CYCLING ANGKOR WAT TO WATPHOU TEMPLE

Itinerary

ITINERARY IN DETAILS:

DAY 1: CYCLING SMALL CIRCUIT (25KM)

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
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)
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)
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)