Cycling Bangkok to Siem Reap

Upon arrival Bangkok International Airport, our Thailand travel guide and driver will welcome you then provide transport to the hotel for check in, refreshment and a brief discussion on tour program. The rest of day is free at leisure, you could explore Bangkok on your own or check the bike and prepare for the following days’ cycle.

Have dinner and meet with other members of team at a local restaurant. Overnight in Bangkok hotel.

Meet up with the guides and take a transfer to Pattaya, our starting point today. Pattaya is a popular tourist destination in Thailand for both Thais and foreigners. After a local, traditional Thai lunch, we will jump on the bikes and start our first ride from Pattaya to Rayong city which used to be US marine base, now boom with night life activities. We will ride on coastline road for the first 25 km.

On the way, we will stop to visit Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden, the largest botanical garden in Southeast Asia. This vast garden are set in an area of around 600 acres. Here, you could discover a wide variety of flora and other species of plants from all over the world. Afterwards, we continue to proceed toward Rayong. We arrive in Rayong city in the late afternoon.

Have dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Rayong hotel.

Today, we will start early with a transfer from your hotel to Pak Nam Prasae. Upon arrival, fit out the bikes and cycle on the scenic, coast road to Khung Wiman Bay. This road is maybe the most bicycle-friendly part of Thailand with little traffic and good scenery of fruit orchards and rubber plantations locate at the foothill and beautiful beaches on the other side. The sea is fringed by casuarinas trees and mangrove swamps with safe, clean beaches. Along the way, we stop and pay visit to small coastal fishing villages and talk to local people, see how they earn their livings.

We also stop for a walk along a trail through the mangrove forest at Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Center, one of the most successful forest restoration project of Thailand. As the region’s beaches face west, the sun sets directly into the sea, making the beaches are the perfect place to relax and watch the sunset. Afterwards, we jump back on the bikes and pedal to the beach resort at Chaolao Beach. Overnight in Chanthaburi hotel.

This morning, we will take a transfer (65km) to Pong Nam Ron Dist, notice the scenery changing from coastline to forests and distant mountains. Upon arrival, we will start cycling towards the quiet Thai – Cambodian border, nestled in the foothills of the scenic Cardamom mountains. Have lunch at a local restaurant and say “goodbye” to the Thailand team for your onward journey to Cambodia.

Do immigration process and cross the border to Cambodia side border, where your Cambodia travel guide and driver will be waiting. After changing bikes and shifting gear, we will cycle 20km through to the small town of Pailin which is located on the foothills of the scenic Cardamom mountains. During the 1980s and 1990s, Pailin used to be Khmer Rouge’s major strongpoint and resource centre. The town is also home to some of the former Khmer Rouge leaders who are now in jail while awaiting for international tribunal. In addition to its more infamous history, Pailin is well known for its ruby and gem mines, as well as its local temples and natural beauty.

Overnight in Pailin hotel.

Today, we will cycle towards Battambang, second most populous city and one of most popular tourist destination in Cambodia. After getting out of Pailin town, we will ride up and down few hills on the way which is covered by mango orchards, corn fields, cassava plantations and cashew nut farms. When we get closer to Battambang, we would see the stunning view of endless rice paddies. You could witness some cows crossing the road, please slow down and wait for your turn.

On the way, we pass through various pleasant small villages made up of wooden shacks and shady trees. It is a great place to stop for a break and interact with friendly locals. We will stop for lunch at Wat Phnom Sampeau which lies 11 km southwest of Battambang town. After lunch, we will take a soft trek of hiking to the top of hill. Here, you will have a fantastic view over the typical landscape of paddy fields and sugar palm trees.

Arrive in Battambang in the afternoon. Battambang has recently re-opened to the outside world and the facilities have been improved to make Battambang become a great base for visitors. It is popular with tourists because of its ancient temples, colonial French buildings. Overnight in Battambang hotel.

After early breakfast, we will cycle around the peaceful Battambang town in the early morning. Then we head to pier to embark on a private boat then take a stunning trip (6 to 7 hours) through Sangker River and Tonle Sap Lake towards Siem Reap. As Sangker river joins the Tonle Sap Lake, we will pass the protected wetland of Prek Toal which is the last significant breeding stronghold in Southeast Asia for many globally threatened and near-threatened large waterbirds species. We also pass through Chong Khneas floating village where we witness floating schools, police stations, houses, shops ect. Depend on water levels and current, this floating village moves from place to place. Once arrive at the port, we will cycle another 15km to your hotel in Siem Reap. Overnight in Siem Reap hotel.

*** Note: In dry season (from January to June) when the water levels are low it may not be possible to take the boat trip. We will take a transfer to Krong Serei Saophoan. Then we ride to Siem Reap which is 104 km far from Serei Saophoan city.

We will take journey through the jungle temples of Angkor, today. Ride to Angkor complex and take a visit to the ancient city of Angkor Thom, the last capital and most enduring of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. Pass through the imposing South Gate, an impressive stone gate carved with elephants and four giant faces. Our first destination is the inspirational Bayon Temple which locates at the heart of Angkor Thom. This 12th century is well known for its impressive giant faces carvings and wonderful wall carvings telling the story of historical battles. Then we continue visiting the Elephant Terrace and the Terrace of the Leper King. It would be great experience to keep walking through the maze and observing their wonderful, fabulous, intricate sculptures. From Angkor Thom, we proceed to jungle-entwined temple of Ta Prohm, built about late 12th century to early 13th century by the King Jayavarman VII. After that, we head back to the town for lunch and refreshment.

In the afternoon, we will ride back to visit the famous temples of Angkor Wat which was built in the early 12th century by the Khmer King Suryavarman II and was originally constructed as a Hindu temple to dedicate to god Vishnu. It was constructed following the model of the temple mountain symbolizing the Mount Meru, home of the gods. At the end of the 12th century, it was transformed into a Buddhist temple. Inside the temple, we will see the walls are covered with stone carvings and bas-reliefs depicting Hindu mythology, the wars Suryavarman II fought during his reign and more than 2000 images of Apsaras and Devatas decorating the temple.

In the late afternoon, we will take a visit to Phnom Bakheng, a Hindu and Buddhist temple in the form of a temple mountain which is dedicated to Shiva. Phnom Bakheng is also well known as one of best place to watch sunset in Angkor Wat complex. Enjoy the panoramic view of surrounding countryside and the beautiful sunset over the forest. Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap.

This morning, we will ride towards the “jewel of Khmer art” the beautiful temple of Banteay Srei which is 25 km north-east of the Angkor main group temples. Banteay Srei means “Citadel of the Women”, it is the finest examples of classical Khmer art with wonderfully well preserved wall carvings and towers which are decorated with male and female divinities and beautiful filigree relief work. The temple was built in AD 967 and was a Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva.

After the visit, we will cycle back to Siem Reap town. On the way, we will stop at a couple of local community to interact with the villagers and learn about the way of life. Our guide will help you to better understand the local culture. Here you also witness the process of making Cambodia traditional rice paper and taste Palm Wine and Palm Sugar, which are specialty produce in Siem Reap. You will have lunch at a local restaurant. If the time permits, we will explore some other temples on the way.

In the everning, enjoy your delicious “farewell” dinner while watching the delightful traditional Khmer dance show at Angkor Village Apsara Theater. Overnight in Siem Reap hotel.

Free at leisure until your driver come to pick up you at your hotel then provide transfer to Siem Reap Airport for your onward flight. Goodbye and have a safe onward journey!