15 days
From US $3,695
Cambodia to Laos Bike Tour
This tour promises an unforgettable adventure, combining the best of both worlds in Northern Cambodia and Southern Laos. From the ancient wonders of Angkor in Siem Reap to the tranquil landscapes of Pakse, immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of cultures and landscapes that define this region. Cycle through picturesque countryside, dotted with charming villages and lush forests, and uncover hidden gems along the way. Explore the majestic temples of Angkor, witness breathtaking waterfalls, and journey through the heart of Laos' coffee-growing region, the Bolaven Plateau.
Siem Reap | 14:00hrs
Pakse
casual
easy to moderate
60km or 37mi
Min. 2, Max. 14
REP
PKZ
Highlights
Itinerary
Brief Itinerary
Day | Place | casual Inns or similar | Meals | Distance | Activity |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
DAY 1 | Siem Reap | Steung Siemreap | D | ||
DAY 2 | Siem Reap | Steung Siemreap | B,L | 30km / 18mi | cycling |
DAY 3 | Kampong Thom | Sambor Village | B,L,D | 37km / 21mi | cycling |
DAY 4 | Kampong Cham | LBN Asian Hotel | B,L,D | 60km / 36mi | cycling |
DAY 5 | Kratie via Chhlong | B,L,D | 60km / 37mi | cycling | |
DAY 6 | Stung Treng | Mekong Bird Resort | B,L,D | 60km / 36mi | cycling |
DAY 7 | Don Det | Sala Don Khone | B,L,D | 60km / 37mi | cycling |
DAY 8 | Don Khong | Pon Arena Hotel | B,L,D | 45km / 28mi | cycling |
DAY 9 | Soukhouma | B,L,D | 45km / 28mi | cycling | |
DAY 10 | Pathoomphone | Kingfisher ecolodge | B,L,D | 65km / 40mi | cycling |
DAY 11 | Pathoomphone | Kingfisher ecolodge | B | ||
DAY 12 | Attapue | Hoang Anh Hotel | B,L,D | 80km / 49mi | cycling |
DAY 13 | Paksong | Sinouk Coffee Resort | B,L,D | 85km / 53mi | cycling |
DAY 14 | Pakse | Seng Aloun Hotel | B,L,D | 50km / 31mi | cycling |
DAY 15 | Departure | B |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Siem Reap
Arrive and settle at your hotel. Local history, architecture, and aesthetics unfold in front of you as you enter Siem Reap. We leave the day free for you to relax after you arrive at Siem Reap.
Our guide meets you post-lunch at 2 pm at your hotel for a bike fit followed by a brief walking tour of Siem Reap and ending with dinner.
Day 2: Siem Reap
Visit Angkor and witness the magnificent views in the backdrop of sunrise. 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.
In the evening, explore some of the local food in the cafes that flank the narrow roads.
Day 3: Kampong Thom
Following breakfast, set out on a picturesque cycling journey through the serene countryside, offering captivating vistas of lush paddy fields leading to Tonle Sap. Upon arrival, board a boat destined for the enchanting floating village of Kampong Phluk, distinguished by its town-like ambiance and adorned with ornate pagodas. Witness the unique architectural marvel of houses perched on towering stilts, accommodating the dramatic fluctuations in water levels. Glide through the village on a boat excursion, observing the lives of fishermen and their families dwelling in stilted dwellings.
After a satisfying lunch, indulge in a 2.5-hour shuttle transfer to the secluded archaeological site of Sambor Preikuk. Dating back to the 6th century, this cluster of temples nestled amidst a tranquil jungle setting offers an opportunity to explore these lesser-known ruins in an atmosphere of serenity and natural beauty.
Day 4: Kampong Cham
Commence the day with a 40-minute scenic drive to Kampong Thmor, nestled in the countryside. Set out on a cycling journey through lush tropical farmlands renowned for cultivating cassava, sweet potatoes, peanuts, and rubber. After a delightful lunch, pedal along serene sealed roads, passing by charming villages and pagodas while tracing the meandering path of the Mekong River. Arrive at Kampong Cham town, where a unique experience awaits on Koh Pen, a rustic island amidst the river. Accessible via an intricate bamboo bridge, crafted by locals each dry season (Jan-May), it offers a glimpse into rural life. Note that during the wet season, a ferry substitutes the bridge, ensuring continued access to the island.
