The trip will start the same day after arrival, where the mountain bikes have been prepared. Our cycling guide will brief on the tour. Cycling around Angkor is the best way to explore the temple complex. Starting to explore Angkor complex on the shady road with tree lines. Most recently potholes have been eliminated. There are one temple in almost every Km, so it won't be boring and it is worth to stop and take photo. Our guide can also take you to explore back road cycling on the gate of Angkor Thom. It is such a wonderful road for cycling, quiet and peaceful. We ride approximately 315 km mostly on tarmac roads on most of the days except from Banteay Srei to Kbal Spean which is about 15km on the dirt road. Apart from Angkor complex, the other main interest are Kbal Spean known as the river of thousand lingas and Beng Mealea ruin temple hidden in the jungle. The temple is charming, peaceful and has its own special character. Once it was featured in the movie stared by Indiana Jones and the Two Brother by French movie maker Jean Jacques Annaud.
Duration: 6 days/5 nights
Tour Code: MCAT04
Tour Valid: Until December 30th, 2013
Highlights: Tonle Sap Lake - Rolous Group - Small Circuit - Banteay Srei - River of Thousand Lingas - Grand Circuit - Beng Mealea - Siem Reap Departure
Day 1 - Tonle Sap Lake (30km)
Place Transport: Bicycle->Boat
Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - DinnerArrive in Siem Reap. Transfer to your hotel for check in and brief on the road safety. Afternoon, cycle to Tonle Sap Lake, the biggest fresh water lake in South East Asia. Turn left at the crocodile farm crossing the bridge. Then cycle on small road along the river through villages, pagodas and school. This road is good for cycling as to avoid the busy traffic. After cycling 8km, turn right crossing the bridge to the main road as there is no further access on the small road. Continue cycling toward the hill about 3km (July-December) where the boat stop. (Note: January-June, the water is low and the boat will stop further 3km). Board on the boat to visit the floating village, floating school, fishing farm. After 1 hour boat drive. Return the Siem Reap on the main road to avoid cycling the same road. Overnight in Siem Reap.Day 2 - Rolous Group & Small Circuit (50km)
Place Transport: Bicycle
Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - DinnerDepart from the hotel, crossing the bridge at Old Market to cycle 15km toward Rolous Group. The first 2km, is on the tarmac road toward the bus station. Then, passing the rice field and the village. Rolous Group was the first capital of Angkor Empire during 800 A.D. Visit the Pre-Angkorian temples including Preak Ko, Bakong and Lo Lei. From Rolous, we cycle to Angkor Complex. There you will begin to see Kravan temple, Banteay Kdei, and stop at the famous Ta Phrom, embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers. Visit Ta Phrom (45 minutes-1 hour). It was built in 12th century by the famous King Jayavarvan VII indicated to his mother.
While clearing back the forest archaeologists decided to leave the vegetation of Ta Phrom in place to serve as a reminder of how the original discoverers found it and the other Angkor temples. Many of the trees have grown around and through the remains and soar high above the temples. Visit the magnificent 12th century Angkor Wat. It is visually, architecturally and artistically breathtaking. Angkor Wat is a massive three-tiered pyramid crowned by five beehive-like towers rising 65 meters from ground level. Suryavarman II constructed Angkor Wat in the form of massive 'temple mountain' dedicated to the Hindu god, Vishnu.Day 3 - Banteay Srei & River of Thousand Lingas (90km)
Place Transport: Bicycle
Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - DinnerDepart from the hotel on the main road. Arrive at Angkor Wat and turn left to the west. Continue to cycle 2km before turn right to the rural road. The road is good for cycling as you can avoid the busy traffic but you can see rice field, village, pagoda. Arrive in Banteay Srei before lunch. Visit (45 minutes) Banteay Srei temple known as women citadel (built in 967 A.D dedicated to Brahma). While some of temple are impressive because of their sheer size, Banteay Srei stands alone in the quality of its construction and decoration. Its pink sandstone walls are decorated with what some consider the best carving of all, and still an excellent state of preservation.
Continue cycling to visit Kbal Spean, the River of Thousands Lingas, lying under the river bed, people believe it brings fertility and blessing Angkor area as the river flows to Siem Reap. Walk 1,200meters to visit the Lingas and enjoy lunch and the water fall. On the way back, cycle on the main road to visit Landmine Museum of Mr. Akira. Mr. Ra is dedicated to clearing the Cambodia countryside of landmines laid during the years of conflict and relies entirely on visitors' donation to fund his work. Overnight in Siem Reap.Day 4 - Grand Circuit (40km)
Place Transport: Bicycle
Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - DinnerBreakfast at the hotel. Depart from the hotel on the main road. Turn right at Jayavarman VII Children Hospital. Begin the visit with Pre Rup which was built in before Angkor period and belief to serve as the cremation temple. Then continue to cycle to East Mebon and Ta Som, Neak Pean. Stop for the visit at Preah Khan temple. Preah Khan means sword was built by the King Jayavarman VII indicated to his father. The temple was built on the battlefield where Khmer soldiers succeeded over Siam military. Overnight in Siem Reap.Day 5 - Beng Mealea (100km)
Place Transport: Bicycle
Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - DinnerBreakfast at the hotel. Depart from the hotel on the National Road No.6, turn left at Dam Dek market after 42km. Visit Beng Mealea temple. Beng Mealea is an untouched temple hidden in the jungle surrounded by its mood 900 meters by 1,200 meters. Beng Mealea is a beautiful, charming temple. It has it own character which cannot be found in any other temple. We can feel very peaceful sitting inside the temple as we can get rid of the many tourists at Angkor area. Overnight in Siem Reap.Day 6 - Siem Reap Departure
Place Transport: Airplane
Meals: BreakfastBreakfast at the hotel. Free at leisure until transfer for departure flight.
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