Active Cambodia: Cycle Angkor & Battambang - 7 Days

Day 2: Angkor Wat Sunrise, Cycle Angkor & Apsara Dance Performance

Rise early for a transfer to Angkor Wat, where you'll settle in front of the reflection pond in time to watch the sun rise magnificently over the five temple spires of the world's largest religious building. Then enjoy a private breakfast alfresco before beginning your cycling tour with an exploration of the Angkor Wat temple complex, adorned with more than 3,000 bas-relief carvings of beguiling apsaras (seductive heavenly nymphs).

Now cycle north to enter the ancient city of Angkor Thom. Here, you'll focus your explorations at the mammoth, stepped Bayon Temple, where 216 huge stone smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara (the personification of compassion) adorn 54 towers, and at the Terrace of the Elephants. You'll then pedal east to root-entangled Ta Prohm, renowned as the "Tomb Raider" temple for having featured in the 2001 Angelina Jolie movie. Pedal back to Siem Reap to relax and enjoy a Khmer dinner and performance of Apsara dancing, as first performed a millennium ago in the royal court at Angkor. 

Day 3: Cycle the Grand Circuit & Hidden Temples

Start today with an early breakfast before transferring to Angkor for a day of cycling the Grand Circuit, taking in temples outside the main Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom complexes. You'll cycle quiet roads through villages and countryside to reach 10th-century Prasat Kravan temple, featuring excellent bas-reliefs of Vishnu and his consort, Lakshmi. A short visit is made to Banteay Kdei and the Hall of the Dancers, with its exquisite carvings of dancers. Then cycle east to Sra Srang, a substantial royal bathing pool, and the pyramid-style temples of Pre Rup and East Mebon, the latter adorned with elephant statues.

After lunch at East Mebon, pedal north to photogenic Ta Som, where the southern entrance is entangled by roots, as if by the legs of an octopus. Next, cycle the sandy trails that lead north to Neak Poan, a petite Buddhist temple atop a circular isle surrounded by bathing pools. Finally comes massive and little-visited Preah Khan—a maze of vaulted corridors and towered courtyards. Now you’re ready to return to your hotel to relax and absorb your phenomenal Angkor cycling experience. The evening is at leisure.

Day 4: Siem Reap to Battambang, Walking Tour

This morning you’ll depart Siem Reap and spend the morning journeying southwest to Battambang. Although this is Cambodia's second-largest city, the riverside town oozes small-town friendliness, thanks to its charming French colonial architecture, laid-back cafés, and little shophouses lining the Sangkae River.

This afternoon, enjoy a walking tour to explore some of the oldest and most interesting streets, plus the downtown Psar Nat market, opening onto the river promenade and resembling an art deco ziggurat. With its labyrinth of stalls, this teeming market will fascinate you with its wet seafood and meats section and piles of fresh fruits, produce, and dried seafood. Tonight, make the most of Battambang’s evolving dining scene at one of its up-and-coming restaurants serving such innovative dishes as sautéed frog with Khmer pesto or combining Khmer, Thai, and Vietnamese influences into creative tapas.

Day 5: Cycle the Countryside & Meet Locals (Full Day)

Today mount up for a full-day cycling tour that will give you a real taste of the traditional Cambodian rural way of life. You'll ride out of town and into the countryside, breathing in the fresh country air as you pedal down tracks bordered by rice paddies. Battambang is one of the main rice-producing areas in the country. You'll gain first-hand insight into why as you dismount to meet farmers and villagers and learn how they live and work, including by distilling rice wine, making artisanal rice paper, and engaging in other craft industries.

After lunch, you'll cycle south to visit the small riverside Kampong Pil pagoda and, adjacent, a narrow suspension bridge spanning the Sangkae River. You'll enjoy a delicious Banh chhav snack (rice pancake) before returning to Battambang in mid-afternoon for the rest of the day at leisure.

Day 6: Bamboo Train Ride, Cycle the Countryside & Phnom Banan Temple

Hop aboard a bicycle again this morning and head out of town for an unusual and fun ride on the "Bamboo Train" (locally known as nori)—a simple bamboo platform with straw mat seats atop rail carriage wheels, powered by a motorcycle engine. Whiz down the track for about four miles (7 km), before hopping back on your bike to explore more of the countryside. Arriving in Banan, you’ll hike up 358 stone steps to the hilltop Phnom Banan temple complex, built early in the 12th century and offering fabulous views over the rice fields and winding Sangker River. You'll lunch here before pedaling back to the city.

The balance of your day is free in Battambang. The city is known for its well-developed arts scene, and especially for the Phare Ponleu Selpak circus. You might try to catch a performance of this troupe. Or check out the nightlife at one or more of Battambang's hip bars.

Day 7: Return to Siem Reap, Depart