Vietnam Cambodia backroads 10 days

VIETNAM CAMBODIA BACK ROAD CYCLING                                        

Your cycle tour of Vietnam begins with easy cycling as you explore the wonderful watery world and traditional lifestyle of the Mekong Delta. Cycling through Cambodia you pass endless rice paddies, take breaks in everyday villages, explore the charming capital Phnom Penh, ride through shady rubber plantations, before culminating in the discovery of the spectacular ancient temples of the mighty Khmer Empire.

Day 1: Arrive in Vietnam, Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)

On arrival in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. After checking-in you are free at leisure for the rest of the day.

Day 2:SaiGon – MyTho – BenTre – TraVinh (L,D) ( suggestion 50km )

Driving to  LongAn, start cycling through rice fields and dragon fruit orchards. Lunch  in MyTho town. Pass ferry and keep on country road to enter the town. A wonderful day with picturesque ferry crossings over Mekong River branches and islands. Overnight in TraVinh.

Day 3:TraVinh – CanTho. (B,L,D) (Suggestion 55km)

Morning cycling around this town, then warm up by 8km to BaOm pond, see old trees and Khmer pagoda nearby the pond. At TraOn small town by the mekong river, we take a ferry crossing and keep on 18km to BinhMinh, crossing ferry to Cantho for overnight. Overnight in CanTho

Day 4:CanTho – RachGia (B,L,D) (suggestion 60 km)

Morning take boat trip to Cai Rang floating market, then we have a longer cruise on a quiet country road to take in the magnificent scenery and get close to the locals as they go about their daily routine. Late afternoon take ferry crossing on to RachGia. Overnight in RachGia.

Day 5:RachGia – HaTien (B,L,D) (suggestion 52km)

Ride along the west coast to this vibrant border town. We turn off main road for ride to HonChong beach area, visit  ChuaHang cave and the Father & Son islet. Keep on to HaTien town. Overnight in HaTien.

Day6: Ha Tien- Kampot: Farewell Vietnam, Hello Cambodia (max 45km) B/L/D

This morning you bid farewell to Vietnam as you cycle the short distance to the border crossing with Cambodia. Once you have completed the customs formalities you will be met by your Cambodian cycling crew. For your introduction to Cambodia you will cycle along quiet coastal dirt roads passing through salt flats and small villages. Your first port of call will be the coastal resort of Kep which is now undergoing a revival after years of neglect. You will have lunch here and perhaps try the tasty seafood the area is renowned for. After lunch you spin the final 35km to Kampot, where on arrival you will check-in to your hotel. Kampot has an undeniable charm, being a sleepy, quaint place with a relaxed ambience and friendly locals, the streets are quiet and there is a lot of French colonial and Chinese influenced architecture still surviving, and it all that wasn’t enough there is a wonderful riverfront where you will experience possibly the most beautiful sunset in Cambodia as the sun slips down behind the nearby mountains…

Day7:Cycle Kampot to Takeo (40km-60 km suggestion)    [B/L/D]

As you leave Kampot you cycle through some inspiring limestone karst scenery, picturesque villages including some ethnic Cham settlements, and endless rice fields. On arrival in Takeo you will check-in to your hotel Takeo does not have a lot to boast about being a small provincial capital made up of many local government department buildings. However, around the market area there are some old colonial villas in differing states, and the waterfront promenade makes for a pleasant late afternoon sunset stroll.

 Accommodation at Sot heavy Guesthouse (budget) – No website

Day8: Cycle Takeo to Phnom Penh (max 90km) [B/L/D]

After breakfast this morning you have the opportunity to visit a local orphanage managed by ‘New Futures’. Here you will learn more about the great educational work they are doing in the             surrounding poor villages, and how Asia Adventures is working together with them through its ‘Pedal2Empower’ cycle donation project. As you leave Takeo you spin north passing through more endless rice paddies. After some time you turn off the main road to visit Tonle Bati, a riverside location where you have time to explore the small, yet picturesque Angkorian temples of Ta Prohm and Yeay Peau. You will then avoid the ‘main’ road as much as possible and upon reaching the outskirts of Phnom Penh you will stop-off at the ‘Killing Fields’. This is where Khmer Rouge prisoners were forcibly marched from the Toul Sleng prison in the city centre and then executed; it is now a memorial site located in a beautiful tranquil setting. After some contemplation you can either    negotiate the rush-hour traffic into the heart of Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital city, or opt for taking the support vehicle. You will check-in to your riverside hotel and then be taken to a local restaurant for dinner.

Day9:Phnom Penh to Siem Reap B/L/D , no cycling

Today we leave Phnom Penh for Siem Reap by boat. The trip leave at 7am and it takes about 6 hours on Tonle Sap Lake to Siem Reap. Tonle Sap Lake is the largest lake in South East Asia and it is the main source of protein for Cambodian people. Arrive Siem Reap and transfer to your hotel.

Accommodation at Royal Crown  Hotel (3 star) – www.royalcrownhotel.com.kh

  Day 10: Exploring the Magnificent Angkor Temples by Bike (40km) B/L/

This morning you begin your cycle exploration of the incredible Angkor temples. Today focusing on the Small Circuit which features temple greats such as: the pyramid of Takeo, the jungle-clad Ta Prohm made famous by the Hollywood blockbuster ‘Tomb Raider’; Sras Srang known as the King’s bathing pond; and the impressive Royal City of Angkor Thom, where you will find the Bayon, a temple famed for its many gigantic carved faces smiling beguilingly down at you. You will also visit other important sites in this immense walled city. After lunch it is time to take on the majestic Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious building. After being initially inspired by its overall size you will explore in more detail, getting up close and personal to fully appreciate its architecture and intricately detailed bas-reliefs. After returning to the hotel you are free at leisure to experience Siem Reap’s nightlife which includes many fine restaurants and lively bars.  End of service