Vietnam to Cambodia bike tour

Overview

A two-week small group cycling holiday featuring the highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia, from Ho Chi Minh City to Angkor Wat, with a Mekong river cruise too. As part of a small group, we'll explore the cultural and natural highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia, combining scenic bike rides with longer distances covered by coach, ferry and speedboat. Travelling by bike, we'll have the opportunity to stop off at local markets, watch farmers in the rice paddies and talk to people in the villages we pass. Before leaving Ho Chi Minh City, we'll take a tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels, most known for their use in the Vietnam War. We'll then cycle to the mighty Mekong River, where we will take a cruise down meandering waterways and explore the mangrove forests, and visit one of the colourful floating markets, before hopping on our bikes again. Our first views of Cambodia will be from the easily walkable Sam Mountain, peppered with temples and pagodas, and we'll arrive into Phnom Penh in time for an afternoon of sightseeing. From here we'll explore Koh Dach Island, with its stilted houses, where we may hear the clatter of women weaving silk scarves on their looms. We'll take time to visit the 'Killing Fields' of Choeung Ek and the Tuol Sleng genocide museum. From Phnom Penh, we'll ride along the Mekong River once more, working our way towards the Cambodian capital of Siem Reap. Here, we will dedicate a few days to discovering the awesome spectacle that is Angkor Wat, and the equally stunning Angkor Thom. Small group travel is not large group travel scaled down. It is modelled on independent travel – but with the advantage of a group leader to take care of the itinerary, accommodation and tickets, and dealing with the language. It’s easy to tick off the big sights independently – but finding those one-off experiences, local festivals, travelling markets and secret viewpoints is almost impossible for someone without the insider knowledge gained from years in the field. Those with a two-week holiday, a small group tour will save valuable planning time. The consumption and resulting waste from plastic bottles of drinking water is a recognised problem around the world. We try to discourage and minimise this on this adventurous holiday by encouraging clients to refill their water bottles, on the cycle rides and bus journeys, from reusable giant-sized water dispensers. Pedal power is one of the most environmentally-friendly ways to travel, meaning that the holiday is a low impact option. We make the journey from Saigon to Siem Reap by a variety of forms of land and riverine transport without the need to fly between destinations. At Angkor Wat our Tour Leaders are well versed in preventing the removal of stones or climbing on the ruins. As our customers travel in small groups there are several briefings that take place on tour to indicate the do’s and don’ts that should be observed at particular sites, such as Angkor Wat. As a company we support Cool Earth. Protecting rainforest is one of the most effective actions to tackle climate breakdown. CoolEarth work with indigenous communities empowering them to conserve their forest; keeping CO2 locked in. One reason we use local tour leaders is so they can help bridge any cultural gaps between us and the local people. As well as helping to unlock many aspects of the destination; employing a local tour leader, local guides, bike mechanic, drivers, boat crews and sampan rowers all contributes in supporting the local community through employment and training. Our supplier is a locally owned company and over the past 25 years we have built a long standing, mutually beneficial and respectful relationship. One of the great aspects of a cycling holiday is the ability to stop off enroute to visit local markets, enjoy a drink in a small café and meet the local people. Along the way on our cycle rides we take the opportunity to visit local cottage industries where clients have the opportunity to learn from and interact with locals as well as encouraging the purchase of goods direct to the producers. For example on day 3 we plan to meet either a rice paper manufacturer or a coconut candy producer – both producing on a small scale and family run. On day 8 we cycle around Koh Dach Island passing through weaving villages and we stop to learn about the art and local history of silk weaving. This gives the opportunity to buy directly from the weavers. In addition to the above, we are continually looking for ways to improve and are proud to be ‘Responsible in everything we do’. Education is key and so all staff, Tour leaders and partnering suppliers are trained in responsible and sustainable tourism. At our Head Office, we continually strive towards a sustainable and planet-friendly working environment, including having solar panels installed and a company commitment to reducing our plastic usage. As well as this, we have valuable and longstanding partnerships with UK charities Toilet Twinning and Send a Cow, plus many smaller initiatives and projects around the world. We’re members of UK travel industry bodies Tourism Concern and AITO because we believe it’s important to share our knowledge and experience, as well as learn from other operators.

Daily Ride Schedule

Accommodation & Services

Accommodation

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What's Included