Asian Signatures Travel

Day 1: Arrive Siem Reap (30km)      L, D

Arrival in Siem Reap where you will be met by your English Speaking Adventure Guide. In the afternoon we enjoy a lunch in town and depart by bicycle for Roulous. Beautiful countryside roads and a nice warm up ride of 30km (return for the day) will land you at the 9^th century temple complex of Roulos. 

Roulous consists of 3 main temple sites: Preah Ko, Lolei and Bakheng. The three temple sites are located within a 3km radius and are easily and quietly explored away from the crowds. The Roulous Group is the site of an ancient center of Khmer civilization known as Hariharalaya. Prasat Prah Ko, one of the oldest temples, is located at Roluos between Bakong and Lolei. It was built in the late ninth century (879) by King Indravarman I, dedicated to Shiva (Hindu), and a funeral temple built for the king's family and the previous King Jayavarman II and his wife. 

We enjoy a small picnic with drinks at the temples and head back to our hotel for freshening up and a welcome dinner.

Overnight in Siem Reap. 

Day 2: Siem Reap – Angkor Complex – Siem Reap (25km)                         B,L,D

Breakfast will be enjoyed at your hotel. This morning we cycle the 10km to Angkor Thom, which was the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. The city is surrounded by an 8m high wall; each side of the city is 4km long. It draws a perfect square on the map and you can access the town through 5 gates; 4 of gate used for exiting the dead out of the city. 

After passing through the south gate, we will go along this shady road to the Bayon temple. This temple lies exactly in the center of the city. The particularity of this monument are the 54 towers representing the 54 provinces of the ancient Great Khmer Empire. Each tower has 4 Bayon faces. This is the only temple in Cambodia depicting scenes of every day life at the time of the empire. 

From the Bayon we continue to the Baphuon. You will pass by the Phimeanakas, which was the location of the Royal Palace. The only remaining structures are a pond and a small temple. The Palace was made of wood and did not survive time and the wars. Afterwards we continue to the Terrace of the Elephants. This Terrace was the place where the parade was done for the King. Next to it is the Terrace of the Leper King, depicting the water world. We ride the bicycles another 2km to the main temple of the complex; Angkor Wat is the biggest Hindu temple in the world. 

The magnificent Angkor Wat Temple was built by Suryavarman II. In the early 12^th century Angkor Wat was constructed following the model of the temple mountain symbolizing Mount Merou, home of the gods. Considered the masterpiece of the Khmer architecture, this Vishnuite temple is the King’s funerary temple, which is why the temple is orientated to the West. Inside the temple the walls are covered by carvings and bas-reliefs depicting the Hindu mythology and the wars Suryavarman II fought during his reign. 

Lunch will be enjoyed at the Angkor Café opposite Angkor Wat. After lunch we enjoy a shady ride following the Small Circuit to Ta Prohm. This temple was built in the memory of King Jayavarman VII’s mother. When found by the French conservationists at the end of the 19^th century, they deliberately left this temple in the same condition as it was discovered; overgrown by strangler fig and silk-cotton trees, giving the temple a mystical and romantic appeal. If time allows we will continue to Banteay Kdei before we transfer or ride back to Siem Reap where you will be free till dinner. 

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 3: Siem Reap – Banteay Srei – Kbal Spean (80km)      B,L,D

After breakfast we will transfer or ride the bicycles to Banteay Srei, some 25kms from Siem Reap. We drive/cycle trough rural Cambodia to the famous temple of Banteay Srei, which remains the best preserved temple in Cambodia and offers stunning bas-relief and other stone carvings. The temple is only small in size but of huge significance in understanding the Angkorian Era. From here we continue over rural roads our adventure towards Kbal Spean. We enjoy lunch at a nice garden restaurant opposite the entrance of Kbal Spean. 

After lunch we visit Kbal Spean, which is situated 40km from Siem Reap. A 3km trek up hill will land us at river bed carvings and a beautiful waterfall (in rainy season only). The trek is moderate and provides excellent views over the below plains and the Kulen hills. We enjoy a guided tour along the river bed carvings and enjoy being surrounded by dense jungle. After this exploration we descent the hill again and return to Siem Reap by private vehicle or bicycle. Upon arrival in Siem Reap, check in the hotel and freshen up and enjoy dinner. 

