Day 1: Saigon – Arrival & Walking Tour
The morning is free for you to explore the city. Post-lunch, 13:00hrs, our guide meets you at your hotel for a walking tour to explore some of the most popular sites (Ben Thanh Market, Saigon Opera House, Continental Hotel, The Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and Post Office, The War Remnants Museum). This walking tour gives an excellent introduction to the city’s history and provide you with plenty of opportunities to soak up the unique mix of chaos and tranquility that is modern-day Saigon.
Later we do bike fit and convene over dinner tonight to celebrate the start of our awesome journey on a bike.
If you arrive early then we recommend to see China town (Cho Lon in Dist 5), Thien Hau Pagoda, Landmark 81 building, Jade Emperor Pagoda on your own.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Cai Be
Our guide meets you at your hotel in Saigon at 8am.
A shuttle transfer brings us to Cai Lay, outskirts of Saigon. Ride along small creek to Mekong estuary past gorgeous paddy fields and dragon fruit farms. Arrive at Cai Be and take a boat trip along the mighty Mekong River and its tributaries to experience the daily lives of people who work and play on the waterways of the Mekong Delta. We also visit the floating market at Cai Be, and a family-run business producing rice paper – a key ingredient in Vietnamese cuisine. Break for lunch on an island at a local house, set amongst fruit orchards and bonsai trees.
After lunch, continue riding to our hotel in Cai Be where we spend the night. Seasonally, on the way to the Mekong Delta, we can enjoy the peaceful scenes of farmers seeding, ploughing, and harvesting the rice crop.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 40km / 24mi*
Day 3: Can Tho
Another classic day on a bike as we ride through the interior trails of Mekong Delta to Vinh Long and then take a shuttle or ride further to Can Tho. Set on the southern bank of the Hau River, it’s known for its network of canals and nearby floating markets.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 60km / 36mi
Day 4: Chau Doc
Experience early morning Cai Rang floating market on a boat ride and later ride to the culturally diverse Chau Doc as you get to see mosques, temples and churches here. If we make it on time, take a boat trip to the Cham communities across the river.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 70km / 42mi
Day 5: Phnom Penh – Boat ride
Take an early morning 07:30am speed boat and arrive at the capital city of Cambodia via boat, Phnom Penh, at the edge of the Mekong River. Historical splendours are spread in every corner whether it’s the local palace or the horrific remnants of the Khmer atrocities.
Post-lunch get ready to be immersed in the Cambodian culture and history of the city as we kick off our walking tour from Wat Phnom. Enjoy walking along the Tonle Sap river, considered as lifeline of the region. Continue towards National Museum, houses several national treasures from three different eras: Pre-Angkorian, Angkorian and Post-Angkorian, giving the flavour of diverse culture and architecture. The last leg of our walk takes us to gilded Royal Palace, shimmering with silver tiles and sculptures of Buddha, that gives an insight about Cambodian Royal Life.
We recommend to taste some local khmer cuisine at one of Phnom Penh’s finest dining place ‘Romdeng’. End day with a walk or tuk-tuk ride back to hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Kampong Thom – Oudong Trail
After a hearty breakfast, we start our day with a short shuttle transfer to the outskirts of Phnom Penh. Here, set out on a bike ride on a dirt road through some of the most interior parts of Cambodia. It’s a flat ride past paddy fields, lotus farms and typical rural hamlets. Expect young kids to stretch their arms and give a big wave or locals inviting you into their homes. We may have to share our road with water buffaloes and cows and reach Oudong. Oudong was the capital of Khmer for around 200 years. A gradual climb takes us to the top of mountain surrounded with many stupas. Admire the spectacular views all around. An hour shuttle brings us to Kampong Thom.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 30km / 18mi*
Day 7: Siem Reap – Sambor Prei Kuk temple complex
In the morning, ride around Kampong Thom’s Sambor Prei Kuk temple complex, which predates Angkor Wat by at least 200 years.
Later, ride through bucolic countryside with spectacular view of paddy fields and lotus farms all around.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 60km / 36mi*
Day 8: Siem Reap – Angkor Loop
The Angkor temple complex is synonymous to Cambodia, so a ride around the temple is essential. Our guide meets you at your hotel and takes you back into Angkor era on a bike ride. After bike fit, start riding directly from hotel and reach the moat of Angkor Wat. Catch the brilliant morning rays on the ancient temple complex and spend ample time photographing as you would have seen nothing like this before. We will loop back to Angkor Wat for a detailed tour at the end of our ride.
Continue riding towards Angkor Thom and enter the city from South gate. Beat the crowd and climb the surrounding wall of city and ride on top of it. Take a break here for a rich fascinating account of the city from our guide. A further ride through East gate takes us to Bayon, a richly decorated face temple within the Angkor complex is one of the highlights here. Exit from second East gate of city and ride towards jungle clad TA Prohm. Our guide shares historical anecdotes and walks you through temples along the way.
The Angkor Wat requires more than a morning, so we loop back for a more detailed guided tour. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered one of the largest religious complexes in the world and its bound to enthrall you. Climb Phnom Bakheng for a classic view of Angkor during sunset.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance cycled: ~ 30km / 18mi
Day 9: Siem Reap
Travel further as per your onward journey plan.
Meals: Breakfast
*with shuttle – short transfers
