In the past we’ve written about some pretty out-there Cambodian cycle trips; this month we bring you a couple other unusual options from this fine country, one of our favorite less-explored adventure destinations: exotic temple tours and backcountry scouting for endangered bird species.

Hanuman, a Cambodian-owned and operated company, is known throughout Cambodia for its pioneering "Temple Safaris", blending the best of luxury African bush style camping with Cambodian grace and Buddhist sensibilities. They're so good at what they do, they were even chosen by Paramount Pictures to support the making of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider in Cambodia.  Join Hanuman for a visit to some of the country's more remote temple groups in the Cambodia’s northern region near the Thai border.

Wandering the temples at Preah Vihear on Temple Safari isn't exactly tomb raiding, but it feels a little like it could be - long after the crowds depart you'll find yourself wrapped in the quiet of the hillside, free to prowl the imperious ruins at your leisure.  When we were there we stood in total silence and watched a thunderstorm build in the distance, waiting only until the moon and stars had bathed these fantastic ruins in an eerie glow before returning to our camp.

Hanuman is also committed to its business as a means of economic development for the region's rural poor.  The company consistently promotes and supports community tourism activities and pro-poor tourism industries by taking visitors into remote areas to discover Cambodia, away from the over-marketed city centers.

Contact: info@hanumantourism.com; www.hanumantourism.com

This next pick is decidedly NOT luxury tent camping...more on the "roughing it" end of the adventure spectrum, we bring you the ecotours of Sam Veasna Center. Also being promoted through the Wildlife Conservation Society, the trip provides access to some of Southeast Asia’s rarest and most sought after species, including the Giant Ibis and White-Shouldered Ibis. There's no hotel out here, so you’ll be staying in a simple village house with basic amenities (think quiet wooden house in the village, a bed under mosquito netting, the famous Asian bucket bath, no western toilets).

In addition to all the rare birds and the exposure to authentic village life for a couple days in Cambodia, this trip is excellent because villagers directly benefit from your visit.  Sam Veasna Center uses local guides who know the birds' habits well, and local villagers serve as cooks and housekeepers. And a local Ecotourism Committee, established to manage this tourism project, makes sure that tourist receipts are distributed in the community and that conservation continues.

Other highlights of the trip include a day trip to Ang Trapeang Thmor—a huge Pol Pot-era reservoir with extensive wet grasslands - renowned for being the home of the largest - known flock of the rare Eastern Sarus Crane during the dry season.  And of course you'll have the chance to experience the bustling and tacky Siem Reap area with the famed Angkor Wat temples, which you really should see at least once in your life!

For more information visit their website: www.samveasna.org or contact Karen Nielsen, Ecotourism Development Coordinator at edc@samveasna.org.