Angkor Cycling Adventure

The tour is 5 days long with 4 cycling days.

Meals are characterized by fresh, seasonal ingredients and are prepared in a simple, classic style of Cambodia. Western food is also available during the trip.

The local dishes are among the healthiest in the world. It smells and tastes good and is reminiscent of Thai cuisine, but without the strong seasoning. Because of the shared history, there is also a great closeness to Vietnamese cuisine.

The best-known local dish is “Amok“, a fish curry with coconut cream, whereby the fish can also be replaced by chicken.

Only drink bottled mineral water that is cheap to buy anywhere. Do not drink tap water!

Dietary requirements
If you have any specific food requirements (vegetarian, vegan, food allergies), please inform us in advance so that we can provide a notice to the restaurant or hotel where you will be served.

This trip is rated Activity Level “Moderate” and it involves moderate physical activity and is suitable for those with an intermediate level of fitness. It will be a great opportunity to explore the area while challenging yourself with some adventurous activities.

On this trip, you cycle approx. 165 km (103 miles) over five cycling days, and riders are expected to cover an average distance of 40–45 km (25–28 miles) per day. This is an excellent way to explore the area in a sustainable and healthy manner while also taking part in a meaningful experience.

The terrain is remarkably flat which allows us to cycle on a range of surfaces, including tarmac roads and dirt tracks. This combination allows for a more varied cycling experience whilst also keeping the level of difficulty manageable.

It is strongly recommended that you ride a mountain bike for trips that involve asphalt, dirt, and backroads, some of which are sandy and rocky.

If you are much more comfortable with your own stuff, we highly suggest bringing items such as pedals, saddles, helmets, and water bottles. Our mechanic will make adjustments to your bikes and personal belongings.

It is recommended that you wear a helmet on all biking adventures. This is non-negotiable. If you do not wear a helmet, you will not be allowed to cycle. Your tour guide is trained in first aid and emergency rescue, but to a large degree, you must be responsible for your own safety while riding.

Visitors to Cambodia require a passport to enter the country, and all travelers must hold a passport with validity for 6 months after their planned exit from Cambodia.

Citizens of the UK, EU countries, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, and almost all other nationalities will require a visa to visit Cambodia. Non-UK residents should check with the Cambodian Embassy in their country of residence for the most up-to-date information. Most nationalities can get a visa on arrival at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap international airports without prior registration. A visa is issued on arrival for most nationalities for US $30/pax, and the visa has a one-month validity. You need to pay in cash and in US dollars and provide two recent, identical passport photographs.

Read more about applying for an electronic visa here:  www.evisa.gov.kh

Cambodia is located in the tropical climate zone, in which neither the temperatures nor the hours of sunshine show great variations over the course of the year. Due to the tropical monsoons in Cambodia, a distinction is made between a dry season and a rainy season, and each of these seasons has its own charm.

The dry season runs from October to April and is the time to visit the coastal towns of Cambodia or the tropical islands. The temperatures are warm and comfortable during this time of year, and there are long periods of sunshine. Although it is relatively dry during this time, individual showers can occur.

The rainy season runs from May to September and is ideally suited to experiencing Cambodia’s nature in a particularly green and lush way. The warm temperatures remain unchanged, while the rain ensures high humidity. There is a lot of rainfall, especially in the last months of the rainy season. For the entire time, however, the rain falls in short downpours.

While Cambodia can be visited year-round, it is important to note that small country roads that may pass through the more remote areas, e.g., the province of Mondulkiri, are impassable during the last two months of the rainy season.

The currency of Cambodia is called “Riel”, and there is, however, no need to change the currency into riel as US dollars are accepted everywhere. Please kindly note that ripped, torn, or old bills will not be accepted.

ATM machines are available in the main cities across the country, mostly in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh. Banks are open Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM and on Saturday morning until 12:00 PM.

Most hotels and restaurants in the major cities will charge US dollars, but for other currencies, it is advisable to visit a bank. Traveler’s checks can be exchanged at banks and some hotels, but they are not usable outside of major cities.

We would highly recommend using a Visa or Master Card, as they are now accepted in many hotels, restaurants, and shops in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. If you wish to travel in a local taxi or Tuk-Tuk, make sure to have the right amount of cash and change with you, as the drivers are unlikely to keep a lot of cash with them.

Allow $20 per day for basic living expenses (drinks, meals, etc). A bottle of local beer will set you back roughly $1, a two-course lunch will set you back $7, and a two-course dinner would set you back $10.

It is interesting to get to know foreign customs and traditions, but respect is required. Below, we’ll give you a few tips on how you can move around the country without causing offense.

- Don’t show any anger! Venturing out anger by speaking loudly or in a rude manner is perceived as extremely impolite. According to the Cambodian view, anyone who is yelled at loses face.
- Public expressions of love (kissing, holding hands, etc.) are perceived as offensive. You rarely see couples holding hands here, whereas you see it often with friends.
- When entering a house, you usually have to take off your shoes. When in doubt, follow the example of others.
- Locals bow slightly to greet them, bend their arms and hold the palms of their hands together, with the younger ones’ first greeting. With foreigners (especially in business life), a handshake is accepted.
- Do not touch children by the head, as this is said to bring bad luck. This is not a problem for the arms and shoulders.
- Use both hands or just your right hand, never just your left hand, to hand over or receive things.
- Inappropriate clothing (shorts, short skirts, tank tops, skimpy tops, etc.) should be avoided in sacred places and in the countryside.
- When entering a monastery, the headgear may have to be removed and the shoes are taken off.
- Do not point your finger at people or Buddha images.
- If you sit in front of a Buddha altar (Dai), you must not point to it with your feet.
- A female person is allowed to give something to a monk but never to touch him.

Please note: the central tower of the Angkor Wat complex is closed to tourists on Buddhist holidays.

Meals are included as per the itinerary that we have mentioned. Most meals are local and feature noodles, rice, curries, and soups.

While traveling with us, you will have the opportunity to not just experience the wide variety of wonderful food available in Cambodia but also get to try some of it too. Your guide will be able to suggest some great restaurants for you to try during your trip.

If you have any specific food requirements (vegetarian, vegan, or food allergies), please inform us in advance so that we can provide a notice to the restaurant or hotel where you will be served.

Drinks

Keeping you hydrated is one of the most important parts of our tours. We provide cold water, as well as local fruit and soft drinks to keep you energized and refreshed during your trip. Beers and alcoholic drinks are freely available everywhere but are not included in the price.

The tour is organized and run to ensure that it has minimum impact on the environment and a positive impact on the local communities and cultures operating in. The Tour Operator was founded not only to provide memorable and meaningful travel experiences for guests but also to build a sustainable adventure-travel business that supports the local communities. They aim to support all of their local communities, whether it be through unique educational tours, visits to nature preserves and wildlife sanctuaries, or by purchasing locally grown produce from farms in the region.