Biking Cambodia Tours

As the Cambodian Office has bought 10 new bicycles, we would like to highlight some of the finest routes around Siem Reap that take up to one day of cycling. The distances are limited to a maximum of 50km in one day for the more experienced people but are on average about 20-25km. We make many stops when cycling and meet with local farmers and villagers. If possible, we try to include a visit to a local school or orphanage where people could meet with the local children. Snacks and drinks (cookies, fruit, soft drinks and water) will be brought on the back up vehicle and served every 10km of biking. We have also highlighted some routes in Phnom Penh as we can rent quality bikes there for short trips.

SIEM REAP

 

Roulous Group Temple

A 15km dirt road that is in good condition, leaves Siem Reap nearby the bus station. The route leads through small rural villages green paddy fields (between July and January). In the dry season (between February and June), the sights of the paddy fields are not as appealing. However, the route covers a great deal of interest as on the way stops can be made to see farmers at work, to meet local villagers and visit a local house or visit one of the schools or an orphanage (Chres Orphanage). The trip will be crowned with a visit to Bakong, Lolei and Preah Ko temples from where a car or van will bring people back to town over Highway 6. The flat roads and solid dirt trails are an easy cycle that leads mainly over non shaded roads. There is very limited traffic and mostly only bicycles and motorbikes will pass. Therefore, early morning start is recommended. It is recommended to cycle to Roulous and transfer back to Siem Reap.

Total kms:                         15km (one way)

Total trip time:                  4 hours

Preferred time:                 morning

Level of experience:        beginner

Need to know:                 Angkor pass is needed, wet season some flooding may occur. Possible to link with extra 8km with cycle to Kampong Phluck.

 

Phnom Bok Hill

Located in one of the most beautiful areas that surrounds Siem Reap, Phnom Bok is surrounded by small villages and paddy fields. Between July and January it is a real treat to cycle over the dirt trails that lead to the small hill. The starting point could be Siem Reap and the same route to Roulous can be followed. Road 6 should be crossed and onwards cycling to Phnom Bok from there. A more appealing route would be to enter the Angkor Wat area and cycle over small backroads towards Banteay Samre and onwards to Phnom Bok (a mere 3km from Banteay Samre). Once arrived at the hill, people may opt to climb the stairs and enjoy the view from above (perfect for sunset) or enjoy some drinks at the bottom near the Pagoda. There are some war relics that can be viewed on the way and on top of the mountain, where also a 12th century temple is located. On the way we will visit local villagers and a local school.

Total kms:                         20km

Total trip time:                  4 hours

Preferred time:                 afternoon

Level of experience:        Beginner

Need to know:                 Angkor pass not yet required for Phnom Bok visit. If PAX want to visit Angkor temples, one day pass is required.

 

Wat Athvea and Phnom Kroum Hill

The small temple of Wat Athvea is beautifully located on the way to Phnom Kroum, in a small village with a modern style pagoda next to it. The site currently can be visited with the Angkor Pass. The cycling route leaves Siem Reap and passes Psar Kroum before arriving at Wat Athvea, a stop there of 30min and continue to Phnom Kroum. The route passes the Siem Reap river through small villages over a decent dirtroad. About 5km before Phnom Kroum a unpaved road will be followed that passes the flood plains of the Tonle Sap Lake. Upon arriving at Phnom Kroum, stall the bike and climb up the stairs to the top of the hill to admire the temple atop and a beautiful sunset over the Tonle Sap Lake. Return to Siem Reap after sunset by private transportation or by bike. 

Total kms:                         12km

Total trip time:                  3 hours        

Preferred time:                  Late afternoon (3PM – 6PM)

Level of experience:         Beginner

Need to know:                  Angkor pass is needed.

Angkor Wat and Other Temples

Some people like to take the bicycle to Angkor Wat and combine the visits of the other temples by bicycle, some backroads that crisscross the area. Well experienced guides know their way around and will link some of the most famous temples over small roads to each other and make sure that people visit each temple during a preferable time. The temples to be included are Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm, Angkor Thom and Preah Kahn. Although the total riding distance is limited, the day is very strenuous with temple visits and cycling short distances from one temple to another. There is an option to transfer the first 7km from town to the main entrance of Angkor Wat I stead of cycling that distance.

