This e-bike sunrise tour for Angkor Wat was amazing, unforgettable, and really good value for money! Mr. Makara was a wonderful guide and spoke really good English, was so knowledgeable, and so accommodating throughout the day. If he is your guide for your tour, you will also be getting a bonus photography director bundled in; he knew all the exact spots for the best pictures, the best poses, angles, and even generously helped me take photos on his iPhone and sent them to me later!
The e-bike concept is also really great and I don't think there are other operators offering this yet. The e-bikes were small enough to go off-road into jungle paths where tuk-tuks or motorbikes couldn't go, but the efficiency and speed of having a motor let me conserve my energy for exploring the temple grounds as opposed to cycling. The e-bikes also enabled us to go further out to visit the nearby town for breakfast, visit a local market, and to see how traditional snacks are made (from scratch!). This side trip was fantastic as it helped me regain some energy from the early morning start, and also broke up the monotony of temple-hopping.
There were plenty of contingencies built in too; for example, when it rained, the e-bikes were brought along to our next stop while we rode in the covered tuk-tuk, until it stopped raining. Plastic ponchos were also provided when the rain returned -- and the adventure began! We went through some dirt back roads in the jungle, and there were puddles in some spots where I got stuck and my shoes wet, but it was not dangerous and all part of the experience! If you are going on this tour during the rainy season, just make sure to wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty.
Mr. Makara knew all the secret spots to sit and relax, where the good toilets are, what are the best photo angles, and took me to lesser-known temples where there were no other tourists in sight. Mr. Kimlean the tuk-tuk driver was also so friendly and is so smiley that he brightened up the rainy day. He was in constant contact with us throughout the day and had water and umbrellas ready at all times. If you have a lot of items you could also leave them on the tuk-tuk as he was always just a few minutes away.
All in all, the tour was extremely well-planned. This tour operator is definitely not a run-of-the-mill large commercial company; you will get an amazing and tailored experience with so much extra thrown in for free. Thank you so much to the team -- Mr. Raksa, Mr. Makara, and Mr. Kimlean, for all their hard work and for such a wonderful Angkor Wat experience!
Tip: Book this trip directly with them on their website (search "Asean Angkor Guide") for the best prices. Mr. Raksa will contact you soon after that to confirm the further details.
