This 2-week journey will not only offer you the chance to visit some of Cambodia’s most interesting sites, but will also allow you to discover some of the many natural marvels of neighbouring Vietnam.
NEW! This tour is also available with an electric bike (E-Bike).
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The tour starts with the visit of some of Siem Reap’s most fascinating areas, including the splendors of the impressive temples of Angkor built mainly during the 12th century and Tonle Sap, South-East Asia’s largest lake with its typical houses on stilts, floating accommodation and distinct ethnic groups and culture. You will then have the opportunity to discover Phnom Penh, the capital city, once considered a marvel of French colonial architecture and still boasting some impressive monuments and buildings open to visitors. The Cambodian part of the tour finishes in the South with the visit of Kampot with its famous pepper plantations and the old colonial town of Kep. In Vietnam, your journey will take you to various natural sites and villages and you will discover a country where the culture and daily life are based on its uncountable waterways and islands, before visiting Ho Chi Minh (Saigon), a lively and exciting metropolis with a rich cultural heritage.
This 2-week adventure through Cambodia and Vietnam will provide you with a truly unforgettable cycling experience during which you will discover an amazing array of landscapes and cultures.
Day 1 : SIEM REAP ARRIVAL
Our guide meets you at the airport. Transfer to your Hotel. Relax and discover the centre of the town.
Day 2 : ANGKOR WAT (Hotel/38 km cycling)
Full day cycle tour of the famous temples of Angkor, including Angkor Wat, the ever popular Ta Phrom still subsumed by roots of jungle trees, and the walled city of Angkor Thom, centered around the impressive Bayon Temple with its enigmatic carved stone faces.
Angkor Thom was the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire. It was established in the late twelfth century by king Jayavarman VII. It covers an area of 9 km², within which are located several monuments from earlier eras as well as those established by Jayavarman and his successors. At the centre of the city is Jayavarman’s state temple, the Bayon, with the other major sites clustered around the Victory Square immediately to the north Angkor Wat is the most perfect of the Angkor temples. Built in monumental proportions on three levels, its symmetrical five tower layout symbolizes the peaks of Mount Meru and were designed to be a microcosm of the Hindu universe. There is not only the grandeur, for every spot in the temple is ornamented with sculptures and bas-reliefs of wonderful detail. Monks from adjacent pagodas still conduct ceremonies in the site and tend to it, contributing to its excellent preservation, the best of any Angkor temples. Angkor is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Hotel in Siem Reap (B,L)
Day 3 : SIEM REAP TONLE SAP – SIEM REAP (Hotel/65 km cycling)
Morning: Siem Reap-Wat Trak-Roluos (Bakong).
Ride along small trails through the countryside and villages until Wat Trak temple (Chau Srei Vibol). Visit the temple and its pagoda. Lunch
Afternoon: Roluos (Bakong)-Tonle Sap–Roluos- Tonle Sap-(Siem Reap).
Then ride on to Bakong (Roluos Group). After Bakong visit, ride to Siem Reap River and then to Tonle Sap lake. Boat trip and ride back to town with transfer vehicle to the hotel.
Day 4 : SIEM REAP – PHNOM PENH (Hotel/no cycling)
Early morning we have a transfer to Phnom Penh. Arriving around 2 pm, you get to your Hotel. Free to discover the town on your own. (B)
Day 5 : PHNOM PENH (Hotel)
Begin your tour of this charming capital with Tuk-Tuk or Bus to visit the city’s namesake, Wat Phnom. Founded in 1373, the pagoda was built to house Buddhist relics washed ashore by the river.
Visit the Royal Palace built in 1866 by King Norodom. See the different structures of this pagoda-style compound and stroll in its beautiful garden. Visit the Silver Pagoda so named because of its floor that is comprised of 5,000 silver tiles. A gold Buddha encrusted with 9,584 diamonds and a small 17th century emerald and baccarat crystal Buddha are also housed here. Continue to the nearby National Museum. Built in 1917, it is an exceptional example of traditional architecture and is exclusively devoted to preserving and displaying Khmer art and sculptures. Hundreds of pieces are housed here including both pre-and post-Angkorian pieces. In the evening enjoy cruising on the river and see the sunset. (B)
Day 6 : PHNOM PENH – TAKEO – KAMPOT (Hotel/50 km cycling)
Early morning transfer to Takeo. Takeo Province has several important pre-Angkorian sites built between the 5th and the 8th centuries. The provincial capital, the town of Takeo, is an easygoing place that possesses a fair amount of natural and man made beauty.
