Cycling Angkor wat to
Watphou temple
Trip code: DIN-CBKA11 |
ITINERARY
ANGKOR TO PAKSE (11
DAYS)
Day 1: Cycling Small Circuit (25km).jpg)
Depart from the hotel on the main road and cycling through Angkor
pass check point. Cycling through the shady road with a little
pumping because of the a few pot-holes. There you will begin to see
Kravan temple, Banteay Kdei, and stop at the famous Ta Phrom,
embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers.
Visit Ta Phrom (45 minutes-1 hour). It was built in 12th century by
the famous King Jayavarvan VII indicated to his mother. While
clearing back the forest archaeologists decided to leave the
vegetation of Ta Phrom in place to serve as a reminder of how the
original discoverers found it and the other Angkor temples. Many of
the trees have grown around and through the remains and soar high
above the temples. Continue the cycling through small circuit
passing Ta Keo temple, Chao Say Tevoda, Tommanon before reaching to
Angkor Thom city. There you will see, Terrace of Leper King, Terrace
of Elephant, Baphoun, Phimean Akas. Stop at Bayon temple and start
the visit (45 minutes-1 hour). Angkor Thom built by Cambodia's great
king, Jayavarman VII. An eight-meter high wall encloses this ten
square kilometre city, which is encircled by a moat. The famous
Bayon, in the geographical heart of Angkor Thom, is a remarkable 54
tower temple. Initially the temple appears to be a shapeless mass of
grey and brown stone, but it is only as you get closer that you
realize every tower has the carved face of Avalokiteshvara on it.
After the visit, cycle to Angkor Wat to finish the small circuit.
Stop at South Gate of Angkor Thom for taking photo. Access via a
causeway over the moat that are flanked by statues of Gods on the
left and devils on the right. Then visit the magnificent 12th
century Angkor Wat. It is visually, architecturally and artistically
breathtaking. Angkor Wat is a massive three-tiered pyramid crowned
by five beehive-like towers rising 65 meters from ground level.
Suryavarman II constructed Angkor Wat in the form of massive 'temple
mountain' dedicated to the Hindu god, Vishnu. Overnight in Siem
Reap. Meals include: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 2: Banteay Srei, & Kbal Spean (River of Thousand Lingas) 90km.jpg)
Depart from the hotel on the main road. Arrive at Angkor Wat and
turn left to the west. Continue to cycle 2km before turn right to
the rural road. The road is good for cycling as you can avoid the
busy traffic but you can see rice field, village, pagoda. Arrive in
Banteay Srei before lunch. Visit (45 minutes) Banteay Srei temple
known as women citadel (built in 967 A.D dedicated to Brahma). While
some of temple are impressive because of their sheer size, Banteay
Srei stands alone in the quality of its construction and decoration.
Its pink sandstone walls are decorated with what some consider the
best carving of all, and still an excellent state of preservation.
Continue cycling to visit Kbal Spean, the River of Thousands Lingas,
lying under the river bed, people believe it brings fertility and
blessing Angkor area as the river flows to Siem Reap. Walk
1,200meters to visit the Lingas and enjoy lunch and the water fall.
On the way back, cycle on the main road to visit Landmine Museum of
Mr. Akira. Mr. Ra is dedicated to clearing the Cambodian
countryside of landmines laid during the years of conflict and
relies entirely on visitors' donation to fund his work. Overnight in
Siem Reap. Meals include: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Day 3: Siem Reap-Kampong Thom-Sambor Prei Kuk (50km)
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, we begin with a transfer 2 hours to
visit 12 century Naga bridge in Kampong Kdei. After Kampong Kdei, we
drop off and start cycling from the junction to visit pre-Angkorian
temples in Sambor Prei Kuk (615-650). Sambor Prei Kuk was served as
the capital before Angkor period during the Chenla Kingdom. Enjoy
packed lunch under the shade of the big trees and relax on the mat.
After lunch cycle to Kampong Thom town. It is the less visited town
with just a stop over for the tourists who travel between Phnom Penh
to Siem Reap as it is the half way. Dinner and overnight in Kampong
Thom. (B,L,D)
Day 4: Kampong Thom - Kampong Cham (68km).jpg)
After breakfast, transfer 40 minutes to Kampong Thmor where we
starting cycling on the quiet road passing the rubber plantation to
Kampong Cham, the 3rd biggest province in Cambodia. It depends
mainly on the farming, big production of the fruit such as banana,
jack fruit, tobacco and rubber plantation. Visit Phnom Pros and
Phnom Srey and enjoy the picnic lunch from the hill top pagoda.
