Yet even with UNESCO’s imprimatur on sites big and small, natural biospheres and even intangible culture, the same famous mega-monuments always seem to get the lion’s share of travel love. Lesser-known but equally worthy sites still fall to the wayside as travellers rush for the obligatory photos of world icons and check off another legendary site on the do-before-I-die lists.

UNESCO recognition through its World Heritage List and time in the subsequent travel spotlight can be a mixed blessing. On the one hand, a new site gets a big status boost and protection under the UNESCO umbrella. On the other hand, an influx of tourists adds pressures and more need for protection.

One way to curb this effect is for travellers to visit alternative heritage destinations where high tourism congestion isn’t causing problems. In that spirit, below is our list of seven UNESCO World Heritage all-stars plus just-as-incredible alternatives. Why not avoid the heavy traffic and step lightly while doing your own thing? That way, the all-stars won’t get loved to death and more places will have a chance to benefit. The photos will be just as cool.

The All-star: Chichén Itzá in Cancun, Mexico. Photo courtesy of flickr/Dtraveller

1. The All-Star: Chichén Itzá in Yucatan, Mexico

The iconic Mayan pyramid of Chichén Itzá was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1988. Then, in 2007, it was nominated for the New Seven Wonders of the World. Now that it has officially been identified as one of the honoured seven, some predict tourist visits will double within five years. As a convenient day trip from the mass-tourism destination of Cancun, Chichén Itzá, given its amazing story and stunning coastal location, is the second-most-visited ruins site in Mexico. Authorities have gradually needed to close parts of the monument to the public, no longer allowing visitors to enter interior chambers.

The Alternative: Palenque in Chiapas, Mexico. Photo courtesy of flickr/Ivanka Majic

The Alternative: Palenque in Chiapas, Mexico

Deep in the jungle of Chiapas in southern Mexico are the ruins of the ancient Mayan city of Palenque, which was inscribed as an official UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. While it doesn’t attract the kind of mass tourism that Chichén Itzá does, thousands visit it each year. Guided tours fascinate with stories about the buildings’ precise astronomical alignment and visitors can still go into some of the ancient passages and chambers.

The All-star: The Great Wall of China. Photo courtesy of wikimedia/Jakub Halun

2. The All-Star: Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is one of the best-known world monuments of all time, but added to UNESCO’s World Heritage list in 1987. The Badaling section of the wall, near Beijing, attracts around 10 million visitors per year. Sadly, as a result, Geography in the News points out that “There is little concern over protection and conservation. Instead, exploitation of the site has culminated in an almost Disneyland type scene.” Booming tourism, development and inadequate protection are eating away at the Great Wall, of which as much as two-thirds are in a state of collapse.

The Alternative: Wall of Ston, Croatia. Photo courtesy of flickr/Poo-tee-weet?

The Alternative: Walls of Ston in Croatia

While nothing can really compare with the magnitude and might of the Great Wall of China, it is definitely not the only great wall in the world. In the historical city of Dubrovnik on the Adriatic coast of Croatia, for example, are the Walls of Ston, known as the “European Wall of China.” It dates back to the 15th century and its 5.5 kilometres of length form an irregular pentangle.

The All-star: The Parthenon, Athens, Greece. Photo courtesy of wikimedia/Steve Swayne

3. The All-Star: Parthenon in Athens, Greece

Lit up and glowing over Athens, Greece at night, the Parthenon is the jewel of the Acropolis, the ancient city on a hill. As the grandest remains of Greek Antiquity, the Acropolis was deemed an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Greece is a world tourism powerhouse, welcoming more than 17.5 million visitors each year. In 2005, Athens alone received 6,088,287 tourists (each of them wanting a photo of the Parthenon without any other tourists in it).

