A dirt bike rider kicking up dust on a trail
Expedition 02 - 10 days - 1,150 km

The Northern Temple Trail

Cambodia's great temple expedition. Follow the Mekong north to the river dolphins of Kratie, cross the forest frontier of Prey Lang and stand on the clifftop at Prasat Preah Vihear, then ride jungle tracks to the lost capital of Koh Ker and the overgrown ruins of Beng Mealea before arriving at Angkor itself.

10Days 1,150km 3UNESCO sites CRF250L
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In short

What this trip is

The Northern Temple Trail is a 10 day, 9 night guided dirt bike expedition on the Honda CRF250L from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, covering about 1,150 km. It follows the Mekong through Kampong Cham, Kratie and Stung Treng, crosses forest tracks on the edge of Prey Lang to Preah Vihear, visits the UNESCO-listed clifftop temple, then rides to Koh Ker and Beng Mealea before a guided day at Angkor. It is graded advanced - a long, rewarding journey for experienced riders.

  • 1

    Every great northern temple

    Preah Vihear on its 525-metre cliff, the seven-tiered pyramid at Koh Ker, the jungle ruin of Beng Mealea and Angkor itself - reached the way their builders did, overland.

  • 2

    The Mekong for three days

    Riverside tracks and villages from Kampong Cham to Stung Treng, the bamboo bridge to Koh Paen in the dry season and the Irrawaddy dolphins at Kampi.

  • 3

    Properly remote, properly supported

    The Stung Treng to Preah Vihear leg runs on forest tracks at the edge of the Prey Lang wilderness; fuel rides in the support vehicle.

Highlights

What you will actually do

01 - The river A wooden boat on the Mekong river

Mekong to the dolphins

Wat Nokor and the bamboo bridge in Kampong Cham, the quiet east bank to Kratie, and a sunset boat at Kampi to see the rare Irrawaddy dolphins.

Riverside tracksBamboo bridgeDolphin boat
02 - The cliff Green hills and a high plateau in Cambodia

Prasat Preah Vihear

After a demanding day on the edge of Prey Lang, the UNESCO World Heritage temple built on a 525-metre cliff, with views across the plains.

UNESCO site525 m cliffRemote leg
03 - The lost capitals Temple ruins wrapped in jungle, Cambodia

Koh Ker & Beng Mealea

Jungle back-tracks to Koh Ker, briefly the Khmer capital in the tenth century, then Beng Mealea, slowly being reclaimed by the forest.

Prasat ThomJungle templeVillage roads
Day by day

10 days / 9 nights, hour by hour

Every timing below is a starting point, not a rule. Tell us your flights and we rebuild the shape of the trip around them.

Day 1

Arrival in Phnom Penh

Bike fitting and briefing, no riding.

Boats on the Mekong at sunset, Cambodia
No riding

Arrival in Phnom Penh

Airport transfer, bike fitting, gear check and route briefing, followed by a welcome dinner.

Overnight

Phnom Penh

Meals: dinner.

Day 2

Phnom Penh to Kampong Cham

About 130 km in the saddle.

Wooden stilt houses over water, Cambodia
~ 130 km

Phnom Penh to Kampong Cham

Mekong riverside tracks to Kampong Cham. Visit Wat Nokor, an 11th-century temple with a modern pagoda built within it, and in the dry season cross the bamboo bridge to Koh Paen island.

Overnight

Kampong Cham

Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Day 3

Kampong Cham to Kratie

About 120 km in the saddle.

An artisan weaving on a loom, Cambodia
~ 120 km

Kampong Cham to Kratie

The quieter east bank of the Mekong through riverside villages and orchards to Kratie. At sunset, a boat at Kampi to see the rare Irrawaddy river dolphins.

Overnight

Kratie

Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Day 4

Kratie to Stung Treng

About 150 km in the saddle.

A wooden boat on a river through forest, Cambodia
~ 150 km

Kratie to Stung Treng

North on riverside dirt and sandy tracks, stopping at the Sambor pagoda, to the frontier town of Stung Treng near the confluence of the Mekong and Sekong rivers.

Overnight

Stung Treng

Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Day 5

Stung Treng to Preah Vihear

About 190 km in the saddle.

A wooden boat on the Mekong, Cambodia
~ 190 km

Stung Treng to Preah Vihear

A demanding and memorable day on forest tracks at the edge of the Prey Lang wilderness. Fuel is carried by the support vehicle on this remote leg.

