CAMBODIA – Phnom Penh – Discover the Mighty Mekong’s Silk Island by Bicycle

Description

This tour offers the opportunity to discover the capital of Phnom Penh in a more active, well-paced, and eco-friendly way and get in contact with the local community in the process. The tour starts by taking the ferry to cross the Mekong River, pedalling from the pier, then going through local villages, and stopping at a nearby house where they can try out some local fruits and drinks. Afterward, the tour continues, taking the second ferry to reach Koh Oknha Tei, a very peaceful island, cycling along narrow paths and visiting a Buddhist pagoda, farm villages, and different fruit and vegetable plantations along the way. The final destination is Koh Dach, known as “Silk Island” for its silk production. A Cambodian meal is served at a local restaurant for a lunch break. After this relaxing moment, the tour involves cycling around the farmlands, meeting the local people working in the fields, and ingvisiting a weaving house. This is the opportunity to learn about silk production and the traditional way of making silk products, including the famous Cambodian scarf, the Krama.

Can be combined with

Thematic Leisure

• Phnom Penh – Aperitif and Khmer dining in a trendy art gallery
• Phnom Penh – Street Food Discovery with Mr. Nara

Selling points

• To offer a leisurely cycling tour, adaptable to all types of guests in a reasonable physical condition
• To visit the untouched Cambodian Mekong islands and their local villages
• To cycle along the mighty Mekong River and through the peaceful farmlands
• To have a chance to interact with the local community
• To learn experience, visit the Silk House and observe how Cambodians produce their famous silk products

Level Of The Excursion

The Impact Of This Excursion

Social/cultural Impact

Environment Impact

Economic Impact

Additional Information

Explore Phnom Penh’s Mekong islands by bicycle, supporting local guides, family-run farms, and small artisans along the way. This low-impact journey connects travelers with rural communities, promotes traditional silk weaving, and encourages responsible tourism that helps sustain local livelihoods and cultural heritage.

Time And Transportation

Duration

• Full-day tour – including cycling, visits, lunch, and transportation
• Distance and duration of cycling: 30 kilometers – 3 hours
• Duration is quite important, but we can reduce to half-day tour, visiting only the two Islands – Please contact Active team

Min pax

2

Max pax

15

How to sell it

• The capacity of this tour is 25 pax max – however, the best way of experiencing this product is for smaller group, max 15 pax)
• Full-day tour for active travelers, but also for casual guests who want to visit Phnom Penh in a well-paced and sustainable way
• Full-day tour combined with a multi-day cycling module (example: Phnom Penh – Cycling, from the Capital Phnom Penh to the majestic Angkor Wat, or Phnom Penh – Cycling, from the Capital to the charming sea coast
• Different and unique way of visiting Phnom Penh
• Easy to propose one more night in Phnom Penh with different approach to the capital

Why this activity

• An active, well-paced, and eco-friendly way of visiting Phnom Penh’s surrounding countryside
• Learning experience: visit the Silk house and observe how Cambodians produce their famous silk products
• Adaptable to all types of travelers (active travelers but also casual cyclists) at a Level 1, and comprised of easy trails to cycle
• Supported by Active team with active equipment and logistic
• Good English-speaking cycling guide

Good to combine with

It is a full-day activity, which is difficult to combine with other activities on the same day, but on the program, it can be combined with:

• Classic city tour in Phnom Penh
• Phnom Penh off the beaten track
• Module 6 – Cycling, from the Capital Phnom Penh to majestic Angkor Wat
• Module 5 – Cycling, from the Capital to the charming sea coast

Do not combine with

• Sunset cruise on the Mekong River

Market suggestion

Competitor comparison

• Grasshopper Adventure – Link

Pros

• Supported by active team and active equipment
• Easy to organize with our bike supplier
• Easy to find a guide who can escort this tour

Cons

• We use the public ferry to cross the Mekong; possible that travelers need to wait
• The support van cannot follow – the van is available only at the beginning and at the end of the tour – but it is always available to reach the group in specific areas
• Only a local restaurant on the island
• During raining season, trails can be muddy

