Off-Beat Cambodia: Bike, Hike, Kayak

Arrive at the capital city of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, at the edge of the Mekong River. Historical splendors are spread in every corner whether it’s the local palace or the horrific remnants of the Khmer atrocities.

Our guide welcomes you at your hotel post-lunch around 13:00hrs. Today get ready to be immersed in the Cambodian culture and history of the city as we kick off our walking tour from Wat Phnom. Enjoy walking along the Tonle Sap River, considered the lifeline of the region. Continue towards the National Museum, which houses several national treasures from three different eras: Pre-Angkorian, Angkorian, and Post-Angkorian, giving the flavour of diverse culture and architecture. The last leg of our walk takes us to the gilded Royal Palace, shimmering with silver tiles and sculptures of Buddha, which gives an insight into Cambodian Royal Life.

After an informative and visual treat about Cambodian history, it’s time to taste some local Khmer cuisine. End day with a walk or tuk-tuk ride to the hotel.

After a short transfer to the outskirts of Phnom Penh, ride along the Mekong River for a good part, and through a tropical plantation landscape consisting of rubber, cashew, and cotton. Today’s ride takes us through remote bucolic villages, and past beautiful wats and riverside towns.

As we near the provincial capital of Kampong Cham, we traverse onto an island situated in the heart of the Mekong River. From there, we continue our journey by crossing a bamboo bridge (operational from January to June) that is disassembled and reassembled annually to safeguard against being washed away during the Mekong's monsoon currents.

Kampong Cham is a less visited place yet has the charm of a beautiful riverside town.

We continue our journey by bike and cross the Kizuna Bridge over the Mekong River, connecting the city to the eastern regions of Cambodia. We ride on a combination of paved roads and trails that offer scenic river views, passing through local villages where you can observe people engrossed in their daily activities, including cooking, playing, and tending to their cattle.

Following this, we transfer to Kratie and explore the Buddhist meditation center known as "Phnom Sambok," a hill adorned with various tree species labeled with scientific names.

Returning to town, we board a ferry to Koh Trong, where we spend the night with a local homestay family. Approximately 280 families call this 6-kilometer-long island their home. Koh Trong is renowned for cultivating pomelo, one of Cambodia's finest, along with rice and various agricultural products.

For this part of the journey, it's advisable to bring only your backpack, leaving all of your luggage on the bus. Enjoy delectable Cambodian cuisine with your welcoming host family.

After an early morning breakfast, our day begins with an exploration of the island using ox-carts. This journey takes us through traditional Khmer villages, fruit orchards, and rice fields, providing us with a firsthand glimpse of the everyday customs and routines of village life.

Following this, we return to Kratie town via ferry for our lunch.

In the afternoon, we set out on a 21-kilometer drive to the north along the river, reaching Sandan. Here, we'll paddle downstream, navigating through sand islands and a submerged forest, all while enjoying a unique perspective. This perspective includes the opportunity to witness the freshwater Irrawaddy dolphins from your kayak.

We then return to the town where we'll spend the night and indulge in a special dinner at Le Tonle Guest House and Tourism Training Centre. This unique establishment is dedicated to training young locals from disadvantaged backgrounds in the art of hospitality and tourism, offering them a pathway to a brighter future.

Following breakfast, we set out on a 36-km cycling ride to Wat Sorsor Moi Roi, also known as the 100-column Pagoda. This architectural marvel is supported by 108 columns and adorned with vibrant murals. It stands on the grounds where a 19th-century wooden temple once stood; a few remnants of the original structure can still be found at the rear of the compound.

Afterward, we continue our journey for another 26 km, making our way to highway 7. Here, we transition to a van for a convenient transfer to Stung Treng.

After our morning meal, we transfer in a van for about 2hrs, heading to Preah Vihear town. From there, we commence our cycling towards Koh Ker Temple, an ancient site known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, which served as the capital of the Khmer Empire from 921 to 944 CE. Tucked away amidst the dense foliage between the Dangrek and Kulen mountains, Koh Ker Temple has received official recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

To cap off our day, we make our way to Anlong Thom village, where we'll be accommodated in a homestay for the night. Enjoy a hearty dinner with your gracious host and retire for the night in this Cambodian village nestled in the Kulen mountains.

After our morning meal, we make our way to the secluded Preah Kral Pagoda, perched atop the highest point of the monastery, offering breathtaking vistas of the Kulen Mountain plateau. Our hike commences here and leads us to a sacred Bat Cave, a sanctuary where monks and hermits seek solitude for meditation. Continuing our journey on foot, we arrive at Srah Dumrey, also known as Elephant Pond. At this location, imposing statues of elephants and lions stand sentinel at the peak of the majestic Phnom Kulen ridge.

Our hike continues, taking us to Prasat Damrei Krab, the oldest well-preserved temple on Phnom Kulen. From here, we walk approximately 4 kilometers to conclude our hike in Anlong Thom village. Our awaiting vehicle will then transport us to Preah Ang Thom, the residence of the renowned Big Reclining Buddha. A short stroll from this point leads us to the famous River of 1000 Lingas, concealed beneath the riverbed. It is believed that this river bestows fertility and blessings upon the Angkor area as it flows from Kulen to Siem Reap. After a walk of about 800 meters, we'll reach the waterfall, where we can enjoy a refreshing swim beneath the 30-meter high cascade. Following this invigorating experience, we'll be transferred to Siem Reap.

Hiking: 12km

The Angkor temple complex is synonymous with Cambodia, so a ride around the temple is essential. We start riding directly from the hotel and reach the moat of Angkor Wat. Exquisite sculptures, tall towers, and maze-like trails flanked by large banyan roots, you might want to spend ample time photographing as you would have seen nothing like this before. We will loop back to Angkor Wat for a detailed tour at the end of our ride.

Continue riding towards Angkor Thom and enter the city from the South gate. Beat the crowd and climb the surrounding wall of the city and ride on top of it. Take a break here for a rich fascinating account of the city from our guide. A further ride through East gate takes us to Bayon, a richly decorated face temple within the Angkor complex is one of the highlights here. Exit from the second East gate of the city and ride towards jungle-clad TA Prohm. Our guide shares historical anecdotes and walks you through temples along the way.

The Angkor Wat requires more than a morning, so we loop back for a more detailed guided tour. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered one of the largest religious complexes in the world and it’s bound to enthrall you. If time permits, climb Phnom Bakheng for a classic view of Angkor during sunset.

We recommend making a final early morning visit to Angkor and witnessing the magnificent views in the backdrop of sunrise. If you prefer to do, please have a chat with your guide about the same. There may be further entry charges for Angkor that you can pay directly.