The Alternative: Temple of Bacchus, Baalbek, Lebanon. Photo courtesy of flickr/Ben Piven

The Alternative: Temple of Bacchus in Baalbek, Lebanon

One of five of Lebanon‘s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Baalbek demonstrates that Greece is definitely not the only Mediterranean country with amazing ancient ruins. As UNESCO states about the ancient imperial city, “The archaeological site of Baalbek represents a religious complex of outstanding artistic value and its majestic monumental ensemble, with its exquisitely detailed stonework, is a unique artistic creation which reflects the amalgamation of Phoenician beliefs with the gods of the Greco-Roman pantheon through an amazing stylistic metamorphosis.”

The All-star: Medina of Fes, Morocco. Photo courtesy of wikimedia/Pawel Ryszawa

4. The All-Star: Medina of Fes, Morocco

Compared to Marrakech (one of Morocco‘s most famous destinations), the city of Fes is a modest place. Yet every visitor to inland Fes is bound to wander through its medina, the walled city centre that dates back to the 8th century. By some measures, it’s the largest car-free area in the world.

The Medina of Fes has been on the official UNESCO World Heritage roster since 1981, but may soon also be added to the list of World Heritage in Danger. UNESCO cites two major threats: uncontrolled urban development due to overpopulation, and deterioration of the buildings. The governmental plan to address these issues is to safeguard everything, intervene where houses are collapsing and increase sustainable tourism.

The Alternative: Medina of Tétouan, Morocco. Photo courtesy of flickr/luisgosalbez

The Alternative: Medina of Tétouan, Morocco

In the smaller and less-touristed city of Tétouan in northern Morocco, another medina has gained World Heritage status. Full of mosques, madrassas and markets, Tétouan’s ancient city centre exhibits the same definitive Moroccan culture and tradition as its better-known counterparts in Fes and other cities. While also in need of protection and conservation, Téotuan is less overwhelmed than the Medina of Fes and in a better position to absorb increasing tourism traffic.

The All-star: Angkor Wat, Cambodia. Photo courtesy of flickr/daveperkes

5. The All-Star: Angkor Wat, Cambodia

A spectacular temple complex from the 12th century, Angkor Wat has been a power player for tourism in Cambodia since before its 1992 inauguration as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Thomas Holdo Hansen of AngkorHotels.org, the whl.travel local connection in Cambodia, comments that “Angkor would without doubt be on my personal Top 10 World Heritage Sites list. It’s not without good reason that this important archaeological site is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and comes high up on many people’s must-see lists. The flip side of the coin is that the recent increase in tourism potentially can bring about many negative impacts if not managed properly.”

The Alternative: Preah Vihear, Cambodia. Photo courtesy of flickr/theonlymikey

The Alternative: Preah Vihear, Cambodia

Compared to Angkor Wat, Preah Vihear is a minor temple complex. It’s a less-likely tourism destination because of political strife. “Preah Vihear is more controversial but still a stunning archaeological site,” says Hansen. “It is situated right on the top edge of a steep cliff bordering the Sisaket Province in Thailand. After its inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008, Preah Vihear has been the centre stage for some border conflicts between Thailand and Cambodia and, thus, many travellers have been discouraged from visiting.”

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The All-star: Machu Picchu, Peru. Photo courtesy of flickr/[togr

6. The All-Star: Machu Picchu, Peru

The year 2011was special for South America’s favourite pre-Colombian archaeological site of Machu Picchu. It marked 100 years since Hiram Bingham, a Yale University historian, arrived at the majestic high-elevation Incan citadel and announced its existence to the rest of the world. Machu Picchu was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Since then, UNESCO has had to fight many battles to protect it from private interests and overdevelopment, including the implementation of a daily visitor limit. Still, safe-keepers fear irreparable damage if poor administration continues in the face of surging tourism.

The Alternative: Wiñay Wayna, Peru. Photo courtesy of flickr/Greg Headley

The Alternative: Wiñay Wayna, Peru

Also along the Inca Trail in the Sacred Valley of Peru where Machu Picchu is found, Wiñay Wayna is a minor Incan ruins site that is often considered a mere “stop in the road” on the way to Machu Picchu. While it’s true that it can’t match Machu Picchu’s scale and grandeur, Wiñay Wayna charms and impresses. With staircases and fountain structures connecting the layers of terrace, it is a perfect example of the hillside architecture traditional to the Incas.

