A few kilometres from the hotels and bars of Siem Reap, the town gives way to a landscape of rice paddies, sugar palms, lotus ponds and wooden houses on stilts, where most Cambodians still live. Exploring it on the back of a scooter is one of the most enjoyable ways to spend an afternoon, and it shows a side of Cambodia that the temple circuit misses. This page links to a countryside sunset tour on Tiqets by Vespa Backstreet. You ride as a passenger behind an experienced driver, so there is nothing to do but take in the scenery, and an English-speaking guide explains what you see. The route winds through villages and stops at a local market, a Buddhist temple, a lotus pond and a mushroom and vegetable farm, then pauses in a small village to learn how families make a living. The ride ends in the rice fields with a cold drink as the sun goes down, before heading back to town after dark. With no more than ten guests, it feels personal and relaxed.
How it works: the tour starts at 15:00 with pickup by Vespa from your hotel lobby and lasts about four hours. Around 15:30 the ride heads into the countryside past villages, the market, the temple, the lotus pond and the farms; at about 16:30 there is a break in a small village; at about 17:45 you stop in the rice fields for photos and drinks as the sun sets; and you are back in Siem Reap at about 18:30. The Vespa ride, the driver, the guide, bottled water and a cold drink are included, and personal expenses are not. Give your pickup address when booking and show the smartphone voucher to the guide. Free cancellation runs until 24 hours before.
Who it suits: anyone who wants a break from temples, photographers chasing golden-hour light over the paddies, and couples looking for a gentle, romantic outing. You never drive, so no licence or scooter experience is needed.
Making the most of it: wear long trousers and closed shoes for the ride, bring sunglasses and a light layer for the return, and ask the guide about rice-growing seasons, which change the colours of the fields from bright green to gold.
What to expect
The experience
A pillion Vespa ride with a guide through villages, a market, a temple, a lotus pond and farms, ending with drinks in the rice fields at sunset.
Best time
Late in the rainy season and the early dry season, from about September to December, when the paddies are green and full.
How long
About four hours, from 15:00 to around 18:30.
Tips
Wear long trousers and closed shoes, bring sunglasses and a light layer, and charge your phone for the sunset stop.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Travellers who want a taste of rural Cambodia and a relaxed sunset after a morning of temples.
- Families
- Older children and teens will enjoy riding pillion; check minimum ages with the operator.
- Couples
- Golden light over the paddies and a drink in the fields make this a lovely, low-key date.
- Pair with
- A sunrise at Angkor Wat in the morning, with a rest at midday before the 15:00 pickup.
- Time needed
- An afternoon.
Good questions
Do I need a licence for the Vespa tour?+
No, you ride as a passenger behind an experienced driver, so no licence or experience is needed. Helmets are provided.
What does the countryside tour include?+
It includes the Vespa ride with hotel pickup and drop-off, a driver, an English-speaking guide, bottled water and a cold drink. Personal expenses are extra.
What time does the countryside Vespa tour start?+
It starts at 15:00 with pickup from your hotel lobby and returns to Siem Reap at about 18:30. The sunset stop in the rice fields is at about 17:45.
How many people are on the tour?+
Groups are limited to ten guests, each with their own driver. That keeps the stops relaxed and personal.
Is it different from the Tonle Sap Vespa tour?+
Yes, this tour stays in the villages and rice fields around Siem Reap, while the Tonle Sap tour goes further to the stilt village of Kompong Pluk with a boat trip. Both end at sunset.
