VIETNAM CYCLING HOLIDAYS

Vietnam-Cambodia Bike trip

Day 1: Saigon-Tra Vinh: cycle 45km: L,D

After breakfast you will transfer a couple of hours out of Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho – the gateway to the Mekong Delta. Today’s ride will lead you right into the heart of rural Mekong. The cycling begins after the ferry journey across the Tien Giang River at My Tho. The route takes you through narrow roads and lanes, past banana plantations, fields of sugar cane, through the lush green landscape of the Delta, crossing rivers and canals by numerous, ubiquitous, fascinating ferries. A section of biking cuts off road onto gravel and dirt lanes, and weaves around hamlets, across water channels and through quite dense vegetation. This makes for superb biking. A final ferry across the gaping expanse of Co Chien River leads us to Tra Vinh, a pretty tree lined town with a large population of ethnic Khmer. Overnight in hotel.

Day 2: Tra Vinh-Can Tho: cycle 65km: B,L,D

A special ride today , , this is the special route from us you can't find from others, and as much of the area is populated by Khmer people. The regional architecture is interesting and there are many Khmer temples to stop and admire en route. Cycle as much or as little as is preferred; the road is peaceful, narrow and very pretty all the way to Can Tho! Pedal to Ba Om Pond with its magnificent lotus flowers, and observe local women having their future predicted in the small temple nearby. En route, stop to visit a local Buddhist Temple School if possible. Arrive finally at Can Tho, the Mekong’s largest town located at the confluence of the Can Tho and Hau Giang rivers.

• Highlights: small water crossing, rice paddies, Khmer temples, Khmer villages
• Riding :65-85km
• Roads : concreted paths, dirt roads

Cultures: high (D)

      => Overnight TTC Can Tho hotel

Day 3: CAN THO-LONG XUYEN(cycle 75km)(B,L,D) )( the cycling distance can be flexible)

After a very early breakfast, you will take a boat trip to the famous Cai Rang floating market before riding on a narrow paved road market to Phong Dien floating market. The route weaves through morning market bustle along the banks of the very busy river. Absorb the sights of endless cottage industries, timber merchants, coconut shredders, small docks loading/unloading rice, and tiny vibrant markets.

We will cycle through areas of Thoi Lai, Co Do.. the rural villages of Can Tho and Long Xuyen

In the afternoon, you will continue riding in backroads towards Long Xuyen. Dinner & overnight in hotel.
 

Hotel: Hoa BINH
Day 4: LONG XUYEN-CHAU DOC (cycle 80km)(B,L,D)( the cycling distance can be flexible)
Once more, today’s scenery is completely different. After a short early morning transfer to Tri Ton, the cycling starts to gently undulate and mountains begin to loom as you ride closer and closer to Chau Doc. The presence of Thot Not trees indicates the growing proximity to Cambodia and the local people speak Vietnamese as their second language. This afternoon you will cycle to the Killing Fields of Vietnam at Ba Chuc, where Pol Pot’s regime massacred over 3,000 Vietnamese in 1978. The route loops round to Chau Doc from Ba Chuc along the border, or re-trace back to Tri Ton (depending on road conditions) and ride the rest of the way to Chau Doc along incredible country roads. Those with energy to spare can climb Sam ‘Mountain’ for sunset! Dinner & overnight in hotel for your last night in Vietnam.

Hotel : Chau Pho

Day 5: CHAU DOC-PHNOMPENH(no cycling)(B,L,D)
Depart early for the boat journey up the Mekong River to Phnom Penh (take water, food, book etc for your approx 5hr journey). Once arriving at the pier at Chau Doc you will say Goodbye to your Vietnamese guide & bikes and cruise up the Bassac River for approximately 1hr to the Cambodian border. At the Cambodian border the boat crew will obtain your visas on your behalf (you will need a spare passport photo, fill in a form and pay the approx $24 visa fee). This process will take about an hour. The boat will then continue (approx 3hrs) to take you upstream to Phnom Penh, where you new Cambodian team will be ready to greet you with your new bikes. You will then continue your journey into Cambodia & Phnom Penh. This capital city was once considered one of the most beautiful in the Orient, and despite its recent turbulent history, it still retains a colonial charm. After lunch at the atmospheric Foreign Correspondent’s Club and you will transfer to Cambodia’s killing fields and a visit to S21, Tuoel Sleng genocide museum. Later this afternoon you will transfer to your hotel where your bikes will be ready for you to fit and check. Overnight in hotel hotel

-                Phnom Penh hotel : Town View 3 www.townviewhotels.com

Day 6: Phnomphen flight  or drive to Siem Reap: it is 300 kms.

Siem Reap Angkor Temples – Beng Mealea 
upon arrial, we drive out to explore the hidden temple of Beng Mealea, which was decimated during the civil war. When you visit the site, you can almost imagine the ancient Khmer Empire as well as the recent wars. In the afternoon, there will be a boat trip to the floating village of Mear Chrey on the Tonle Sap Lake, Asia’s largest lake that swells to ten times its normal size during the wet season.
http://casaangkorhotel.com/Welcome 

Day 7: (B,L,D)SIEMREAP-Angkor(cycle around temples if you prefer)
This morning you will enjoy a sunrise visit to the temples of Angkor to give you the opportunity to see the ruins in all their splendour. Angkor Wat itself is just one of the many temples in the region but is one of the best preserved and most impressive. It is worth climbing the remarkably steep and narrow steps of the central spire for the view over the whole temple surrounded by jungle. Angkor Thom, is a fascinating ruin featuring many mysterious giant carved faces and some incredible wall carvings, and is one of the most remarkable sights in the area. Also not to be missed is the temple of Ta Prohm, which has been left to be reclaimed by nature and features incredible tree roots breaking through the stone carvings and walls, a fascinating tribute to the power of nature over man and an experience reminiscent of ‘Indiana Jones’ and ‘Tomb Raider.’ You will end up today’s route with a visit to Preah Kahn, which is one of the largest complexes and also left out by pretty much every tourist. After your visit, you will head back through the complex to your hotel.

http://casaangkorhotel.com/Welcome 
Day 8: Siem Reap - Free at Leisure
Breakfast at hotel, and then free at leisure.

 tour end!

INCLUSIVE

• English speaking guide for the whole trip
• A/C car for whole trip’
• Pick up and drop off
• Speed boat from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh
• Snacks,water,fruits for the cycling days
• Meals as mentioned in the itineraries (B=Breakfast; L=Lunch;D=Dinner)
• All sightseeing entrance fees
• Accommodations
• Bikes, helmets for the cycling days
• Boat in Can Tho
• Entrance fee
• First aid kits

EXCLUSIVE

• International air tickets to/from Vietnam,tax.
• Visa to Vietnam, Cambodia visa,please assure to abtain Vietnam visa before departure( Cabodia visa can get at the border)
• Extra drink during meals..
• Personal travel insurances

Personal expenditure(telephone,laundry,shopping..)