The All-star: The Great Pyramids of Giza, Egypt. Photo courtesy of Bruno Girin

7. The All-Star: Pyramids of Giza, Egypt

The Pyramids of Giza were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. They are, of course, Egypt‘s most visited attraction. In 1999, the largest of the three pyramids was reopened after a year of restoration work. The project’s goal was to undo some of the damage caused by long-term exposure to mass tourism. According to the BBC, “humidity levels in the tunnels and chambers inside had reached 80 percent because of the sheer volume of people going in,” which caused condensation and a build-up of salt. Since then, a cap of 300 visitors per day has been set on pyramid access.

The Alternative: The Pyramids of Gebel Barkal, Sudan. Photo courtesy of flickr/shovelingtom

The Alternative: Pyramids of Gebel Barkal, Sudan

The Pyramids of Gebel Barkal are part of the larger Gebel Barkal mountain site, which was approved as a UNESCO cultural World Heritage Site in 2003. It is one of only two in the country of Sudan. The Kushitic pyramids themselves were built as a royal cemetery in the 3rd century, which makes them only half as old as and very modest in size compared to the likes of the Great Pyramids of neighbouring Egypt. Travel to Sudan is complicated at the moment, but pieces of cultural heritage like this already under UNESCO protection hold promise for a tourism future.

Stretched along the Siem Reap River just north of Tonle Sap, Cambodia’s Great Lake, is the town of Siem Reap, gateway to the world-famous and ever-popular ancient temples of Angkor. In the early 1920s, French writer Pierre Jeannerat de Beerski famously wrote “Go to Angkor, my friend, to its ruins and its dreams.” Even today, a visit to Angkor is sure to inspire a sense of magic and awe.

The main attraction of Siem Reap, Cambodia, is the Angkor Wat temple, which is dramatically illuminated at night. When visiting Siem Reap, take a few days to explore all that it has to offer beyond the Angkor Wat. Photo courtesy of Thomas Holdo Hansen /angkorhotels.org

Angkor Wat in Cambodia is the world’s largest religious building and considered by many to be one of the greatest manmade structures ever created. However, the surrounding area is full of smaller and less visited temples all waiting to be explored. The ancient great city of Angkor Thom, with its central Bayon temple known for large and enigmatic sculpted smiling faces, and Ta Phrom, which is often referred to as the ‘Jungle Temple’ because of the many roots and trees growing in and through the temple ruins, usually come high up on most travellers’ itineraries.

Day Trips

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Angkor consists of hundreds of temples of various shapes and sizes. Even though it’s possible to see the main Angkor temples in one day, we strongly recommend not rushing it. Instead, take time to soak in the atmosphere at a leisurely pace.

Just off the main road to the temples is a very informative and interesting permanent exhibition entitled ‘Tonle Sap, Sources of Lives’, where the Cambodian foundation Krousar Thmey showcases the ecological and cultural richness of the great lake of Tonle Sap. All information is in English, French and Khmer and, as such, the exhibition serves as a tool for raising environmental awareness for both locals and visitors.

Tonle Sap itself holds the promise of many popular boat trips. From Siem Reap, the closest and most accessible point of departure is the village of Chong Khneas. Visiting the village used to be a very different experience; with vibrant communities of floating houses, markets, schools and even a floating police station, it has been changed by recent development and in response to the influx of tourists. Chong Khneas is not as ‘unspoiled’ as some of the more remote villages, like Kampong Phluk and Kampong Klieng.

A great way to explore the temples and visit some of the area’s highlights is to cruise around Siem Reap by bicycle, a mode of transport that lets travellers get off the beaten track, pedal through local villages and get a feel for the real Cambodia. Guided Siem Reap cycle tours are available, but bikes can also be hired independently on a daily basis. One local charitable organisation, The White Bicycles rents bikes for US$2 per day from selected hotels and reserves some of the profits to support local community projects.

