Cycle Southeast Asia

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Adventure Starts in Bangkok

   This adventure starts in Bangkok, the enthralling and energetic capital of Thailand.
   
   Around 6pm, say sawasdee to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when you gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.
   
   Your tour leader then ensures a big Thai welcome by arranging a group dinner at a local restaurant.

   • Royal Princess Larn Luang Hotel or similar
2. Day 2Early transfer to the old kingdom of Ayuttaya; warm-up ride on trail

   There’s an early start this morning as you transfer (approximately two hours) from Bangkok to the ancient town of Ayutthaya. The  two-hour transfer takes you into the heart of this fascinating site and you'll start cycling by the huge reclining Buddha. Much of the old town was destroyed by the Burmese in the 18th century and you will cycle through the remaining shrine towers and enormous temples to appreciate the past magnificence.

   • 24.2 miles
   • 131.2 ft
     131.2 ft
   • iRabbit Hotel or similar
   • Breakfast
3. Day 3Cycle to Kabin Buri

   Today you will follow minor roads through rural Thai landscapes including rubber and eucalyptus plantations as well as tapioca and rice fields. There are a few easy rolling hills but the route is mostly flat. The ride ends when you join a busier road before driving (approximately 40mins) to the town of Kabin Buri by bus.
   
   

   • 51 miles
   • 728.3 ft
     728.3 ft
   • Serenity Hotel & Spa Onsen or similar
   • Breakfast
4. Day 4Ride towards Bangkok

   Leaving our hotel early, you will first take a transfer (one hour) to Thung Yao Temple in Prachantakham, where we begin our final day of cycling in Thailand. From here, the ride takes you through scenic landscapes dotted with small villages, farms and lush paddy fields to Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam, one of the largest dams in Thailand.
   
   Along the way, we enjoy a leisurely lunch and can have a refreshing dip in the natural streams of Wang Takhrai Park.
   
   After recharging, we pack up our bikes and transfer (2hr 30min) to our Bangkok hotel for our final night in Thailand.

   • 51 miles
   • 1,000.7 ft
     1,000.7 ft
   • Royal Princess Larn Luang Hotel or similar
   • Breakfast
5. Day 5Fly to Siem Reap & Afternoon Ride

   After an early breakfast, transfer (one hour) to Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) for a  1hr 5min flight to Siem Reap (SAI). Arriving mid-morning, you'll meet your second tour leader and have a 15-minute transfer to the hotel.
   
   Apart from growth in the capital and around Siem Reap, the way of life in the countryside is still much the same as it has been for centuries. This afternoon’s ride follows the Siem Reap River as it winds through local villages in the Angkor area. You'll then continue along the Angkor Wat moat, where you could be rewarded with a scenic sunset and reflections of the iconic temple on the water.

   • 12.4 miles
   • 65.6 ft
     65.6 ft
   • Baitong Heritage Hotel or similar
   • Breakfast
6. Day 6First of two full days to explore the temple complex of Angkor by bus and bike, including Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, the Bayon and Banteay Srei

   Today you may choose to have an early start to avoid the inevitable crowds drawn to the wonders of Angkor. The various temples are spread over a wide area and are linked by shady avenues; meandering your way between them by bike gives us a unique perspective. The cycle tour will include the jungle-covered Ta Prohm, with the amazing roots of the Fromagier trees clinging to the ancient stones, Angkor Thom with the famous Bayon temple of 37 towers (originally there were 49) topped with the four faces of the king, and of course the incredible Angkor Wat, with its huge moat, long causeway and massive towers - it is the largest temple complex in Asia.
   
   
   

   • 18.6 miles
   • 200.1 ft
     200.1 ft
   • Baitong Heritage Hotel or similar
   • Breakfast

   • 

     Enjoy Angkor

     Spend two full days exploring the wonderful Angkor

7. Day 7Second day at Angkor temple complex

   Today you will cycle outside the main Angkor complex to the outlying temple of Banteay Srei, 35km (21.8mi) from Siem Reap town. The route takes you past paddy fields, and through pretty villages. Banteay Srei was built in the 10th Century and contains some of the finest examples of Khmer sculpture. Although much smaller than the later temples, here all of the buildings are covered in exquisite carvings.

   In the afternoon as you cycle back to Siem Reap you can stop and visit a few of the less visited Angkor temples. Siem Reap town is pleasant to wander around; the market has plenty of interest and excellent shopping and there is a vibrant nightlife scene. This afternoon there should also be time to visit the Tonle Sap Lake, which is a branch of the Mekong River.

   This optional trip includes a boat ride to see the floating fishing villages. Anyone wanting to do this visit may need to miss part or all of the ride back to Siem Reap, depending on timings. Cycle approx. 70 km (43mi). if riding the full distance to and from Banteay Srei.
   
   
   

   • 44.7 miles
   • Baitong Heritage Hotel or similar
   • Breakfast

   • 

     Enjoy Angkor

     Spend two full days exploring the wonderful Angkor

8. Day 8Drive to Phnom Penh, stopping at Sambor Pre Kuk

   Today, you have a bus journey of approximately seven hours along National Road 6 to Phnom Penh, with a couple of stops along the way.
   
