Thailand7 days
Thailand to Cambodia by Bicycle: Coast, Orchards & Angkor — 7 Days
Bangkok to Siem Reap on two wheels — coastal roads, Chanthaburi's gem markets, Battambang's bamboo train, and Angkor Wat at sunrise
This seven-day cycling tour traces a ground-level route from the Gulf of Thailand coast to the temples of Angkor by bicycle across two countries. The itinerary begins outside Bangkok and moves southeast through farming villages and coastal roads to Chanthaburi — a riverside town known for its rambutan and mangosteen orchards and one of Southeast Asia's most active gemstone trading markets. From there, the route crosses into Cambodia at the Thai border, where the landscape shifts noticeably: quieter roads, wider skies, and rice fields stretching to the horizon. In Cambodia, two nights in Battambang allow for a guided ride with students from Kinyei's Soksabike vocational program, a 4-kilometer run on the rebuilt bamboo train, and a cycling day to the 11th-century hilltop temple of Prasat Banan. The tour closes in Siem Reap with a forest-trail ride through Angkor Archaeological Park — past Preah Khan and Ta Som — and an early-morning visit to Angkor Wat for sunrise. Daily distances range from 27 to 60 kilometers, and a support vehicle accompanies the group throughout, making the riding accessible to anyone comfortable on a recreational bicycle.
Highlights
- Coastal cycling along the Gulf of Thailand between Rayong and Chanthaburi, with roadside fruit stalls and seaside lunch stops
- Chanthaburi's riverside Catholic quarter and morning market, followed by cycling through rambutan, mangosteen, and durian orchards
- Guided village ride with Kinyei NGO students via the Soksabike vocational program in Battambang
- Bamboo train ride on 4 kilometers of rural track through the Banan hills outside Battambang
- Prasat Banan: an 11th-century Angkorian hilltop temple reached by 358 steps, overlooking the Sangker River
- Forest-trail cycling through Angkor Archaeological Park to Preah Khan and the tree-root-encased doorways of Ta Som
- Sunrise at Angkor Wat followed by a picnic breakfast near the ruins and a final lunch at Sra Srang reservoir
Day by day
1Bangkok to Rayong by Bicycle: Temple Launch Through Farming VillagesBuddhist temple on the outskirts of Bangkok · farming villages and agricultural fields · roadside restaurant · resort on a headland overlooking the Gulf of Thailand · Rayong town · local restaurant
The tour begins at a Buddhist temple on the outskirts of Bangkok, where you'll meet your fellow riders and get fitted to your bicycle before heading out into the Thai countryside. The 38-kilometer route follows quiet, undulating roads that wind through farming villages and agricultural fields.
As the morning progresses into midday, you'll stop at a roadside restaurant for pad thai. Lunch provides a practical introduction to the flavors you'll encounter throughout the tour.
The day concludes at a resort on a headland overlooking the Gulf of Thailand. The island of Koh Samet is visible across the water, with ferries running regularly to and from the mainland. A short walk descends into Rayong town, where a local aquarium operates near the waterfront.
Evening brings your first group dinner at a local restaurant, where you'll meet your fellow riders and begin the week's journey.
2Gulf Coast Cycling to Chanthaburi: Coastal Roads, Seafood & Gem Markets (60km)Chanthaburi · Gulf of Thailand shoreline · waterside restaurant · local restaurant in Chanthaburi
The longest riding day covers 60 kilometers along gently rolling coastal terrain, following roads that run close to the Gulf of Thailand shoreline. Local snack stalls and seaside cafés punctuate the route. A seafood lunch at a waterside restaurant provides a break with optional swimming before continuing inland. The afternoon ride brings the group into Chanthaburi, a mid-sized riverside town in eastern Thailand centered on two industries: tropical fruit orchards and gemstone trading. The surrounding countryside produces rambutan, longan, mangosteen, and durian; the town center hosts an active colored-stone market. Accommodation is at a resort outside town. Dinner at a local restaurant offers an introduction to Chanthaburi's coastal Cambodian-influenced cuisine, including crab curry with betel leaves, tom yum noodles, and roasted duck with rice.
3Chanthaburi's Markets & Orchards to Battambang: Crossing into CambodiaBattambang · Chanthaburi town · the morning market · fruit orchard country surrounding Chanthaburi · a local restaurant · Thai-Cambodian border
Start the morning in Chanthaburi town with a ride through the historic Catholic quarter, where shophouses and a cathedral reflect the town's colonial past. The route leads to the morning market, where street food, sweets, and traditional tea are available. Durian, the regional fruit, is sold here.