Exploring Siem Reap by bicycle comes highly recommended. Available from selected outlets, The White Bicycles ensures rental fees support local community projects. Photo courtesy of Soria Moria Boutique Hotel / The White Bicycles

Shopping

Over the last few years, Siem Reap shopping opportunities have increased and many of the stores have taken a proactive stance with regard to giving back to the local communities.

Centrally located in Siem Reap is the Old Market (Psar Chas), a great starting point for any shopping excursion. Together with the Angkor Night Market, the Old Market presents visitors with a range of Fair Trade businesses, shops and market stalls selling traditional handicrafts, Khmer silks, silverware, jewellery and local carvings.

A relatively new addition to the vibrant Siem Reap shopping scene is Alley West, which only a few years back was a dusty, dark and rundown back alley. Now after some serious renovations and refurbishments, the street boasts cute little boutique shops and funky outlets selling locally designed and made clothes and accessories.

Restaurants

Visitors to Siem Reap will find that, despite its relatively small size, the town offers an impressive range of restaurants and eating options. There’s everything from local, budget-friendly street stalls to French-accented top-end restaurants with prices to match.

The ‘rice corner’ at the end of Pub Street sees many backpackers enjoying fried rice, noodles and cold beers. Local delicacies of smoked snake and crispy fried crickets with lime and chillies are also up for grabs for those eager to delve into Siem Reap street fare.

At Sala Bai, which literally means ‘school of rice’, you can eat safely and with a good conscience as the school each year trains 100 young disadvantaged Cambodians in key hospitality skills. Similarly, the US$1 nights at Soria Moria Boutique Hotel on Wat Bo Road started off as a staff training initiative, but now draw a steady crowd of locals and travellers alike.

Khmer Kitchen is a popular and well-priced place for good Cambodian food in a lively location.

Ton Pin, in front of the Silk Lab stall at Angkor Night Market, displays a great range of original, handcrafted items made from local silk. Photo courtesy of Jo Owen / Harnessing Opportunities Through Play and Education

Local Treats

Whilst eating out can be a real treat, we believe it is worth digging a little deeper and exploring some of the secrets of traditional Khmer cuisine. Learning how to catch and prepare crispy fried tarantulas might best be reserved for the truly adventurous, but signing up for a local Cambodian cooking class is a great way to get a feel for the local ingredients.

After a long day of shopping or exploring the Angkor temples, many travellers appreciate resting weary feet and revitalising aching muscles at one of Siem Reap’s spas and massage parlours. Many of the midrange and top-end hotels have their own in-house spas. Amongst the independent local spas, Frangipani comes highly recommended.

Exploring Siem Reap’s art scene can be a true adventure and the Arts Lounge at Hotel de la Paix features exhibits from international and contemporary Cambodian artists. The McDermott Gallery at the FCC is a long-term favourite and the Friends Centre at the Angkor Hospital for Children hosts a rotating exhibition with a range of artists, everything from the legendary Steve McCurry to selected pieces from the Angkor Photo Festival, as well as work by kids from Anjali House, a local centre for underprivileged children.

Night Out

The name Siem Reap probably does not conjure up images of a party town, but, in fact, it is fast earning a reputation for cool coffee hangouts, urban bars, pumping dance floors and live music acts. In fact, what once was a bumpy dirt road with a single bar and snooker hall has developed into a hugely popular area with a diverse selection of pubs, bars and restaurants. Aptly referred to as ‘Pub Street’, a name that has even made it on to the street signs, the official designation is still Street No. 8.

Looking for some specific recommendation? How about Angkor What?, the first and probably most famous bar on the block; it continues to draw crowds of travellers. Just off Pub Street, opposite the Old Market, is the Warehouse with occasional live bands and comedy nights. Miss Wong is the place to go for classy cocktails. For late night owls, ‘X’ marks the spot.

