| Number of Cycling Days: 9 Days | Total Cycling Distance: 505 Km |
| Accommodation: Included | Bike Hire: Included |
| Single Supplement: Supplement Charge | Tour Code: CAM – AS |
| Next departure: 08 August, 2024 | Difficulty: Moderate |
Beginning with the ancient Khmer temples of Siem Reap and ending in the buzzing modernity of Ho Chi Minh City, our Mekong Delta tour takes you from historic culture to contemporary Saigon living. Our cycling tours Angkor to Saigon is a journey through rural landscapes and riverside communities. We will see history marked by traces of Pol Pot atrocities in these countries. Riding on we encounter wild life, local cottage industries and minority cultures. On this cycling tours Angkor to Saigon, you are guaranteed a peaceful ride away from other tourists.
Day 1: Cycle to Angkor Wat
Your local guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel, fit your bike, and give you a safety briefing, then cycle through Angkor temple pass check – point. We will cycle through the shady road with a little pumping because of a few pot – holes. There you will begin to see Kravan temple, Banteay Kdei, and stop at the famous Ta Phrom, embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers. Visit Ta Phrom temple, which was built in 12th century by the famous King Jayavarvan VII indicated to his mother.
We will then head out to the ancient city of Angkor Thom, enter the city through the ancient Gate, an impressive stone gate carved with elephants and four giant faces. From here, continue to Bayon Temple, found in the center of the city famed as the enigmatic faces representing the 54 provinces of the Great Khmer Empire. The Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King are also must-visits as they are both known for their intricate bas-reliefs.
After we bike to the gem of the Angkor complex, take a break at lunch and stop at the local restaurant to enjoy tasteful Cambodian dishes.
Lastly, we spend the whole afternoon to extensively visit Angkor Wat the rich history and symbolism of this unique ancient temple. Afterwards, you will return to your hotel. Overnight stay in Siem Reap.
Day 2: Cycle to Tonle Sap Lake – Kampong Pluk Floating Village
On the second day you’ll continue to explore the area around Siem Reap by cycling through the beautiful countryside to reach Kampong Phluk fishing village. This is a great opportunity to discover the local way of life in Siem Reap and meet some of the friendly locals who live in the area. Along the way, you’ll pass by the ancient Rolous group temples, which date back to the 9th century and were part of the Khmer city of Hariharalaya.
Once you reach Kampong Phluk, you’ll get to experience the unique livelihoods of the Cambodian people who live in the floating villages on the Tonle Sap lake. The boat trip on the lake will give you an up-close look at how families have adapted their lives to living on the water, and you’ll get to see the fishing techniques and other ways of life that have sustained these communities for generations.
After the boat trip, you’ll return to Siem Reap by private vehicle, ending another day of peaceful and insightful cycling away from the tourist crowds.
Day 3: Siem Reap – Half Day Countryside Ride
Late morning explore the northwest of Siem Reap on a dirt road, allowing you to fully experience local life. Discover a secluded Buddhist temple and the West Baray reservoir, the largest man-made reservoir from the Angkor era. Visit local artisans and learn about their trade, including basket weaving, rice wine distilling, and Khmer noodle making. Enjoy drinks, fruit, and snacks from stands along the way. Finally, return to Siem Reap town.
Day 4: Siem Reap – Kampong Thom – Phnom Penh
Today after breakfast at your hotel we continue your Angkor to Saigon by cycling to Kompong Thom to visited the temple of Sambor Preikuk, one of the most important pre-Angkorian sites in Cambodia and soon become the next UNESCO world heritage Site. The temple was built in the Chenla period between the 6th and 7th centuries. You guide will lead a tour through the temples. Lunch will be at a local restaurant
Afternoon, we have a beautiful ride through rice paddies and small villages with locals greeting us as we cycle by. You will then get on our supporting van for a 4-hours transfer to Phnom Penh, the city is considered as one of the most beautiful cities as it still retains a colonial charm flat. The rest of the day enjoy at your own leisure. Overnight stay in Phnom Penh
Day 5: Phnom Penh City Tour
Begin your tour with a visit to the Royal Palace overlooking the confluence of the Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers. Built in 1866 by King Norodom, the palace is now home to the reigning monarch. Within the palace grounds you will find the coronation hall, an open air theatre for the Royal Dance Troupe, and the King’s private residence. The grounds are open to the public except when the King is in residence. The grounds also house the Silver Pagoda, its floor covered by 5,000 silver tiles each weighing 1 kilogram.
