Siem Reap To Saigon Cycle Adventure

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highlights

Explore Angkor Wat by bicycle with a licensed guide
Engage with local NGOs to learn about community development and social impact
Cycle from Siem Reap to Saigon across the Mekong Delta
Explore floating markets, cocoa farms, rice noodle factories and pepper farms

Cycle off the beaten path and explore the Cambodia and Vietnam more deeply on this cycle adventure.

The journey will take you from Siem Reap, Cambodia, to Saigon, Vietnam, on a 16-day exploration of the uniqueness and the similarities between the two countries.

Social Cycles will help you engage with the local non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and beneficiaries from a select project to understand the nuances of the rapidly developing nations. Alongside visits to sites of natural and cultural significance, such as Angkor Wat temples, the Mekong Delta and the floating markets, among other, you'll interact with everyday people trying to live and bring change to their communities.

Research what really happens on the ground and out in the villages with Social Cycles in a holiday that carefully balances ethical research and local impact with cycling and sightseeing.

Itinerary Expand All

Day 1: Arrival at Siem Reap

Hotel

After arriving at Siem Reap, you'll be transferred to your hotel in the heart of this bustling cosmopolitan. Since Cambodia opened up to the outside world, the tourism sector has been opening new markets, opportunities, revenue streams as well as challenges for the city.

Explore the city before meeting for a welcome dinner at Marum, one of the city's best restaurants. The restaurant is a part of the Friends International social enterprise projects and provides vocational training for marginalized youth.

Meals

Dinner

Day 2: Angor: Sunrise cycling around temples

Hotel

Sunrise is at 4:30 am, but the early morning will be worth it after watching the sun rise across Angkor Wat—a bucket list achievement for many, and for good reason.

From here, cycle to other, arguably more impressive, temples in the area for the remainder of the morning.

In the early afternoon we’ll have the chance to visit our first NGO of the trip. We will spend time with these incredibly inspirational people who have dedicated their lives to helping others. We'll listen to their stories and understand the real issues of the country.

Meals

Breakfast

Day 3: Battambang: Ride through rivers and villages

Hotel

Travelling across the wetlands and navigating our way around Tonle Sap river is an unforgettable experience.

We bid farewell to our support van and venture into the rural and barren lands of Cambodia, as the road start to turn to single track. Few villages exist out here and most support themselves through sustainable fishing.

As you reach the colonial streets of Battambang, you'll find bustling markets with bric-a-brac abound. Dinner is in another social enterprise-based restaurant, Jann Bai, which serves food on par with international restaurants.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Pursat: Adventure cycling over red dirt

Hotel

After an early breakfast, we’ll make our way along the dusty, red back-roads of Battambang, via Banan temple. We’ll get to the town of Pursat by early afternoon and to our hotel to enjoy the swimming pool and on-site massage spa.

Get to know more about another amazing local NGO, Sustainable Cambodia. You'll receive a full presentation by the executives in their office and a tour of their facilities.

Shortly afterwards, we will be guided to their project areas to see firsthand the difference the NGO makes.

Meals

Breakfast

Day 5: Phnom Penh: Cycling through riverside villages

Hotel

We start cycling 75 km out from Phnom Penh, and ride all the way up to the front door of the hotel. The back roads open up spectacular scenery as we pass through villages settled on Tonle Sap lake.

The ride includes great coffee stops, a couple of ferry crossings and endless photo opportunities. The final 2 km within the city can be transferred via van as an option.

For dinner, it’s a feast of tarantulas and silk worms at the famous Romdeng restaurant, a social enterprise restaurant from the Friends International team.

Meals

Breakfast & Dinner

Day 6: Phnom Penh: Visit Friends International, S-21 Genocide Museum

Hotel

Start the day by meeting the incredible people from Friends International and learn about the wonderful work they do within the community. This will provide a great insight into the real, everyday issues from real, everyday local heroes.

From the office, we venture towards the Russian market and then move to Tuol Sleng, also known as S-21 Genocide Museum. This devastating chapter of the Khmer Rouge and Cambodian history is emotionally challenging but strongly recommended.

There is some free time in the afternoon to process your day, whilst we’ll meet again for a local Khmer BBQ dinner in the evening.

