Vietnam to Cambodia Cycling Adventure

dIFFICULTY LEVEL

Rated 'moderate'.

This trip is designed for confident cyclists who may be new to multi-day cycling trips as well as those who have some experience. You will be cycling on a variety of terrain from smooth to broken tarmac roads and dirt tracks. Technical cycling skills are not required however you are advised to train on similar terrain to get a feel for it.

Preparation is key to help you get the most enjoyment and reward from this trip. A good level of fitness, endurance and some gritty determination will help you conquer each day. It is a team effort and not a race. This trip is to give you time to experience an incredible two-wheeled journey whereby you can absorb the sights and smells of the landscapes and meet with the local people and learn about their way of life.

Training programme

A bespoke training programme will be provided when you join this trip to help you with your preparations. There are also exclusive offers with Training Partners and Communities – Her Spirit and Strength and Movement Coach, Peter Lant.

Train hard, smile harder and enjoy the journey!

Accommodation

The full list of carefully-selected local hotels is readily available. You'll have either a Superior, First Class or Deluxe room on a twin-share basis.

Season

• Jan
• Feb
• Mar
• Apr
• May
• Jun
• Jul
• Aug
• Sep
• Oct
• Nov
• Dec

Meeting point

Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam

On signing up for the trip, you'll be provided with the recommended flights to book or alternatively, you can book these directly with Flight Agent, who is ATOl & ABTA protected.

Flights are not included in your package to give you the flexibility to travel from your nearest airport, use your frequent flyer points or extend your stay in Cambodia if you wish. The recommended flights for this will include airport transfers in Vietnam and Cambodia.

There are direct flights from London and non-direct flights from major airports across the UK. Flights are operated by British Airways, Vietnam Airlines, Qatar, Turkish Airlines and Cathay Pacific.

Please note, you will be returning from Siam Reap International Airport Cambodia to UK.

Itinerary

• Day 1 | Flight from UK to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 

  A day of travel.

• Day 2 | Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

  On arrival on the nominated flight, you’ll be met by your Local Leader and transferred to your hotel. You’ll be kitted up with your bike and have time to get organised. You should have the chance to explore this metropolis and wander through timeless alleys to incense-infused temples before negotiating the more modern side of chic cafes and restaurants beneath sleek 21st-century skyscrapers. Welcome to the largest city in Vietnam (formerly Saigon).

  In the evening, you’ll sample delicious Vietnamese food in a local restaurant whilst receiving a trip briefing of your exciting journey ahead.

  Included: Private air-conditioned vehicle transfers; Hotel (twin share basis); Dinner.

• Day 3 | Ho Chi Minh City - My Tho - Tra Vinh (bike 52K/32 miles)

  Following breakfast, a private transfer will escort you from the metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho – the gateway to the Mekong Delta. After a short ferry journey across the Tien Giang River at My Tho, your two-wheeled journey will lead you right into the heart of rural Mekong.

  Pedal 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 is superb biking. A final ferry across the gaping expanse of Co Chien River leads us to Tra Vinh, a pretty tree tree-lined town with a large population of ethnic Khmer.

  Included: Private air-conditioned vehicle transfer; Breakfast, lunch and dinner; Hotel in Tra Vinh (twin share basis).

• Day 4 | Tra Vinh - Can Tho (bike 82K/51 miles)

  Today’s route winds its way along quiet roads, country lanes and dirt tracks to Can Tho, the largest city on the Mekong Delta. You’ll have the chance to get a real feel for the Vietnamese way of life as you travel amidst colourful riverside scenes of activity, through contrasting architectural styles of ethnic Khmer homes and to the numerous colourful Khmer temples. Stopping at a local Khmer Temple School you’ll learn more about the way of life of the students and gain more of an understanding of life in the Mekong Delta.

  There’s plenty of fun river crossings over small wooden bridges and the chance to visit Ba Om Pond with its magnificent lotus flowers before reaching Can Tho for a well deserved break and some time to explore the epicentre of the Mekong Delta with it’s buzzing vibe and lively waterfront of floating markets, bars and restaurants.

  Included: Private air-conditioned vehicle transfers; Breakfast, lunch and dinner; Hotel (twin share basis).

• Day 5 | Can Tho - Long Xuyen (bike 90K/56 miles)

  Today’s journey is split into two sections and is a contrast to the previous day’s ride. After an early breakfast, you’ll cycle along a narrow paved road via Cai Rang floating market, the largest floating market of the Mekong Delta. Being a wholesale market, you’ll witness the bustling hub of locals trading with much produce grown locally.

  Weaving through the morning bustle, take the time to absorb the sights of endless colourful stalls, cottage industries, timber merchants, coconut shredders, small docks loading and unloading rice. After visiting An Binh market, continue cycling to Phong Dien Village. Here, the floating market sells not just agricultural products, but also household and working tools such as canoes, boats, hoes, fishing nets, and locally made weaving products.