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 4: Siem Reap – Kampong Thom – Phnom Penh (36km)      B, L, D

After breakfast at the hotel we will start our transfer to Kampong Thom situated 140km away. The transfer takes about 2.5 hours to the famous temple site of Sambor Prei Kuk. After having explored Angkor Wat with all of its tourists, Sambor Prei Kuk is a quiet and magnificent jungle exploration. The road to Sambor Prei Kuk will lead us over quiet inland roads with beautiful views of paddy fields and many local villages with traditional life styles. Around lunchtime we arrive at the temple site and enjoy an excellent prepared lunch by the local community. We eat like the locals like to eat; picnic style in small wooden huts on the river side. 

After lunch we continue our bike ride of an additional 8km around the temples. Sambor Prei Kuk was built in the Chenla period between the 6^th and 7^th century and hosts a number of well preserved temples scattered around the jungle. We enjoy a beautiful ride along the temples over small and shady paths with breathtaking views. A local guide will join us to make sure we enjoy the most of it.

After exploration we transfer onwards to the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh. Cambodia's capital is a vibrant bustling city nestled majestically on the banks of the confluence of the mighty rivers of the Mekong and the Tonle Sap. Phnom Penh still reflects the colonial days of this former French playground. 

Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day 5: Phnom Penh- City tour      B, L

After breakfast we enjoy visits to the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda and Wat Phnom by cyclo. We will visit the Royal Place, which is still the residence of the King and Queen. The palace is set back from the riverfront, but in clear view of the Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers. Its lavish gardens are open for visits and are well worth seeing. The Royal Palace is located between the Silver Pagoda and the National Museum and was built by the French in a traditional and cultural style. After the Royal Palace we continue to Wat Phnom a mere 2kms away by cyclo. 

Wat Phnom is situated near the northern boundary of the city. The original temple was built in 1372 by a rich Khmer lady named "Penh" who found a collection of statues of the Buddha washed up on the river bank and decided to house them on a nearby hill ("Phnom"). After our monring city exploration we head to a well established restaurant for lunch. 

The afternoon is dedicated to Cambodia’s horrific past and a visit to Toul Sleng museum is necessary to understand the horror that Khmer people encountered in the late ‘70’s. After the Toul Sleng Museum, the Killing Fields will be visited. This quiet and peaceful area doesn’t look like the place where so much pain was inflicted. The green fields surrounding the area and the cool breeze blowing over it are in no contrast of what happened here nearly 3 decades ago. We head back to the city and are free tonight to fill in dinner. Note: the city trips are offered as transfers and not as cycling programs. 

Overnight in Phnom Penh

Day 6: Phnom Penh - Transfer Out      B 

 After breakfast we transfer to Phnom Penh International Airport for your flight out. We hope you enjoyed your stay with us!

“This itinerary may alter due to local conditions, the strength of the group and other unexpected circumstances. We will do our very best to adhere to the set itinerary, however we cannot be held responsible for any last minute changes that might occur. In all such circumstances, your biking or trekking guide will have the final say"

Inclusions:

• Accommodation based on Double/Twin Room with breakfast.
• Transfer & back-up by private A/C vehicles.
• Transfers to and from the airport.
• Local bike hire (Mountain bike with front suspension: 4500/4300) including bikes’ transportation between sites, spare parts and helmets.
• Local fruits, snacks, soft drinks and bottled drinking water.
• Simple First Aid Kit.
• Lunches + Dinners as indicated in itinerary.
• 01 English Speaking Biking Guide for groups smaller then 8. For groups larger then 8 a cycling assistant will be added.
• 01 English Speaking guide for city tours and Angkor Wat visit.
• All entrance fees as indicated in itinerary.
• International flight reconfirmation (if any).

Exclusions:

• Visa on arrival for Cambodia (USD30 + 1 pass photo).
• Alcoholic drinks & drinks at mealtime + Optional visits + Personal expenses (Telephone, laundry...etc).
• Personal travel insurance (must include helicopter evacuation for Cambodia).
• Tips for guide, driver, boat crew & hotels’ porters.
• Meals not indicated in the itinerary.
• All air tickets with airport and departure taxes. 
• Other services not clearly indicated in the Package Inclusion above.

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• We strongly recommend the purchase of a travel insurance (covering emergency medical evacuation) for your trips.

CONFIRMATIONS:

• Please note that all the above services & package tours have not been booked yet, they are proposed for your information only. We will not launch any reservation before we receive your confirmation.
• If one or some proposed service(s) is (are) not available at the moment of booking, we will try to find out other possibility/options or other similar service(s) in order to avoid as many important changes as possible.