Information

• Distance: 30 kilometers
• Duration: about a 5-hour tour, including cycling, transportation, lunch, and visits
• Average speed: 10 km/h
• Difference in height: Flat – +30 meters / – 27 meters
• Terrain: Mainly paved road with some off-road paths through local villages
• Difficulty: Easia Level – Level 1
• Type of bicycle: Mountain bike Cannondale Trail 4 and 6, Year 2015, 2016, 2017
• Bicycles available in Phnom Penh: 32 bicycles
• In case of emergency, it is possible for vehicles to reach the island
• Possible to charter a local boat for all the boat transportation to avoid the public ferry; check prices on  ERP

Alerts

• In this day-tour, we use public river ferries
• During rainy season, the trails can be muddy, the best period from November to February and from July to August.
• This Module is available for teenagers with a good level of cycling and who are in good physical health

Important information

IMPORTANT

MAP OF THE MODULE link (Please don’t share with the guest)

 INFORMATION TO COLLECT FROM GUEST

• Understand both the client and travelers’ needs and expectations
• Understand the Cycling level of the travelers – (0. Not cyclists, 1. Casual Cyclists, 2 Intermediate Cyclists, 3. Expert Cyclists, 4. Sport Cyclists)
• Request information from clients and fill the Information Active client file: Name & surname, the height, bike size, cycling level, any specific allergies, insurance details and remarks about cycling shoes, as well as pedal or hand grips for bike

INFORMATION ABOUT CYCLING ACTIVITY

• Easia signature product organized by our Active team
• Duration is quite important, but we can reduce or extend the duration and daily cycling kilometers, full-day vehicle support
• Roads conditions are good: pleasant trails, easy to cycle with no difficult, technical paths

From November to end of March for the perfect temperature. In April and May the weather is very hot. June to August is the green season, with some rain during the early morning and late afternoon, boasting beautiful and green landscape. Avoid September & October due to the heavy rain.

LOGISTIC & TRANSPORTATION  

• Guide with supplement cycling
• Mechanic: from 9 persons and up (Active/leisure tour)
• Mechanic: from 5 persons and up (Active tour)
• We always have a back-up vehicle (trailer or track, and vehicle for guests)

BICYCLES AVAILABLE 

Bicycle Supplier in Phnom Penh

• Cannondale Trail 4 & 6

SNACK PACKAGES

• Local Snacks – (local fruits, snacks, and drinks)
• European Snack – (a mix of local snacks, drinks, and some European granola bars)

Price range

40-50 USD/ pax

Quotation guideline

• This tour is organized by our bike supplier in Phnom Penh and it is uploaded on ERP/TMS as a package with all the services already included.
• Please consult the inclusions and exclusions.
• In case of a combination with a cycling module, please contact Easia Active team.

Inclusion

• English-speaking cycling guide
• Mountain bicycles for guests
• Mechanic from 9 persons and up
• Helmet
• Water and snacks
• Ferry
• Lunch at a local restaurant
• Pick-up and drop-off at guests’ hotel in Phnom Penh by vehicle

Exclusion

• Extra cycling guide fee
• Mechanic from 1 to 8 guests
• Special catering
• Private river boat

Possible Extra

• Catering services
• Rain coats
• Refill bottles

Remark

• For this tour, it is easy to find guides in all languages – but we need to add a supplement
• Suggested to have 1 mechanic from 9 persons and up; the tour is easy (Active/leisure tour)
• For better service, add a mechanic for 5 persons and up

Important notes

INFORMATION OPERATION

This bicycle tour is fully organized by our supplier, Mr. Ousaphea, who takes care of the logistics, bikes, transportation, mechanics and himself, being the guide.

In case this product is combined with a cycling module, please contact Active team; we may organize by ourselves.

MAP OF THE MODULE: LINK (Please don’t share with the guests)

ACTIVE BICYCLE SUPPLIER

• Bike rental in PNH (Ousaphea), but it is also possible to use bicycles from REP if this module is connected with Module: Cycling, from Angkor Wat to the capital of Phnom Penh
• Request information Active guest excel file from Sales: Name & surname travelers, the weight, the height, Bike Size, the cyclists’ level, allergies, insurance details.
• Send to the supplier the information about the participants when you book the service in order to prepare the bicycles in advance and the whole tour properly
• At least 2 days in advance of the group arrival reconfirm the service
• Ask the bike supplier similar type of bicycle, same brand and if possible same color.
• Ask the bike supplier to provide necessary tools and bicycle repair parts (tube, patch, pump)

ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION

• Please consult the Active Supplier Database (Trailer, Truck, Van 15 seats)
• 2 packages for the logistic on ERP /TMS 
  • LOGISTIC – STANDARD PACKAGE or
  • LOGISTIC – SUPERIOR PACKAGE

ACTIVE GUIDE

• Use Active Guide Database and contact Active team before booking a cycling guide
• Always remember to provide the First aid kit to the guide
• Explain the profile of the client and expectations of the travelers clearly to the guides
• Ask the guide to stop and try some local snacks along the way, which is important to allow travelers to experience local life and Cambodian traditions
• Cycling guide must be flexible on the spot and the guide must adapt the speed and the length of the trails to the needs of the guests

ADVENTURE SERVICES 

• Snack package: in this activity the Guide is in charge of buying them (in this case, it is included on the tour; Mr. Ousaphea will be in charge)
• Active first aid kit – Operation Team must give to the guide
• Bikes, Helmet, bike repair kit – Supplier must provide them
• Special Active catering equipment (towel, tables, chairs, cutlery, etc.) – when we have a picnic lunch during an active program, Operations must provide the catering equipment to the driver and guide

Special Guide notes

Special guide notes

• Have to study the tour very well together with Operation and Production (link to the map)
• Need to reconfirm with bicycle shop one or 2 days before the tour and check the equipment before the tour.
• Should prepare and check the bicycles with the name (or number) of the travelers in advance in order not to lose time.
• Should prepare and check that the cold water and some snacks before the tour.
• Should check that the van is clean and ready for the travelers
• Guide must do the briefing before starting cycling – he needs to announce:
  • Cycling rules and sign to follow during the ride
  • That wearing a helmet is mandatory
  • Distance and duration of the cycling day
  • Where they go, what they will visit, and points of interest
  • Type of terrain
  • Share some local insight and information about the locations, sites, and culture before departure
  • Should give information about the code of conduct; how to behave on the destination, respecting environment and locals
• Cycling guide must be flexible on the spot: Adapt the speed and the length of the trails to the needs of the guests
• Detailed timing: Departure- early morning from hotel in order to have enough time to reach the final destination
• During the tour, call the restaurant or the person in charge of the picnic set up at least 1 hour before to inform about the arrival time – Important to have a good and warm meal during lunch or dinner
• Should have lunch together with the Active guests, if requested.
• Guide must stop and allow the travelers try some local snacks along the way; important to allow travelers experience local life and traditions of the country
• Should check the climate conditions before the tour to avoid risks (for example, bring rain coats) and be careful during the tour not to put the lives of the guests in danger. At the end of the day, he needs to check all the bicycles and help the mechanic to clean and fix them
• Language – use polite language and adapt the behavior depending on the guests’ character and behavior
• Shoes – proper shoes – please no sandals or flip flops
• Bike uniform – guide must dress properly, wearing cycling clothes

Contact

Best supplier for this Module: Contact Ousaphea – Phnom Penh Supplier for van and truck: ousaphea@gmail.com Tel: +855(0) 16 227 747, +855(0) 15 227 747, +855(0)77 300 774

Internal Product Annoucement

[CAMBODIA – NEW PRODUCT – INTERNAL ANNOUNCEMENT]
CAMBODIA – Phnom Penh – Discover the mighty Mekong’s Silk Island by bicycle
SUB-BRAND: Active
THEME: Family Travel, Sustainable, Art & Culture
SEGMENT: FIT – Small group
REFERENCE: CA-S-PHNOMPENH-AGL-169-FD-$$$

Product Launch Package

Download the pictures here: 

• http://bit.ly/2EACYfn

English

You will meet your cycling guide at the hotel and travel to Diamond Island. There, you will take the ferry across the Mekong River and start pedaling from the pier, and then, through local villages. Your first stop will be at a nearby house, where you can try out some local fruits and drinks.
After a short break, you will take a second ferry to reach Koh Oknha Tei, a very peaceful island. You will cycle along narrow paths, stopping to visit a Buddhist pagoda, farming villages, and different local fruit and vegetable plantations along the way.
Continue your tour, crossing the bridge to reach Koh Dach, known as “Silk island” for its production of silk. A Cambodian meal will be served at a local restaurant for lunch break. After this relaxing moment, you will continue cycling around the farmlands, meeting the local people working in the fields, and visit a weaving house. There, you will have the chance to learn about the production of silk and the traditional way of making silk products, one of which is the famous Cambodian scarf, the Krama.

