Your holiday starts at the hotel in Siem Reap. A single group transfer from Siem Reap Airport is provided. The remainder of the day is free for catching up on sleep following the long flight, or for independent sightseeing. Siem Reap is located a few kilometres south of Angkor Wat and extends along the banks of the Siem Reap River. As the gateway to the Angkor complex, the town is a popular tourist destination, with colonial and Chinese style architecture in the old French Quarter and some colourful and bustling markets.

After breakfast, you will pick up your bikes and the local guide will be on hand to make sure you get the right size. We then leave the hotel by bike for the world famous temples of Angkor, a source of national pride to all Khmers after years of horrific war and trauma. Bypassing the main tourist route we follow small dirt roads and narrow jungle paths which lead us to the stunning spectacle of Angkor Wat, the biggest of the Angkor temples and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1992. Angkor Wat is the largest Hindu temple complex and the largest religious monument in the world. Literally translated, Angkor Wat, means 'heaven on earth' and has become a national symbol of Cambodia. Angkor is the earthly representation of Mt Meru, the Mount Olympus of the Hindu faith and the abode of ancient gods. We will spend some time looking around the site and then, at sunset, we will climb the pyramid at Pre Rup. As the sun goes down, the majestic reddish hues of the temple are intensified and views of the surrounding rice fields of the Eastern Barray are quite stunning. We return to our hotel in Siem Reap.

We will drive out this morning (1.5 hours) to the natural plateau of the Phnom Kulen National Park. For the final part of the approach by bus there is the option for the more adventurous to cycle up to the plateau at an elevation of around 400 metres. Here, there's the chance to swim at a waterfall pool in the river before we set off to ride a new bike trail created by the CBTC which meanders through the rainforest and visits hidden 9th century pre-Angkorian temples on the way. Arriving at the village of Anlong Thom, we meet our hosts for a night in a wooden stilt house homestay. It is also possible to walk the section of CBTC trail.

We enjoy a second day of mountain biking on the plateau of Phnom Kulen. Following forest tracks, we will cycle to the village of Sangkelak where there is a handicraft workshop (Kulen Crafts). There is the chance to try traditional mat weaving here, before we continue our ride to the highest point of the plateau at an elevation of around 500 metres. There are great views of the plain below and this is a great place to spend the night. There are wooden bivouac platforms (and the option to have a tent) with all bedding including mosquito nets provided.

In the early morning, this is a great place to do some bird spotting and there are binoculars available for use. Then, after breakfast, we'll set off on our bikes, following easy trails to the edge of the plateau where we find a hermits cave with ancient Khmer inscriptions. At Wat Chas, a small monastery at the eastern edge of the plateau, we can look down to Svay Leu and the plains below. We descend to Ta Penh, meet our vehicle support and set off across the plains to the temples of Roluos. We will concentrate here on the special 'mountain temple' of Bakhong, built by King Indravarman in 881. It is the most remote of the temples and the least visited, but that make it perfect for us. There's lots to see here, including an active Buddhist monastery at one of the entrances. We will have lunch at a traditional Khmer house in the countryside. In the afternoon, we will cycle back to our hotel in Siem Reap.

Cycling to Angkor Thom from our hotel, the spectacular sight of the faces of 54 demons and 54 gods makes for a jaw dropping entrance to this ancient capital. The major Khmer king, Jayavarman VII, built this huge facility in the late 12th to early 13th century, after driving enemy forces from his kingdom. A square wall with a side length of approximately 3 kilometres surrounds the holy city of Angkor Thom. We visit Bayon, the central temple of Angkor Thom. Bayon has several towers and its most impressive features are the stunning, metre-high, stone-carved faces of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. After lunch in a local restaurant, we have the opportunity to visit the lesser known sites hidden in the forest on foot and by bike. The Phimeanakas Temple is reached by a short walk through the jungle and is a 3-tiered laterite pyramid. This temple is said to have been the home of a spirit who, each night, took the form of a beautiful woman and was visited by the Khmer Kings. At dinner, we will be entertained by traditional Khmer Apsara dancers. We spend our final night at the hotel in Siem Reap.

