Phnom Penh to Angkor Wat along the Mekong

An early start this morning as you leave Kampong Cham on a paved road along the Mekong River toward Wat Hanchey, we cycle up to Wat Hanchey, a small hilltop pagoda that houses an 8th century pre-Angkorian temple and offers spectacular views over the Mekong. We then continue our ride and gradually climbs through shady rubber plantations, paddy fields and typical Khmer Villages which leads to Kampong Thmor where highway 6 starts, from here we transfer to Kampong Thom for lunch. After lunch, drive or cycle a few minutes to your hotel for check in, where you can rest your weary legs.  In the evening, you’ll taken to a local restaurant for dinner.

After breakfast, we will have a beautiful ride to the ancient temple of Sambor Preikuk through the paddy fields and small villages. Sambor Preikuk temple is the lesser visited pre-Angkorian temple complex. Most temples in the complex brick between the years 615 and 650. Cycle through these magnificent ruins, which are connected by shady dirt paths. Stop for lunch at a local community.

After lunch, we transfer 2 hours to Tonle Sap, the largest in South East Asia, where you will have the opportunity to learn about life on the lake. Board a local boat and visit the village of Chong Khneas, witnessing the residents going about their daily life. It is quite a sight to see a whole bamboo village complete with homes, petrol stations, schools, hair dressers and even karaoke bars, floating on a lake. We then transfer to your hotel.

(Note: Due to low water levels during the dry season, the boat trip is only possible from July to March)

You may choose to rise early today to catch the awesome sight of the sun rising behind Angkor Wat’s five carved towers, then return to the hotel for breakfast.

After breakfast, we cycle to the main circuit road and just as we enter Angkor Thom, we leave the road and spend the rest of the day on charming, quiet trails through these majestic structures. We visit The Bayon, famous for its serene faces, we continue to Baphoun and Phmeanakas then the Elephant Terrace and Terrace of Leper King. We then continue to our ride to Ta Prohm, made famous by the Hollywood blockbuster “Tomb Raider,” and Srah Srang.

After lunch it is time to take on the majestic Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious building. After being initially inspired by its overall size you will explore in more detail, getting up close to fully appreciate its architecture and intricately detailed bas reliefs. The evening is free to explore Siem Reap’s eclectic mix of restaurants and bars.