By bike: Vietnam - Cambodia
Land & people between the Mekong Delta and Angkor WatBy bike: Vietnam – Cambodia
680 kilometres by bike along the Mekong! An active cycling holiday for all those who do sport or cycle all year round and are therefore in good physical condition. In addition to cycling, the focus of the trip is on the intensive experience of South Vietnamese and Cambodian culture. The ten days of cycling allow for a slow yet challenging journey through the centuries-old cultural landscapes of the Mekong, an immersion into the history and contemporary life along the most important river in Southeast Asia.
The journey begins with a walk through Ho Chi Minh City and ends with a cycle tour through the magnificent jungle and temple world of Angkor. In between are green rice fields, family-run craft workshops, enchanted temples and small villages with friendly people who are happy to talk about their life on the Mekong.
The best time to visit is from November to mid-March. From the end of March to the end of May it is very dry and hot – cycling is possible but the withered landscapes are less beautiful to look at. In contrast, the climate in the rainy season (from June to October) is very humid. In this “green season”, you can expect 2-3 one-hour rain showers per day – and it’s great fun to cycle in the rain (because it’s not cold).
Travel itinerary
- Transfer airport-hotel, check-in possible from 2pm
- Meeting your tour guide
- Sightseeing in Ho Chi Minh City (old main post office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Chinatown/Cho Lon, Ben Thanh market)
- Dinner in a local restaurant/briefing on the cycle tour
- Overnight stay at Hotel Vien Dong*** in Ho Chi Minh City
- Transfer to Cai Lay
- Cycle tour, on the way insights into the craftsmanship of the region (paper production, coconut sweets, puffed rice …)
- Cycle tour: challenging, approx. 50 kilometres, approx. five hours (including breaks), off-road and concrete canal paths, no differences in altitude. Escort vehicle.
- Ferry crossing Mekong
- Relaxing in the hotel garden, exploring the island or cooking together
- Dinner and overnight stay at the Vinh Long/An Binh guesthouse (Cai Be region)
- Transfer (boat, vehicle) to the starting point
- Cycle tour, along the way picturesque villages and insights into daily life on the Mekong
- Cycle tour: challenging, 60-70 kilometres, approx. seven hours (including breaks), concrete canal paths and narrow country roads, no differences in altitude. Escort vehicle.
- Ferry across the main arm of the Mekong to Tra Vinh
- Free time
- Overnight stay in Tra Vinh Guesthouse
- Drive to the Ba Om lotus pond and visit the Khmer temples
- Cycle tour through villages and rice fields
- Cycle tour: challenging, 60-100 kilometres, 7-10 hours (including breaks), concrete canal paths and narrow country roads, no differences in altitude. Escort vehicle.
- Overnight stay at Hotel Iris***(*) in Can Tho.
- Boat trip to the floating market
- Cycle tour through a protected area for storks and villages, along the way timber merchants, coconut crushers, small harbour facilities, lively markets
- Cycle tour: challenging, 50-90 kilometres, 5-8 hours (including breaks), concrete canal paths and narrow country roads, no differences in altitude. Escort vehicle.
- Transfer to the hotel
- Overnight stay at Hotel Hoa Binh An Giang**(*) in Long Xuyen
- Transfer to the starting point
- Cycle tour (river canals, traditional brickworks, Tra Su nature reserve) to Chau Doc
- Killing Fields (Vietnam Bachuc)
- Cycling tour: challenging, 60-100 kilometres, 7-10 hours (including breaks), concrete canal paths and narrow country roads, no differences in altitude. Escort vehicle.
- Overnight stay at Hotel Chau Pho*** in Chau Doc
- Speedboat (approx. 4.5 hours) Chau Doc-Phnom Penh, visa on border crossing (assistance)
- Transfer to the hotel
- Afternoon sightseeing and tuk-tuk tour in Phnom Penh
- Overnight stay at the Hotel Phnom Penh Katari*** in Phnom Penh.
- Drive to Diamond Island, ferry across the Mekong
- Continue to a weaving mill (silk production)
- Cycle tour along the Mekong (insights into the daily life of the Cambodian Mekong inhabitants) to Kompong Cham
- Cycling tour: demanding/challenging, 60-90 kilometres, 4-7 hours (including breaks), mainly asphalted road with some off-road paths through villages, slight differences in altitude (less than 150 metres in total). Escort vehicle.
- Overnight stay, depending on availability with a view of the Mekong, at the Hotel LBN Asian*** in Kompong Cham
- Transfer to the starting point
- Cycle tour to the Kompong Thom region
- Visit to the extensive temples of Sambor Prei Kuk (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Cycling tour: demanding/challenging, 60-80 kilometres, 4-6 hours (including breaks), flat gravel roads, the last five kilometres on a paved road, +150 metres / -0 metres. Escort vehicle.
- Overnight stay at Hotel Sambor Village** in Kompong Thom
- Transfer (approx. two hours) to the Beng Mealea temple
- Cycle tour through the jungle, visit to various temples including Beng Mealea
- Cycle tour to Siem Reap (en route villages, palm trees and rice fields)
- Lunch break at Troav Kot Lake
- Cycle tour: challenging, 65 kilometres, 4 hours (including breaks), gravel roads and sandy paths, the last six kilometres on a paved road, +105 metres / -70 metres. Escort vehicle.
