Challenge for Change Itinerary

Itinerary

Day 1

Depart Australia

Day 2 Phnom Penh

Arrive in the morning in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia. Look around some of the main sights of the city such as the S-21 Museum, the Silver Pagoda and bustling markets. That evening we have our group orientation meeting for the trip ahead.

Day 3 Phnom Penh

Meet with IWDA Project Partners and learn about the work they undertake on Violence against Women. Exact schedule yet to be finalised.

Day 4 Takeo

It’s an early start as we hit the bikes for the first day of riding Cambodia’s highways. After cycling out of Phnom Penh we continue on dirt roads to Choeung Ek, the most famous of the Khmer Rouge’s many killing fields. After reaching the main highway we pedal onto our next stop at Tonle Bati, an Angkor period temple that makes for a great shaded rest stop. In the afternoon we arrive in Takeo and spend the night.

Day 4: Distance cycled – 83km.

Day 5 Kampot

We continue south today, riding on flatter roads through endless rice fields and waving children to Kampot, a pleasant town which sits on a picturesque river. In the evening boat trips can be taken into the mangroves or you can relax with a massage from a blind masseur at the Seeing Hands Massage Centre.

Day 5: Distance cycled – 85km.

Day 6- Kep Sur Mer

This morning’s ride is a beautiful one as we tackle a short ride from Kampot to Kep sur Mer, a former colonial beachside retreat. This is an interesting ride that passes by fishing villages, sacred hills and pepper groves. We stop for lunch and a swim at Kep Sur Mer before returning back by a slightly different route to Kampot where we overnight.

Day 6: Distance cycled – 50km.

Day 7 – Sihanoukville

Day 7 is a challenging ride but probably the most interesting for the variety of scenery. In the morning we ride flat roads under the gaze of the Elephant Mountains and within sight of the southern Cambodian coastline. As the day progresses and we get closer to Sihanoukville the roads become quite undulating with the last 20km holding a few challenging hills. The effort is well worth it, however, as we finish at the beautiful beach of Sihanoukville and have a day of relaxing to look forward to.

Sihanoukville is the main port of Cambodia, and with its beautiful beaches, islands surrounded by coral and cool beachside bars you won’t have any trouble relaxing tonight.

Day 7: Distance cycled – 104km.

Day 8 – Sihanoukville

Today is totally at your own leisure. Relax on the beach, hire a boat, get a massage or hop back on your bike to explore the coastline.

Day 9 Sihanoukville – Siem reap

We leave the coast this morning for a long day’s drive from Sihanoukville to Siem Reap, our base for exploring the world heritage temples of Angkor Wat. We’ll arrive in the late afternoon and check into our hotel for a rest and freshen up. That evening you can explore the lively nightlife of Siem Reap, with its many cafes and bars.

Day 10 Banteay Srei and Phnom Kulen

In the morning of Day 8 we will cycle back roads through the rice paddies to Banteay Srei, a beautiful pink sandstone temple with amazingly detailed carvings. After visiting the temple we continue onto Cambodia’s most sacred mountain and site of Pilgrimage, Phnom Kulen. Leaving our bikes at the bottom we climb to the top of the 487m mountain for expansive views over the surrounding plains of Cambodia. Time permitting we then continue onto Beng Mealea, a 12th century temple enclosed by a moat and still covered by jungle. After spending time at Beng Mealea we jump on board a coach to be transferred back to Siem Reap.

Day 10: Siem Reap – Phnom Kulen – approximately 60km.

Day 11 Angkor Wat

Morning orientation ride around Angkor Wat’s main temples, then the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 11: Distance cycled – 30km.

There will possibly be the chance to meet with IWDA Project Partners this afternoon.

Days 12-13: Depart for Australia

Leave Siem Reap in the morning of Day 12, change planes in Singapore and arrive back the following day. Or extend your trip on and explore the region.

Please note this is a complex itinerary subject to change dependant on local conditions, weather and transportation schedules. Intrepid and IWDA reserve the right to amend this itinerary, activities and any distances stated at their discretion.

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 5th, 2001 under Challenge for Change.