Cycle and kayak near Tonlé Sap river

Highlights

• Kayak around the ethereal mangrove forests
• Meet and greet friendly locals from the villages
• Cycle around the backroads away from tourists
• Enjoy a tasty lunch while lounging in a hammock

All about the trip

At 7:00 am, we'll meet at your hotel lobby for a quick briefing and bike fitting before pedaling our way north to one of the two great irrigation reservoirs from the Angkor period, the West Baray. We ride quiet roads along the wall of this impressive man-made lake and then cycle south by the canals that are fed by the Baray. In the late morning, we find ourselves in a small village, typical of those surrounding Siem Reap. Life here is still simple and based on seasonal agriculture. We take a walk through the village with a resident who will explain the workings of this community and how your tour supports their local projects.

Greet the friendly locals as you walk through and they shine bright smiles your way. Afterward, we sit down to a tasty lunch and spend some time chilling in a hammock Cambodian-style. As the heat of the day begins to fade, we make our way to a nearby river and shuttle by boat to our kayaks.

We'll then paddle through the floating villages, where friendly locals will greet you with more smiles and enthusiastic waves. Kayaking impacts their lives far less than the noisy, smelly and disruptive tourist boats that occasionally come through. If the water level is high enough, we will even explore a floating mangrove forest and then set out for the open lake. Tonle Sap is the largest lake in Southeast Asia, and your guide will explain the phenomenon that creates a depth variance of up to eight meters and why this lake is vital to Cambodia's survival. You’ll appreciate this new perspective of Cambodia as you paddle Tonle Sap. We return to Siem Reap by car and can expect to arrive back around 6:30 pm, depending on the seasons and the time of the sunset.

What is included in the price

• Lunch
• Water
• Snacks
• Kayak
• Bicycle
• Helmet
• English speaking guide
• Transportation by A/C vehicle between hotel to site

What is not included in the price

• Optional tip
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses
• Other drinks & refreshments not stated
• Angkor Tourist Pass (to be purchased separately)

Instructions

We recommend wearing comfortable cycle clothing and bringing extra water

Please note that you must cover your shoulders, legs, and any tattoos before you enter the temples