The traditional J’Pong heat and herbal treatment in Siem Reap, Cambodia, uses a range of natural herbs as ingredients to treat the body in a variety of beneficial ways. Photo by Borei Angkor Resort and Spa

With so much on offer, planning a way to revitalise weary limbs and revive aching muscles after a long exciting day exploring the Angkor temples is essential. Many travellers therefore also find rest, relaxation and rejuvenation to be key qualities of a complete Angkor experience. Fortunately, the worn-out and weary-footed can choose from a wide range of Siem Reap hotels and resorts with excellent local massage and spa facilities.

Marks of the Khmer Massage

Traditional massage in Siem Reap isn’t just for tourists. On the contrary, Khmer massage and ancient healing practices play an important role in the daily life of the Cambodian people as well. It should therefore come as no surprise if a local guide or driver shows up with some distinct circular marks on his or her face and body, or if you see professional businesspeople in their smartest business attire with similar strange-looking marks. Chances are the marks are signs of traditional treatment methods still widely in use all over the country.

Khmer massage has its own unique history and tradition. Masseurs often use hot cups and coins in their practice, which is what leaves the unusual marks. The belief is that suction and increased blood flow caused by these objects ease obstructions, and the treatments are said to relieve a variety of illnesses from common colds to more severe aches and pains. No oil is used and shiatsu-style work is done with the body’s ‘meridians.’ Unlike Thai massage, Khmer is gentler; there is no stretching or twisting involved.

In Siem Reap, Cambodia

Siem Reap has a great selection of spas and massage lounges in which to rest, relax and indulge. From as little as US$5 per hour, visitors can find themselves quickly revived with a soulful foot massage after a long day trekking. Or they can laze all day at a spa and be receive head-to-toe pampering with special services such as body scrubs, hot-stone massage, heat treatment and aromatherapy, to name but a few.

A fine bit of quality pampering at the Mutita Spa of the Borei Ankgor Resort and Spa could be a highlight of any trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia. Photo by Borei Angkor Resort and Spa

Hang Sokvanna, Resort Manager at Siem Reap’s five-star Borei Angkor Resort and Spa, describes their most popular traditional treatment option, the J’Pong, available at their in-house Mutita Spa:

“J’Pong is an ancient, steam-filled Khmer heat and herbal treatment that allows visitors to relax in a cloud of herbal steam. This helps to clear the lungs, relieve stress, promote blood circulation and regenerate energy. The herbs used in this herbal healing are all natural and include dried turmeric, cinnamon, sweet basil, mint, prai, lemon grass, cloves, galangal, ginger, tamarind, thanakha and kaffir lime leaves.”

Scattered around Siem Reap are also numerous ‘Seeing Hand Massage’ establishments, in which blind people receive occupational training and then offer traditional massage treatments. As the name suggests, the qualified therapists more than make up for their lack of eyesight; they are said to see through their hands when performing their skillful massage treatments.

With plunge baths, invigorating body scrubs and soothing massages increasingly appearing on the radar for visitors to Siem Reap, a touch of authentic Khmer hospitality adds to the sense of true indulgence and total well-being. Many carefully composed spa packages are available, and skilled massage and spa therapists are happy to prepare a customised programme for you.

The whl.travel local connection in Siem Reap, Cambodia has great local knowledge of traditional massage and spas. Contact them for enticing treatment options and a selection of their favourites.

Bota (bottom), Jo (right) and Dayvy of angkorhotels.org prepare to set out with the young adults of the Sangkheum Center on the fourth annual Angkor Wat Bike Race and Rally in Cambodia

Thomas and his team supported the training and fundraising efforts of the young people from the Sangkheum Program for Young Adults, who participated in the fourth annual Angkor Wat Bike Race and Rally to raise funds for the Sangkheum Center for Children. (Read the latter’s enthusiastic special report about participating in the race.)

“The Young Adults of Sangkheum managed to exceed their initial £1000 target, which I think is a great achievement. We all liked it so much so we have already decided on doing the bike ride again next year.