- Overnight stay at the Amber Angkor Villa Hotel & Spa***
- Sunrise (weather permitting) Angkor Wat
- Cycle tour through Angkor and visit the most important buildings, including the South Gate/Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, Elephant Terrace, Ta Phrom Temple, Srah Srang.
- Cycling tour: challenging, 50 kilometres, full day (including breaks and sightseeing), mainly jungle off-road trails, some sections on asphalt road, difference in altitude less than 150 metres / -70 metres.
- Overnight stay at the Amber Angkor Villa Hotel & Spa***
- Transfer to the starting point
- Cycle tour (charming villages, palm trees, rice fields, picturesque wooden houses with lush gardens) to Kompong Kleang
- Familiarisation with the betel fruit
- Picnic lunch in a stilt house
- Boat trip through the floating village and across the Tonle Sap (dry season: walk through the village and boat trip on the lake).
- Return journey to Siem Reap
- Cycling tour: challenging, 50 kilometres, approx. five hours (including breaks), mainly off-road on scenic paths, the last kilometres into town on asphalt road, difference in altitude less than 150 metres.
- Overnight stay at the Amber Angkor Villa Hotel & Spa***
- Free time, check-out by 12.00 noon at the latest. Transfer to the airport.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Lunchbox / Picnic
- Tasting
- Night
Prices (per person)
Minimum number of participants: 2, maximum number of participants: 15.
*We are happy to book flights to suit your trip. We recommend flights with Vietnam Airlines Frankfurt-Ho Chi Minh City / Siem Reap-Hanoi-Frankfurt (or Siem Reap-Ho Chi Minh City-Frankfurt).
Dates 2024
22.08.2024-03.09.2024 | 12.09.2024-24.09.2024 | 21.10.2024-02.11.2024 | 28.10.2024-09.11.2024 | 05.11.2024-18.11.2024 | 18.11.2024-30.11.2024 | 02.12.2024-14.12.2024 | 23.12.2024-04.01.2025 | 30.12.2024-11.01.2025
For dates and prices 2025, see 2025 travel programme
Included services:
*On cycling days in Vietnam:
1 – 3 persons: Minibus with 15 seats
4 – 7 persons: Minibus with 15 seats + one lorry
8 – 15 persons: Minibus with 30 seats + one lorry
On cycling days in Cambodia:
1 – 4 persons: Minibus with 15 seats
5 – 8 persons: Minibus with 15 seats + one lorry
9 – 15 persons: Minibus with 25 seats + one lorry
Not included are: Flights/airport charges/kerosene/ticket fees*, CO2 compensation for flights, additional activities and excursions, meals not mentioned, drinks, tips and personal expenses.
Authentic and sustainable
Overnight stays in authentic and local hotels.
Numerous opportunities to interact with the local population.
No plastic bottles, but opportunities to fill up your own drinking bottle (drinking water filling stations in hotels and accompanying vehicle).
This trip was created in cooperation with local partners attaching great importance to sustainable tourism (e.g. support for NGOs/water projects in Cambodia).
Slow travel: traveling by bike and local tour guides enable intensive immersion in the culture of your host country.
CO2 compensation (289 kg per traveler) via Atmosfair.
Important information
Entry (as of 05/2024): Vietnam: For EU citizens with a valid passport that is valid for at least six months after departure and is in good condition plus a valid visa. Cambodia: For EU citizens with a valid passport that is valid for at least six months after departure and is in good condition. You can easily obtain the required entry visa when crossing the border. All Covid-19-related restrictions have currently been lifted for both countries. Please note that this may change depending on the pandemic situation.
The trip is for sporty world explorers, for people who regularly do sport and cycle longer distances all year round. The routes are mostly flat or with small differences in altitude, off-road, on sand and gravel paths and sometimes also on concrete or tarmac roads with little traffic. The Southeast Asian climate with temperatures above 30°C and very high humidity must also be taken into account with regard to the level of fitness required.
Our Southeast Asian partner uses mountain, trekking and e-bikes from Trek, Giant, Cannondale or similar manufacturers. Please note that only a small number of e-bikes are available, so early booking is recommended.
Almost all accommodation offers WiFi, but the network coverage is not always perfect. Please note that many hotels and lodges only offer non-smoking rooms. If some of the accommodation we have booked is unexpectedly unavailable, we will book an alternative of equal value (if possible).
Our flight recommendation mentioned in the travel announcement is based on the following scientifically proven findings: The burning of fossil fuels results in the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change. In addition, there is air pollution, which in turn leads to health problems. The extent of the emissions depends mainly on the distances, the stopovers (emissions are highest during take-off and landing) and the type of aircraft
You will receive further information about your trip and the country you are travelling to with your travel documents.
No insurance is included in the tour price. We strongly recommend that you take out travel cancellation insurance that also covers Covid-19 as well as appropriate travel health insurance that includes treatment (including quarantine) for Covid-19.
This trip is not suitable for guests with limited mobility. If this is the case, please let us know the nature of your mobility restriction before booking and clarify with us whether we can fulfil your individual needs.
We organise this tour together with other tour operators. Of course, this has no influence on the quality.
Planet B is a brand of Bollig Tours s.à r.l.. Bollig Tours is therefore named as the organizer in our general travel conditions.
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