Cambodia2011

Global Agents for Change / PEPY
Cycling Journey Through Cambodia

Day 1 – Welcome to Siem Reap! PEPY staff will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Tonight we have a Welcome Dinner where all trip participants will meet, have a chance to get to know each other, take part in an orientation, a bike fitting, and enjoy your first taste of delicious Cambodian cuisine.

Day 2 – We will cycle around the 16 sq kilometer Baray Tuk Tlay, the 700 year old water supply for the Angkor Empire. The ride will take us through the rarely visited western entrance of Angkor Thom and allow guests to ride around the perimeter of the ancient city. (35 kilometers)

Day 3 – From the seat of our mountain bikes we will have the freedom to explore the highlights of the Angkorian temples including the iconic Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and Ta Prohm (30 kilometers)

Day 4 – Following the Old Angkorian Highway we will cycle through the Cambodian countryside until we reach the lost temple of Beng Mealea, the titanic of temples, a slumbering giant lost for centuries in the forests of Cambodia. It is the most accessible of Angkor’s lost temples, a mirror image of Angkor Wat, but utterly consumed by the voracious appetite of nature. (60 kilometers)

Day 5 – Cycling back to Siem Reap in the morning will leave time in the afternoon to explore the city. Some of you may wish to return to the temples for a further look, others might choose to visit the Landmine Museum, the local markets, or relax with a massage. (70 kilometers)

Day 6 – Enjoy the early morning cycling to the Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. The Tonle Sap has a rich eco-system that was declared ‘Biosphere Reserve’ by UNESCO in 1997. The lakeshore is scattered with floating villages, inhabited by people who make their livelihoods from the lake. After hopping the boat to Kompong Chnang we will have a chance to cycle around an area rarely visited by tourists where we can see clay pot production or palm sugar harvesting. We will also have a chance to visit Geres, an organization creating energy efficient clay stoves. (40km)

Day 7 – Today we cycle dirt roads to Oudong Mountain, the spiritual center and capital of Cambodia from 1618 to 1866. At the top of the mountain (or hill!) there is a modern temple with wonderful views of the flat surrounding countryside. As you explore, you will see a number ofstupas housing the remains of various past kings, and the enigmatic remains of a massive temple enclosure, which was badly damaged during the Khmer Rouge era. The remains of a large Buddha are here, and are now being rebuilt after the Khmer Rouge blew them up in 1977. (50km short route, 100km long route)

Day 8 – As our dirt roads transform into a bustling highway, we’ll arrive in Cambodia’s vibrant capital, Phnom Penh. Simply walking the streets of this energetic city is exciting, as you watch cyclos and motos weave through the traffic, stroll past street sellers on the pavement, and take in the beauty of the Royal Palace and the sunset over the Tonle Sap River. (60km)

Day 9 – We all might need a rest from riding or a chance to explore on our town, so today’s activities are up to you. We will organize a visit to Resource Development International Cambodia (RDIC) in the morning for those who are interested to see the work they do with agricultural technologies, affordable home water treatment, and many other projects. Others might choose to explore the markets, Royal Palace, the National Museum, or head to Olympic Stadium for sunset to join in the many outdoor aerobics or tai chi classes!

Day 10 – Today we take a sobering look at the history of the Khmer Rouge. The Toul Sleng Genocide Museum, also known as S21, is located in a quiet Phnom Penh suburb. This group of buildings was once a school, but was turned into a prison and torture centre by the Khmer Rouge. This disturbing site is now a museum to explain the crimes committed there. Once we have gained an initial understanding of the brutality of the Khmer Rouge regime, we will visit the ‘Killing Fields’ or Cheoung Ek. A 15-kilometer cycle from Phnom Penh, this site is where Tuol Sleng prisoners were forcibly marched and then executed; it is now a memorial site located in a tranquil setting. (20km city ride)

Day 11 – Today’s ride is one of the longest rides of our journey. We will head out of Phnom Penh along a river embankment and then criss-cross between highways and red dirt roads on our way to Chuuk. Chuuk is a small town where the only noise pollution is the serenade of crickets; a stark change from hectic Phnom Penh. (109 Kilometers)

Day 12 – Enjoy a beautiful cycle, finishing in the unspoiled beachside town of Kep. We will celebrate our arrival on Cambodia’s southern coast with a boat trip out to Rabbit island where we will enjoy fresh seafood, warm water, and a great sunset. (90km)

Day 13 – Our journey will finish in the laidback riverside town of Kampot. Here we will have a chance to unwind and reflect on our two week adventure across Cambodia. (20km)

Day 14 – Say our goodbyes and continue on our own adventures in Cambodia or elsewhere in the world.

* We strive to offer local and/or socially responsible restaurants and accommodation throughout the tour.

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Trip Costs
• $1250 CAD trip fee, and a minimum $500 CAD fundraising goal (encouraged to set own goal)
• Download the application form by clicking here
• $50 fee reduction for fees paid received before October 21th
• Fees are 100% refundable before Sept 15th, 50% before Oct 21th, 25% before Nov 15th and non-refundable thereafter.

Trip Includes
• All accommodation
• All breakfasts and dinners except for two ‘on your own’ meals to allow participants a chance to explore some of the bigger cities’ dining options. Lunch (typically $1-3 in rural areas) is on your own on riding days to allow people to go at their own pace though we will often provide a suggested lunch meeting spot so that those riding at different speeds can have an opportunity to meet up.
• Entrance fees, guides, etc. for all listed activities excluding on your own activities on free days

Exclusions
• Bike Rental, helmet, panniers ($150 USD per person total)
• Cambodian visa available on arrival. Bring a passport size photo
with you. ($25 USD)
• Airport departure tax ($25 USD)
• International flight to/from the start (Siem Reap) and end (Phnom Penh) points (we can help participants arrange bus or other transportation between these points should that be necessary)
• Personal travel insurance

Renting a Bike or Bringing Your Own
• Bike rental is an additional $150 USD – which is for Trek mountain bikes, helmet, patch kit, pump. We suggest people bring their own helmets to be most comfortable and their own water bottles (PEPY does have some which are reused but people usually prefer to bring their own).
• PEPY also has some panniers to rent but not enough for everyone. In addition to our trip there will be another group trip going at the same time, so it will be first sign-up first serve with panniers.
• If you want to rent panniers from PEPY – it is an additional $25 USD – but they also have a deal with Arkel (www.panniers.com) to buy your panniers at a discount – so Global AFC can connect accepted riders with PEPY if they are interested in that.
• You may also wish to ship your own bicycle from home for this tour. Check with your airline for any additional shipping fees required.

Is this your first time doing a cycling tour?
• Average speed on a bike for novice riders who have never done long distance touring is between 15 to 25 km/hr depending on terrain and level of fitness, therefore riding time per day on average can range from 2 to 4 hours for this tour. This gives you plenty of time for sightseeing!
• There are two longer ride days 109 km and 90 km (Days 11 and 12) towards the end of the tour, which gives plenty of training days to prepare your body.
• Some ride training prior to the tour is recommended, but this tour can definitely be completed by any cyclist, even if you have not done long distance cycling before.
• Experienced PEPY cyclist guides will be accompanying the Global Agents for Change group throughout the course of the two week tour.

Contact us for more information about the Cambodia route! ride@globalafc.org

Download the 2011 Cambodia Application

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