Some of the guys have already started (or just continued, I should say) their training sessions and seeing as this was their first proper race and they only had ‘local’ bikes, they are very keen on improving this year’s results in next year’s bike ride.

The fundraising page will be open for some time after the upcoming festive season, so we might get some more post-race donations. But, as a whole, I think they all did a very good job and I’m very proud of them. And, also, all the donations we’ve had so far are very much appreciated.

At dawn, a temple of the Angkor Group is just one of the many awesome visions along the bike route

I think the Angkor temples make a fantastic backdrop for an awsome event and I hope to see even more participants next year!”

Also present on the day was Thouni, from Teamworkz Consulting, the whl.travel local connection in Laos. She participated in the 30-kilometre bike event after having spent the week prior volunteering for Village Focus International to help them organise the event.

Angkor Wat, the largest religious monument ever built, is the backdrop for Siem Reap's fourth annual Angkor Wat Bike Race and Rally

Never Lose Hope (‘Sangkheum’)

Angkor Wat is such a powerful tourist magnet that in 2009, despite a notable drop in the number of travellers across the region as a result of the global financial crisis, Siem Reap – Cambodia’s fastest growing city and the gateway and tourism hub for Angkor Wat – and in fact all of Cambodia have been keeping very busy.

Good times, however, are a relative thing. The daily challenges of life in the developing world are no less poignant in Siem Reap, where, even with steady revenue from tourism as a critical economic crutch for large numbers of people, there are still many orphaned, abused and neglected children who would otherwise be at risk of turning to a life on the streets.

Responding to the needs of this needy population is the Sangkheum Center for Children (sangkheum means ‘hope’ in the Khmer language), which has been providing education, training, scholastic support and care to disadvantaged children and youth (age 2 to 19) in Cambodia since 2001.

“Our program embraces both general education and vocational training,” explains the website. Resident and non-resident “children and young adults have the opportunity to learn and develop valuable life skills through a number of activities including Khmer education, Khmer culture, traditional dance and music, handicraft design, dressmaking, sewing and iron welding. The children also attend recreational activities, English language lessons and play sports.”

Lita, a young adult from the Sangkheum Program for Young Adults in Siem Reap, stands proudly next to a sign for the program that has made such a difference in his life. He now works full time at the Soria Moria Hotel after having done a trainee period there and left the Sangkheum Centre.

Like many charitable groups, the Sangkheum Center for Children relies on goodwill and charitable donations to continue its work and expand its reach. Some of the goodwill comes from local partners, like the team from the Soria Moria Hotel, who also run the Siem Reap Hotel and Guesthouse Reservation Service (angkorhotels.org), the whl.travel local partner in Siem Reap.

This year, for the first time, though, some of the legwork (literally) required for raising funds will come from the very young people who have benefited from the Center’s projects and programs.

Young Adults Take Action

Although participants come from all over the world, one local team in this year’s Angkor Wat Bike Race and Rally will be an eager band from the Sangkheum Program for Young Adults, a two-stage support program for resident young adults at the Sangkheum Center for Children who must leave at age 18.

“The initial idea of the cycle challenge surfaced after a presentation where, amongst many other things, the young adults were told a little bit about how money was raised and the young adults were encouraged to practice their English and ask questions,” said Thomas Holdo Hansen of the Soria Moria Hotel and angkorhotels.org. “One of those questions was ‘Could we do a cycling challenge?’ Enthused by earlier cycle rides and fundraising efforts, they not only wanted to take on a challenge, but to help raise funds for themselves and the next generation of young adults at the Sangkheum Center.”

Bota, who now works part-time as a trainee at angkorhotels.org in Siem Reap, gives some instructions before a training session in preparation for the bike rally

The Angkor Wat Bike Race and Rally seemed like a perfect opportunity. It is both a fun physical event and an important fundraiser hosted by Village Focus International and benefiting local charity projects, including a boarding school in Mondulkiri, a slum school in Battambang and development projects in over 70 villages in northwest Cambodia.

