DEPARTURE DATE:   05 to 17 DECEMBER 2010 

Each year there are 60,000 children died mainly due to waterborne illness exacerbated by villager habit drinking water from pit wells. Cambodia Cycling team in cooperation with the dynamic Trailblazer Foundation, a community based NGOs, http://www.thetrailblazerfoundation.org/ will organize Cambodia Water Filter Challenge from 08th to 20th December 2009. We cycle about 667km start with a transfer from Bangkok. Then cycle from the border to the former Khmer Rouge strong hold Pailin, Battambang, then crossing Tonle Sap lake to visit Angkor historical temple complex. Visit the bustling Phnom Penh capital then the former capital of Khmer Empire Ta Keo, known as Funan, Kampot and the beach of Sihanouk Ville.

The main aims are to provide clean water to impoverished areas. This is done through bio-sand water filters that remove 98% of the bacteria. All the profit for this trip will be used to purchase water filters from the Trailblazer and distribute to the poor villagers throughout Cambodia. Our target is to raise enough fund to purchase 100 water filters. There will be no additional donation requirement.

During the 3 days tour in Siem Reap, cyclists are required to do physical work half day in the morning at the Trailblazer. This involves sifting sand, making filter moulds and painting them. Another morning will be spent to travel on the truck to the rural communities to deliver the water filter and, with a Trailblazer member, then educate the villagers on how to use them sustainable and more importantly why to use them. These trips to the village are important. You will appoint a "community committee" in each village who will assist in it's maintenance. They take about 30 minutes to install then about 1 hour to help educate the locals on how and why to use them. It will be enjoyable trip with fun and have local experience at Cambodia rural.

Day 1: Bangkok-Rayong (Cycling 50km)
Meet with our guide to brief on the tour and check the bike. Then transfer to Pattaya. It used to be US marine base, now boom with night life activities. Start cycling by taking coastline road by the sea around 50km. Stop for lunch. Late afternoon, we arrive in Rayong.  Dinner at local restaurant. Overnight in Rayong at the beach hotel. (L,D)

Day 2: Rayong-Chantaburi (Cycling 60km)
Breakfast at the hotel. Start biking to mangrove study center around 60km. On the way we stop and pay visits and talk to local people, see how they earn their livings. At the mangrove, we can walk around and visit one of the most successful forest restoration project of Thailand. Then check in and spend the night in Chantaburi. Dinner at local restaurant. (B,L,D)

Day 3: Chantaburi-Pailin (Cycling 47km)
Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Pongnamron and start cycling to the border 27km. After the immigration, lunch at local restaurant. Then cycling 20km to the Pailin town located on the foothills of the scenic Cardamom mountains. Pailin used to be Khmer Rouge Strong-hold survived by trading gem stones. Until 1998, Khmer Rouge has demobilized their forces into the government army, then the town had got completely peace. The town is now home to some of the former Khmer Rouge leaders who are - now in jail awaiting for international tribunal. After cycling on the dirt red bumpy road, we arrive in the small dusty town of Pailin. View sunset at Phnom Yat to overlook Pailin. This temple of on Phnom Yat hill is more for Kula Muslim minority who earn their living with gem stone business. The Muslim minority made up 5% of the whole population in Cambodia. Return back to the hotel for shower and welcome dinner. Overnight in Pailin.

Day 4: Pailin-Battambang (85km)
Breakfast at the hotel. Fill the water and briefing on the road condition and water stop. After the town, there are a few climbs and then down hill. Watch for large potholes, and cows might be crossing the road with the string so there might a trap. We cycle along this Cadarmom mountain range passing the rice field and we won't be tired as the kids like to say hello and waving from their houses. Recently, the road from Pailin to Battambang has been improved. We stop for water, snack and drink under a big shad of a tree. Then continue cycling another 20km before stopping for lunch in Sneung overlooked a nearby a temple near the road. A little rest on the mat would be good. After lunch we cycle another 20km to Phnom Sampov, overlook the hilltop pagoda and the cave. Just 15km to Battambang, we do a bit of transfer as to avoid the busy traffic in town.

Battambang used to be second biggest city but now become a relaxed town where Siem Reap is getting more boom. Situated on the bank of Sangker River, Battambang has many French colonial building and traditional Cambodian house. It is worth to take the Bamboo train as the local railway is running only twice a week for passenger train and cargo train is running more often. So local people enjoy taking more bamboo train. Overnight in Battambang. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Battambang-Siem Reap (22km)
An early breakfast before cycling for 15 minutes to board on the boat to Siem Reap. The boat has toilet and life jacket and takes about 6 - 7 hours. It is one of the best boat trip in Cambodia to cross the Sangker river viewing the fishermen and all their activities on the river. Then crossing Tonle Sap lake (South East Asia’s largest freshwater lake). It is the main reserve for water when the Mekong is flooded, without the lake, Cambodia will be flooded every year. In rainy season, the water reaches 10,000 square Km when it is only 5,000 square Km in dry season. The lake is as important as for the human-being and the fish, birds and other wild animals. One hour before reaching the dock, the boat passes Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary home and breeding area for some thousands of water birds.

