BIKING BANGKOK ANGKOR WAT 9 DAYS, 8 NIGHTS

Summary : Start your 9-day cycling adventure in Thailand, pedaling past scenic coastline. Cross into Cambodia at the Cardamom Mountains riding  dirt roads to Battambang. Cruise through floating villages and discover the ancient Angkor temples.
A cycle tour is undoubtedly the best way to really connect with a country, its people, to experience the tempo of village life, and escape the well trodden tourist trail. For anyone who wants to discover the real Thailand and Cambodia, this is the biking tour you should book!

Tour Itinerary: BIKING BANGKOK - ANGKOR WAT

Day 1: Arrive Bangkok & transfer to Laem Mae Pim Beach

On arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Bangkok, you will be transferred south away from the busy streets of Bangkok to the laidback and beautiful Laem Mae Phim Beach. Here you will have some free time to relax, have lunch and maybe even take a dip in the clear warm waters of the Gulf of Thailand. In the afternoon you will spend some time preparing your bikes and going on a gentle warm up cycle ride through the surrounding countryside, nearby villages and fruit plantations (this region of Thailand is renowned for its exotic fruit). This short bike ride allows you to get to know your fellow cyclists as well as ensuring your bike is working properly. Back at the resort you will enjoy your traditional Thai \'Welcome\' dinner.

Meals included: Dinner
Distance cycled: 30km (19 miles)

Day 2: Cycle from Laem Mae Pim to Chaolao Beach

Get up early as you acclimatize to the weather. The bike ride hugs the coastline as you pass from beach to beach on small local roads that are very quiet to traffic, the seascapes are marvelous. This is an interesting bike route that lets you see the local Thai way of life, as you cycle through local fishing villages, sea food markets and plenty of temples where you can stop for a well earned rest and refreshments. The mangrove swamps and fruit plantations add a diversity to the scenery on this very picturesque of rides. You also take some short ferry crossings which help to save some distance by taking you directly across the estuaries. You finish the bike ride right on the quiet beach of Chaolao. From here it is so easy to take a refreshing dip in the sea before dinner.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch .Dinner
Distance cycled: 80km (50 miles)

Day 3: Cycle from Chaolao Beach to Pong Nam Ron

Today is a big day as you cycle through 110km with some steady climbs near the end. Initially you bike inland and notice the scenery changing from coastline to forests and distant mountains. Again this bicycle ride is on small paved roads that have little traffic and are a joy to cycle on. You are now in Chantaburi Province which is well known for its fruit and you will see and taste plenty as you pass by plantations, forests and lots of small local villages. The last 12km of the ride is on a busier road and this is where the small climbs begin. However, on arrival in Pong Nam Ron the reward is the hotel\'s pool where you can relax with a well earned beer, overlooking the adjacent golf course with a backdrop of forested mountains.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch .Dinner
Distance cycled: 110km

Day 4: Cycle from Pong Nam Ron to Pailin into Cambodia

This morning you head east on less travelled roads, cycling towards the quiet Thai / Cambodian border crossing, nestled in the foothills of the scenic Cardamom mountains. Immediately on crossing the border you will notice the difference in the fortunes of these neighboring countries as you leave the tarmac of Thailand and cycle on the bumpy red dirt roads of Cambodia! It is also very obvious how the concrete homes of Thailand give way to the wood and thatch shacks of Cambodia. After 20km of Cambodian cycling you arrive at the small, dusty town of Pailin, which was once home to both a thriving semi-precious stone mining industry and some former high ranking officials of the expired brutal Khmer Rouge regime.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch .Dinner
Distance cycled: 65km

Day 5: Cycle from Pailin to Battambang

Bike on the tarmac road all the way to the outskirts of Battambang. After a few early climbs the majority of the day is downhill, not that you will obviously notice it as you weave around the large potholes! Initially you cycle through cash-crop plantations such as corn, cassava, and cashew nut, however getting closer to Battambang this changes to the emerald green of endless rice paddies. You cycle through various pleasant small villages made up of wooden shacks and shady trees. Excellent places to stop for a rest and get some real interaction with the curious and friendly locals. About 15km from Battambang you cannot fail to miss the imposing limestone outcrop of Phnom Sampeau with its hilltop pagoda. If you still have excess energy you may choose to climb the 700+ steps and be rewarded with great views of the surrounding countryside. Battambang is a relaxed and laid back town sitting on the banks of the Sangker River and a pleasant place to explore before having dinner.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Distance cycled: 85km

Day 6: Take a Boat from Battambang to Siem Reap

You have an early start as you cycle through the sleepy streets of Battambang to board the boat to Siem Reap. This is arguably the most fascinating river trip in Cambodia and takes around 6 - 7 hours (N.B. When the water levels are low it may not be possible to take the boat trip, and the journey will be made by road). As the river winds its way into the Tonle Sap Lake (South East Asia\'s largest freshwater lake) you pass an amazing variety of landscapes and lives, seemingly unchanged for hundreds of years. As the river joins the Tonle Sap Lake you pass the protected wetland of Prek Toal, regarded as the single most important breeding ground for globally threatened large water birds in South East Asia. After crossing the vast expanse of this inland sea and heading towards Siem Reap port you pass through the floating village of Chong Khneas where we witness an entire bamboo village complete with homes, gas stations, schools, hair dressers, and even karaoke bars floating on water! Once you arrive at the port you get a chance to shake your legs as we cycle the 15km into Siem Reap and to your hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch .Dinner
Distance cycled: 20km

Day 7: Explore the Angkor Temples by bike

On your first morning in Siem Reap we head out to begin our cycle exploration of these incredible temples. Today we will focus on the Small Circuit which features temple greats such as: the pyramid of Takeo, the jungle-clad Ta Prohm, made famous by the Hollywood blockbuster \'Tomb Raider\'; Sras Srang, known as the King\'s bathing pond; and the impressive Royal City of Angkor Thom. You will also bike to other important sites in this immense walled city. After lunch it is time to cycle to the majestic Angkor Wat, the world\'s largest religious building. After returning to the hotel you are free at leisure to experience Siem Reap\'s nightlife which includes many fine restaurants and lively bars.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Distance cycled: 40km

Day 8: Cycle to Banteay Srei Temple

This morning you bike north towards Banteay Srei. This cycle ride is a real delight and your first introduction to the wonderful Cambodian countryside and its friendly villagers. On route we will stop off at a couple of villages to get a closer look at the wooden stilted homes and everyday life. One thing you will notice for sure is large black pots in people\'s gardens containing a thick light brown bubbling mixture - this area is famed for its sugar palm tree sweets, sure to give any cyclist a much needed energy boost! On arrival at Banteay Srei you will be struck by its delicate beauty. It is an elaborately decorated temple, embellished with floral motifs and scenes from the Ramayana, all carved from pink sandstone. You will have lunch at a local restaurant, after which you cycle back towards Siem Reap and depending on the time explore some other temples on the way. This evening you will enjoy a \'Farewell\' dinner and a mesmerizing Apsara dance performance.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch .Dinner
Distance cycled: 80km
Day 9: Bid farewell to Siem Reap
Today you are free to continue your onward travel plans, leaving the home of the mighty Khmer Empire with many wonderful cycling memories.

Meals included: Breakfast
Distance cycled: No