The young adults decided instead to raise money for the Sangkheum Center for Children. “These guys were not sitting around waiting for help to fall into their laps,” continued Hansen. “They were prepared to actually get up and do something to improve their way of life and we are very proud of them.”

As a powerful manifestation of this pride, Hansen and others from the Soria Moria Hotel decided to join the young adults, both in the 30-kilometre bike race and in the fundraising.

“For the last couple of months we have been training with the young adults and educators from the Sangkheum Center every Sunday morning at 8am starting outside of Soria Moria Hotel and then a doing some different routes along scenic back roads, through local villages and also the inside the Angkor temple complex itself in order to prepare for the cycle challenge,” said Hansen. “I will also participate in the actual race and I am actually very much looking forward to it.”

In terms of fundraising, “Now, at the time of writing, we have managed to raise more than US$1000 and we hope to increase this figure before the actual event.”

Partners Hit the Right Cadence

Hansen and his partners are not alone in having thrown their support behind this team endeavour of the Young Adults Program. The Hotel de la Paix, one of Siem Reap’s most stylish hotels, has also been actively found a way to help the young adults hit their stride.

Children in Cambodia make the most of their bicycles, especially as daily transport to and from school

“As part of Mastercard’s ‘Purchase with Purpose’ programme, Hotel de la Paix arranged to donate bicycles to the children of Siem Reap on behalf of guests who paid their accounts using Mastercard,” explained Wendy Morris, the hotel’s general manager. “Hotel de la Paix recommended Sangkheum Center as a primary beneficiary for distribution of 70 bicycles due to their long-standing relationship with us and in recognition of their outstanding efforts in community development.”

In addition to the Soria Moria Hotel and Hotel de la Paix, Angkor Holiday Hotel and City Angkor Hotel are all offering special rates for event participators. Be sure to note that you are a race participant when making a booking.

“The benefits of this event are many,” said Hansen, “but I believe that one of the key ones is that the young adults from the Sangkheum Center are actively taking part and learning about health, fitness, exercise and the discipline required for training to a big event, including encouragement and motivation.”

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For more information, current fundraising status and secure online donations, please visit the Young Adults online fundraising page.

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If you won’t be in the region on the day of the race but are thrilled by the idea of visiting Angkor on two wheels, you can always experience Angkor by bicycle – leisurely day trips or multi-day adventure expeditions – in the company of certified and experienced cycle guides.

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For any other information about Siem Reap, including accommodation, tours, activities and lots of insider tips, the Siem Reap Hotel and Guesthouse Reservation Service is your local connection in Siem Reap for whl.travel (part of the WHL Group).

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Urban Adventures range from two-hour to one-day adventures and uncover back streets, hidden gems and fascinating sights. While these adventures may be short in duration, they’re long on real-life experiences. Step into the lives of the locals, find out what makes the city tick and get acquainted with the local food, culture and traditions, all in the company of an expert local guide. See more than just the usual sights on an Urban Adventure.

The Urban Adventures business is a unique and exciting new concept developed by leading adventure travel operator Intrepid Travel and WHL Group, the biggest local travel company in the world. Urban Adventures relies on a combination of Intrepid Travel’s experience in designing and running the world’s best experiential trips; plus WHL Group’s whl.travel network of local operators and the technology to sell these trips at low cost. Intrepid and WHL Group share a commitment to sustainable travel and minimising impact on the environment and on communities.

Anchored at launch in approximately 20 cities, Urban Adventures will be available in 65 cities with over 200 trips within six months. Departures are daily and prices start from US$15.

whl.travel is particularly proud of its partners in the following destinations who have been selected as Urban Adventures Partners and are or will soon be offering tours that bring their cities to life: Athens, Boracay, Brunei, Cappadocia, Dominica, Foz do Iguassu, Jamaica, Livingstone, Madeira, Riga, Rio, Samoa, St Lucia, and Thessaloniki. More will be added in the weeks and months ahead.