Next you will visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, which documents the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge against both their political enemies and many thousands of everyday Cambodians. In 1975 this former high school was taken over by Pol Pot’s security forces and converted into Security Prison 21 (S-21). It soon became the largest detention and torture centre in the country. Please note that the images on display are quite graphic and unsettling.
Then drive to Choeung Ek – the Killing Fields, where the brutal executions of more than 17,000 men, women and children took place. The large mass grave pits have all but gone, however the stupa filled with skulls is a chilling memorial.
Day 6: Phnom Penh – Takeo
We continue our cycling tours Angkor to Saigon by transfer 15km out of the busy traffic in Phnom Penh. Then we start cycle to visit Ta Phrom and Yeary Pov temples (12 century). Take a break for water and snack before heading to Phnom Chisor to visit the hill top 11th century temple. Enjoy packed lunch overlook the scenery of the countryside.
Afternoon, we cycle to Takeo passing Ta Mok’s house, the former general commander of the Khmer Rouge. Takeo is a less visited town with much relation to the past history. Board on the boat for sunset to Phnom Da to visit the hill top temple former the capital of Khmer Empire in the early century known as Funan. Overnight stay in Takeo.
Day 7: Takeo – Chao Doc
Today is a your last day in Cambodia part of our cycling tours Angkor to Saigon. Check your Vietnam visa, fill in water then we start cycle 53km to Phnom Den border crossing point. Take a break in half way for water stop. After immigration, say goodbye to our Cambodian crews and welcome by our Vietnamese crew. Lunch will be at a local restaurant.
After lunch, we cycle to discover along the Mekong Delta road into the beautiful green countryside. Along the way you will see rice fields and water buffalos nearby the road. Arrive in Chau Doc, those with energy to spare can climb Sam Mountain for sunset! Overnight stay in Chau Doc.
Day 8: Chau Doc – Can Tho
Today we leave for the floating houses on upper Mekong river by boat where we can see plenty of catfishes, red snappers… breeding under right their houses. What is an amazing life! Then keep boating to visit the Cham village with about 12.000 people. Walk to the mosques that Muslims pray and teach Cham kids in Arabic for a while. Then we start cycling along incredible country roads from Chau Doc to Bachuc along the border, or re-trace back to triton (depending on road conditions). The cycling starts to gently undulate and mountains begin to loom as you ride out off Chau Doc. The presence of Thnot trees indicates the growing proximity to Cambodia and the local people speak Vietnamese as their second lanaguge.
This afternoon, we cycle to the killing fields of Vietnam at Bachuc, where Polpot’s regime massacred over 3,000 Vietnamese in 1978. Overnight stay in Can Tho.
Day 9: Cantho – Travinh
There will be time to explore side tracks and trails as the cycling distance today is not far. This gives a great first impression of the “heart of Mekong”. We take first short boat trip to Vinh Long, one of the famous fruits town in Mekong. Then we bike along narrow country lanes, easy dirt tracks and trails.
This biking is at its most glorious-through tiny orchards, witness colorful life along the riverside, pedal pass picturesque delta homes, pause to chart with welcoming villagers, clack across innumerable wooden bridges. Cross narrow canals on a local sampan, before finishing at the main ferry for a refreshing boat trips across the expansive Co Chien River. Ride final few km to the very pretty Khmer town of Travinh. Overnight stay in Travinh.
