Courageous long-distance cyclist Tiv Dararith, who is dedicated to his mission of riding from Cambodia to Europe in just 365 days for charity, recently encountered severe obstacles which have forced him to make changes to his original route. 

Originally intending to pass through Bhutan, Dararith has had to reroute due to the prohibitive visa fees.

He shared his frustrations on social media: “The fee to stay in Bhutan is $200 per day. If I cycle through this country for a week, I would have to spend $1,400.” 

“Please, fly me back to the heart of the Cardamom Mountains,” he added, demonstrating that he was still able to see humour in the situation.

He set out in June, with the goal of raising $250,000 for the Angkor Hospital for Children, in celebration of its 25th anniversary.

His original route spanned 25 countries, and along the way, he is documenting his travels and raising awareness of Cambodian children battling serious illnesses.

A map showing Dararith’s route from Cambodia to Portugal. Supplied

Adding to his difficulties, Dararith faced another obstacle when his plan to fly to Dhaka, Bangladesh, was thwarted by the hazardous political unrest in the country. He had to abandon his tickets and choose a new destination, Kathmandu, Nepal.

“I am in a lot of trouble because the original place that I booked a plane ticket to and bought overweight luggage to transport my bike to, is facing political unrest. I had to give up my tickets and choose a new destination,” he said.

Despite these setbacks, Dararith remains undeterred.

“I have to fly to Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. My second stage is to ride from Nepal, cross the mountains of the western part of the country to New Delhi, India, and then head to the Himalayas,” he explained.

Dararith’s journey, which will see him traverse numerous countries from Cambodia to Europe, is a testament to his resilience and determination to overcome challenges for a good cause. The attached map details his ambitious route, showing the various landmarks and terrains he aims to cross.

Dararith’s heavily laden bicycle at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok on July 24, immediately before it was boxed for the flight to Nepal. Supplied

Dararith recently completed an inspiring 2,000-kilometre cycling journey across Laos. This expedition not only exposed him to the stunning natural landscapes and challenging terrains of Laos but also imparted invaluable life lessons about resilience and the power of human connections. 

Following a serious accident in Vientiane that resulted in injuries and damage to his bicycle, he received support from the local community and his fellow Cambodians to return to the saddle and get back on track​.

Dararith remains determined to continue his mission, with sheer force of will ensuring nothing will stand in his way.

Dararith’s bicycle box and luggage are checked in at Suvarnabhumi Airport on July 24. Supplied