Cycle Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand - 13 Days

Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins in Ho Chi Minh City with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, there’s plenty to be seen with a self-paced walking tour of the city. Maybe head to Pham Ngu Lao Street to see the local open-aired market or visit Vinh Nghiem Pagoda. You could also head to one of the local amusement parks or hunt down the perfect Banh mi. After the meeting tonight, maybe head out with your group for an optional welcome dinner.

This morning you’ll hop on the bus and drive to the Mekong Delta – known as the ‘rice bowl of Vietnam.’ The fertile delta is famous for its harvest of tropical fruit, flowers and rice, as well as the waterside views over the canals. When you arrive, you’ll get on your bike for the first full day of cycling. Ride along quiet backroads, past farms and villages and make a stop for lunch. You’ll also get to visit orchards and some local cottage industries. Around sunset, make your way up one of the canals by boat to reach your homestay. Tonight, you’ll stay with a local family in their home and sit down for a homecooked dinner of local specialties.

Start the day early with a boat ride, then take a bus to riverside Sadec, where you’ll start today’s ride. Shake out your sea legs with a cycle through the bustling settlements along the river. Here, you’ll see more of how local life is dependent on the river, stopping for lunch in a local community. Cycle on to the ferry and then take a bus to Chau Doc, which sits right next to the Cambodian border. When you arrive, head out in search of the city’s famous hot noodles and a cold beer. The rest of the night is free to explore at your own pace or get some rest in tonight’s hotel.

Cycle to your last destination within Vietnam – the border town of Tinh Bien. On arrival you’ll stop for lunch, then go through visa formalities and cross into Cambodia. Meet your new support team and hop on your bike again on your way to Phnom Penh. You’ll be cycling along dusty and bumpy rural roads for a while, then along a paved highway which leads towards Cambodia’s capital. Avoid the busy roads and jump back into the support vehicle for the drive into the city. When you arrive, you’ll have a free evening to seek out the best Cambodian cuisine to help fuel up after a good day out on the bike. Phnom Penh is quickly becoming a hot destination among foodies, so you can easily load up on grilled seafood, fish curry and green mango salad.

Today, you’ll head to the gold-hued Mongkol Serei Kien Khleang Pagoda on the shores of the mighty Mekong River then take a short ferry to spend the full day on a leisurely ride around Mekong Island (Koh Dach). This 10-hectare island is also known as one of the prominent centres of traditional handicrafts in Cambodia, and you’ll visit some local artisans selling quality silks, pottery and woodcarvings. Cycle past temples and pagodas, then stop at a roadside food stall for a refreshing drink. This afternoon’s ride will take you through the small villages, rice paddies, vegetable farms and fruit orchards of the island, then on to Okhna Tey island (Koh Okhna) before you head back to the mainland for a free evening.

Today you’ll confront Cambodia’s tragic past with visits to several historical sites. Visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum – a former school which served as a Khmer Rouge torture centre. You’ll take a guided tour of the museum where over 20,000 people were once incarcerated and tortured. Next, visit the Choeung Ek Memorial, where a stupa made up of some 8000 human skulls marks the site of the infamous Killing Fields. This was where the prisoners of Tuol Sleng were executed and nearly 9000 corpses have been exhumed from the area. Finally, learn about a brighter period in Cambodian history with a visit to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda.

Settle in for a long day of driving as you travel to Siem Reap. Grab a window seat on the bus if you can, as you’ll have some beautiful rural scenery along the way of tiny towns and countryside. Play some road trip games with your fellow travellers, get stuck into your book or take the opportunity to nap as you make the journey. When you arrive, maybe ask your local leader for the best dinner spots!

Today is all about the Angkor Complex – a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. Sitting in the jungle and hidden from the world for generations, Angkor is an ancient temple complex and with over 1000 temples there is no better way to explore the sprawling site than by bicycle. From Siem Reap, avoid the traffic and ride out off the main roads and (weather permitting) take small unsealed roads and paths to a remote small but beautiful temple practically unvisited by tourists. Enjoy the quiet then continue on small paths through the foliage to the main sites. When you arrive, you’ll park the bikes and explore the iconic Hindu temple of Angkor Wat on foot. Then, it’s back on the bike to discover the original Buddhist temple in Angkor – the amazing Bayon Temple. Cycle to Ta Phrom temple and indulge your inner Indiana Jones as you stroll through an amazing scene, where nature has taken over the ancient ruins.

Today you’ll cover a lot of distance on your visit to Banteay Srei – the 10th century temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. The temple was rediscovered in 1914 and has some of the most intricate carvings in the world. It was restored shortly after discovery, using traditional techniques and materials. You’ll then have a free afternoon and evening in Siem Reap, to explore or relax at the hotel.

Say goodbye to Siem Reap early this morning and head for the border of Cambodia and Thailand. Your crossing at Poipet/Aranyaprathet should take around 4 hours, including travel and border formalities. From the border, you'll transfer to the Tha Kabark Dam. Here, you can go for a quick swim before lunch, then it’s on to the next cycling leg to Sa Kaeo, where you'll stay for the night.

Wake up at sunrise this morning and make your way to the local market. Here, you’ll see Buddhist monks from the nearby temples who come to receive food from the villagers in exchange for blessings. Perhaps offer the monks some alms and be a part of the tradition. Spend the rest of the day cycling along mostly flat terrain towards the small district of Kabinburi. Along the way, you’ll pass rubber tree and tapioca plantations as well as lush rice fields.

Today, you’ll drive to a small rural village, where you hop back on the bike for your last full day of cycling. Make your way to Khun Dan Dam – Thailand’s largest dam. You’ll ride past small villages, paddy fields, farms and shops. Stop for lunch along the way, then enjoy a quick swim in the dam. After you’re feeling refreshed, you’ll pack up the bikes with your group and hop in a private transfer to Bangkok, your final destination. When you arrive, maybe head out with your local leader and your group for an optional dinner and cheers to a trip well-travelled!

There are no activities planned after breakfast today and your adventure comes to an end. If you'd like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation. If you’re staying in Bangkok, maybe take a riverboat to Chinatown and explore the crowded streets, wander down the tourist mecca of Khao San Road or visit Wat Pho – home to the country's largest reclining Buddha.