Afternoon, arrive in Kampong Cham, wander around to see the town
(optional biking to the nearby Koh Pen island). Situated on the
Mekong river, Kampong Cham has a great benefit of the delta to do
the farming. Dinner and overnight in Kampong Cham. (B,L,D)
Day 5: Kampong Cham-Kratie (80km)
After breakfast, cycle to visit Phnom Han Chey. There are some
graves of the victims from the Khmer Rouge regim on beside the hill
of Phnom Han Chey. Enjoy the water stop, local fruit, snack and
drink. Then we board on the local ferry to cross Mekong river at
Steung Trong. This area used to be the Khmer Rouge headquarter in
early 1970s before they took control of Phnom Penh in April 1975.
Lunch and relax on a big shade of the tree. Afternoon, we continue
cycling along this fantastic view of the Mekong river. Then we
transfer on the van to Kratie. If time permits, we board on the boat
and head to see the endangered Irrawady dolphin. Dinner and
overnight in Kratie. (B,L,D)
Day 6: Kratie-Stung Treng (90km)
Breakfast in Kratie. Fill the water and be prepared on the bike. We
cycle to visit Wat Sarsar Moy Roy. After water stop, we turn back to
the main road. Then we cycle a single line, watch out for the
traffic as there are car and truck coming and going. Enjoy packed
lunch on a big shade of the tree and relax on the mat. Afternoon we,
cycle to complete our 90km, then we transfer by van to Stung Treng.
The speciality of local food in Stung Treng is Ngem, the fresh fish
wrapped in banana leaves. Dinner and overnight in Stung Treng. (B,L,D)
Day 7: Stung Treng-Laos border-Don Khone (70km).jpg)
After breakfast, today we cycle to the Laos border. We visit Ou Svay
community. Lunch with local family to experience rural Cambodia at
it most authentic. After lunch we cycle to the border for
immigration process, and say goodbye to our Cambodian driver who
followed us in the supported van. Continue to cycle to Khone water
fall and enjoy the swimming. Dinner and overnight in Don Khone. (B,L,D)
Day 8: Don Khone - 4 Thousand Islands (86km)
Breakfast in Don Khone. Today, we cycle to visit 4 Thousand Islands
known as Si Phan Don in Laos. The 4 Thousand Islands situated on the
Mekong River. Enjoy lunch at the 4 Thousand Island. Make sure we
keep the empty bottle of water and can in the rubbish bin to keep
the environment clean. Afer lunch, we cycle to Don Daeng. Dinner and
overnight in Don Daeng. (B,L,D)
Day 9: Don Daeng - Se Pian National Biodiversity and Conservation
Center (60km) (B,L,D)
Breakfast in Don Daeng. We fill in the water and be ready to get on
the bike to cycle to Se Pian Biodiversity Conservation Center
located near Cambodia border to Rattanakiri province. Visit the
community of the ethnic minority. Enjoy the lunch in the community.
Afternoon, cycle back to Don Daeng. Dinner and overnight in Don
Daeng.
Day 10: Don Daeng - Wat Phou - Pakse (70km) (B,L,D)
After breakfast, cycle along the Mekong river. Have a water stop the
first 20km to enjoy the fresh fruit, snack and drink. Then we
follow the Mekong river and cross the ferry and continue cycling
leaving the Mekong river on the backdrop. There, appear the Wat Phou
temple on the foot of the Champasak hill. It is a 12th century
temple built by a great Khmer King Jayavarman VII. Visit the temple
45 minutes to 1 hour. Afternoon, transfer to Pakse and check in the
hotel. Dinner and overnight in Pakse.
Day 11: Pakse Departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Free until transfer to the airport for
departure flight. (B)
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PRICE INCLUDES:
Ø
Accommodation
based on half twin sharing
Ø
English
Speaking Guide (Cycling )
Ø
All transfers
and land tour with A/C vehicle
Ø All
entrance fees as per program
Ø
Mountain Bike
Ø
Snack during the tour
Ø
Meals as
mentioned in itinerary
Ø Bottle
water
Ø
Mountain Bike
Ø
Snack during the tour
PRICE EXCLUDES:
Ø
Airfares & airport taxes
Ø
Pre/post trip arrangement
Ø
Visa
and visa arrangement
Ø
Travel
insurance
Ø
Personal & other expenses not stated
Hotels
3star
Stung Treng Hotel,
Casa Angkor Hotel
4star
hotel
Prince d'Angkor hotel,
Royal Bay Inn Resort
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