Your holiday begins on arrival to Phnom Penh International Airport, where you will be met by your local guide and transferred to your hotel in the city. Depending on your time of arrival, you may like to stretch your legs with a stroll to orientate yourself, or you may prefer to simply relax by the hotel pool after your journey.

After a leisurely breakfast, you will meet with your city guide this morning for a walking tour of Phnom Penh. This buzzing capital city of Cambodia is located at the meeting point of three major rivers: the Bassac, the Tonle and the Mekong, bringing trade, prosperity and rapid growth over the centuries. Resplendent with the gleaming Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, juxtaposed with beautiful colonial French architecture, it was considered one of the most beautiful cities of Indochina and became known as the "Pearl of Asia" in the early 20th century. With your guide, you will discover the evocative sights of the city and explore its bustling streets, with visits to the National Museum, the Royal Palace and its extensive compound, and the striking art deco Central Market, where you can experience the thriving heart of the city. After your morning tour, you will meet with your cycling guide who will assist you with your bike fitting, ready to set off on your journey into the backroads tomorrow. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure. Amidst its beauty and the infectious smiles that greet you at every turn, Cambodia has had a turbulent and heart breaking history. We think it is also important to learn of the impact of war and revolution on Cambodia, in particular the atrocities at the hands of Pol Pot's Khmer Rouge regime that uprooted the residents of the city and decimated its population. A visit to the Toul Sleng Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields of Choeung Ek make for a profoundly sombre experience, these sites standing as solemn testament to the brutality of the Khmer Rouge regime. These visits may not be for everyone; as such it is your decision whether you would like to make them. A memorial ceremony is held annually at Choeung Ek on 20 May.

An early start this morning to meet with your guide and crew for your transfer to the start point of your cycle journey. Taking a ferry across the Mekong to reach the eastern bank, you will have the opportunity to visit a local weaving house to see the intriguing process of silk production and learn how Cambodians create their famous scarves called Krama. Continuing by road, you will soon reach the setting off point of your cycle tour. Hopping on your bike, you will pedal leisurely along the Mekong River, travelling through colourful local villages and enjoying a taste of unhurried local life. Travelling with your guide, you will have the opportunity to gain unparalleled insight into Cambodian life and culture, and perhaps enjoy some interactions along the way to which you might not otherwise have been privy. Your pleasant route follows a mix of paved roads and un-paved trails as you cross through and between small villages along the Mekong. Enjoying a picnic lunch on the way, you will soon meet with your support vehicle for the transfer to Kompong Thom (2 hours 30 mins) and your charming hotel in this riverside town. The friendly town of Kompong Thom sprawls either side of the Stung Sen River, and makes for an idyllic mid-point stop between Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. This evening before dusk, you may like to take a walk to the nearby French Governor's Residence, where you can find old mahogany trees that are home to hundreds of fruit bats. During the day, these large flying mammals hang upside down from the tree branches like pendulous fruit, occasionally spreading their leathery wings (of up to 40cm span!) to fan themselves in the day time heat. At dusk, the bats take flight in search of food - an impressive sight. Once you've had your fill of watching these flying foxes fetch their dinner, it's time for you to locate your own evening meal in your choice of eateries in town.

We recommend an early start this morning to maximise your time exploring the UNESCO-listed Sambor Prei Kuk archaeological site. To begin with, you will have a short transfer from your hotel (30 mins) before hopping on your bike and pedalling along dirt trails, passing through rural villages, rice fields and various plantations. You will have plenty of opportunity to sample delicious fruits and Cambodian snacks at the many stalls you pass on your way. Not long after your lunch break, you will reach the Sambor Prei Kuk archaeological site, covering an area of 25 square kilometres. This serene forested site encompasses over 100 temples; amongst these are some of the oldest temples in Cambodia, slowly being engulfed by the encroaching jungle. Exploring the site on two wheels, you will ride through verdant forest and along sandy trails between compounds and unique octagonal temples; you can discover some of these ancient structures on foot. When you are finished with your explorations, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Kompong Thom (40 mins) to freshen up and enjoy a well-earned dinner at a restaurant of your choice. It is also possible to extend your time in the saddle if you wish to cycle back to Kompong Thom, taking the distance covered by bike today up to 80km.

Waking bright and early, tuck in to a delicious breakfast before transferring to the spectacular temple complex of Beng Mealea (2 hours 15 mins). This incredible temple surrounded by a huge moat was built in the 12th century to the same floor plan as Angkor Wat and was lost for centuries in the forest. Wandering around the ruins of this temple feels like a real intrepid exploration, discovering intricate stone carvings among the long-collapsed mysterious chambers. During your time here with your guide you will not only explore this main temple but also the surrounding hidden temples and be able to drink in the tranquillity of these special places. Afterwards, you will continue your cycle journey through tranquil countryside, passing endless rice fields and languid villages where a friendly greeting will always elicit a smile in return. Having enjoyed a peaceful lunch stop on the way, you will soon arrive to Siem Reap and your base for the next few days. As the gateway to Angkor, the thriving city is lively with international tourists, and offers numerous activities in addition to the big draw of temple hopping, alongside a superb dining scene and buzzing nightlife in the famous 'Pub Street' backpacker's hub. There really is something for everybody here. You will have a welcome meeting with your Self-Guided Assistant this afternoon, where you will be equipped with everything you need for your upcoming days of self-guided exploration and get answers to any questions you may have.

