8D7N Cycling, Challenge Bangkok to Siem Reap

Transfer from Bangkok Airport to Bangkok Hotel: 60mins

Upon arrival to Bangkok, our guide and driver will be waiting at the airport to provide transport to the hotel for check in. After resting up at the hotel, meet with the cycling team at 18:00 for dinner at a local restaurant and to prepare for the following days’ cycle.

Overnight in Bangkok

Transfer from Bangkok to Pattaya: 2 hours Cycling distance up to 75km Difficulty: Easy

After breakfast, meet up with the guides and check over the bikes before a transfer to Pattaya- the trailhead of the cycling experience. The day’s route starts with a local, traditional-style lunch before heading to the Noong Nooch Botanical Gardens. Discover a wide variety of flora from all over the world during the ride through the tropical gardens.

Late in the afternoon, arrive to Rayong for dinner. 

Overnight in Rayong

Transfer from Rayong to Pak Nam Prasae- 45 minutes Cycling distance up to 75km Difficulty: Easy

The day begins early with a departure from the hotel at 07:30 (after breakfast) for the transfer to Pak Nam Prasae. Fit out the bikes and cycle on the scenic local road to Kung Wiman Bay. This idyllic, friendly community is illustrated by colourful fishing boats, fruit orchards and rubber plantations sitting at the foothill of the Cardamom Mountains in Chantaburi province. The sea is fringed by casuarinas trees, forest-covered hills and mangrove swamps with safe, clean beaches.

As the region’s Kung Wiman beach faces west, it is the perfect place to relax and watch the sunset. Continue the ride and stop for a walk along a trail through the mangrove forest at Kung Krabaen Bay Royal Development Study Center. Hop back on the bikes and cycle to the beach resort at Chaolao Beach.

Overnight in Chanthaburi

Transfer from Chanthaburi to Pongnamron: 45 minutes Cycling distance up to 42km Difficulty: Easy

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to Pongnamron and start the cycle to the Thai – Cambodian border. Enjoy a local-style lunch and say goodbye to the Thailand team for the onward journey to Cambodia.

Arrive at the quiet border crossing into Cambodia, where the guide and driver will be waiting. After changing bikes and shifting gear, begin cycling (about 17 km) to the town of Pailin. The ride is surrounded by the Chuor Phnom Kravanh (Cardamom Mountain foothills) that rise steadily to the south. It was here that the Khmer Rouge put up its stubborn resistance to the government forces of Cambodia, battling until the late 1990’s. In addition to its more infamous history, Pailin is also known for its ruby and gem mines, as well as its local temples and natural beauty.

Overnight in Memoria Palace Resort.

Cycling distance up to 85km Difficulty: Medium

Saddle up this morning and head east over tarmac roads to Cambodia’s second largest city, Battambang. This is ride exposes a truly rural Cambodia, illustrated by mango orchards, corn fields, peanut farms, and, of course, rice paddies. There are a few hills on the way, but the general trend is a downward slope heading into the Tonle Sap basin. As the ride carries on, the mountains begin to give way to this endless plain. Stop for lunch at Wat Phnom Sampeau, then visit the temple at the top of this limestone outcrop. The ride finally reaches Battambang, Cambodia’s second city. This beautiful city with an unmissable, laid-back lifestyle is filled with faded colonial buildings and charm.

Overnight in Classy Hotel & Spa.

Transfer from hotel to starting point: 2 hours Cycling distance up to 75km Difficulty: Easy

Transfer this morning about two hours from Battambang, sweeping through the crossroads of Sisophon, where National Road 5 and 6 connect. The journey turns eastward, and a stop will be made in the Kralanh district to take a ride over an ancient Angkorian highway. Traveling from Kralanh to the town of Pouk, the old highway rejoins the modern National Road 6, so it will be possible to avoid heavy traffic. The cycle finishes at an old pagoda near Siem Reap. Transfer this afternoon into town.

Overnight at Natura Resort.

Transfer from Angkor Complex to hotel: 20 minutes Cycling distance up to 30km Difficulty: Easy

After breakfast, meet with the guides and prepare for the journey through the jungles of Angkor.

Begin with a visit to the 12th century Ta Prohm temple. Ta Prohm is unique in that it has been left largely as it was found: overgrown by jungle, trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground.

Continue from Ta Prohm to the ancient city of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. The city is famous for its eight-meter-high wall drawing a perfect square around its perimeter and for its grand entrance gate.

Passing through one of these gates, cycle to Bayon Temple, located in the heart of the city. This 12th century masterpiece is known for its fifty-four face-carved towers and its Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King.

The final visit of the day will be the famous Angkor Wat, built in the 12th century to represent Mount Meru, the home of the gods. Inside the temple, the walls are covered with stone carvings and bas-reliefs depicting Hindu mythology. There are also more than 2,000 Aspara dancers decorating the walls of the temple. Construction of this national icon is thought to have taken around thirty years of intensive labor to complete.

Overnight at Natura Resort

Transfer from hotel to airport: 20 minutes

After breakfast in the morning, transport will be provided to the airport. Alternatively, stay in Siem Reap to continue the explorations independently.