After crossing Tonle Sap lake, we arrive at Chong Kneas floating village. The village combines of Cambodian, Muslim and Vietnamese and they move up and down depends on the season. All the houses are floating with support of the bamboo. After arrival at the dock, get off and prepare to ride bicycle 22 km to Angkor Wat for sunset view. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 6: Banteay Srei & One Thousand Lingas (90km by bicycle) Breakfast at the hotel. Depart from the hotel on the main road. Arrive at Angkor Wat and turn left to the west. Continue to cycle 2km before turn right to the rural road.  The road is good for cycling as you can avoid the busy traffic but you can see rice field, village, pagoda. Arrive in Banteay Srei before lunch. Visit (45 minutes) Banteay Srei temple known as women citadel (built in 967 A.D dedicated to Brahma). While some of temples are impressive because of their sheer size, Banteay Srei stands alone in the quality of its construction and decoration. Its pink sandstone walls are decorated with what some consider the best carving of all, and still an excellent state of preservation preservation.

Continue cycling to visit Kbal Spean, the River of Thousands Lingas, lying under the river bed, people believe it brings fertility and blessing Angkor area as the river flows to Siem Reap. Walk 1,200meters to visit the Lingas and enjoy lunch and the water fall. On the way back, cycle on the main road to visit Landmine Museum of Mr. Akira.  Mr. Ra is dedicated to clearing the Cambodian countryside of landmines laid during the years of conflict and relies entirely on visitors' donation to fund his work. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 8: Trailblazer-Grand Circuit (40km)
Morning will be spent to head off on the truck to the rural communities to drop the the water filter off and, with a Trailblazer member, then educate the villagers on how to use them and more importantly WHY to use them. These trips to the village are important and mustn't missed. You will appoint a "community steward" in each village who will assist in it's maintenance. They take about 30 minutes to install then about 1 hour to help educate the locals on how and why to use them.

Day 9: Siem Reap-Phnom Penh (18km)
Early morning, cycle to Tonle Sap lake to board the speedboat to Phnom Penh (7h00-13h00). Upon arrival, check in at the hotel. Afternoon, free at leisure to wander around the capital city by your own. Overnight in Phnom Penh. (B,L,D)

Day 10: Phnom Penh – Takeo (67 km by bicycle)
Cycle to Tonle Bati for a picnic lunch before heading to Phnom Chiso. The summit can be reached via a 180-step climb and offers magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. Later we arrive at Takeo for the night. (BLD)

Day 11: Takeo – Kampot (78 km by bicycle)
After breakfast, take the boat to visit hilltop temple at Phnom Da, former capital of Khmer Empire during the first century known as Funan. Return back to cycle to Kampot passing Ta Mok's house, the former Khmer Rouge General Commander.  Late afternoon, arrive in Kampot, remain a charm colonial town well-known for Kampot pepper and durian. Overnight in Kampot. (BLD)

Day 12: Kampot – Sihanoukville (105 km)
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we are going to finish our final challenge starting with a calm cycle in the morning crossing the bridge overlook Kampot River. Follow Bokor Mountain Range and take the fist stop for snack and water. Then cycle passing the fishing village leaving Bokor Mountain in the backdrop. Turn left to the main National Road No.4, keep single line on the right hand side of the road as the traffic is getting busy. After lunch under the big shade of the tree and take a powerful nap; we cycle to finish our final challenge with a huge climbs on 3 hills where you can see the beach ahead of us. Then cycle straight to the beach to finish our cycling. Farewell dinner to celebrate our cycling challenge. Overnight in Sihanouk Ville.

Day 13: Sihanoukville – Phnom Penh Departure
Breakfast at the hotel. Free at leisure to relax at the beach before transferring back to Phnom Penh for departure flight.

Tour Price Includes

• Accommodation 3* star in sharing room
• Support van, cool box, back up service
• Water & snack, cold drink (Coke light etc.,)
• Cycling experienced guide
• Full board meals (breakfasts, lunch and dinner)
• All boat tickets and boat trips
• All entrance fee and temple pass

Price Excludes

• International Flights
• Departure Tax $25 (international)
• Visa Fees $20 (issued on arrival)
• Alcoholic, and other beverages in the evenings
• Tips for guides.
• Personal travel insurance
• Any services not mentioned in itinerary

The holiday was excellently organized with a good diversity of activities, accommodation etc. Restaurants were good and you were flexible with Sue's requests. Thank you for finding all the fruit many of which I had never had and some which Sue had not tasted. We were very well looked after. We enjoyed the home stay in Chambok as it made us appreciate electricity and facilities elsewhere. Dara (the driver for support vehicle) was very helpful and seemed to enjoy the trip which also helps.  View more feedback >>