Day 1: Siem Reap
Airport transfer/getting settled into your hotel and meeting fellow riders, then off to the temples for the day. We will arrange a guide and transport for you, so you have a chance to learn about this amazing country’s history. Then we’ll meet for an evening meal , and go through the tour itinerary. You will be staying in a comfortable boutique hotel.
Day 2: Siem Reap to Battambang
Mainly dirt roads with some great single-track, winding through beautiful rice-fields and the Tonle Sap Lake flood plains as we make our way through the Cambodian countryside. A very scenic ride to introduce you to the real Cambodia. An easy start to the challenge ahead. Staying in a nice hotel with a pool!
Day 3: Battambang to O Soum
Riding today will be a mixture of dirt roads and windy single track in the morning, and then picturesque, dirt roads with several steep climbs as we head into the Cardamoms. The route we used to take has been recently graded, but don’t worry as there is a new forest section, with lots of rocks, ruts and roots to keep you entertained. We will be staying in the mountain village of O Soum in a local guesthouse.
Day 4: O Soum to Koh Kong
Today the riding isn’t as technical as we have to jump on the graded Chinese built dirt road that links the new hydropower dams. The old route was so mashed up that only a few groups would make it and since then most tour groups use the Chinese road, so it has become impassable. There will be some amazing views and the riding is still entertaining; if you lose your concentration for a second you’ll be down a gulley! There are a couple of sections that are a bit more chopped up with some nice climbs/descents. Then there are a couple of options: either more graded roads or more technical riding. We will see how the group feels. This extension should bring us in to Koh Kong around 4pm. A nice hotel overlooking the estuary near the Thai border will be our accommodation for the night.
Day 5: Koh Kong [rest day]
After three days riding you’ll need a little R&R. As will the bikes, so we’ll be doing some work on them while you can just relax or check out some of the nearby waterfalls and rapids. You can either chill on the riverside at the comfy restaurant or you can explore the town yourself. We can also cross the estuary and go to the beach for a swim near Thailand, where there is also a casino if you want to try your luck.
Day 6: Koh Kong to Chipat
If you want extreme we have several technical climbs for you, lots of dodgy bridges, slippery single track and river crossings. This is probably one of the best trails through the Cardamons. We will be staying in a charming rural village homestay in the village of Chipat, which is the gateway to the Aural National Park. There are rapids nearby where we can end the day with a nice refreshing swim. You will find some of the most untouched parts of Cambodia here, with new species being found all the time. This is rapidly changing with the onset of deforestation & development in the region. We will be staying at the local village guesthouse/homestay.
Day 7: Chipat to Kirirom
Today there is a wide range of terrain; More rocky climbs, single trail, slippery forest trails and fun river crossings. The day will start on single track, which will be sandy or muddy depending on the weather, and as the day goes on will become more challenging with some nice technical sections as we near Kiriom National Park, where there is a wide range of terrain. Here you have the option to camp or stay in a nice air-con hotel with a pool. A fun ride today!
Day 8: Kiriom to Kampot
Once we leave the national park we will head south following the Elephant Mountains to the town of Kampot. Lots of sand to begin, with more fabulous single track. If you are up for the challenge there are a couple of hill climbs we can have a go at on the way. Once in town we can catch the sunset on the riverfront with a few cold beers, after which we will stay at a beautiful hotel on the banks of the river shadowed by Bokor Mountain.
Day 9: Kampot to Kep: Rabbit Island
Today’s ride will be short but exciting as we will make our way to Kep through the nearby hills and mountains. Great single track through river crossings, interlinking hillside temples and mysterious caves should keep us occupied. There is even an ancient Angkorian temple inside one of these caves. We will stay on Rabbit Island, leaving the bikes on the mainland. Kick off your riding boots, relax and enjoy the beach and delicious fresh seafood ... Paradise!
Day 10: Rabbit Island [rest Day]
Enjoy the beach and delicious, fresh seafood and relax. You deserve it!
Day 11: Kep to Sihanoukville or Phnom Penh
You have the option to return to Phnom Penh, or continue the tour down to Kampong Som.
The Phnom Penh route is a mixture of red dirt roads and single track. Closer to the capital you can have a go on the shooting range with an AK47 or RPG. If you want something a bit more chilled you could do a nice relaxing boat cruise on the Mekong river.
You’ll probably need a rest after all that riding, so if you choose Sihanoukville, we can check out the Bokor Hill station in Kampot on the way to the beach. Relatively easy dirt roads alongside mangroves and salt plains. There is some fun single track into town. Staying in an air-con hotel close to the the beach. You’ll probably need a holiday after all that!