beng Mealea itself.

Afterwards, we continue cycling south along a countryside trail, passing through traditional villages, palm-lined roads and expansive rice fields. We’ll stop for lunch at Troav Kot Lake before riding on to Siem Reap – our final destination.

Distance and duration of cycling: 65 kilometres / 4 hours
Difference in elevation: +105 metres / -67 metres
Terrain: Dirt and sandy roads, paved road last 6 kilometres

We depart early, around 05:00, to witness sunrise over the iconic Angkor Wat. After exploring the site in the early morning light, we head to the starting point of today’s cycling adventure.

We begin at the impressive South Gate of Angkor Thom – once the grand capital of the Khmer Empire – and continue by bike to the heart of the complex to visit Bayon Temple. Known for its 54 serene stone faces, Bayon is one of the most striking temples in the archaeological park. You’ll then have time to explore more of the ancient city at your own pace, including the Elephant Terrace and several jungle-shrouded temples. From here, we follow an off-road trail to Preah Khan – the “Sacred Sword Temple” – and Ta Prohm, famously known as the “Tomb Raider Temple”, where giant tree roots entwine with the ruins in a dramatic display.

We continue on to Srah Srang, the ancient royal reservoir, where we pause to enjoy the tranquil view before returning to the hotel.

Distance and duration of cycling: 40 kilometres / 4 hours (full-day activity including temple visits)
Difference in elevation: Less than 150 metres
Terrain: Mostly narrow jungle off-road trails, some sections on paved road

After transferring to the starting point, we begin cycling along an unpaved road through peaceful rural villages, flanked by rice paddies and palm trees. Traditional wooden houses with flourishing vegetable gardens line the route, offering a glimpse into everyday life. Along the way, you’ll notice betel fruit – a culturally significant crop – being harvested and dried in front of local homes.

Our ride continues to the boat pier at Kompong Kleang, one of the largest floating villages on the Tonle Sap Lake. Before boarding the boat, we’ll stop at a local stilted house for a picnic lunch, surrounded by the distinctive scenery and atmosphere of this remarkable community.

After lunch, we set off by boat to explore the village and the vast Tonle Sap. As the canal opens out onto the lake, the sheer scale of this inland sea becomes apparent, with the horizon seemingly endless. During the dry season, a short walk through the village offers a chance to meet locals before the cruise. We return to Siem Reap in the afternoon.

Distance and duration of cycling: 50 kilometres / 5 hours
Difference in elevation: Less than 150 metres
Terrain: Mainly off-road with countryside trails, last part paved road to access the town

Our tour comes to an end today. Enjoy a final breakfast and check out by 12:00 - make your own way to the airport for your onward flight.