Cambodia - Children riding to school on bikes.

Cycling for K.I.D.S. in Cambodia

An adventure of a life-time – to change the lives of children.

Overview

Join this fund-raising adventure to bike across Cambodia, a stunningly beautiful country that is still marred by poverty and lack of opportunities for its young people.

Our trip will make a difference in the lives of children and their families in a simple way that has proven to be highly effective – providing them with bikes.

In Cambodia a bike is literally a ride to education:

Many students have to travel a long distance to school, which is a big deterrent to attendance. A bicycle allows them to get to school and they can take one and sometimes two of their siblings with them.
The students’ families can also use the bikes to get to clinics and to local markets.
This initiative supports local families that sell and fix bicycles.

This 10-day adventure is spectacular (with comfortable hotels and delicious food). From our starting point in Phnom Penh, we ride across rural islands in the Mekong Delta, through tapestries of iridescent green paddy fields and along palm shaded country lanes.

Reaching Siem Reap, we explore the amazing temples by bike: incomparable Angkor Wat, mysterious Ta Prohm over grown by massive tree roots, and many more.

We meet the children we are helping. At the end of the trip we pedal to the Tonle Sap Lake area and see the new bikes being delivered to a school. In a lovely and fitting finale we go cycling with a group of children on their brand-new bikes.

You don’t have to be super fit to join this trip! The pace is easy, on flat terrain, pedaling between 35 km and 60 km a day, with a support vehicle along. We use Cannondale Trail bikes –and we have some e bikes available.

How the fundraising works. Each participant raises funds from friends and family – a minimum of US $ 500 per team member. (We’ll assist with the fundraising tools) The funds will go directly to our partners K.I.D.S International to buy bicycles for needy children who live in in the brick factory area near Siem Reap. Each bike is locally bought and costs US$55.

K.I.D.S International was founded in 2004 by our dear friends Adrianne Dartnall and Rick Lennert. They work across S.E Asia, with Cambodia as their main focus. In Siem Reap we have seen first hand their incredible work to improve the lives of Cambodian families living in extreme poverty. Through very practical and direct ways, K.I.D.S provides housing, clean water, medicine, schools, educational supplies, transportation and small business grants. It has made a huge difference to very many families. You can read updates on K.I.D.S International projects here: www.adrianneandrickatkids.blogspot.com

K.I.D.S recently donated 200 bikes to students and their families in the Siem Reap area, at a cost of US$55 per bike. With luck we can top 200! Any extra funds will go to the Smart Kids project, which sponsors students through 5 years of secondary schooling.

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary

Day 1: Phnom Penh arrival

Meet your trusty guides, get fitted for your bike and have a trip orientation before a delicious welcome dinner.

Meals: D

Day 2: Exploring Mekong River Delta islands

Plunge into rural Cambodia! Hop across the Mekong River by small ferries and a bridge for a bike exploration of three lovely islands. Pedal through villages and farmland with stops to learn about local weaving and to visit a Buddhist pagoda.

Meals: B, L

Day 3: Phnom Penh – Kompong Cham

Take another ferry across the Mekong to today’s starting point on its eastern bank. Cycle along the river, through colorful local villages and past beautiful pagodas. After a picnic lunch take another ferry across the Mekong and continue cycling to the riverside town of Kampong Cham.

Meals: B, L, D

Day 4: Kompong Cham – Kompong Thom

Transfer to the small town of Santuk, the starting point for today’s cycling. Follow small paths through villages, rice fields and farmlands to the famous Sambor Prei Kuk Archeological area, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Explore its walled city and cycle through the forest to discover hidden temples dating from the 6^th to 9^th centuries.

Meals: B, L, D

Day 5: Kompong Thom – Siem Reap

After a transfer, cycle to Beng Mealea, one of the most mysterious Angkor temples set in (and grown over with!) beautiful forest. Pedal on to Troav Kot Lake for lunch on its shore. Then cycle into Siem Reap and jump into the hotel pool!

Meals: B, L

Day 6: Siem Reap, and the Angkor Complex

Explore Angkor by bike! Wheel through Angkor Thom South Gate – a fantastic introduction to this amazing area. Visit the Elephant Terrace, Royal Palace, Baphuon and the unique Bayon temple (our personal favorite). In the afternoon, cycle to the famous Angkor Wat, for a tour of this iconic site.

Meals: B, L

Day 7: Siem Reap and outlying temples

Discover some smaller but equally beautiful Angkorian temples, riding on small trails through the forest and villages. A highlight is the mysterious Ta Prohm, famous for huge tree roots that have blended into the ruins. On the way back to Siem Reap stop to watch the sunset from Srah Srang.

Meals: B, L

Day 8: Siem Reap: Phnom Krom

Follow beautiful red soil trails between rice paddies, lotus fields and sugar palm plantations to reach Phnom Krom, an Angkorian temple set on a 140-meter hill with panoramic views of the plains and Tonle Sap Lake. Reach the top by foot – or if you’re feeling sporty, by bike!

In the evening, meet Adrianne and Rick, the founders of K.I.D.S International and learn about their fantastic work.

