Want to know how to make a real difference in the world? We give you a chance to turn your holiday into a life changing adventure, both yours and the local NGOs you choose to support.
We strongly believe in engaging with local experts (NGO Directors) to learn about social issues, challenges and strategies so that you can gain the knowledge
Want to know how to make a real difference in the world? We give you a chance to turn your holiday into a life changing adventure, both yours and the local NGOs you choose to support.
We strongly believe in engaging with local experts (NGO Directors) to learn about social issues, challenges and strategies so that you can gain the knowledge to make a positive difference. We will test your physical boundaries, challenge your perception of charity and completely open your mind.
The 'Cycle Cambodia' tour carefully balances cycling, sight-seeing, NGO research and free rest time to create a truly unique, epic and incredible experience.
You'll visit four different grassroot NGOs in four different provinces across the 11 days. You'll cycle almost 500km through rural communities and visit all the sights that Cambodia is famous for. What's more, is that you'll be empowered to make a difference that you have seen, understood and believe in.
We ask all riders in each tour to contribute a minimum donation of US$150pp. The placement of that donation is completely up to the discretion of the group. On our last evening together, we will debate whether it's better to pool the money together for a bigger impact in one community, or share it across several NGOs. Is it better to purchase bicycles for children to get to school or to purchase water tanks and filters to facilitate clean water?
These are the decisions you will be faced with, but not before you have had the chance to learn from the local experts and ask any and all questions you want.
You begin in Phnom Penh where you'll have the chance to taste tarantula (optional!), understand what it may be like to be vision impaired by eating in a pitch black restaurant, learn what 'orphanage tourism' is and of course, visit The Killing Fields. In our journey towards Siem Reap, you'll cycle along the river via rural villages where curious kids will scream "HELLO!!!" as you leisurely cycle by. In Pursat you'll have the chance to learn why Cambodia needs a supplementary school program in addition to state sponsored education, what impact the drought is having on rural farmers and how a bio-sand water filter works.
In Battambang you'll have the chance to cook your own meal in the home of a local in a cooking class, dine on some of the best food in Cambodia that supports vocational training for disadvantaged youth and reward your cycling body with a massage.
We are the only tour to cross the wetlands into Siem Reap from Battambang. You'll cycle off road on single tracks to a small village where you'll be met by a small boat to take you down the reed heavy river, before cycling into Siem Reap.
And in your final destination, Siem Reap, you'll see the sun rise of the famous temples of Angkor, meet the inspirational helpers at a community center that assists and supports disabled children, learn about the (lack of) juvenile justice system and still find time for plenty of shopping, massages and food!
Day 1: Arrive in Phnom Penh. If you're flying in, you'll be met at the airport and transferred back to the boutique style hotel. Take some rest or explore the city, before we meet up for dinner at a local, social enterprise based restaurant.
Day 2: We'll spend some time in the morning with an NGO learning about orphanage tourism, before tackling the 'must see' S-21 genocide museum to truly grasp the country's most recent history of the Khmer Rouge era. For dinner, we'll feast on a 3 course menu in pitch black, served by a social enterprise based restaurant that offers work and training to vision impaired local staff.
Day 3: An early start will see us cycling by the Tonle Sap river via rural communities and villages, amidst the friendliest of "HELLO's!!!" by local children. We finish the day in the local town of Kampong Chhnang where you will be the only tourists. We dine at a local restaurant and there's time for a relaxing massage.
Day 4: We get way off the beaten track and you'll have an experience of real mountain biking through rural farmland. It's a fun, flat ride that comes with it's fair share of challenges, but that's why there is a support van to carry you for any part of the journey that may become too tired. Our hotel has a pool and spa to reward yourself as we arrive in Pursat.
Day 5: Be inspired by amazing local leaders and the work they do for the community. This local grassroots NGO will be able to show you some projects they have carried out to tackle areas of community development and education in the local province. It's a day off the bikes as we stay in the same Pursat hotel.
Day 6: We cycle into Battambang via more rural country roads/tracks. Arriving in the early afternoon, you'll have some time to explore this amazing town, destined to be the next big Cambodian boom. For dinner, we'll dine at some of the best food in the country and all facilitated by a vocational training based restaurant run by yet another NGO.
Day 7: Another well earned day off the bikes as we discover a first hand better alternative to orphanages by visiting a local NGO. After some rest, the evening is set aside for a cooking class in a local home, making three amazing Khmer dishes.
Day 8: From Battambang, we cycle towards Siem Reap over the wetlands via tiny fishing villages and an unforgettable boat ride. This is arguably the most experiential, rewarding and physically epic day of the tour, leading to a huge finish in Siem Reap. Our hotel boasts a pool to rest and for dinner we'll explore the city.
Day 9: Up early to see the sun rise over the majestic Angkor temples. We'll dedicate the morning to casually cycle between Angkor Wat, Bayon Temple and Ta Prohm (where Tomb Raider was filmed). IN the afternoon we'll learn a little more about the juvenile justice system and what this local NGO is doing to combat some of the challenges.
Day 10: A leisurely morning to explore the town and a couple of hours spent with our fourth and final NGO, learning a little about how the Cambodian system and society deals with disabled children. We'll visit a community center and speak to local leaders to enlighten us in this area. For dinner we'll have the great debate between us so you can agree (or separate) on how to spend your allocated donation money.
Day 11: Fit in some last minute shopping, enjoy your last breakfast and if you're flying out, we'll transfer you to the airport.