Total kms:                      18km

Total trip time:               Full day

Preferred time:              start at 8AM

Level of experience:     Beginner

Need to know:               Angkor pas is needed. All roads cycled are mostly shaded. guides will always aim to ride backroads.   

                                          

Banteay Srei Temple

Located 35km from Siem Reap, Banteay Srei can be reached using several backroads. It is recommended to leave early morning to avoid the heat as most routes are non-shaded. The route passes small villages and a mix of paved and dirt roads. Depending on the preference of the client we can cycle quiet new main roads, backroads or the busier main road that leads from Angkor to Banteay Srei. On the way there are possibilities to visit the landmine museum, combine the visit with or Kbal Spean (Thousand lingars river).

Total kms:                        35km

Total trip time:                 5 hours

Preferred time:                early morning (7-8AM)

Level of experience:        Beginner/intermediate

Need to know:                  Angkor pass is needed. There are plenty of stops possible on the way.

 

Beng Mealea Temple

Siem Reap’s most favorite outlaying temple is located 65km away from Siem Reap. There are several ways to get to the temple, including the more appealing but longer way that uses the old logging road and bypasses the Kulen Mountains, a total of 75km. It is possible to drop off or pick up anywhere along the way to reduce the amount of kms to 20-30km for the day. The recommended route is to cycle from Phnom Bok to Beng Mealea, about 30km in total. The route passes mostly paved roads and is for the most part not shaded. The view of paddy fields and local villages are the main attraction. For the diehard bikers using the logging route that goes parallel along the Kulen mountain rang is much recommended. The route is long and uses a road not well maintained but good enough for cycling and offers stunning views of the countryside and the Phnom Kulen landscape. Plenty of stops can be made including picnic lunches.

Total kms:                       20-30km (depending on drop off point) or 75km

Total trip time:                5 hours or full day

Preferred time:                leave REP at 6:00AM

Level of experience:       Beginner/intermediate

Need to know:                 Angkor pass is needed. Picnic lunch at Beng Mealea should be included.

 

Western Baray

An interesting route that is never cycled leaves Siem Reap over backroads starting from Wat Athvea. It leads towards the small village of Puok and passes many rural villages where people are working in the fields and at home processing different kinds of materials. Plenty of stops can be made to learn more about the local industries. Children and cattle will be encountered on many occasions, where the kids will sometimes greet you with much excitement. From Puok a short ride over the main road will lead to the Angkor Silk farm where people can learn anything and everything there is to know about Silk. It is possible to continue to cycle to the Western Baray and even onwards along the Baray to the abandoned west gate of Angkor Thom. Enter Angkor Thom through the abandoned west gate and cycle through the Angkor complex back to Siem Reap. Of course the route can also be ended at the Silk farm or start at the silk farm while people cycle back to Siem Reap.

Total kms:                        22km one way

Total trip time:                 4 hours

Preferred time:                8AM

Level of experience:       Beginner

Need to know:                 The route can be extended up to 50km. No Angkor pass needed.

 

Phnom Kulen

For the real diehards among us, a ride of 45km to the top of Kulen is an absolute challenge. Passing the Angkor area, rural sites, observing green paddy fields and farmers and climbing the hill. The 40km to the base of the mountain is quite a pleasant and easy. From there a shady and tough climb of 5km leads to the top of the hill where a beautiful view awaits, among a new style pagoda, a river with river bed carvings and a wonderful waterfall where you can cool down after your climb up. On top there are also plenty of smaller trails to follow but these are really mountainbike trails and should only be conquered by those with experience. Nevertheless, the route to the top is tough but rewarding as you will be able to spend some relaxing hours in the area exploring different historical and cultural artifacts.

Total kms:                       45km

Total trip time:                Full day

Preferred time:               6:00AM

Level of experience:       intermediate/amateur

Need to know:               There is a USD 20 entrance fee to Phnom Kulen, no Angkor pass is needed. The climb up can also be done by car by leaving the bikes at the foot of the mountain.