Indochina Bike Tours

Bangkok to Saigon Bike Tour

Day 1: Bangkok Arrival

Arrive in Bangkok, the bustling capital of Thailand famous for its street vendors serving up tasty Thai food, bright lights, tuk tuks and longtail khlong boats plying the network of canals and waterways.

Our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for the welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner afterwards. There are no other included activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Bangkok at any time. If you would like an airport transfer today, you will need to arrive into Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International airport (BKK), which is around an hour from the hotel. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.

Please note that if you wish to join the optional khlong canal trip today, the Tour Leader will be in reception at 12noon to get numbers of those interested and the excursion will depart at 1pm, returning at around 4pm. The traditional longtail boat is an ideal way to explore Bangkok's network of backwaters that branch off from the Chao Phraya River. You will also visit Wat Arun (Temple of the Dawn) - built to represent the towering slopes of Mount Meru. If you are booking your own flights, we recommend giving yourself at least one hour to clear the airport, so therefore the latest your flight can arrive is 10am.

Day 2: Cycle Bangkok Loop

From busy downtown Bangkok we take a short hop across the Chao Praya River to an extraordinary place known to locals as Bang Kra Jao. Crossing the river is like taking a journey back in time where we find a peaceful place with a maze of waterways, small villages, temples and real tropical jungle. If it wasn't for Bangkok's skyline, you would never believe you were so close to the city and there is no traffic! We ride through the local communities, temples and schools stopping for a snack at a river pier across from Thailand's naval academy. Next we visit a fascinating temple, built in the Ayutthaya period more than 250 years ago with a unique teak wood roof, windows and shutters painted in the ancient Mon style. We cycle on to the relaxing Sri Narkon Park and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before returning to the hotel for some downtime. Later this afternoon we see another side to Bangkok on our night ride, visiting a night market and the flower market. Please note for safety reasons we will only operate the night ride with a maximum of 9 passengers. For larger groups we will run a night walk instead.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 30-40 kilometres/18.6-24.9 miles (flat)

Day 3: Cycle Khoa Yai National Park

This morning we drive for about 1.5 hours to Nakornnayok Province, where we spend the rest of the day cycling in Khoa Yai National Park. On our ride we will take in the impressive sight of Thailand's largest dam, Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam, where we can enjoy panoramic views from the top. We then cycle to Heaw Narok waterfall with 3 cascades and at the base of the falls are a few rustic restaurants where you can get some great authentic Thai food and a cool beer. We recommend you try the somtam (spicy papaya salad) with grilled chicken and sticky rice. We then have a short drive to our hotel for the night.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 50 kilometres/31.1 miles.

Day 4: Cycle Thailand to Cambodia Border

After breakfast we drive for about 2 hours toward Aranyaprathet. We break up today's bus journey with an afternoon ride past typical scenes of rural Thailand. We will cycle through villages and enjoy the relaxed pace of life in the countryside. Rong Kluea Market also known as Ban Khlong Luek Border Market, it is said to be one of Thailand's most frequented border markets. Once we have finished exploring the market we take a short drive to our hotel in Aranyaprathet and freshen up before dinner.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 40-50 kilometres/24.9-31.1 miles.

Day 5: Entering Angkor Wat

This morning we drive just 15 minutes to Poipet International border. After completing the Cambodia visa formalities we say farewell to our Thai support team and bikes and meet our hosts for the rest of the trip. The drive will take us about 4 hours to get to Siem Reap, the gateway town for the incredible Khmer temples of Angkor. On arrival in Siem Reap, we will check into our hotel and have time to visit the temple of Bayon and the South Gate of Angkor Thom by bus for sunset. This evening is free for you to explore the town and its restaurants.

No cycling today

Day 6: Exploring Angkor by Bike

Today we drive a short distance to Angkor Wat to collect our bikes which we will use for the rest of our trip, then set off to discover several of the ancient temple cities by bike. We cycle to the impressive Ta Prohm Temple, which remains in the clutches of the encroaching jungle. Here we spend time visiting the temple, before pedalling along small hidden trails to the ruins at Phimeanakas, the Elephant Terraces, the Bayon, Baphoun and Preah Khan. In the afternoon we visit magnificent Angkor Wat with its extraordinary architecture and bas-reliefs. At the end of the day we cycle back to our hotel.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 25 kilometres/15.5 miles. 80% of todays riding is off road but not technical.

