Cambodia Cycling Tour 8 Days: Coastline Adventure

Warmly welcome you on arrival in Phnompenh International Airport. Our guide will pick up to your hotel to check-in, and you will have time to take a rest after a long flight. And then the rest of day is on your own, you can make an impression on the city by night by exploring yourself.
 

Today, we will take a visit to several magnificent sites in Phnompenh city.
 
Phnompenh is such a worth exploring city, even the past or the much more brighter future. Located in the confluence of Mekong river, Tonle Sap and Basaac, Phnompenh was considered as Paris of the East. The tough past of Kingdom of Cambodia, including the period of being French’s colony, has ben sharply affecting to nowadays Phnompenh.
The first destination of city tour is the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. It shows us the genocidal crimes of Khmer Rouge in the ruling period from 1975 to 1979. It had been a high school before becoming a concentration camp of Khmer Rouge ruling. In the four-year ruling of Khmer Rouge, Tuol Sleng detained about 17.000 people, most of them were soldiers under ruling, who was blamed for betraying. The high school was equipped with electric fence, repaired to a detention room, interrogation room and torture room.
Next, we visit National Museum, which was built in 1917 and completed in 1920 by French colonial government with the mixture in architecture: French and Khmer.. It is top of the museums of archaeology and literature in Cambodia. The museum intends to be faint by Angkor Heritage Site Complex and those related in SeamReap, but there is a biggest stored and display place of Khmer artistic and religious collections in the world.
We continue to visit Royal Palace, a complex of buildings built in 1866 where the Kings of Kingdom of Cambodia lived, except for the period that Cambodia was under of Khmer Rouge ruling. It was used to serve the Kings and their families, even foreign guests with accommodation. It was also a place to hold the meetings, diplomatic ceremonies and royal events. The architecture complex of Royal Palace has been a symbol of Kingdom of Cambodia. We will finish the city tour by visiting Silver Pagoda, the included construction in Royal Palace complex. Being an important and famous pagoda in Cambodia, Silver Pagoda has more than 5000 handmade pieces of silver paved on the floor. There is a place of cultural and religious precious objects storing, more than its worshipping function.
You will be on your own in the evening, or you might want to enjoy a leisure cruise on Mekong river (optional) with a private catered dinner by well-known chef. The dishes are mainly done with grilled and BBQ along with drinks (local beers, soft drinks, and soda, champagne) while you are enjoying the sunset and taking sights along the river bank including many local Cambodian families and friends socialize. You’ll earn a rare, but great opportunity to see the floating villagers and fishermen’s activities. Cruise back to the port and transfer back to your hotel.
 

After our breakfast we depart for Cambodia’s foremost beach Sihanoukville, 5-hour drive from Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville is called "paradise on earth" with its beautiful sandy beaches and beautiful islands. Sihanoukville looks different from most Cambodian cities. Built as a port city in the late 1950s, the city is much newer, more urban and cosmopolitan than most provincial Cambodian cities. It was a port city but it is now a tourist city to meet the needs of beach holidays of the inhabitants. Sihanoukville is truly beautiful in the evening with the lights of restaurants, hotels, bars,... In Sihanoukville, you can rest on the beach; to practice swimming, diving; enjoy the seafood or have fun in the bars. The most beautiful beaches from here: Ochheuteal, Serendipity, Otres, Sokha, Independence and Victory. By the way, you can visit the nearby islands like Koh Russei, Koh Rong,... Fresh seafood, especially crab, shrimp and ocean fish, have always been one of the biggest draws of the city, but there is also a wide variety of places offering foreign cuisine.
Upon arrival in Sihanoukville we check in hotel. In the late afternoon we will fit the bikes and have a ride around town to “get in the mood of cycling”. We will visit a pagoda on top of the hill from where you can admire a great view along the coast of Sihanoukville before we return to our hotel. Overnight in Sihanoukville.

After breakfast we transfer about 15km out of town to avoid the steep hills and heavy traffic. The ride today is a real challenge for any rider not because of the difficult terrain but the long distance of 80 km. However, our escorted van will be ready whenever you need. We cycle the coastal road to Kampot town, a small town in southern Cambodia, which still preserves many French monuments.  Kampot is also known for the 1080m high Bokor Mountain, for French-style castles and mysterious churches.
We will ride through peaceful countryside and encounter friendly locals who will greet you with broad smiles and curious faces. Picnic lunch served on the way.  Overnight in Kampot
 

Your coastline trip would not be completed without some true island relaxation. We take a short boat ride takes us to neighboring island of  Koh Tonsai (Rabbit Island)  where you can swim in a crystal water, walking along or even sunbathing on the beach with white sand. What romantic scenery! You can take your time to relax, having lunch with grilled seafood. In the afternoon, take the boat back to Kampot. Overnight in Kampot
 

Today we will depart for Takeo, a small town that is truly Cambodian in any sense. A long riding day with 75km we have to cover with a combination of smooth paved road and slightly bumpy village roads. Dinner and overnight served at a comfortable guest house  
 

Wake up early and depart for Phnom Penh. The first leg of the trip is peaceful with riding through villages and fields. We would see Cambodian farmers working hard on their farms with some breaks en route for a snack. Continue towards Tonle Bati Temple, an ancient Angkorian style temple which has been preserved quite well. The pretty garden around it makes it a great treat before you explore the massive Angkor Wat complex. Lunch in local restaurant and then we continue cycling to ward Phnom Penh. We arrive in Phnom Penh in late afternoon. Overnight in Phnom Penh
 

Breakfast and free at leisure until you transfer to the airport for flight home. Trip finishes.