Join the Adventure
The PEPY Ride IV
December 21, 2008 - January 11, 2009
Cambodia
Join us on the 4th annual PEPY Ride as we undertake an epic cycling adventure across Cambodia! Experience this amazing country on two wheels as you pedal your way through ancient temples, rice fields, and buzzing city streets before resting along the peaceful Gulf of Thailand. The PEPY Ride is PEPY’s signature adventure and provides deep insights into the rich culture and history of Cambodia. You will start your journey in Siem Reap, home to hundreds of temples from the Angkorian period, including the famous World Heritage Site Angkor Wat. Explore the temples by bike as our Cambodian cycling guide leads you down off-road paths, giving you a view of these magnificent pieces of history that most travelers never experience. Make new friends with the students at the PEPY Ride School and share this special day with them. Most of these 4th graders have never been to Angkor Wat – even though they live less than two hours away and entry is free for Cambodians! You will focus on making this the most powerful and educational experience possible for your new buddies while being blown away by the magnitude and beauty of the temples.
You will also have the opportunity to visit some of Cambodia’s best non-governmental organizations to learn about the incredible aid work that they do. The educational aspect of PEPY’s tour is highly valued amongst our past participants. Celebrate the holidays with PEPY with a small party and the opportunity to donate blood or volunteer at a local children’s hospital before jumping into your saddle again and hitting Cambodia’s dusty red roads. Our route will take you around the west side of the immense Tonle Sap Lake and all the way down to Phnom Penh. You will meet warm and welcoming Cambodians as you stop for delicious noodles, tasty sugar cane juice, and fresh coconuts by the side of the road, where you will no doubt amuse locals with your choice to travel the Khmer way (by bicycle!) and your Lycra cycling gear.
Once you reach the vibrant capital of Phnom Penh, you’ll park your bike at significant historical sites to learn about the Khmer Rouge atrocities of the recent past. The Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, also known as S21, is located in a quiet Phnom Penh suburb. This group of buildings was once a school but was turned into a prison and torture facility by the Khmer Rouge. Post-Khmer Rouge, this disturbing site has been transformed into a museum to document and enumerate the crimes committed there. Once you have gained an initial understanding of the brutality of the Khmer Rouge regime, you will visit the ‘Killing Fields,’ locally called Cheoung Ek. This is where thousands of Tuol Sleng prisoners were taken to be executed; it is now a memorial site located in a tranquil setting. This difficult day will be followed by a glimpse into the optimistic future of Cambodia by visiting one of PEPY’s partner organizations, Cambodian Living Arts. You will learn how traditional music and dance is educating and improving the lives of young Cambodians by keeping the cultural traditions of this country alive.
There will also be time for you to delve into the city on our own before continuing your adventure down to the coast. Cycling past water buffalos, school children on bikes, and pigs on the back of motorcycles, you’ll make your way through riverside towns down to the Gulf of Thailand, where you will be able to run straight off your bike into the water in celebration of the phenomenal ride! A boat trip to a beautiful white-sand island to relax and enjoy an amazing sunset is the perfect way to end the trip.
The ride is challenging, but our pace is not that of a race. Cyclists who are in shape will enjoy the ride much more, however. We will ride a few 100km days and the heat of Cambodia can be strong during mid-day, so we encourage participants to not only get prepared for this trip by fundraising and learning about Cambodia but also by getting in a bike saddle to prepare your body for the trip!
· Trip Price: $1,500
· Additional Minimum Fundraising/Donation Amount: $1,500
Inclusions: The trip includes all transportation listed while in Cambodia, bike rental (for those not bringing their own bike), all overnight stays, all tour and entrance fees for listed attractions, and most meals. We leave a few meals free as there are many choices in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap and past participants have enjoyed the chance to find their favorite food!
Exclusions: The trip does not include international flights to/from the start and end points. Visas are available upon arrival and cost $20 for most foreign nationals. Also excluded are your departure taxes: $6 domestic, $25 international.
Cancellation Policy: If six people have not signed up for the trip four weeks before the start date, PEPY staff may cancel the tour and any deposits will be refunded in full. If a participant cancels for any reason, their $200 deposit is non-refundable. Refunds will be made for the remainder of the tour fees (excluding deposit and fundraised money) on this schedule:
· Full – more than 3 weeks before trip’s start
· 50% - more than 2 weeks before trip’s start
· 25% - more than 3 days before trip’s start
· 0% - less than 3 days before trip’s start
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
What kinds of bikes will we be riding?
We’ll be riding Trek 4000 series mountain bikes. Our experienced staff will fit every rider to a bike at the start of the trip.
Are there any health concerns?
Check with your doctor and the CDC webpage www.cdc.gov/travel, but don’t let them scare you! We can get you in touch with a past participant for a reality check!
What will our accommodations be like?
One rider described the accommodation as “the best each place has to offer.” In smaller towns, that might mean a basic hotel with hot water and a fan, though almost all hotels have A/C options (though PEPY supports the use of fans!). In bigger towns and cities we put our guests up at a mix of the most responsible hotels supporting local development programs and unique guesthouses built with environmental consideration.
Will I need to know the local language?
No. English is widely understood and the PEPY team and our partners will always be available to help you with anything you might need. But it’s a lot of fun to learn some of the language while you are here!
View other Frequently Asked Questions
To request more information about this tour and to receive updates, please send us your name and email address using the form below.
Click here to download our registration form
*Online form coming soon
Once we receive your registration form, we will contact with instructions on how to send in your deposit. We can not secure you a spot on this tour until we receive your deposit.
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