Sandwiched between Thailand and Vietnam, Cambodia is a melting pot of South East Asian culture, scenery and cuisine. The local people are friendly, happy and gentle. Having struggled through years of bloodshed, poverty and political instability they have a seemingly unbreakable spirit, infectious optimism and they have prevailed with their smiles intact. Cambodia is one of those places that you come away from full of admiration and affection for the people.
In Cambodia we set out to create a ‘laid-back’ cycle tour with predominantly flat riding, laced with loads of interesting things to see and do and finishing each day with tasty food and great accommodation. Our tour begins in Siem Reap in the north and as we wind our way south we get all that and more. We explore the famous Angkor Wat temples by bike, check out floating villages, ride a bamboo train on abandoned train tracks and bike through a time-less landscape of dazzling rice paddies and swaying palms.
Electric bikes and pedal bikes are available to hire for this cycle tour!
Start: Cambodia, Siem Reap
Finish: Cambodia, Phnom Penh
The biking was excellent. The primary challenge was provided by the conditions (30 degrees, high humidity, no breeze, rough roads). Riding generally provided the main source of cooling by creating our own breeze in riding through the otherwise still air. The riding itself was primarily on flat to almost flat surfaces apart from road imperfections such as generally rough unmade roads and numerous potholes. These added to the enjoyment of the tour. The cycles were perfectly well suited for the conditions, and full credit is due to the tour guides Leigh and Ian (including their highly competent Cambodian on-road assistant Thy) for their exceptional bicycle maintenance skills.
What experiences will I remember the most? Touring through the rural ‘back blocks’ including the villages visited and passed through. The use of the land across the rural countryside and the associated activity/lifestyles of the rural population. (This includes all of the cottage industry activities visited, and the basic equipment used by the people generally for generations.). The riding on back rural roads, including the condition of the mainly unsealed roads, was a significant contribution to this experience. I enjoyed the cheerful disposition of the village/rural people. Our riding group appeared to be a great attraction (especially to the abundance of young children) as we passed through the villages and past the fields and lake shores. I certainly remember the heat and humidity – a temperature generally several degrees lower would have been preferred. The on-water stop-offs were memorable (including stilted villages, young children boating solo to schools. fish catching and processing, wide variety of boats types, and organized mangrove planting). As a person who prefers rural over city environments, I considered that an excellent balance was achieved across the two environments. Go for it!
Another great trip with Escape Adventures (my fourth). Although this was hot and humid, the trip was planned well around this, with shorter rides and early starts. I felt like I got a good sense of the country beyond the usual tourist trail whilst also hitting tourist highlights. Well informed helpful guides both local and NZ, scrummy food and excellent company- what a great holiday!
One of the absolute highlights of my life was my Escape Adventures Cambodia tour in 2019. Extremely professional, great communication leading up to the tour and everything throughout the tour exceeded my expectations. Each day was fill of great company, fantastic riding, friendly locals, delicious food and all supported by an amazing team of tour guides and local guides. Can’t wait to do Cape2Cape Aotearoa with Escape in 2021.
Lyn Moore
Solo Traveller
This trip was wonderful. A great combination of rural scenery, meeting the locals, seeing life as it really is, wonderful camaraderie and sheer good fun. A chance to see the country and its gracious people “in the raw”. The organisation by our brilliant trip leaders Leigh & John, (ably assisted by Thy and his helpers) made everything run smoothly. Any unexpected changes were taken in their stride to ensure that we all had a wonderful experience. I was super-impressed by The Escape Team’s awareness of the local environment and their efforts to ensure we had minimal impact by hopefully ” leaving tyre marks only” but also the efforts made to support the local small industries etc as we cycled our way through the country. I would unreservedly recommend Escape Adventures as the “way to go” for your cycling trip anywhere you have a yearning to venture!
“A Fabulous Trip”
Thank you Escape for a fabulous trip. With you, we experience the heart and soul of Cambodia. Seen it, smelt it, tasted it.
