FAQs

Where will I be staying?

Wherever possible we provide comfortable ensuite hotels with air conditioning and hot water to allow you to rest well after each day of travel, beit by bicycle, 4x4 or dirtbike . Examples include Veranda Resort in Kep, Norden House in Rattanakiri and Green Garden Home in Siem Reap. Out in remote areas where hotels are unavailable we use clean and friendly local village homes and guesthouses (such as the hilltribe homestay to your left). Or alternatively, if you'd like to camp out under the stars just let us know (hammocks and mosquito nets or tents provided)

What will I ride?

We use our own fleet of 250cc Honda XRs ('00-'03), the most popular and reliable bikes for off-road travel in Cambodia . All bikes are regularly maintained, fully serviced before departure and used exclusively on our tours only (not rented out privately) to make sure they are in the best working condition.They are fitted with customised tyres, exhausts, hand guards and sprockets for off road motorcycling. We have electric starts and kick starts available depending on your preference.

What equipment etc will I have to bring on the trip?

We have dirt-bike helmets ,gloves, and goggles, and carry our own toolkit, firstaid kit and parts, so if you don't have your own dirtbiking gear really all you need is your clothes. However, if you have your own helmet and riding gear, it is recommended that you bring it in order to ensure a good fit. The sun is hotter than it seems when riding so a long-sleeved T-shirt or biking jersey is a good idea to avoid sunburn. A pair of biking pants or combat trousers is also recommended as protection from grazes and scratches. We don't recommend the full body-armour suits as these can get really hot, but on jungle rides a deflector is good for protection against branches etc. A sturdy pair of boots is very important so that you have some good foot protection. For the enduro trails a good pair of biking boots is vital.

What is the best way to carry my stuff?

A small to medium-sized day pack is really best for the trip, with a waterproof cover to protect it from dust and mud. If you're not using a support vehicle your bag will carried with you all the time, so try to keep things as compact and light as you can. You won't need to bring too many clothes with you-a set of clothes for riding and a few changes for evenings or around town is plenty. Laundry is cheap and quick so you can get your things cleaned along the way (if you're going to be based around one town for a couple of days). Save a little space for a hammock & mosquito net if you'll be camping out (we'll provide those). A 3 litre CamelBak or similar is perfect for staying hydrated on the road and carrying personal items, and most of our riders use these. We are happy to look after any other luggage for you in Phnom Penh free of charge while you are on the road

Where and what will we be eating?

We usually eat at good local Khmer restaurants whose menu we've tested. There are many excellent Khmer dishes that only the locals know about, and freshly caught fish in most areas. Provincial capitals visited by tourists usually have a number of restaurants selling Western food aswell.
Some of our trips involve staying in small villages with no restaurants. In these cases, we will arrange for a family to prepare a meal for us. When staying in the jungle, we stock up on food in the previous village or town and take it with us. A typical Cambodian breakfast consists of pork or chicken with rice, noodle soup, or rice soup, but baguettes and eggs are usually widely available as well.

What about money?

Travellers cheques and credit cards can be cashed in Phnom Penh where most currencies can also be exchanged. Some larger provincial capitals can also take travellers cheques and credit cards, and money-changers often offer better rates on cash than banks.There are now also ATM machines in Phnom Penh, Battambang, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville.
When heading into the countryside, it's best to carry a combination of local currency (riel) and low/medium denomination dollar bills. Faded or torn dollar bills won't be accepted so don't take them from anyone. We can take you to change money the day before your trip if you'd like some help with this.

I can't ride a dirtbike!

Dancing Road Dirt Bike Tours also caters for non-riders who would like to join our tours, either as as a pillion passenger or in our support vehicle. (depending on the bike tour routes). If you ride on road at home, let us take you outside the city and teach you how to ride a dirt bike. We offer one or two day courses, just ask us.

What are the roads like?

Cambodia offers a complete range of riding conditions which will appeal to every kind of rider, whether you're a motocross enthusiast, an intermediate rider or a beginner. Roads range from pot-holed tarmac to red clay to grassy trails and rocky paths through the jungle.

Here's a guideline:

• Tarmac - Pot-holed tarmac - Packed Gravel - The easiest surfaces you'll come across, but watch out for farm animals and unfinished bridges
• Red dirt - The most common road type in Cambodia. Surfaces vary, Easy in the dry season but deteriorate every rainy season.
• Rough dirt - Our original 'dancing roads'! Lots of bumps, dips and fun!
• Broken tarmac - A tricky surface with loose rocks and sand patches.
• Ox cart tracks / Jungle Trails - The most extreme conditions - ridges, ruts, rocks and sand: not for the faint-hearted!

When are your tours?

Dancing Roads also runs a number of scheduled motorbike tours to a variety of destinations each season. However, to maintain our flexibility, we are constantly accepting private tour bookings and custom bike trips based on the dates and destinations you require. These tours make up the bulk of our bookings. We operate tours all year round and cater to riders of all abilities; please contact us if you need any advice and we'll be happy to help you select a trip that suits your ability and requirements.

When should I come?

Most visitors to Cambodia tend to come between late November and early June to avoid the rainy season. November to February is relatively cool by Cambodian standards, with temperatures in the twenties. November attracts visitors for the annual Water Festival in Phnom Penh with its long boat races along the Tonle Sap river. Some bike trails which are impassable during the rainy season also dry out at this time of year. From March onwards things heat up, reaching thirty-five degrees or more around Khmer New Year in April. During New Year itself the whole country is in a festive mood, with celebrations in virtually every village.

Although a few of our motorcycle tours are unavailable during the rainy season, most run all year round. Rainy season can actually be a pleasant time to visit; there are fewer tourists, the weather remains hot and sunny, and the rice paddies and jungles are at their lushest. Rainy season also means that 'easy' dry season dirt roads become a dream for experienced riders with plenty of mud and ruts to play around in! As any guidebook will tell you, showers are pretty predictable, usually confined to a few hours in the afternoon.If you're the kind of person who's after some fun and doesn't mind a bit of mud, it's definitely a great time to come.

Is it safe?

Safety is one of the greatest concerns for visitors to the country, and while wartime bandits are no longer an issue some areas still have landmines lurking around. ALL routes used by Dancing Roads Dirt Bike Tours are well researched regarding landmines and security, and by knowing the language we also double check with the locals for more recent developments. First-aid and tool kits are carried on all trips and the latest road conditions are checked beforehand to account for seasonal changes and recent road work.

What do your prices include?

Notice:

Dirt Biking has several risks associated with it. All riders/passengers do so at their own risk. Dancing Roads Dirt Bike Tours and its agents shall not be responsible for any loss, injury or damages.

Insurance:
It's best to have Travel insurance when visiting Cambodia. Please check your insurance covers motorcycle use. Some policies require for you to be licensed in your home country to ensure coverage. Check the fine print and if in doubt contact your insurer for clarification

If you need travel insurance for your holiday the Travel-Quest travel insurance shop links to a wide range of UK travel insurers offering everything from single trip to family, annual and multi-trip travel insurance; as well as specialist insurance for backpackers, skiers, snowboarders, cyclists and adventure sports.