Meals

Breakfast & Dinner

Day 7: Kampot: Riding out of Phnom Penh

Hotel

Our first major cycling day takes us south of Phnom Penh to Chisaur Mountain Temple in rural Cambodia. It’s not really much of a mountain at 130 metres and the route is perfectly flat. We'll casually cycle through remote villages and waterways via narrow dirt tracks.

After lunch at the Chisaur Temple, explore the ancient ruins that are 200 years older than Angkor Wat.

From here, we’ll take the van down to the Cambodian coastal town of Kampot.

Meals

Breakfast

Day 8: Kampot: The Bokor mountain cycle challenge

Hotel

Start the day with an (optional) mammoth Bokor Mountain cycle challenge. It’s 40 km to get to the top. The first 10 km is flat, then it just keeps on going up and up and up!

If cycling uphill isn't your taste, we can bring your bike in the van and you can cycle down!

At the top, we can take some time to explore the French ghost-town of Bokor Hill Station in Preah Monivong National Park.

Meals

Dinner

Day 9: Kampot: Salt field community

Hotel

In the morning, we’ll visit Chumkriel Language School (no children will be in attendance at the time of visiting). An inspirational human being, Mr Suthy set up the grassroots local school to provide children of the salt field community access to education.

In the afternoon, just sit and relax by the pool, wander through the market or just take some time for yourself. If you like, you can take a cruise down the river at sunset and watch the fireflies spark to life.

Day 10: Rach Gia: Cross over to Vietnam

Hotel

Today we cross over the border into Vietnam, but not before we discover the wonderful province of Kep. Located just before the border, this town is famous for it’s fresh seafood, particularly crab. We’ll spend a couple of hours exploring the famous pepper plantations and salt lakes on the way.

Navigating through the backroads, we’ll make our way around the National Park and to the border crossing to Ha Tien, Vietnam. From Ha Tien, we’ll jump in the van and head to Rach Gia for a feast of local seafood and Banh Xeo.

Meals

Dinner

Day 11: Can Tho: Cycling the Mekong Delta

Hotel

Can Tho is where the Mekong Delta really comes into it’s own. We cut through the back roads, making our way through rice paddies and farmlands, to arrive in the city by late afternoon.

With a population of over a million and a thriving tourist trade, Can Tho has a vibrancy about it like no other. Relax and explore this amazing city.

For dinner, you can treat yourself to numerous delights at the local night market.

Meals

Breakfast

Day 12: Can Tho: Floating markets, noodle factory and cocoa farms

Hotel

Catch the floating markets at sunrise and have your breakfast brought to you on the water. The vibrancy and atmosphere at the break of dawn is something else. This is no tourist performance, this is real life for the locals and is the way they trade, sell and buy every day.

Later, we’ll visit a noodle factory, where you’ll have a chance to make your own noodles. Before lunch, we'll visit some cocoa farms as well.

Meals

Breakfast

Day 13: Ben Tre: More cycling & home stay

Homestay

Take a day to casually explore the oasis that is the Mekong Delta. From the coconut candy factories of Ben Tre to the canals and floating markets of My Tho, this is a place to relax and unwind.

We’ll avoid the hordes of tourists in My Tho by using Ben Tre as a base to explore the region. It’s still a full day's cycling from Can Tho, but we’ll enjoy getting lost in the maze that is the Mekong Delta.

We should reach Ben Tre at 5 pm, and relax with a local family in their home (private rooms). You’ll also have the chance for an impromptu cooking class for great local food.

Meals

Breakfast & Dinner

Day 14: Saigon: Cycling into the city

Hotel

Start early to beat the heat and what we can of the traffic. Cycling into Saigon for the last cycle day of the tour is an incredible experience.

Ho Chi Minh is what the world would look like if cars weren’t invented. With whole lanes and roads dedicated to two wheels, it is the city of the future.

For the last 12 km, we will rest up and transit into the city centre via the support van. Our boutique hotel is in the heart of the city, just a short stroll from the street food market for dinner and live bands.

Meals

Breakfast

Day 15: Saigon: Visit Mekong Plus

Hotel

Visit our third and final NGO of the trip, Mekong Plus. With a presence in both Cambodia and Vietnam, this grassroots NGO focus on a Hand-up, Not-handout policy.