The natural beauty is in the Scenic River and lake area that faces a pleasant town parkway. On the way to Kampot, we visit Kampong Trach, a pagoda which has been carved in the mountain. Arrival in Kampot before nightfall. (B,L)
Day 7 : KAMPOT – KEP (Hotel/25 km cycling)
In the morning, visit of the salt mines and of the famous pepper plantations. Once Cambodia’s most popular and prestigious beach town, Kep has fallen on hard times in recent years. From the early 1900s until the 1960s, it was a thriving resort town for the French and Cambodian elites.
On dirt roads we cycle along the coast across rice fields and palm trees to reach Kep.
A major misconception about Kep is that during the Khmer Rouge years, much of Kep’s French colonial era mansions and villas were destroyed. In fact, local residents, being in need of money and food, stripped down the villas so that they could exchange all these valuable parts in Vietnam for rice and cash. Many of Kep’s villas are abandoned, but some of the town’s former splendor is still apparent.
In the afternoon, we make a boat trip to the Rabbit Island with some relaxing hours on the beach. (B,L)
Day 8 : KEP – Chau Doc (Vietnam) (Hotel/30 km cycling)
We cycle to the border and are welcomed by the Vietnamese guide who will take us to the Hotel. (B)
Day 9 : Chau Doc – Long Xuyen (B,D)
After being picked up at your hotel in Chau Doc, we take a morning boat trip to visit a fish feeding village on Bassac River and see a weaving shop of Cham – Muslim people. Then we mount on our bike for Thuan Giang, crossing on a ferry to OngChuong Island, cycling through a village making bamboo baskets. In the afternoon we cycle to AnHoa and we take a ferry crossing to LongXuyen town. Total cycling about 75km. Dong Xuyen hotel, Superior room
Day 10 : LONG XUYEN-MY KHANH (CANTHO) (B D)
In the morning, we cycle 18km with a ferry crossing to visit ThotNot stork garden and keep on 62km cycling on a countryside road to CoDo, ThoiLai and PhongDien. We keep on 10km more to MyKhanh commune where we spend the night at a local homestay. Total cycling about 90km.
(Please prepare a small backpack with clothes for changing at the homestay. We will cycle 2km from the main road – where the bus is parked – to the homestay).
Day 11 : CAN THO – BINH HOA PHUOC (B D)
After breakfast, we will take a 2-hour boat cruise on the Cantho River to visit CaiRang floating market and cruise on natural waterways, see the life of the locals along the riverside.
We disembark from our boat and start cycling over Cantho suspension bridge and ride through an area of pomelo fruit in MyHoa and DongThanh communes, onto BaCang for a lunch break at a local place. In the afternoon we keep riding to TamBinh and onto Long Ho and VinhLong. Ferry crossing to BinhHoaPhuoc Island for the night. Total cycling about 75km. Eco guesthouse.
(Please prepare a small backpack with clothes for changing at the guesthouse on the island, your heavy suitcase will be safe in the van).
Day 12 : BENTRE – MY THO, LONG AN – HO CHI MINH CITY(B).
We start cycling back on a country road and a winding road under the green coconut canopy. The coconut palms are what make Bentre famous in Vietnam. We also pass BaLai River, a smaller branch of the Mekong on our way. Lunch break in MyTho town. In the afternoon we keep on small roads to LongAn where our van will pick us up for transfer to HCM city. Overnight in HCM. Total cycling about 60km. Sapphire Hotel, Junior room
Day 13 : HO CHI MINH (B)
Day trip to CaoDai temple and CuChi tunnels (no cycling). O/N Sapphire Hotel, Junior room
Day 14 : HO CHI MINH city tour (B)
Short orientation tour of the city and transfer to Saigon airport for your home flight.
Cycling distances can be adapted by the client, as an escort vehicle follows all the way.