  Lunch will be in a local restaurant, and there is a 45-minute transfer to avoid heavy traffic into the town of Long Xuyen which is the capital of An Giang province and the birthplace of Vietnam’s second president, Ton Duc Thang.

  Included: Private transfers; Breakfast, lunch and dinner; Hotel (twin share basis).

• Day 6 | Long Xuyen - Chau Doc (bike 80K/50 miles)

  The scenery is completely different on your final day of cycling in Vietnam. After a short early morning transfer (approx. 30 mins) to Tri Ton to avoid the traffic, your route starts to gently undulate and mountains begin to loom as you ride 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. Cycling via the Killing Fields of Vietnam at Ba Chuc is a real insight into the country’s harrowing past. Continuing along incredible country roads to arrive in Chau Doc, a small town on the banks of the Hau Giang River (Bassac River). Chau Doc’s cultural diversity with Chinese, Cham and Khmer communities is apparent in the mosques, temples, churches and nearby pilgrimage sites, making it a fascinating town to explore.

  Included: Private transfers; Breakfast, lunch and dinner; Hotel (twin share basis).

• Day 7 | Chau Doc - Phnom Penh

  Giving your legs a rest today as you swap your bike for a boat journey along the Mekong and Bassac Rivers. Entering Cambodia via a checkpoint along the river, you’ll spend time soaking up the rural way of life as you cruise towards Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. Arriving in time for lunch near the riverfront, there’s time to immerse yourself in the town’s colonial atmosphere and buzzing local life. In the afternoon, visit the Killing Fields to learn about Cambodia’s turbulent past under the Khmer Rouge regime.

  Tonight, you will be treated to a delicious Khmer welcome dinner on our hotel rooftop with fantastic views over the city of Phnom Penh. 

  Included: Boat and city transfer; Breakfast, lunch and dinner; Hotel (twin share basis).

• Day 8 | Phnom Penh - Kampong Thom (bike 70K/43 miles)

  This morning sees an early start with a transfer (approx. 77 km) north, taking you past an ancient Japanese bridge to arrive at the village of Skuon, known for its fried spider trade.

  From Skuon, you’ll continue on to Thnong village, where the team are ready for you to start the next leg of your two-wheeled journey. Cycling through the tropical countryside of rich forests and rice fields creates a sea of green stretching as far as the eye can see. This fertile region is also the home of many of the old Royal Palaces. Arriving in Kampong Thmor, a picturesque town on the banks of the Stung Saen River and the famous Tonle Sap Lake, this region is one of the best areas in Cambodia for rice cultivation and fishing to support the needs of the province.

  Included: Private air-conditioned vehicle transfers; Breakfast, lunch and dinner; Hotel (twin share basis).

• Day 9 | Kampong Thom - Siem Reap (bike 66K/41 miles)

  Today we avoid to some of the poorer roads in Siem Reap province by transferring 85km to an ancient bridge at Kampong Kdei, one of the best examples of the remaining 800-year-old bridges in Cambodia. It’s then a final 31km transfer to Domdek village, where the team and the bikes are ready for your next cycling leg.

  It’s time to jump back in the saddle for your 66km journey connecting the provinces of Kampong Thom and Angkor Wat, travelling deep in the countryside of Cambodia. Stopping for lunch in Rolous Pagoda, one of the oldest and most famous Buddhist monasteries in the area, the road then continues through beautiful landscapes and villages heading towards Siem Reap. This area is unspoilt and traditional as you journey into the heritage site lined with temples and creatures, a fitting entrance to this unique and spiritual city and one to savour for many years to come. On reaching the finish line, located a short distance from the Western Gate of Angkor Wat in the open field it's time to celebrate and reflect on your incredible journey as you watch the sun set over the sugar palm trees.

  Tonight, enjoy a celebratory Khmer dinner at Spoons Restaurant, which is a social enterprise for helping young students,

  Included: Private air-conditioned vehicle transfers; Breakfast, lunch and dinner; Hotel (twin share basis)

• Day 10 | Full day in Angkor Wat - Depart Siem Reap

  You'll spend the day at the famous temple of Angkor Wat. 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. Continue to Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. The city is surrounded by an 8m high wall; each side of the city is 4km long. It draws a perfect square on the map and you can access the town through five gates; four of gates used for exiting the dead out of the city. 

  After passing through the south gate, you will go down along this shady road to the Bayon temple. This temple lies exactly in the centre of the city. The particularity of this monument is the 54 towers representing the 54 provinces of the ancient Great Khmer Empire. Each tower has 4 Bayon faces. This is the only temple in Cambodia depicting scenes of everyday life at the time of the empire. 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 and an experience reminiscent of ‘Indiana Jones’ and ‘Tomb Raider.’