• An early departure is recommended in order to observe the local life along the river
• Possible to make tour shorter – half-day
• Possible to book a private river boat

French

Découverte à vélo de l’île de la Soie du Mékong

Vous rencontrerez le guide de votre tour à vélo à votre hôtel avant de vous rendre sur l’île Diamant où vous prendrez un ferry pour traverser le Mékong. Vous commencerez à pédaler à partir du quai puis passerez par des villages avant de vous arrêter près d’une maison où vous pourrez gouter des fruits locaux et vous désaltérer.
Après une courte pause vous prendrez un second ferry jusqu’à l’île paisible de Koh Oknha Tei. Vous suivrez des sentiers étroits, passerez par des villages, des fermes et des plantations de produits locaux et vous arrêterez pour visiter une pagode bouddhiste sur le chemin.
Vous traverserez ensuite le pont pour arriver à Koh Dach, dont le surnom d'”île de la soie” vient de sa production de soie. Vous dégusterez un repas cambodgien dans un restaurant local et profiterez de la pause pour vous détendre avant de poursuivre l’aventure autour des fermes, de rencontrer la population locale travaillant dans les champs et de visiter un l’atelier de tissage. Vous en apprendrez plus sur la production de la soie et la fabrication de produits traditionnels en soie tels que le Krama, le célèbre foulard cambodgien.

Repas inclus: déjeuner dans un restaurant local
Hébergement: Nuit à l’hôtel
Niveau: 1
Distance et durée du tour à vélo: 30 kilomètres – 3 heures (Tour d’une journée entière en incluant les visites)
Dénivelé: + 30 mètres / – 27 mètres
Terrain: principalement des routes pavées, quelques chemins à travers les villages
Mode de transport: de l’hôtel jusqu’au point de départ  – de l’arrivée à l’hôtel – Véhicule disponible si besoin
Remarques:

• Un départ matinal est recommandé afin de pouvoir observer la vie quotidienne des habitants le long de la rivière
• Possibilité de réduire le tour à une demi-journée
• Possibilité de privatiser le bateau sur la rivière

Spanish

Descubra en bici la imponente isla de la seda situada el Mekong

Se encontrará en el hotel con su guía y se dirigirán en bici hacia la Isla Diamante. Allí, tomará un ferry que le llevará a lo largo del río Mekong y comenzará su trayecto en bici desde el puerto, a través de pueblos locales. Su primera parada será en una casa colindante, donde podrá probar algunas frutas y bebidas locales.
Después de una pequeña pausa, tomará un segundo ferry para llegar hasta Koh Oknha Tei, una isla realmente tranquila. Se moverá en bici a través de estrechos caminos, parándose a visitar una pagoda budista, pueblos agrícolas y plantaciones de diferentes frutas y verduras locales a lo largo del camino.
Continúe su tour cruzando el puente para llegar a Koh Dach, conocida como la «isla de la seda» por su producción de seda. Se le servirá un almuerzo camboyano en un restaurante local durante la pausa para el almuerzo. Después de este relajante momento, continuará en bici a través de terrenos agrícolas, conociendo a habitantes locales mientras estos trabajan en los campos y visitando una casa de tejeduría. Allí, tendrá la oportunidad de aprender sobre la producción de seda y la forma tradicional de fabricar artículos de seda, uno de los cuales es el famoso pañuelo camboyano, el Krama.

Comidas incluidas: almuerzo en restaurante local
Alojamiento: estancia de una noche en el hotel
Nivel: 1
Distancia y duración del recorrido en bici: 30 kilómetros – 3 horas (tour de día completo incluidas las visitas)
Diferencia en altitud: + 30 metros / – 27 metros
Terreno: principalmente caminos pavimentados, con algunos caminos secundarios a través de pueblos locales.
Transporte: Desde el hotel al punto de partida – desde el punto de finalización al hotel – vehículo disponible si se necesita.

Nota:
Se recomienda salir temprano a fin de poder admirar la vida local a lo largo del río.
Posibilidad de hacerlo más corto – medio día
Posibilidad de contratar un barco de forma privada.