Day 5: Kratie via Chhlong
Today, our journey commences from the hotel as we traverse the Kizuna Bridge over the Mekong River, linking the city to the eastern regions of Cambodia. Cycling along a paved road interspersed with scenic trails offering glimpses of the river, we pass through local villages bustling with daily life. Witnessing locals engaged in various activities such as cooking, playing, and herding cattle along the riverbanks adds an authentic touch to our experience. Later, we transfer to Kratie to explore the Buddhist meditation center, also known as "Phnom Sambok," nestled atop a hill adorned with diverse flora identified by their scientific names. At the summit, a quaint temple awaits alongside cottages serving as dwellings for Buddhist monks, clergy, and nuns.
Returning to town, we go on a ferry journey to Koh Trong, our homestay destination for the night. Approximately 280 families call this 6-kilometer island home, renowned for cultivating the finest pomelo fruit in Cambodia, alongside rice and other agricultural produce. Prior to our homestay experience, we leave surplus luggage on the bus, bringing only essential items in our backpacks. Delight in delectable Cambodian cuisine shared with our hospitable host family, immersing ourselves in the local culture and traditions.
Day 6: Stung Treng
Following breakfast, we cross on a ferry journey to the town and set off on a 36-kilometer cycling adventure to explore Wat Sorsor Moi Roi, also known as the 100-column Pagoda. This architectural marvel is supported by 108 columns and adorned with vivid murals, erected on the grounds of a 19th-century wooden temple, with remnants of a few pillars still visible at the rear of the compound. Subsequently, we pedal an additional 26 kilometers towards highway 7, where we transition to a van for a transfer to Stung Treng.
Day 7: Don Det
Today we pedal towards the O'Svay Ecotourism Community, immersing ourselves in rural life. Indulge in a traditional lunch hosted by a local family, offering a genuine taste of Khmer hospitality. Post-lunch, we resume cycling towards the border for immigration procedures. Here, we bid farewell to the Cambodian team and are warmly greeted by the Lao team. We then embark on a transfer to Si Phan Don (4000 Islands), specifically to a resort nestled on Dong Khone Island, promising a tranquil retreat amidst natural beauty.
Day 8: Don Khong
Ride to the pier for a scenic local boat cruise through the islands en route to Don Khong. Enjoy a leisurely ferry hopping experience, allowing us to explore the longest island in the Mekong at a relaxed and tranquil pace.
Day 9: Soukhouma
Today's adventure entails cycling alongside the Mekong River on dirt roads tracing the western bank, passing quaint riverside villages. We cross over to Don San and proceed towards Sou. After a refreshing lunch break, we pedal to our hotel, where the remainder of the afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure.
Day 10: Pathoomphone
Departing from the village, we continue our journey along the dirt road hugging the western shore. We'll transfer across the river to explore a remarkable 11th-century Khmer Dynasty temple. This well-preserved temple stands as one of the few remaining structures from the Khmer Kingdom era in Laos, offering a serene experience akin to a mini-Angkor Wat minus the bustling crowds. Our ride then leads us to a luxurious resort nestled amidst pristine natural surroundings.
Day 11: Pathoomphone
Today offers leisure time for you to explore and unwind as you please. Delve into the wetlands of Bueng Kiat Ngong, where you can partake in bird watching, spot wildlife, and embark on tranquil boat rides. Alternatively, spend a serene day along the picturesque Nam Theun River. Take a refreshing swim in its waters or simply bask in the peaceful ambiance. Our guide will gladly offer recommendations tailored to your preferences.
Day 12: Attapue
Today's route leads us along charming rural roads, where we encounter villages inhabited by diverse ethnic minorities. These communities rarely encounter cyclists, so anticipate a warm and genuine welcome as we cycle through the countryside. Attapeu, a quaint provincial town, rests nestled in a bend of the Mekong River.
Day 13: Paksong
Today's journey entails a long and steady ride northward, beginning with a flat and pleasant 60-kilometer stretch alongside the Mekong River. As we veer westward, we gradually ascend into the Bolaven Plateau, the epicenter of Laos' coffee cultivation. The subsequent kilometers involve a gradual ascent as we make our way towards our destination, a coffee plantation resort.
