Has anyone ever biked to Beng Mealea or the Kulen Plateau from Siem Reap?

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cinterdi
cinterdi

Hi. I will be in Siem Reap Mar 19-23. Aside from spending a couple of days in Angkor Wat, I wanted to check out some more remote temples. There are a couple of tour companies that have biking day trips (60-100km of riding) to Beng Mealea and the Kulen Plateau. My questions are:

  1. Is this a good way to get away from the crowds and see the countryside?
  2. Do you recommend any biking touring companies (I've found Grasshopper Adventures and Cambodiacycling.com)
  3. Should I book in advance?
  4. I'm traveling alone and am wondering if there are other like-minded travelers interested.
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thecyclist03
thecyclist03

I biked the Kulen plateau 10 years ago ,and did not encounter another tourist up there.You might not be alone anymore,but would assume that it is still far from the maddening crowd.What do you need a tour company?Do it on your own.

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cinterdi
cinterdi

Thanks for your response. Sounds awesome to head out on your own, but I'd rather have at least one other person looking out for me. I've never been to Cambodia and don't know the terrain.

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thecyclist03
thecyclist03

I understand I felt the same way when I headed over there for the first time 15 years ago.But I have been back dozens of times, always on my bike by myself in all corners of Cambodia,and never had anything untoward happen to me(in sharp contrast to Thailand where I live and had several 'incidents')

Anyway you shouldn't have any problems finding some company in Siem Reap,which is overrun with tourists.among them plenty of bikers.Even the Cambodians themselves have taken to sports-bicycling recently, many of them touring the countryside on brand new mountain bikes.

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larsay
larsay

I would not do it ; I love bicycling, but the road is boring (all flat until you arrive at the plateau) ; take a tuk-tuk to visit the wonderful Banteay Srei Temple an the river of a 1000 lingas in one day

On another side a bicycle is absolutely PERFECT to visit the temples ; just rent one at your hotel, no need for a cycling company nor a guide !

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