Roads in Cambodia and Laos - Horizons Unlimited

**simonrjames** · #1 22 Mar 2004

We will be in Cambodia and Laos in May/June and as it will be the monsoon are wondering what the roads will be like. We have seen some pictures on asiantales.com which show that the roads in Cambodia are washed out. Does anyone know if there are any tarmac roads in Cambodia or Laos and if they are affected when the monsoon comes.

As ever responses are very much appreciated.

**Billy Bunter** · #2 25 Mar 2004

Since it was March when i was there i cant say for definite.... but since no one else replied thought it may be useful.... There are excellent roads in alot of Laos, american money i beleive, and would be surprised if they became impassable but i would imagine Cambodia a very different scenario. The roads directly around Pnom Penn are ok but outside of this they tend to be rough dusty (in dry weather!!) tracks... i think you would have alot of problems when they get flooded out.... the journey to and from Angkor Watt for instance would be hellish.... i then went north directly into Laos and couldnt imagine this being at all posible in bad weather with a loaded bike....

Thats my imput on it... anyone else know better??

Anyway, best of luck.

**simmo** · #3 25 Mar 2004

A freind has just come back from riding a push bike around Cambodia. he has some piccies of roads on his site.
http://chrisidle5118.fotopic.net/c138972.html
cheers
alec

**Cameron** · #4 25 Mar 2004

There is good current info on Thailand, Laos,and Cambodia for bikers at www.gt-rider.com
cheers

**Bikesonworldtour** · #5 28 Mar 2004

Hi, we've just been in Cambodia and Laos and put a road report on our website. Sorry, everything is in english, but if you use a translation program you could get a rough idea
Cambodia: http://www.bikesonworldtour.de/pageID_1169085.html (Asphalt = Tarmac , Erdpiste = Dirt Road)
Laos: http://www.bikesonworldtour.de/pageID_1233095.html
In Laos, the highway 13 is from the border in the south up to the Chinese Border in the North paved and mostly in excellent condition. We enjoyed the part between Vientiane and Luang Prabang. But also Highway 7 and 6 up to Sam Neua was great fun (all paved). So for the main part of Laos it should be no problem to travel during the rainy season.

Have fun
Ulrike and Kai
http://www.bikesonworldtour.de

------------------

**Bikesonworldtour** · #6 28 Mar 2004

Hi, we've just been in Cambodia and Laos and put a road report on our website. Sorry, everything is in German, but if you use a translation program you could get a rough idea
Cambodia: http://www.bikesonworldtour.de/pageID_1169085.html (Asphalt = Tarmac , Erdpiste = Dirt Road)
Laos: http://www.bikesonworldtour.de/pageID_1233095.html
In Laos, the highway 13 is from the border in the south up to the Chinese Border in the North paved and mostly in excellent condition. We enjoyed the part between Vientiane and Luang Prabang. But also Highway 7 and 6 up to Sam Neua was great fun (all paved). So for the main part of Laos it should be no problem to travel during the rainy season.

Have fun
Ulrike and Kai
http://www.bikesonworldtour.de

------------------

**sudongpo** · #7 28 Mar 2004

Cambodia's roads are a joke. The only paved stretches are only found in the cities like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Otherwise expect dust, bus swallowing pot holes, bribe hungry cops, and oh yeah... landmines.

So many bumps you'll be on a motorcross.

Laotian roads, on the other hand are quite good.

**harvey** · #8 28 Mar 2004

Hi Simon and Rachel,

Hope all's well with you both.

As stated above, the main highways in Laos are paved and reasonably good, although you will find some rough/dirt/mud patches up in the northern hills between Udomxai and Luang Nam Tha - that's where Lisa had her little accident.

Cambodian roads aren't so good, but if you're only going as far as Siem Reap you shouldn't have too many problems. The road is paved from the border to a town called Siphon and then it's a two or three hour ride to Siem Reap on a dirt road. When we were there work was being done on the road beyond Siphon to pave it, but I have no idea if that's been finished. The dirt road has some hard core and, although rough and bumpy, shouldn't be too bad when wet. If it's dry you can ride in the loose dirt on the edge of the road which is much smoother and good fun. I would put our ride to and from Siem Reap amongst the best days of our trip.

The best thing to do is to go and find out!

Take care and ride safe,

Harvey

------------------
no pipe, no slippers
www.chasingthesun.org