Day 14: Pakse
Exploring this region by bike is truly delightful. Along this route, encounter numerous waterfalls and verdant forests. We make a stop at Tad Yuang Waterfall for lunch, before concluding our ride in Pakse, the largest town in Southern Laos.
Day 15: Departure
Please make arrangements as per your onward travel plans.
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Map
Dates and Prices
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Essential Info
Inclusions
LODGING
All hotels as mentioned in the tour details or similar (subject to availability).
trip leader
Expert Trip Leader(s) who look after your every need and add meaning to your vacation.
bike
Immaculately maintained bike with helmet, suited to a terrain.
shuttle
A Van support follows the group of riders and carries all belongings.
meals
Meals as per itinerary. Guests are given the opportunity to dine on their own so that they discover a location independently.
refreshments
Refreshments and mineral water while cycling.
entrance
Entrance fees to most of the monuments and temples.
E-bikes
E-bikes are available (subject to availability) on this trip at a surcharge.
Exclusions
Airport pickup and drop
We recommend to book direclty from airport or hotel.
Beverages
Beverages such as alcohol, tea, coffee, juice at a hotel or restaurant.
Gratuity
Gratuities for your guide team are not included in the trip price.
Bikes
When you have a road and the thrill of a journey ahead of you, it’s imperative to have a good bike to enjoy it. Our fleet majorly consist of the below bikes as a part of this tour. However, sometimes due to height or availability constraints, we may provide a different but similar quality bike.
Cannondale Trail 4 (Cambodia) or similar
Included in your trip price
Trek Marlin 5 (Laos) or similar
Included in your trip price
Senior (Cambodia) or similar
Available at a surcharge
What to Expect
Note on Road Conditions and Itinerary Adjustments
This bike tour takes you through some of the region's most remote and stunning landscapes. However, the charm of these untamed regions comes with varying road conditions. In some areas, you may encounter potholes, dusty paths, or uneven surfaces that may require adjustments to cycling distances or occasional time in the support vehicle.
Unavoidable Shuttle Transfers
To ensure your safety and comfort, shuttle transfers are provided for certain sections where cycling is not ideal due to rough terrain, heavy traffic, or extended distances between key stops. These transfers allow you to bypass challenging or less scenic stretches, ensuring you make the most of your time on the bike in the most beautiful and rewarding parts of the journey.
Weather
Cambodia is a year-round cycling destination on account of its pleasant tropical climate. April and May can be hot, but for the rest of the year, the temperature hovers around 30°C (86°F). There is moderate rainfall from May to early November but it settles soon, leaving the weather cool and the countryside looking lush.
In Laos, the dry season runs from late October until May, making it ideal for cycling. June to October is characterized by heavy rainfall. Until July, rain comes mostly in the form of short downpours for an hour or so, clearing the way for clear skies. After July, rain reaches peak levels in August and September.
Though the weather can be sometimes quite unpleasant from June to September, there are benefits to this season. Nature comes to life, dry brown grasslands and forests become lush and green, the farmers welcome the season with full productivity, and lakes and rivers as well as waterfalls fill up and become stronger than ever.
Overall, Oct to Feb are the best months for this tour, with the weather being characterized by low humidity and plenty of sunshine. Mar to May is characterized by high humidity and some smokey skies due to slash-and-burn agriculture.
January
Best
February
Best
March
Mixed
April
Mixed
May
Offseason
June
Offseason
July
Offseason
August
Mixed
September
Good
October
Best
November
Best
December
Best
Best
Good
Mixed
Offseason
Visa
Cambodia has three international gateways for arrival by air – Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Sihanoukville – and a large number of land borders with neighboring Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos. Formalities at Cambodia’s international airports are generally smooth.
Travelers can get a Cambodia visa upon arrival at the airport with a valid passport for 6 months and no longer need to have a pre-arrival COVID-19 test, present a full COVID-19 vaccination card/certificate, or a passenger's health declaration form on arrival in Cambodia. Remote electronic temperature-checking systems remain at the entry and exit gates for Immigration officers to check and advise passengers who may have COVID-19 symptoms.
Starting July 1, 2024, the paper immigration card, health document, and customs form will be replaced by the e-Arrival card. All air travelers entering Cambodia must complete their digital application via a dedicated app within 7 days before arrival. Download the app now to avoid any delays!
For more details and to begin your application, visit https://arrival.gov.kh/