Day 10: Travinh – Mytho – Ho Chi Minh
Our cycling tours Angkor to Saigon officially ends today. After breakfast, we start with a section of biking cuts off road onto gravel and dirt lanes, and weaves around hamlets, across water channels, and through quiet dense vegetation. This makes for superb biking after a ferry across the graping expanse of Cochien river from Travinh, the pretty tree lined town with a large population of ethnic Khmer. Then another section of crossing rivers and canals by numerous, ubiquitous, fascinating ferries, we bike through the route takes us through narrow roads and lanes, past banana plantations, fields of sugar cane, through the lush green landscape of the delta.
The ride lead us right into the heart of the rural Mekong before arriving at Mytho – the gateway of the Mekong delta to end our cycling trip. From Mytho, we transfer a couple of hours to Ho Chi Minh City to avoid the busy traffic.
What’s Included
What’s Excluded
Guides
Your trip will be led by our local cycling tour guide. For groups of less than 5, your tour will be led by one English-speaking guide and a driver. For groups of 6 or more, you will have a Cycling Tour Leader, an English-speaking guide, drivers, and assistants to ensure a smooth and informative experience. Our guides are knowledgeable about the history, culture, and religion of the area and will share their insights with you during the tour.”
Bikes & Repairs
Ride in comfort on well-known makes of hybrid or mountain bikes, chosen specifically for the tour. Our guide carries a comprehensive tool kit and will assist with any bike issues, so all you need is a daypack for your personal items. Although we strive to be prepared for any bike repairs, we cannot guarantee that we will be equipped for all situations. If you plan to bring your own bike, please ensure that it is in good working order and consider having it fully serviced by a bike shop before the tour.”
Support Vehicle
Have peace of mind with our support vehicle always accompanying the tour. The vehicle will carry your luggage and provide a break if needed. The backup van will be with us every 15 km, offering a convenient stop for rest and relaxation.
Safety
Ensure your safety while on the tour by wearing a helmet, which is mandatory. Our tour guides are trained in first aid and emergency rescue, but ultimately, it’s your responsibility to take care of yourself while riding. Don’t compromise on safety, wear a helmet for a fun and secure experience.
Terrain
The Cycling Tours Angkor to Saigon covers a mixture of terrains, including flat tarmac roads and dirt roads through the countryside and rural villages. You’ll enjoy scenic views as you leisurely cycle on back roads, with regular stops for snacks and drinks, and to take photos. Our guides are flexible and can accommodate riders of all levels. If you’re unable to complete the distance, you can opt to ride in the support vehicle.
Fitness Level
This tour is designed to accommodate cyclists of all levels of experience, fitness, and ages. The tour is tailored to suit all participants and is not a race. The guides can easily accommodate riders who are unable to complete the distance and they can jump into the support vehicle. The tour is focused on enjoying the challenges of cycling while respecting the limits of each participant.
Health and Medical conditions
It’s important to inform the tour guide of any medical conditions or any changes in health status before and during the tour to ensure the safety of everyone involved. The tour guide is trained in first aid and emergency rescue, but it’s still crucial for each participant to be aware of their own physical health and limit. This will help to ensure an enjoyable and safe cycling adventure for everyone.
Drinking
Keeping you hydrated is a job we take very seriously. Cold water, some energy-restoring local fruit, and soft drinks are included in the tour price while riding. Soft drinks and other beverages during meals are not included. Beer is freely available everywhere but is not included in the price.
Extra Expenses
Most of the things are included in the package tour, you might want to budget for food and drinks if you choose to head out at night, or additional activities. The cost of the activity depends on what you want to do. We would recommend you to bring a small cash of US$30 for incidentals.
Money
Cambodia: Thai baht and US dollars are widely used in Cambodia, especially in larger cities and towns. In smaller towns and villages, Cambodian riels are usually preferred. There are ATMs in most areas, however, machines dispense US dollars. The guides will be able to show you where the ATMs are. Spend riel before departing as no one will exchange them for you once you leave.