   After about three hours on the road, you'll visit Sambor Prei Kuk, the most impressive group of pre-Angkorian monuments in Cambodia, with some of the oldest structures in the country. Take a pause for a traditional Khmer lunch at a community restaurant. The road is currently undergoing some resurfacing, so some sections are a bit bumpy.
   
   You should arrive in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh in the late afternoon, the perfect time for a sundowner on the Mekong.

   • Poulo Wai Hotel or similar
   • Breakfast and Lunch
9. Day 9Sightseeing including Royal Palace, Silver Pagoda and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum and the 'Killing Fields'

   The fortunes of Phnom Penh have shifted dramatically during its history and the terrible years of the Khmer Rouge and subsequent civil war through the 1970s and 1980s have scarred the country.

   During the stay you will visit two sites which give a vivid impression of some of the horrors. There is the Genocide Museum, which is the former Khmer Rouge prison known as S-21 or Tuol Sleng, in the centre of the city. And 15kms (9.3mi) of out of town is the area known as the 'Killing Fields,' a mass grave and execution site for the former inmates of S-21. While visiting Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields may not appeal to everyone, they give an important understanding of what the country and its people had to endure just a few decades ago.
   
   On a more positive note, the city is very much on the rise again and is a fascinating place with fine examples of French colonial architecture. You will tour the Royal Palace with its Silver Pagoda. There is also excellent shopping at the 'Russian' market and the lively Mekong waterfront area.
   
   

   • Poulo Wai Hotel or similar
   • Breakfast
10. Day 10Transfer to Takeo then cycle to Vietnam border and Chau Doc

    This morning you will transfer south out of Phnom Penh to the town of Takeo. Here the road becomes quieter and you will mount your bike for the 50km (31mi) ride to the Phnom Den / Tinh Bien border. Once border formalities have been completed, you will cycle approximately 30km (18.6mi) to Chau Doc.
    
    
    

    • 45.4 miles
    • 236.2 ft
      236.2 ft
    • Chau Pho hotel or similar
    • Breakfast

    • 

      Chau Pho hotel or similar, Vietnam

      Cross the border and spend the night in Chau Doc

    • 

      Chau Pho hotel or similar, Vietnam

      Cross the border and spend the night in Chau Doc

11. Day 11Drive/cycle through the Mekong Delta to Vinh Long; catch boat to homestay guesthouse

    This morning, ride from the hotel, leaving around 7.30am, along a quiet backroad lined with villages and dwellings before stopping after 31mi (50km) for lunch around 1pm. After an hour, you'll transfer (approximately two hours) to Vinh Long by bus. Leaving the bikes on the mainland, you'll take another boat (30 minutes) to reach the homestay-style guesthouse on An Binh Island in the Mekong Delta.
    
    After settling in you can explore the area on foot. The rivers and canals of the Mekong Delta form an amazing network of waterways. The area is best known for its abundant rice production, but in many areas farmers are now moving to more profitable fish farming and fruit and vegetable growing. The evening is tranquil with dinner at the homestay and true Delta hospitality. Spend the night sleeping at a guesthouse built in the style of a local house. Bedding, a mosquito net and a small towel are provided.

    • 38.5 miles
    • 1,059.7 ft
      1,059.7 ft
    • Homestay Guesthouse Mekong Delta
    • Breakfast and Dinner

    • 

      Mekong Delta Homestay

      Experience warm hospitality matched with lush surroundings

12. Day 12Transfer to Cai Be for floating market; scenic cycle along Mekong riverbank; transfer to Ho Chi Minh City

    Leaving the homestay around 8:00am, there will be a 45-minute boat ride to Cai Be, stopping en route to see cottage industries producing items such as popped rice, pancakes and wine. You'll then start a 22mi (35km) ride towards Cai Lay, where you take a scenic route through orchards and alongside the Mekong. The cycling will finish around 1pm.
    
    After lunch, you’re back on the bus in My Tho, driving (2hr to 2hr 30min) to the heat, hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City, still usually known as Saigon. This is an exciting and absorbing city where scooters pack the streets and temples stand alongside modern developments. Devastated by the Vietnam War, it is now a free-market city where (almost) anything goes.

    • 22.4 miles
    • 157.5 ft
      157.5 ft
    • Bong Sen Saigon Hotel or similar
    • Breakfast
13. Day 13Free day in Saigon

    The whole day is free to explore Saigon, do some shopping and to relax. There are a number of interesting things to see - the Saigon River, Ben Thanh Market, Reunification Palace and Notre Dame Cathedral are all within easy walking distance. Alternatively, a short cyclo (cycle taxi) ride will take you to the War Remnants Museum with an interesting (if a little gruesome) photographic record of the Vietnam/American War. For those that are interested your leader can arrange an optional visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, located 2 hours outside the city. Used by the Viet Cong during the war, the network covers 3 levels and approximately 240km (149mi) of tunnels. Originally these were very narrow but some areas have been widened to allow tourists to explore the system. Claustrophobes may prefer to stay outside in the sunshine!
    
    
    

    • Bong Sen Saigon Hotel or similar
    • Breakfast
14. Day 14Adventure ends in Ho Chi Minh City

    You’ll begin your return home after breakfast this morning. To make your journey as easy as possible, there’s a free shared transfer to the airport.

    • Breakfast