Meals: B, L, D

Day 9: Siem Reap: K.I.D.S International Visit

Cycle out towards Tonle Sap Lake to a school where our donated bikes are delivered. Meet the students who are receiving them and go cycling together to visit some of their families. Enjoy a late lunch in a stilted village on Tonle Sap Lake.

In the evening join Rick and Adrianne for dinner celebrating the great work of K.I.D.S International and our efforts on their behalf!

Meals: B, L, D

Day 10: Siem Reap departure

Say farewell to newfound friends and transfer to Siem Reap Airport for your outbound flight.

Meals: B

Please note: this itinerary serves as an example of trip highlights and is subject to change.

FAQ

What does the Land Cost cover?

Included are:

All entrance fees and sightseeing as mentioned in the program.
Meals as mentioned in the program
Transfer from and to the airports by private vehicle with A/C
All activities as shown in the itinerary
Van support during cycling day as mentioned
All entrance fees and sightseeing as mentioned in the program
Local English speaking bike guides and history guides
Drinking water through out the trip

What's not included in the Land Cost?

Does not include:

International flight tickets and airport taxes
Visa fees
Tips & personal expenses
Travel insurance
Any services not clearly mentioned in the program
Meals and drinks not mentioned in the program

Do I have to fundraise?

This trip is all about supporting K.I.D.S. International and buying bikes for children in Cambodia. If you’re not comfortable with asking others to donate to this cause you can simply make a donation of US $500 (or more) in order to be able to take part in the trip.

How do I raise funds?

We will be providing information to help your fundraising efforts with friends and family. The minimum amount we ask you to raise is US $500, with a target of $2500.

Where will the money raised go to?

The funds you raised will be sent directly to K.I.D.S International to buy bikes for children in the brick factory area of Siem Reap. Any extra funds will go to their Smart Kids project, sponsoring students through secondary education.

Can donors get tax receipts?

Donors in Canada can get tax receipts from K.I.D.S International. This will happen automatically when they make an online donation through our crowd-funding campaign.

Where does the trip start and end?

It starts in Phnom Penh and ends in Siem Reap.

How do I get to and from Cambodia?

Both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap have international airports. To reach them from North America or Europe you fly though a SE Asian hub such as Bangkok, Hong Kong, Hanoi, Taipei, Seoul or Singapore, or through Guangzhou, China. Airlines servicing both Phnom Penh and Siem Reap include: Air Asia, Asiana, Bangkok Airways, China Airways, China Southern, Jetstar, Korean Air, Lao Airlines, Silk Air, Thai, Malaysia Airlines, Vietnam Airlines.

What are the levels of cycling on this trip, and how fit do I have to be?

The cycling is mostly on flat, easy terrain. There will be some sections on dirt roads. The distances are not great – between 30 km) and 65 km a day, and we will have a support vehicle with us. However, you will be cycling for 8 days in a row, in heat. So it is important to train before the trip – we will send you some guidelines on this.

Are E-assist bikes available?

We will have some e-bikes available for a supplemental charge.

I have food allergies. Is that a problem?

Among Southeast Asians, extreme food allergies are almost unheard of so the level of awareness of the dangers they pose is not really grasped by locals. Southeast Asian food often includes many condiments that can include traces of nuts or seafood. We therefore caution guests with life-threatening nut and seafood allergies that we cannot accept any liability nor make any guarantees that their food will be free of allergens.

I’m a vegetarian, is that a problem?

Not at all, but please let us know in advance, and advise us on what you can’t eat.

Do I need a visa?

Yes. You can get a visa on arrival or online before you travel. We will send you details in the pre-trip information.

Do I need any special insurance?

Medical insurance, including emergency evacuation, is mandatory on all our trips. We also strongly advise you to purchase trip cancellation insurance, as the trip deposit and final balance are non refundable.

Do I need vaccinations?

Your routine vaccinations (tetanus/diphtheria, polio, etc.) must be up to date. Another general precaution is a hepatitis A and a typhoid vaccination. Please consult your local travel clinic or physician.
NOTE: If you are arriving in Cambodia from a country where yellow fever is present, you will need to show that you have been vaccinated for it.

What about malaria?

While it is present throughout the country except for Phnom Penh and the temple complex at Angkor Wat, the risk of contracting malaria is considered to be low. However you may wish to be prudent by taking anti malarial medication. Please consult your local travel clinic or physician.

How can I access cash when I’m on the trip?

ATMs are readily available in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, and in the small towns on our route. From ATMS you can access Cambodian Riel or US dollars. The most widely used currency in Cambodia is the US dollar. It’s good to have some small denomination notes along for when you are in the countryside. Tipping of guides and in restaurants (for dinners on your own) can be in US dollars.

What clothes and equipment will I need?

When you sign up for the trip, we will provide you with a comprehensive clothes and equipment list.

I’m travelling alone, is that a problem?

Absolutely not. We have many guests who travel with us on their own. They appreciate the camaraderie of our Hidden Places groups, and usually go home with new-found friends. The Land Cost is based on double occupancy so we will attempt to pair you with some one of the same gender to share the hotel rooms with. If you prefer to have your own room (or if we cannot match you with someone to share) you will be required to pay the single supplement.

Gallery