aking advantage of the Ha Tien border crossing, this cycling adventure keeps cyclists away from the majority of the traffic whilst taking in some stunning scenery. From the highlights of Ho Chi Minh City to the emerald green rice paddies of the Mekong Delta.
Route: Ho Chi Minh City – Vinh Long – Cantho – Ha Tien – Kompong Trach – Kep – Sihanoukville – Phnom Penh – Battambang – Siem Reap – Angko Wat – Banteay Srei – Beng Mealea
Itinerary
Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City (No cycling)
Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City – Vinh Long – Can Tho (40km cycling)
Day 4: Can Tho – Ha Tien (50km cycling)
Day 5: Ha Tien – Kompong Trach – Kep (40km cycling)
Day 6: Kep – Sihanoukville (83km cycling)
Day 7: Sihanoukville – Phnom Penh (50km cycling)
Day 8: Phnom Penh (No cycling)
Day 9: Phnom Penh – Battambang (92km cycling)
Day 10: Battambang – Siem Reap (56km cycling)
Day 11: Siem Reap – Angkor Wat – Rolous Temple Complex (65km cycling)
Day 12: Siem Reap – Banteay Srei – Beng Mealea (86km cycling)
Day 13: Siem Reap (No cycling)
Day 14: Depart Siem Reap
Inclusions:
Exclusions:
You will be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Depending on when you arrive activities can be arranged for the rest of the day.
In the morning visit the Reunification Palace, which is one of the most important buildings in Ho Chi Minh City. The tour continues on to the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Post Office, built between 1877 and 1883. Both are excellent examples of classical French colonial architecture. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will visit the History Museum and one of the most beautiful pagodas in the city – the Thien Hau Pagoda.
Depart Ho Chi Minh City for My Tho, which is where you will begin cycling. It is a 40 kilometre ride along paved, sand and dirt roads to the quiet town of Cai Be. Here you will enjoy a delicious lunch in a French colonial-style villa. After lunch, relax and enjoy the two hour boat trip from to Vinh Long. Along the way, you can observe life on the river, much of which has remained largely unchanged for years. From Vinh Long, you will be driven to Can Tho.
Start your morning with a boat trip to the Cai Rang floating market. After touring the market, you will have lunch and then be driven to Tri Ton to begin cycling. The 50 kilometre ride along the Vinh Te canal through the peaceful countryside to Ha Tien is very scenic.
Today, a car will take you across the border into Cambodia. New bicycles will be provided there, and you will have time to adjust them. Ride north to Kompong Trach and then on to Kep. You will begin to notice the many differences in architecture and in customs between Cambodia and Vietnam. In Kep, there will be ample time to explore this quiet town with its impressive French colonial architecture.
The day starts early with a relaxing ride along the coast, past the lush scenery of Bokor Mountain, rice paddies and small fishing villages. You will have the chance to explore the secluded beaches, mangrove forests, tropical jungles and fishing villages of Ream National Park. Enjoy a boat trip through the mangroves to discover the incredible natural heritage of this protected area. You will reach Sihanoukville in the late afternoon.
Depart in the early morning for the capital, Phnom Penh. On the way, you will stop for lunch at a quaint local restaurant, before continuing on through the open countryside and rice paddies. The evening is free to explore the city’ palaces, parks, and temples.
Enjoy a comprehensive tour of this bustling, vibrant city with stops at the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, the National Museum and Wat Phnom. In the afternoon, visit the sobering and poignant Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. Later in the afternoon, enjoy some free time to explore the bustling Central Market.
This morning, you will cycle to Udong to visit the temples and the three large stupas where the ashes of three former kings are preserved. A former capital of the Khmer Empire, Udong was founded by King Soryopor in 1601. Built on a hill forty kilometres north of Phnom Penh, Udong offers spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and the vast sugar palm plantations. After lunch, ride on to Kompong Chhnang, which is famous for its clay pottery. From there, you will be driven to the city of Battambang.
Battambang is famous for its French colonial architecture, fertile soil and the quality of the rubies and garnets mined in this province. Today, you will cycle to Wat Banan to view an 11th century temple built by King Jarvarman VII. The temple is perched at the top of a 400 metre hill, where you can enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. After enjoying the scenery, ride back to Battambang for lunch. In the afternoon, you will make the four hour journey to Siem Reap.
This morning, cycle to famous Angkor Wat – the best preserved of all the Angkorian temples. Explore this huge architectural wonder at your leisure before riding on through the ancient city of Angkor Thom. Later in the day, take small, tree-lined paths through the countryside to the Roulos Temple complex, which are the oldest of the Angkorian temples.
Cycle to the exquisite Banteay Srei, “Citadel of the Woman”, which is home to some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art. Your journey continues to the foot of Phnom Kulen, then east to the jungle temple of Beng Mealea. After exploring this impressive monument, return to Siem Reap.
This day is free for you to explore Siem Reap and its many shopping options. Alternatively, continue your exploration of the temples.
Spend the morning at leisure before you are transferred to the airport for your onward flight.