  Early evening transfer to Siem Reap International Airport for your return flight to the UK.

  Included: Transfers; Breakfast and lunch.

• Day 11 | Arrive home

  A day of travel.

Included

Before your adventure

• Personalised trip support in the lead up to your trip
• Cycle training guide and top tips
• Discount on personal kit from Joe Brown, The Climber’s Shop and ashmei sustainable athletic apparel both in shop and online
• Trip info supplied via the free mobile travel app
• Digital trip briefing sent before your arrival in Vietnam
• Public liability insurance
• Financial Travel Protection for your booking
• Monthly payment plan available
• Risk assessment and emergency management planning
• Free Water-to-Go Bottle

During your adventure

• Group Leader (10+ people)
• Local Leader, bike mechanic and support crew in Vietnam
• Local Leader, bike mechanic and support crew in Cambodia
• All ground crew per your itinerary
• Bike hire (Trek X-Caliber 7 or Trek 4500) and spare parts
• VHF radio comms
• Road transfers via private air conditioned vehicle
• Boat and ferry transfers
• Accommodation – 8 nights in local hotels (twin share)
• All meals as stated in the itinerary (all breakfasts and dinners)
• Drinking water, local fruits, soft drink and snack for cycling days
• Medical kit and supplies
• All logistical and safety management
• All trip management and hygienic cleaning procedures of equipment before, during and post trip

Not Included

• Travel insurance (mandatory)
• Return flights; these can be arranged for you at an additional cost through the Flight Agent who is ATOL protected
• Airport transfers when not booked on Tour Operator recommended flights
• Visas
• Vaccinations
• Personal spending money and drinks
• Meals not listed in your itinerary
• Snacks, electrolytes, water purification tablets
• Kit and equipment as listed on your kit list and medication
• Tips for local crew
• Single room supplement where available £395
• Any associated costs with leaving the trip early

Charity partner, Cool Earth

This trip has teamed up with leading climate change charity Cool Earth, who shares its mission to protect the planet’s precious environment in a sustainable manner. The future of rainforest protection is where everyone makes a difference to climate change! A percentage of the revenue goes towards supporting critical conservation projects around the world through Cool Earth. You are most welcome to help make a difference too by sparing a few pennies. Please give what you can and help save the world’s rainforests today. Just £2.50 will save 10 trees and lock up 10 tonnes of CO2. Together, we can all make a difference in helping preserve this precious and wonderful planet.

Costs

5 Stars - based on 40 user reviews:

The communication is exemplary; from my initial inquiry about the trek, to organising my travel plans and what I needed to bring, and to messaging when I got home to see if I was well, is above and beyond my expectations. The ethics helped me to feel like I got to see the Atlas Mountains from a view more closely aligned with the locals. Each person I met from the airport transfers, to the host, travel guide, chefs and all those supporting them, were friendly and welcoming, and every aspect of this trip was seamless. Abby K-H

Just back from a life-changing and iconic expedition with to climb Yala Peak (5550m) in Nepal with a 15-woman team. I knew it was going to be a very special journey because we were honouring Japanese climber Junko Tabei who made the first female ascent of Mount Everest 50 years ago, and also to pay tribute to the people of the Langtang Valley who are rebuilding their villages and their lives after the devastating earthquake 10 years ago. But the expedition far surpassed my dreams! ...the trip brought joy, meaning, friendship and 'glory' to all of us. What rewards!  It doesn't get better than that. I highly recommend. Rosemary J B

From the moment I decided to do this amazing trip the team have been unbelievably supportive and their comms cannot be faulted... I would highly recommend. Eileen H

The whole trip was superbly organised and the team working on the ground were nothing short of fantastic, nothing was too much trouble. Aeysha T

Really personal communication from first contact and loved everything about the company. Outstanding local guide, great itinerary and small group size... Overall a company that makes you feel really valued and that offers really well thought out experiences. Dan B

Absolutely phenomenal company surrounded by the most kind and professional individuals you would ever meet. From my inquiry to the planning and discussion of some individual challenges to doing the Mount Toubkal Trek, I have been extremely impressed by the patience and support I was given by the staff and the guides. As a result, we had the most unforgettable experience, and I am extremely grateful. Tania P

I was impressed with the level of pre-trip communication and advice. The trip was well organised, and the mountain leader was excellent. Catherine T

We had great communication before which prepared us for what we would need on the day and help if needed was available throughout the tour. All equipment was great, lunch was tasty, and the order of events worked perfectly. We will absolutely be booking another trip soon. Thank you everyone. Gemma O

Fantastic company with a huge range of challenges. Highly recommend. Ashley H

Brilliantly organised challenge. All of us at Dynamo were very impressed with the friendly, accommodating team who went out of their way to make sure our multi-stage event ran smoothly and was a huge success. Many thanks from all of us. Sarah F

Reviews taken from Facebook