The social enterprise part of this NGO trains beneficiaries to make quilts, handicrafts and bamboo bicycles. The holistic approach from Mekong Plus includes providing education scholarships, vocational training, micro finance programmes and running social enterprise businesses.

Use the day to explore at your leisure. There are a host of local markets, grand shopping centres, museums and attractions in Ho Chi Minh. We'll meet in the evening for dinner, swap stories, photos and decide where you’d like the donation money to go to.

Meals

Breakfast & Dinner

Day 16: Saigon: Departure day

Congratulations! You’ve cycled across two countries, covered almost 700 km on the saddle and gained a bit more about than superficial knowledge about them.

We’ll enjoy a final breakfast together before your onward journey.

Meals

Breakfast

what’s included

Arrival airport transfer
All accommodation
Full bicycle hire
Most dinners & breakfast as per the itinerary
Expert, English-speaking guides
Visit at minimum three local NGOs in Cambodia & Vietnam
Full support vehicle for the ride with water and fruits, and a standby mechanic
Multiple field trips to villages and communities
Entry to Angkor Wat in Siem Reap, Genocide Museum in Phnom Penh & Mekong Delta floating market tours

Optional Addons (Available during check-out)

Single Supplement

what's excluded

International flights
Visa fees
Travel insurance
Departure airport transfer
Optional NGO donation of US$150
Personal expenses
Drinks with meals
Tips and gratuities
Anything not mentioned in the 'What's Included' section of the itinerary

Tour details

Availability 15 Aug 2019

Booking Type Instant Booking

Duration 16 days

Tour Type Group Tour - Max 12 participants

Minimum Participants 2 people

Age Requirement 14 +

guiding method Live guide/instructor

Guide Language Cambodian, english & vietnamese

Starts/Ends Siem Reap, Cambodia/ Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Group Tours Start Private Tour Start Private Tour

15 Aug 2019 from Siem Reap
30 Aug 2019 to Ho Chi Minh City
5 people booked avg age 41-50
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20 Nov 2019 from Siem Reap
05 Dec 2019 to Ho Chi Minh City
4 people booked avg age 51-60
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05 Dec 2019 from Siem Reap
20 Dec 2019 to Ho Chi Minh City
4 people booked avg age 41-50
From {{symbol}} {{formatNumber(getAdultPriceForGroupTour(4))}}/pers

18 Dec 2019 from Siem Reap
02 Jan 2020 to Ho Chi Minh City
4 people booked avg age 41-50
From {{symbol}} {{formatNumber(getAdultPriceForGroupTour(4))}}/pers

29 Dec 2019 from Siem Reap
13 Jan 2020 to Ho Chi Minh City
5 people booked avg age 41-50
From {{symbol}} {{formatNumber(getAdultPriceForGroupTour(5))}}/pers

16 Jan 2020 from Siem Reap
31 Jan 2020 to Ho Chi Minh City
4 people booked avg age 41-50
From {{symbol}} {{formatNumber(getAdultPriceForGroupTour(4))}}/pers

30 Jan 2020 from Siem Reap
14 Feb 2020 to Ho Chi Minh City
4 people booked avg age 41-50
From {{symbol}} {{formatNumber(getAdultPriceForGroupTour(4))}}/pers

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Good to know

Payment

A deposit of 10% is required when booking this tour. The remaining balance will be charged 45 days prior departure. For any bookings within 45 days of departure, the full tour amount will be charged upon booking.

Travel Insurance

We advise to take out Travel Insurance to cover for any unforeseen circumstances. Bookmundi recommends World Nomads' travel insurance.

Other Practical InformationThe distances between one hotel to the next can be extensive so we have cherry picked the best part to cycle in between, but it may only be 40 to 60 km of the route. Each Social Cycles tour is fully supported so there is an opportunity for riders to take a rest in the van. Our goal is to show the beauty of travelling Cambodia and Vietnam by bicycle, and not to rack up thousands of kilometers. Therefore, our style is recreational and casual. We aim to cater to beginner and intermediate recreational cyclists, not professionals or Strava enthusiasts.

Cancellation10% Deposit payable upfront. Remaining balance payable 45 days prior to trip departure. Free cancellation up to 45 days prior departure. No refund applicable within 45 days of departure.

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