Day 7: cycle to Fishing village and Angkor Loop

Today we will leave the crowds behind on a cycle ride to the small village of Rolous where we visit the temples, before continuing to a local market. After a rest and time to explore the stalls we take a boat to the floating village of Kompong Phluk. Our ride through rural Cambodia offers plenty of opportunities to once more connect with local people. The fascinating village of Kompong Phluk is built on stilts in Tonle Sap Lake. Its residents live a communal lifestyle and you will see everything from floating pig pens to young children paddling around in what looks like a bowl selling souvenirs and singing songs. After our boat trip we enjoy a home hosted lunch where we can ask questions and learn about local cuisine as well as everyday life. The the afternoon we take to our bus to visit Banteay Srey, where we collect our bikes again and cycle 25 kilometres/15.5 miles to either Pre Rup to enjoy watching the sunset, before either cycling or driving back to Siem Reap.

Our total cycling distance today is approximately 56 kilometres/34.8 miles.

Day 8: Cycle Kampong Chnanang

Early morning transfer to Kampong Thmor. From there we take the bikes on a back road with little traffic. We cross for many km large fields of manioc and caoutchouc tree forests. The rest of the distance is by transfer to arrive early evening at Kampong Cham (Hotel Mekong). (cycling and transfer)

Day 9: Cycle Kampong Chnang to Phnom Penh

The ride from K. Cham to Phnom Penh avoids the main road following the riverbank southwest until we are just 30km out of Phnom Penh where we will finally be forced to join the main road with its heavy but slow moving traffic.  The road leads us over a bridge crossing the Tonle Sap River, right into the heart of the capital. (cycling and transfer).

Day 10 : Phnomenh-Chau doc-Border crossing no cycling day

Today we depart early  Phnompenh on a boat journey to Chau Doc, arrive the border town of Vietnam in the afternoon,if time permited we will see Cham village,floating fish cages..welcome to Vietnam.

Day 11: Chau Doc-Long xuyen (cycle 55km)

 

The road today is flat and good condition,depart from hotel ,the scenery is different ,cycling with welcoming of locals.Thot Not trees can be seen on the way,a typical tree of Khmer pepople,they make a very refesh drink you can try.Cows are transfering rice home,people working on the fields which you can see.

Day 12: Long Xuyen -Can Tho (cycle 55km) 

 

Thirty minutes transfer away from busy traffic ,start cycling at Stock santuary ,get into the heart of the Mekong delta ,cycling on concreted paths ,single line cycle today,as the path is quite narrow.Villages are beautiful and busy,boats are running in cannals,pepole are fishing..locals are just can not believe their eyes when they see Westerners on bicycle !

Day 13: Can Tho-Vinh Long (cycle 40km)

This is another interesting day,start with a boat trip to see Cai Rang floating market ,then cycle on orchard islands,crossing some small ferries.It is busy day in villages with many small bridges,water crossing,fruit gardens..

 

We finish the day at a local home where we share the night with them,Home-stay is memory time in the mekong,you feel the truely of the peaceful life,a water life..

Cooking class will be conducted ,every one join together,rice wine will be served every one drink together,and finish the night with frog songs..

Day 14: Vinh Long-Saigon (cycle 45km)

Getting to see locals making pop-rice,coconut candies,rice papers..visiting this locals work shops,having some tea before getting on your bike and enjoy the last riding of the trip,leaving the mekong and reaching Saigon.End trip.

Inclusions

Accommodation based on half twin sharing 

English Speaking Guide (Cycling ) 

All transfers and land tour with A/C vehicle 

All entrance fees as per program 

Mountain Bike 

Snack during the tour 

Meals as mentioned in itinerary 

Bottle water

Mountain Bike 

Snack during the tour 

Exclusions

Airfares & airport taxes  

Pre/post trip arrangement  

Visa and visa arrangement  

Travel insurance  

Personal & other expenses not stated