Urban Adventures drop the barriers between visitors and hosts, bringing you in direct contact with the people who give a place its character. Kids in Cambodia are especially expert at making you feel right at home.

So whether you’re after an evening of home cooking and hanging locally in Istanbul, a full-day exploration of the magnificent temples of the Angkor complex in Cambodia, visiting the history and people of Johannesburg by bicycle or sampling Los Angeles, from Hollywood glitz to the quirkiness of Venice Beach, Urban Adventures really connect with the destination.

Become a Free Urban Adventures Tester

To celebrate the launch of Urban Adventures, Intrepid Travel and WHL Group are offering travellers (and locals) the opportunity to tour for FREE.

Travellers can register to become an Urban Adventures tester. By doing so they will be notified of free spots on Urban Adventures around the world that will be allocated on a first-in-best-dressed basis. The first trips will be made available on 21 October. In return for a free adventure, testers write trip reviews and take photos for the Urban Adventures website. In addition, travellers who submit feedback could win a monthly Urban Adventures prize pack.

Being an Urban Adventure tester suits everyone from round-the-world backpackers to business people and travellers who enjoy discovering what makes cities tick. The program is ongoing so people can register whenever they go on holiday.

PEPY participants with Cambodian kids

PEPY was started by two admirable young ladies with a passion for the environment, Cambodia and progress. I had the pleasure of sharing the Golden Week Adventure tour with one of them and her energy, drive and zest are both inspiring and contagious. This girl could give Obama a run for his money! The ‘Protect the Earth, Protect Yourself’ (PEPY) message is apparent in everything the leaders do and they will take every opportunity to spread the word. PEPY isn’t your average NGO.

After two months of fundraising for the money required to embark on the trip, I wondered if the tour would be as organised, fruitful, enlightening and above all enjoyable as I was hoping. If I arrived in Siem Reap skeptical, I left with wishes fulfilled wishes and eyes wide open.

The rural tour I joined really was just that – rural. Think sleeping under a mosquito net in the jungle with neither electricity nor hot running water, but bugs galore. Having come straight from Japan – land of efficiency, cleanliness and modern technology – it was not a light shock to the system. But getting back to nature, including setting aside the internet, my mobile phone and 24-hour access to the rest of the world, was a personal highlight.

Screen shot of PEPY website

The purpose of the Golden Week tour was twofold, as all of the PEPY tours are. First, participants gain the chance to “go where their money goes” whilst learning about a wide range of issues, such as sustainable tourism, Cambodia’s history and politics and our environment. Second, the children on the receiving end of the PEPY efforts benefit from a wide range of activities; on our tour we introduced a computer system to the school that allows for individual learning (there is a severe shortage of teachers), taught extra English classes, painted school buildings and taught baseball to the children through a two-day camp. A lot of time was spent one on one with the children who were impossible to say goodbye to each night.

In the evening we discussed environmental issues and learned about sustainable technology and travel; days were spent acting on ideas and realising that small changes in our daily behaviours really can have a positive effect on our surroundings. The tour leaders encourage open criticism and debate; they stress that they are on a learning curve as much as the rest of us.

Students, staff and PEPY volunteers come together at a primary school in rural Siem Reap province

PEPY is incredibly conscious of remaining a responsible tourism organisation; as it grows and expands it does not lose sight of its original goals. Voluntourism is the best way to describe the style of PEPY’s tours as time is also set aside for seeing the mesmerising Cambodia away from the voluntary work. Sharing the beauty of Angkor Wat with Cambodian elementary schoolers was a precious experience.

PEPY runs a number of annual tours in addition to the Golden Week programme (early May). You can choose an area of interest – from environmental education and action programmes to literacy camp or bike-to-school programmes. Or, if you’re really up for the challenge, why not join the PEPYride signature tour: a three-week cycle across Cambodia spreading PEPY’s wonderful message? Guaranteed, PEPY magic will get you too!