Overnight

Preah Vihear town

Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Day 6

Prasat Preah Vihear

About 120 km in the saddle.

Green hills and a high plateau, Cambodia
~ 120 km

Prasat Preah Vihear

North to Prasat Preah Vihear, the UNESCO World Heritage temple on a 525-metre cliff with sweeping views across the plains. On to Sra Em for the night.

Overnight

Sra Em

Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Day 7

Sra Em to Koh Ker

About 100 km in the saddle.

Khmer temple towers at sunset, Cambodia
~ 100 km

Sra Em to Koh Ker

Jungle back-tracks to Koh Ker, briefly the capital of the Khmer empire in the tenth century. Explore the seven-tiered pyramid of Prasat Thom and temple ruins scattered through the forest.

Overnight

Koh Ker

Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Day 8

Koh Ker to Siem Reap via Beng Mealea

About 135 km in the saddle.

Temple ruins wrapped in jungle, Cambodia
~ 135 km

Koh Ker to Siem Reap via Beng Mealea

Ride to Beng Mealea, a vast temple slowly being reclaimed by the jungle, then village roads into Siem Reap.

Overnight

Siem Reap

Meals: breakfast, lunch.

Day 9

The temples of Angkor

A day off the bike.

Angkor Wat reflected in water at sunrise, Cambodia
Off the bike

The temples of Angkor

A guided day off the bike at Angkor Wat, the Bayon and Ta Prohm, followed by a farewell dinner.

Overnight

Siem Reap

Meals: breakfast, dinner.

Day 10

Departure

No riding today.

A path through green rice fields, Cambodia
No riding

Departure

Transfer to Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport.

Onward

Departure

Meals: breakfast.

No surprises

What is included, and what is not

Included

  • Honda CRF250L fuel-injected motorcycle for the full expedition
  • All fuel on riding days
  • English-speaking lead guide riding with the group
  • Sweep rider and mechanic, with spare parts and tools
  • Support vehicle for luggage, water, fuel and non-riding days
  • Hotels, guesthouses and homestays as listed
  • Meals as shown in the itinerary
  • Temple and site entrance fees, boat trips and listed activities
  • Airport arrival and departure transfers
  • First-aid kit and trained first-aid responders

Not included

  • International flights and Cambodian visa
  • Travel insurance - mandatory, and it must cover off-road motorcycling and medical evacuation
  • Meals not listed and all drinks
  • Riding gear - available to rent
  • Tips for guides and crew
  • Single room supplement
  • Personal expenses and optional activities
  • Damage to the motorcycle caused by rider negligence
Answers

Northern Temple Trail questions, answered

Can I add Preah Khan of Kompong Svay?
Yes - an optional extra day reaches Preah Khan of Kompong Svay, one of the most remote temple complexes in Cambodia and a true hard-enduro side trip.
What licence do I need?
A valid full motorcycle licence from your home country together with an International Driving Permit. We check both before the first riding day, and every rider signs a participation waiver.
What is the Honda CRF250L like?
A light, forgiving, fuel-injected dual-sport bike that is equally at home on jungle single-track, sandy river trails and paved highway. Bikes are serviced before every departure and checked daily by our mechanic. Range is roughly 200-250 km on mixed terrain, so fuel stops are planned and the support vehicle carries extra fuel on remote stages.
What if a section is beyond me?
Groups ride at the pace of the least experienced rider and the sweep rider makes sure nobody is left behind. Where a section is beyond your comfort level, the support vehicle carries both you and the bike.
How much does it cost?
Prices are on request and depend on group size, dates and accommodation level. A deposit secures your place, with the balance due before departure. Private departures on your own dates can be arranged for any group size.
Go deeper

Experiences inside this trip

All experiences
Heritage experiences in Cambodia Temples & Angkor

Heritage

Sunrise at Angkor Wat and the temples of the Khmer Empire. Adventure experiences in Cambodia Trek, zip & climb

Adventure

Jungle treks, ziplining at Angkor, rock climbing and more. River experiences in Cambodia Mekong & Tonlé Sap

River

Mekong cruises and Tonlé Sap floating-village tours.
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Ready when you are

Send your dates and group size. We come back with a costed version of this trip, reshaped around you.

Plan Northern Temple Trail
Northern Temple Trail 10 days / 9 nights · Private Enquire