Italian

Scoprite la possente isola di seta del Mekong in bicicletta

Incontrerete la vostra guida ciclistica in hotel e viaggerete a Diamond Island. Lì, prenderete il traghetto attraverso il fiume Mekong e inizierete a pedalare dal molo, e dopo, attraverso i villaggi locali. La vostra prima tappa sarà in una casa vicina dove potrete provare alcuni frutti e bevande locali.
Dopo una breve pausa, prenderete il secondo traghetto per raggiungere Koh Oknha Tei, un’isola molto tranquilla. Pedalerete lungo sentieri stretti, fermandovi a visitare una pagoda buddista, villaggi agricoli e piantagioni di diversi frutti e verdure locali lungo la strada.
Continuate il vostro tour attraversando il ponte per raggiungere Koh Dach, conosciuta come “isola della seta” per la sua produzione del tessuto stesso. Un pasto cambogiano sarà servito in un ristorante locale per la pausa pranzo. Dopo questo momento di relax, continuerete a pedalare nei campi coltivati, incontrerete la gente del posto che lavora nei campi e visiterete una casa di tessitura. Lì, avrete la possibilità di conoscere la produzione della seta e il modo tradizionale di creare prodotti in seta, uno dei quali è la famosa sciarpa cambogiana, il Krama.

Pasti inclusi: pranzo in ristorante locale
Sistemazione: Pernottamento in hotel
Livello: 1
Distanza e durata della pedalata: 30 chilometri – 3 ore (tour di un giorno intero incluse le visite)
Dislivello: + 30 metri / – 27 metri
Terreno: strade prevalentemente asfaltate, con alcuni percorsi fuoristrada attraverso i villaggi locali
Mezzi di trasporto: dall’hotel al punto di partenza – Dal punto d’arrivo al l’hotel – Veicolo disponibile se necessario

Note:

• Si consiglia una partenza anticipata per ammirare la vita locale lungo il fiume
• Possibilità di rendere più breve – mezza giornata
• Possibilità di privatizzare il battello fluviale

German

Entdecken Sie Silk Island auf dem gewaltigen Mekong mit dem Fahrrad

Sie treffen Ihren Fahrrad-Reiseleiter am Hotel begeben sich nach Diamond Island. Dort fahren Sie mit der Fähre über den Mekong-Fluss und starten die Fahrradtour an der Anlegestelle, wo Sie zunächst durch lokale Gemeinden fahren werden. Ihren ersten Halt legen Sie an einem Haus in der Nähe ein, in welchem Sie einige typische, lokale Früchte und Getränke probieren können.
Nach einer kurzen Pause fahren Sie mit einer zweiten Fähre nach Koh Oknha Tei, eine sehr friedliche Insel. Sie werden auf engen Wegen radeln und werden unterwegs halten, um eine buddhistische Pagode, Bauerndörfer und Plantagen mit unterschiedlichem lokalen Obst und Gemüse zu besuchen.
Weiter geht die Reise, indem Sie eine Brücke überqueren, um nach Koh Dach zu kommen, auch bekannt als „Silk Island“ aufgrund der dortigen Seidenherstellung. In einem lokalen Restaurant wird Ihnen ein kambodschanisches Mittagessen serviert. Nach diesem Moment der Entspannung setzen Sie Ihre Fahrradtour fort und fahren durch das Ackerland, treffen auf Einheimische, die auf den Feldern arbeiten, und besuchen ein Weberhaus. Dort haben Sie die Chance, etwas über die Produktion von Seide und der traditionellen Herstellung von Seidenprodukten zu lernen, wie etwa dem berühmten kambodschanischen Schal Krama.

Mahlzeiten inklusive: Mittagessen in einem lokalen Restaurant
Unterbringung: Übernachtung im Hotel
Schwierigkeitsstufe: 1
Länge & Dauer der Radtour: 30 Kilometer – 3 Stunden (ganztägige Tour inklusive Besichtigungen)
Höhenunterschiede: + 30 Meter / – 27 Meter
Terrain: hauptsächlich gepflasterte Wege mit einigen unbefestigten Bereichen in lokalen Gemeinden
Anfahrt: vom Hotel bis zum Startpunkt – vom Endpunkt bis zum Hotel – wenn nötig, steht ein Fahrzeug zur Verfügung
Hinweise:

• Es wird eine frühe Abfahrt empfohlen, um das lokale Leben entlang des Flusses zu erleben.
• Es besteht die Möglichkeit, die Tour abzukürzen – Halbtagestour.
• Es besteht die Möglichkeit, mit einem privaten Flussboot zu fahren.

• Product Photos
• View more photos in Media Library