From the market, the 46-kilometer ride passes through fruit orchard country surrounding Chanthaburi, where rambutan, longan, mangosteen, and durian are cultivated. Your Tour Leader will identify a local restaurant for your final Thai lunch.
A road transfer of just over one hour brings you to the Thai-Cambodian border. Your Thai support crew transfers you to your Cambodian team. The landscape opens and the pace of daily life noticeably changes. Rural villages with rice fields are visible from the road.
By sunset, you arrive in Battambang, a provincial capital on the Sangker River. After settling into your accommodation, the evening includes a Khmer welcome dinner, your formal introduction to Cambodian hospitality and cuisine.
4Battambang Village Ride with Soksabike & the Bamboo Train (27km)nearby villages · Battambang's bamboo train
The morning's 27-kilometer ride is led by students from Kinyei, a local NGO that operates Soksabike, a cycling-based vocational training program. The route passes through nearby villages, stopping at small-scale food producers: dried banana operations, bamboo-tube sticky rice (kralanh), and rice wine production, each with explanation of the process and its local context.
After returning to town for lunch, the afternoon features a ride on Battambang's bamboo train, a 4-kilometer run along a single-track rural line using a flat bamboo platform powered by a small engine. The train operates as a community-run experience that supports local livelihoods. The Banan hills form the backdrop. The remainder of the afternoon is unscheduled, with the town center and hotel pool both within easy reach.
5Prasat Banan Temple & Transfer to Siem Reap (40km)Prasat Banan · Siem Reap · rice fields and shaded forest backroads
The day's 40-kilometer ride includes a climb to Prasat Banan, an 11th-century Angkorian temple set on a hilltop above the Sangker River, accessed via a staircase of 358 steps. The elevated position provides views over the surrounding lowlands. The return route passes through rice fields and shaded forest backroads before arriving at the hotel for lunch. The group then transfers by road to Siem Reap through open countryside with stilted farmhouses and wide agricultural plains. Dinner in Siem Reap includes Khmer dishes such as chicken amok and beef lok lak, with international options also available in the town center.
6Angkor Archaeological Park by Forest Trail: Preah Khan, Ta Som & Farewell Dinner (41km)Angkor Archaeological Park · Preah Khan · Ta Som · family-run restaurant · local family home inside the park · hotel pool
The day's 41-kilometer route runs through Angkor Archaeological Park on forest trails and shaded paths, using quieter access routes separate from main visitor circuits. The first stop is Preah Khan, a late 12th-century temple complex extending nearly 2 kilometers end to end, comprising corridors, galleries, and courtyards, many partially covered by tree growth. Ta Som, a temple from the same period, features fig tree roots that have grown over and through its eastern gopura, creating a botanical-architectural formation. Lunch is served inside the park at a local family home, with Khmer dishes prepared on-site. The afternoon ride returns the group to the hotel in time for a pool stop before the farewell dinner at a family-run restaurant known for slow-cooked preparations using local herbs and Kampot pepper.
7Angkor Wat Sunrise, Bayon, Ta Prohm & Sra Srang Farewell PicnicAngkor Wat · Bayon · Ta Prohm · Sra Srang
An early morning departure brings the group to Angkor Wat for sunrise viewing. After sunrise, bicycles carry riders along forest trails to Bayon, the face-tower temple at the center of Angkor Thom, and to Ta Prohm, where root systems from silk-cotton and strangler fig trees have grown through and over the stone structures. A picnic breakfast is served following the sunrise stop. Later in the day, the group rides to Sra Srang, a reservoir used for ritual bathing, for a final lunch with open water views. Free time follows before the tour concludes with farewells to the tour leader and support crew.
ROUTE SUMMARY: The tour covers distances ranging from 27 to 60 kilometers per day across seven days. Three road transfers provide passage from Bangkok to Rayong (Day 1), across the Thai-Cambodian border (Day 3), and from Battambang to Siem Reap (Day 5). Support vehicles accompany all riding days. The tour begins in Bangkok and concludes in Siem Reap.
Included
- 7 nights in hotels & resorts, mostly with outdoor pools
- 6 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 5 dinners
- Quality bikes and our Rest & Ride support vehicle
- Passionate Tour Leader and support crew
- Healthy/local snacks and water
- All activities, transfers and site entry fees
- Memento cycling jersey and water bottle
Not included
- Trip Insurance
- Travel Visas