Vietnam: The official national currency is the Vietnam Dong, but the US dollar is widely accepted in tourist centers. However, in smaller towns and villages the Dong is preferred. ATMs are available in all major tourist destinations and big cities. Vietcombank has the best network with a single withdrawal limit of 2,000,000d (about US$125). Most major currencies can be exchanged at leading banks in Vietnam, but the US dollar is preferred away from the tourist centers. Changing US$100 will make you an instant millionaire! You cannot legally take the dong out of Vietnam but you can reconvert reasonable amounts of it into US dollars on departure.
Solo Travellers
We have a wide mix of cyclists on our tours from couples, friends to solo travellers. Our prices are based on twin shared accommodation. If you sign up for one of our tours as a solo traveller we will share a twin room with another person of the same gender in your group. If you prefer to have your own room this is an option on most of our tours for an extra charge.
Passport & Visa
Cambodia: The visitors to Cambodia require a passport to enter the country and all travelers must hold a passport with the validation for 6 months after their planned exit from Cambodia.
Most nationalities can get a visa on arrival at Phnom Penh & Siem Reap international airports without prior registration. Visa issued on arrival for most nationalities, US $30/pax, please bring 1 passport photo. You also can get a visa in advance at
www.evisa.gov.kh
Vietnam: Whilst we endeavour to provide correct and relevant information obtained directly from the relevant Embassies, High Commissions and Consulate Generals – this information is subject to frequent changes, without warning and at very short notice. Due to this, we cannot be held liable for any errors in the information provided on this site. We strongly advised you to check all information with the relevant embassy for details on your visa/passport requirements.
You must be in possession of a valid passport and visa. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after date of arrival or 1 month after expiration of visa.
British and Thai passport holders do not need a visa if they stay in country less than 14 days. For information relevant to the country for which you hold a passport, check with your local Vietnam embassy for up to date advice. Your visa must be applied for in advance. You can arrange for a visa on arrival in advance of the trip and our agent can provide you with a travel document that will permit entry to Vietnam for issue of the visa. There is a £10 admin charge for this. The visa fee is payable at Noi Bai airport, Hanoi.
Travel insurance
It is compulsory for all participants to have travel insurance covering the duration of the tour. This insurance must cover against personal accident, death, medical expenses and repatriation. It is essential to bring a copy of your insurance policy with you and to give details to your tour guide at the beginning of the tour. In the event of an accident or illness, evacuation and treatment costs are the responsibility of the individual.
Climate
Cambodia: November in Cambodia is the start of the dry season; although the odd, short shower early in the month is not unusual. Comfortable temperatures (avg: 25 °C), low humidity and plenty of sunshine make this a popular time to travel in Cambodia. December is characterised by dry, sunny weather, low humidity and relatively cool temperatures (avg: 26 °C). In January Cambodia is well into its dry season. By August it is experiencing the rainy season, but this does not affect our cycling too much, as rain generally falls late afternoon or at night. The advantage of visiting Cambodia during the wet season is the vibrant spectacle of lush green rice fields and countryside.
Vietnam: Vietnams weather is split into two distinct weather patters Tropical and a temperate zone. The average temperature ranges from 22 to 27 degrees all year round but in the South temperatues can stay almost the same. The Southern part of Vietname has 2 distincted seasons. The cold season is from November to April and the hot season from May to October. Whilst in the North there are 4 season with distinct difference between them. It can get cool in the winter but very warm in the summer.
Deposit
Once the trip is confirmed, we will be required you to pay a deposit to guarantee your booking with us. For the tours less than 7 days to the departure date, the deposit amount is 100% of the tour price, per person. For the tours more than 7 days to the departure date, the 30% of the tour price per person will be required.
Balance
The remaining balance must be paid 45 days before the departure date with fees for any bicycle rental(s), single supplement(s) and extra hotel nights.
Final Tour Confirmation
Our team will send you the final tour confirmation of our cycling tours Angkor to Saigon, which includes personal details you provided us (including your flight information), visa application advice, a packing suggestion list and a detailed tour itinerary. It will also include a checklist to ensure you get everything ready for your holiday.
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