Setting off from your hotel on two wheels after breakfast, you will pedal initially along the river, passing through villages and shady forested trails before arriving to the South Gate at Angkor Thom. Following the guidance in your self-guided app, over the course of the day, you will explore a succession of historical sites at your leisure, lingering to your heart's content. Within the walled city complex of Angkor Thom, you will discover the Terrace of the Elephants, climb the steep steps up the temple of Baphuon, and be mesmerised by the entrancing Bayon Temple with its many smiling faces - the undoubted highlight of Angkor Thom. This mysterious temple when viewed from a distance looks like a somewhat ramshackle ruin, but step inside and prepare to be awed by the hundreds of enigmatic carved faces and stunningly detailed sandstone bas-reliefs (amounting to 1.2km of carvings). Having explored all levels of Bayon, hop back on your bike and pedal the short distance to the iconic temple of Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument in the world and proudly featured on the Cambodian flag. You will be impressed not only by its grandeur, but also by the intricate carvings and the beautiful decorative details that adorn the temple. At the end of your day's discovery, pedal back to your hotel on a high and enjoy a scrumptious dinner of perhaps some Khmer specialties at a restaurant of your choice tonight.

Your self-guided cycle tour of the Angkor temple complex today takes you through the forest to reach Banteay Kdei and the large bathing pool of Sra Srang to its east, reserved for the king and his consorts. Venturing on to Ta Prohm, marvel at the maze-like corridors and the ruins overgrown with trees. With scenes of the 2001 film Lara Croft: Tomb Raider filmed here, Ta Prohm is often referred to as the 'Tomb Raider Temple' and makes for an atmospheric visit and an incredible illustration of the reclaiming power of nature. Beyond this Hollywood high-flier, you will find a succession of 12th and 13th century Buddhist temples including the fascinating Preah Khan, and the small island temple of Preah Neak Poan with its intriguing ornamental spouts in the form of an elephant head, a horse head, a lion head and a human head. Continuing your exploration of the Eastern Baray, you will discover the 10th century Hindu temples of Eastern Mebon and Pre Rup, before pedalling back to the peaceful pool at Sra Srang to witness the glowing sunset reflected in the still waters. Feeling reposed after the sun has dipped beneath the horizon, you will be collected by a tuk tuk and taken back to your hotel in Siem Reap. You are spoilt for choice with so many options for places to have your dinner this evening, with tastes and budgets to suit everyone. Some establishments even offer dinner and a show with traditional apsara dances.

Having explored some of the big-hitters over the last couple of days, today you will venture further afield on your bicycle and ride on lesser-trodden trails through the countryside, passing small villages, lush green fields and herds of water buffalo. The landscape transitions between forests with dappled shade, to shimmering rice fields, and wide open spaces. This is a lovely ride and a great opportunity to enjoy peaceful rural life, feeling such an idyllic contrast to the throng of Siem Reap city life. Arriving to the Western Baray, the largest reservoir at Angkor (measuring approximately 8km by 2km), you may find local families enjoying a dip in the waters, having picnics or relaxing in hammocks on its shore. You might also like to enjoy a rest and some refreshments here before visiting some of the 'secret' outlying temples nearby, seldom visited by tourists. Heading back toward the vast complex of Angkor Thom, this time approaching from the west, ride along the wall edging the vast moat to reach Prasat Chrung, one of the tower temples adorning each corner of the ancient city complex. From here you can observe another memorable sunset shimmering over the waters of the Western Baray. Replete and relaxed, a tuk tuk will transfer you back to your hotel. Enjoy a celebratory dinner tonight to conclude your self-guided cycling adventure around the incredible Angkor temples and reflect on your experiences over the past week... we are sure you will have fallen in love with this amazing country by now.

After your last few days of jam packed adventures on two wheels, today is spent out of the saddle and is free for you to enjoy as you please. There will be plenty to see and do to fill your day today, or you may simply like to relax by your hotel pool and perhaps indulge in a massage to soothe your muscles. For a deeper insight into Khmer history, the Angkor National Museum is an excellent stop, plus its air-conditioned interior makes for a blissfully cool experience. To learn more of the unique mine-clearing work in Cambodia, head to the Apopo Visitor Centre to learn of how this is life-saving task is undertaken with specially trained rats (!). Siem Reap is a hub for handicrafts and the markets are teeming with ceramics, lacquerware, silk and cotton products, paintings and silverware, to name but a few forms of beautiful Cambodian crafts. Head to Psar Chaa or the Night Market to perfect the art of haggling for a bargain - always with a smile of course. To complete your souvenir shopping with a conscience, pay a visit to Artisans Angkor, a part of Les Chantiers Ecoles - a school that trains young Cambodians in traditional crafts and artisan skills such as stone or wood carving, lacquering or silver plating, empowering them with skills to gain employment. For your evening entertainment, check out Phare, the Cambodian Circus - offering nightly performances, this is Cambodia's answer to Cirque du Soleil. This big top show is an exhilarating full evening's experience, with shopping, dining and pre-show performances followed by incredible live performances to remember. What a way to end your holiday on a high.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before checking out of your hotel and making your onward journey. A transfer to Siem Reap International Airport is provided on this day.