NEW! This tour is also available with an electric bike (E-Bike).
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The Cardamom Mountains:
Today, the Cardamom Mountains region is the largest wilderness in mainland Southeast Asia, preserving a remarkable number of species that are endangered (and in some cases extinct) elsewhere in the world. However, without proper conservation and protection, this area and its inhabitants are now at the mercy of logging interests and poachers.
The forests are home to clouded leopards, tigers and elephants. If you are patient and have a good eye you might have the chance to spot sun bears, gibbons, and Siamese crocodiles.
Phnom Kulen:
Phnom Kulen is considered by the Khmers to be the most sacred mountain in Cambodia and it is a popular place for local visitors during weekends and festivals. The hill used to be the location of an ancient capital city where the ruler declared himself God King and proclaimed independence from Java in AD 802, thus giving birth to present day Cambodia.
Angkor:
Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. Stretching over some 400 km2, including forested area, Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century.
Day 1 : SIEM REAP (HOTEL)
Arrival in Siem Reap. Meet the guide at the airport and get a transfer to your Hotel. Free to discover the town at your space or enjoy the swimming pool at the Hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap (-,-,-)
Day 2 : SIEM REAP / ANGKOR (Hotel/38 km cycling)
It’s the first of the 2 days where you discover the main temples of Angkor. We cycle from one temple to the other accross the forest on small trails. We finish this first day of botanical and historical observation at the magical Bayon temple. Overnight in Siem Reap (38 km cycling), (B,L.-)
Day 3 : SIEM REAP – BANTEY SREI – PHNOM KULEN (PAGODA/55 km cycling)
On the bikes, departure for Phnom Kulen, the holy mountain of the Khmer. You cycle through country side and villages to enjoy a magical scenic all the way. Visit of the temple Bantey Srei, jewelry of the Khmer art (Xth century). Transfer to the Phnom Kulen mountain with the cycling challenge to climb on top of the mountain. Take a rest and swim at your leisure at the waterfall ,followed by a visit of the sculptured river and the pagoda. We carry on cycling on natural and sandy trails to reach the village where we are going to spend the night. Presentation of the NGO ADF Kulen program and visit of the village at the end of the day.
(75 km cycling on tarmac and laterite roads/+350m) (B,L,D)
Day 4 : PHNOM KULEN – SRAH DUMREI – BENG MEALEA (Home stay/30 km cycling)
Cycling accross the jungle, limestone and high grass land to meet the exceptional site Srah Dumrei which dates from the Xth century with monolithic sandstones of 6 m high, representing elephants and lions. We leave the mountain to be transfered to the still hidden temple in the jungle, called Beng Melea. Visit of the temple. Night spent with the inhabitants in a traditional khmer house. (30 km cycling, level -350 m/+110 m) (B,L,D)
Day 5 : KAMPONG KHLEANG – CHAO SREI VIBOL –SIEM REAP (HOTEL/40 km cycling)
Departure with the bikes along the dike to discover the floating village of Kampong Khleang.
Boat trip to the lacustrian village and the lake. Departure on the laterite road bordering palm trees across the country side. Hamoc picnic on the way . Afternoon, arrival at the lost temple Chao Srei Vibol. Overnight in the Hotel in Siem Reap .(B,L,-)
This program can be modified according to the hydrological conditions.
Day 6 : SIEM REAP (HOTEL/ 30 km cycling)
We cycle to the royal City of Angkor Thom with it’s temple situated in the centre of a big wall . Walking and cycling to reach some still lost temples in the forest.
Night at the Hotel in Siem Reap. (B,L,-)
Day 7 : SIEM REAP – PHNOM PENH (HOTEL/ no cycling)
Departure by public bus to Phnom Penh. Discover the capital with the visit of the National Museum, the Silver Pagoda and Royal Palace. Hotel in Phnom Penh (6h bus) (B,-,-)
Day 8 : PHNOM PENH – CARDAMOM MOUNTAINS (GUESTHOUSE/ 10 km cycling)
Departure with the public bus to the village of Andoung Teuk. With a traditional wooden boat we cruise upriver to the chain of the Cardamom mountains. Discovery of the village Chi Phat and it’s community project. Thereafter, on the bike we ride around the region and finish to watch the sunset. Visit of the plant nursery and plantation of trees given as donation. Night in a guesthouse in the village (4h bus) (B,L,D)
Day 9 : THE CARDAMOM WITH THE MOUNTAIN BIKE (GUEST HOUSE/ 40 km cycling)
Biking on trails through bamboo forest and crossing rivers to discover the mysterious archeological site of the Jarres. We stop at the waterfalls for a swim and explore the cage of the bats. Night in a guesthouse with the inhabitant in Chi Phat (B,L,D)
The excursions in Chi Phat can be modified according to the local conditions (rainy season, broken roads, slippery trails).
Day 10 : CARDAMOM – SIHANOUKVILLE (HOTEL/ no cycling)
At dawn, we navigate with a canoe into the heart of the tropical forest on an affluent of the river to observe wildlife and flora (binoculars and birdwatching guide at disposition). We continue to descend the river to reach Andoung Teuk where the bus is waiting for us. Transfer with privat vehicle to Sihanoukville. Afternoon, we take a swim at the beach. Night in a Hotel near the beach (3h30 bus/2,5h boat trip) (B,-,-).
Day 11 : SIHANOUKVILLE – KAMPOT (BUNGALOWS/ 45 km cycling)
Take a last swim at the beach before leaving for Kampot. Cycling accross the old colonial town of Kampot to discover the salt fields and old colonial buildings. Check-in at the bungalows situated along the river. The rest of the day you are free to relax and swim in this peaceful environment. Night spent in the bungalow. (B,L,-)
Day 12 : KAMPOT (BUNGALOWS/20 km cycling)
We take our bikes to find the villages which are supported by the NGO Samaki. We also visit a school. We take a boat and descend the Kampot river with a Kayak stop at the « green loop ». We discover the local production before going back to the bungalows. (1h kayak, 45 min boat) (B,L,D)
Day 13 : KAMPOT – KOH TONSAY (BUNGALOWS/20 km cycling)
In the morning, we sit on our bikes to head on along the road lined with palmtrees to Kep, a ,small and quiet seaside resort, The local boat brings us to Koh Tonsay, a deserted island with beautiful beaches. Picnic, swimming and « farniente ». We spend the night in basic bungalows on the Island or in a guesthouse in Kampot/Kep, according to the sailing conditions (45 min boat) (B,L,D)
Day 14 : KOH TONSAY – PHNOM PENH (HOTEL)
Back to Phnom Penh with the public bus. Visit of the genocide museum and last shopping in the town markets, especially the Russian market known for the antiquities. Hotel in Phnom Penh. (2.5 h bus/) (B,-,-)
Day 15 : PHNOM PENH – DEPARTURE
Free time to make the last shoppings before the transfer to the International Airport (B,-,-)
END OF SERVICE
During your stay in Siem Reap you will discover the main temples of the short and long circuit of Angkor : Angkor Wat, Bayon, Terraces of the Leper King and Elephants etc…For technical reasons, we might alternate the days whilst keeping the visits as described in the program
Take a bag to gather your toxic waste (batteries, aerosols , batteries, ointment tubes …) to bring them back to your home country where sorting is done well and efficiently.
It is best to consult your doctor before traveling to Cambodia for any health issues.
Travel yes, but sustainable and responsible!
TO AVOID PLASTIC WASTE (WATER BOTTLES) TAKE YOUR OWN GOURD
