Does any have experience, traveling cambodia on motorcycle?
(read that its fairly cheap to rent offroad bikes there)
I dont intent to do "hardcore" offroading, but more as transportation from A to B.
Question A:
Any good/bad experiences?
or should I forget all about it and use public transportation
I have aprox. 3 weeks and...
Wants to se Angkor Wat, then rent a bike and go to Koh Ker, to see the tempel.
From there to Kratie (Kracheh)
Question B:
Any possibility to dive in the mekong delta (could be exciting to dive with freshwater dolphins)
Question C:
Is there any guided trekking trips into the rainforest in the Kratie region?
From Kratie,
on to Phnom Penh,
and from Phnom Penh to Sihanoukville.
Question D:
Heard Sihanoukville, is the cambodian version of a tourist trap, or is it more laidback backpacker easygoing, you know what I mean?
From Sihanoukville to Kaoh Kong and then back to Siem Riep to turn in the bike.
Question E:
Is this realistic in 3 weeks, or do i need to cut down? (and what to cut away)
Very excited to hear from you...
Kenno)
Sorry, about this danish version of english :)
Look at Matt Jacobson's "Adventure Cambodia", which covers motorbike touring more than some other guidebooks. From what I remember though, it's very hard to make that work in the rainy season (which includes July), because many roads turn into lakes in the rainy season. And you'll be covered in mud most of the time.
Check this website. He also posts here but I've forgotten his handle. Also a user called Hankor has posted news on motorbike tours.
Question A: I'd say go for it. Apart from an accident there's not that much danger. Angkor Wat, Koh Ker and Kratie doable within 10 days.
Question B: The dolphins aren't in the Mekong delta. They're just north of Kratie.
Question C: I know a guide who does treks out of Ban Lung in Ratanakiri. Don't know about treks near Kratie.
Question D: What do you mean by tourist trap? Souvenir shops, big tourist groups, set meals? Not really.
Question E: IMO it's entirely possible but I'd cut out Koh Kong and add Kep and Kampot. Don't know if you can go to Bokor on your own bike.
I think you'll have to rent your bike in Phnom Penh, as far as I know it's not possible to rent bikes in Siem Reap.
Talk to Jim out at California 2 in Phnom Penh. As far as I know, he has the latest travel advice around the country for the off-road bike rider.
Yeah, as Henningwessel states, the dolphins are north of Kratie, and you aren't allowed to dive with them, besides, they are very shy and would probably swim away.
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<hr>Don't know if you can go to Bokor on your own bike.<hr></blockquote>
You can, Ive done it twice.
you didn't mention if you have any previous experience driving in third world countries. The roads in Cambodia have improved quite a bit over the years but there are still problems. There was a missing manhole cover for three months in Battambong for instance, hit it and die but they wouldn't replace it for a long time. After the first accident they usually mark it with a tree branch. Same thing with the road to Siem Riep, there are some killer potholes a few miles from Phnom Penh. One section in 300 kilometers, most people know about them because they've been there a long long time. Let me give you some advice, don't drive fast expecially at night.
I've seen a LOT of accidents in Cambodia. It's not a place you want to get hurt in either because it is so backward outside of the big cities. It's a little better in the cities if you have a fistful of cash on your person.
I drive a motorbike here and enjoy it very much, have been for four and a half years now. It is wonderful weather for a motorbike, basically a t-shirt 24 hours a day. You'll love it and good luck.
Never been to asia before... so i dont know what to expect.
Have 8 years experience driving mc, but no serious offroading.
Sounds like its very different, compaired to africa (driven a bit mc there)
K1d..
Thanks for the warnings, i will keep them in mind!
OP -
There is some good reading for you at - Jim's California 2 Corner from Tales of Asia. He might even respond to an email with your questions.
If you are in Phnom Penh, ask Jim if he has any photos. I spent a few hours looking at his portfolio of amazing images of motorcycling in Cambodia.
You can rent 250cc of road bikes cheaply but it depends on what sort of a risk you wish to take of how good a mechanic you are as to whether you go for the cheap option of not. In the past I have rented 250cc for about $10 a day from Khmer shops and had no problems, however I have heard stories of people breaking down a long way from Phnom Penh and having big difficulties and expense getting the bike sorted or back to Phnom Penh. If you can afford it I would go for the western owned bike shops, more expensive, about $25 per day, but very well maintained and the will assist if you have any mechanical issues.
Great way to travel, really gives you freedom. In terms of safety just don’t assume a thing, and fully concentrate all the time. Cambodian’s have no concept of right of way, will drive towards you on your side of the road, will not bother looking when coming out of side roads, if their vehicle is bigger they have right or way whether you think so or not, and then you have to constantly keep a look out for kids, pigs, cows, chickens etc. all will appear out of nowhere! Some dirt roads may be a bit tricky in July due to the rains, just ask locals…
Diving in the Mekong!! It would be like diving in coffee, so even if you could you wouldn’t see a thing!!
Not aware of any guided trekking in Kratie, some great guided trekking in Ratanakiri though…
Sihanoukville is nowhere near the tourist trap that Siem Reap is and sure it still has a laid back feel. However, wherever there are tourists there are people trying to make a quick buck from them, so just use your commonsense.
Sure you can do all that in 3 weeks, depends what distance you want to do each day and how long you want to stay in places.
Have fun….
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