After breakfast at the hotel, we have a short ride to Tonie Sap Lake, where we board the public speedboat which will take us on the Sangkae River to Battambang. The Tonle Sap (Khmer: Great Lake) is the largest lake in South-East Asia and one of the most productive inland waters of the earth. The inhabitants of the stilted floating villages on the Tonle Sap live mainly from fishing and growing vegetables in the same way that their families have for generations. These villages are primarily Khmer and have around 3000 inhabitants between them. Travelling by boat is a simple, yet rewarding way to gain an insight into the lifestyles of these Cambodian people, whose livelihoods are dependant on the lake and river. Depending on water levels, our journey takes between 6 and 8 hours. During particularly dry conditions it may be necessary to make part of this transfer by road. There will the opportunity to stretch our legs during the journey. Overnight at a hotel in Battambang.

After breakfast, we cycle through traditional riverside villages and across a scenic landscape, to the 11th century temple of Wat Ek (10 kilometres north-west of Battambang) which is a popular pilgrimage and picnic site for Khmers. After lunch, we leave Battambang province and drive along the Tonle Sap to the easy-going town of Kampong Chhnang. Literally translated, Kampong Chhnang means 'Clay Pot Port' and it is famous for its distinctive pottery. Kampong province was important during the French period for the production of rubber. In the late afternoon, we stroll by the river port, with its floating houses and numerous fishing boats and can get a real feel for traditonal Cambodia. Overnight at a hotel in Kampong Chhnang.

Today's pleasant morning ride takes us through paddy fields and plantations fringed with palm trees. Small villages along the way produce attractive pottery and we have chance to stop and peruse their wares. In the afternoon, we leave the Kampong province and transfer (4 to 5 hrs) to the former French colonial town of Kampot, famous for its endless rice fields and Kampot pepper. Overnight in a bungalow beside the Kampot River.

After breakfast, we cycle along the coast and across salt flats to Kep. Here, we find a fusion of faded French Indo-China and a real seaside atmosphere, set beside a tropical sea. From the 1930's right up until the Khmer Rouge period, Kep was a popular place for wealthy travellers and a stroll along its promenade is testament to its rather 'swisher' past. From Kep, we take a 30 minute boat ride to Koh Tonsay or Rabbit Island, (locals say it resembles a rabbit). The main beach on the island is a 250 metre, palm fringed stretch and after our full-on adventures in Cambodia we have definitely earned the right for some full-on R&R! In the evening, we return to our bungalow accommodation at Kampot.

The day begins with a 4-hour drive to Andoung Teuk where we board a traditional wooden boat for the journey into the Cardomom Mountains. Heading upstream on the Piphot River, it takes a couple of hours or so to reach our destination, the village of Chi Phat, which has a population of around three thousand. On arrival, we'll stretch our legs with a short cycle ride around the village, ending up at a good place to watch the sunset. We overnight at a local community project homestay in Chi Phat.

Located in the southern Cardamom Mountains, Chi Phat is at the heart of South-East Asia's largest remaining tract of rainforest. Whilst poachers and loggers used to operate in this area, the establishment of the Wildlife Alliance in 2002 effectively put a stop on their activities. A large community-based ecotourism project, using local labour to actively regenerate the area was set up. This has included reforestation projects to encourage the wildlife to return to the region. The people of Chi Phat are directly involved and the village benefits from this involvement. Cycling on hidden trails through the jungle, there is a lot of up and down and some sections where we will have to push our bikes. We also have the chance to swim in the clear waters of an idyllic natural pool below O'Malu Waterfall. We will also visit the Village of O'Kay, set amongst lush rainforest and banana plantations, where elephants often feed. We spend a second night at the homestay in Chi Phat.

After breakfast, we drive back across country (4 hours) to the country's capital, Phnom Penh. Rising from its troubled past, Phnom Penh is very much on the 'up', alive and a real feast for the senses in every respect. Situated beside the Tonle Sap River, the waterfront is crowded with Cambodians every evening and this provides an excellent way of 'getting in amongst it' and immersing ourselves in the local culture. Our city tour will include the distinctive structure of the Royal Palace and a visit to the Silver Pagoda and National Museum. Alternatively, the Russian and French markets can be an option for those keen to practice their haggling skills! At sunset, we take a boat ride on the Mekong. The chocolate-coloured waters of the Tonle Sap and the Mekong are the real lifeblood of the city and from the river we can admire the Phnom Penh skyline and its Royal Palace, as the sun goes down. Overnight at a hotel in Phnom Penh.

Your holiday ends after breakfast. A single group transfer to Phnom Penh Airport is provided.