The CUFA Cambodian Leadership Challenge, 8 to 19 September 2008

Itinerary

Cambodia By Bike

This adventurous trip will take you cycling on the fun roads of Cambodia to some of the most spectacular temples in history and through the villages of the smiling Khmer people. The majesty of the Angkor temples is lost on no one and you'll realise why after spending 3 days in and around the temples. But there's more to Cambodia than just temples. Cycling the highways and byways we travel from Siem Reap to Battambang and then by bus to the charming capital Phnom Penh, experiencing the enchanting hospitality of the Cambodian people through visiting the smaller regional towns and witnessing all that Cambodia has to offer.

Day 1 Arrive at Siem Reap airport

After arriving, participants will have a rest then freshen up before having a Leader briefing.
A lovely dinner follows the briefing, an excellent way for the group to settle in and get to know one another a little more, and also start enjoying the Cambodian culture and the delicious Cambodian cuisine!

• Meals: Dinner

Day 2 Angkor temples

Orientation ride in the morning around the main Angkor temples then the rest of the day is free to explore the incredible sights of the Angkor archaeological park. It is often hailed as one of the most extraordinary architectural creations ever built, with its intricate bas reliefs, strange acoustics and magnificent soaring towers. The rest of the day is leisure time to further explore this amazing and extensive world heritage site.
During the evening there will be a presentation from a representative of the Cambodia Credit Union Foundation on the development work and benefits to the local communities in Cambodia and about the projects that the participants will be undertaking.

• Meals: breakfast and dinner
• Distance cycled: approx. 30 km

Day 3 Beng Melea

Ride to the fabulous ruined temple of Beng Melea via Tonle Sap Lake. Overgrown with jungle, Beng Melea is an ancient Hindu temple built in the 12th C. Incredibly atmospheric with few visitors, Beng Melea will enchant and amaze those who visit. On the way, pass Tonle Sap Lake which is the largest freshwater lake in South-East Asia. The lake's waters control the flow of the Mekong and provide a living for thousands of people, as it is one of the world's richest sources of freshwater fish. See the extraordinary locals who live on the floating villages.

• Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Distance cycled: approx. 40 km

Day 4 Phnom Kulen

Today we have a beautiful and challenging ride that takes us off the beaten track. In the morning we cycle back roads through rice paddies towards Banteay Srei, and continue onto Cambodia's most sacred mountain and site of Pilgrimage, Phnom Kulen.
Leave the sealed roads behind and enjoy the challenge of riding on dirt roads for 14km, which brings us to the park entrance and the start of the Kulen mountain range. Here we start to climb on a winding jungle road for 12km to the top of the 487m mountain, with wonderful views of the national park en route. The overhead forest canopy provides shade and welcome relief on this section of the ride.
Reaching the end of the road we find magnificent waterfalls and 1200-year-old sacred carvings in the riverbed from the start of the Khmer empire. After enjoying a swim and look around the nearby
Buddhist temple we return back down the same road to the park entrance where we board vehicles for the journey back to Siem Reap.

• Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Distance cycled: approx. 82 km

Day 5 Sisophon

Today we depart from our base at Siem Reap for first part of a 2-day journey. Cycling west, we head to Sisophon. Expect to pass through tiny villages and really get off the beaten track and experience the incredible countryside of Cambodia. Depending on the participant’s fitness level and the desire for physical challenge, a cycle option is available for today.

• Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Distance cycled approx 50 kms or 100km option

Day 6 Battambang

Welcome to the final day of the cycle challenge for the Leadership Challenge program. From Sisophon we ride through the charming, character filled back roads to Battambang, a bustling province full of activity and friendly Khmer villagers.

• Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Distance cycled approx. 50 kms

Days 7 - 8 Battambang

Assist in the delivery of CUFA’s Childrens Financial Literacy program, working with the joyful Kmher children. Interacting with local CUFA staff, and the delightful local school children, this will no doubt be a significant highlight of the Leadership Challenge program.

• Meals- Hotel and breakfast included for each day

Day 9 Phnom Penh

Enjoy the fantastic, scenic bus ride from Battambang to Phnom Penh, a real luxury after 5 days on a bike and after 2 days of project work in the provinces!

Take the afternoon off to explore Phnom Penh as you wish. Better understand the tragic Cambodian history with a trip to the Killing Fields or the Genocide Museum, or alternatively explore the bustling local Russian Markets and pick up some amazing local products.

Day 10 Phnom Penh

Spend the day at the CUFA Training Centre providing training to emerging Cambodian credit unions.

Day 11 Phnom Penh

Morning visit to CUFA training centre and then transfer to airport for early afternoon flight to Bangkok

Day 12 Arrive back in Australia

Enjoy the return journey home, reflecting on the amazing CUFA Cambodian Leadership Challenge program. Take the weekend to recover before returning to work, enthused and completely invigorated from having met this remarkable challenge and achieved such an outstanding effort.