Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam: Bike and Boat Southeast Asia

This is the classic overland travel route, taking in three countries that should be included in any Asian adventure. From the vibrant heart of the Thai capital, through the heartland of the former Khmer Kingdom and the center of the present Cambodia, we reach the Mekong Delta, know as the food bowl of densely populated Vietnam. The bustling city of Saigon with all it's intrigue is our final destination on this great adventure from Bangkok through Indochina.

Throughout our journey you will see similarities, contrasts and curiosities between each country, each with their own profound sense of culture, religion and of course, cuisine.

Traveling by bike and boat as well as private vehicle, we will have the time and flexibility to stop and connect with the friendly people of these countries.

Itinerary

Day 1: Bangkok, Arrival Day

We start our adventure in the most vibrant of the cities on our adventure, Bangkok with its streets humming with activity and markets galore for every possible thing you could think of. We meet in the evening for a group meeting and a delicious Thai meal to get the adventure started.

Day 2: Siem Reap, Overland to Cambodia

We take the overland route through eastern Thailand and onto Siem Reap, home to the amazing Angkor Temples and the most famous of all, Angkor Wat. The drive takes around 6 hours, putting us in Siem Reap at around 2pm. This evening your Cambodian guide will join you for an authentic and delicious Cambodian meal while you have the opportunity to ask all those questions you have about this intriguing country.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

We explore the awe inspiring structures known as the Angkor Temples by bike to get up close and learn about the once mighty kingdom that build them. We visit Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and various lesser known temples within. A full day out in the Angkor Park and some great riding, make this a highlight day of the tour.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4: Battambang, rural Siem Reap and the Bamboo Railway - Biking 20km

This morning we set out on bikes again, but on a very different ride. We cycle along little tracks through beautiful countryside with friendly faces greeting you from among the rice fields, lotus ponds and small duck farms. We get a great insight into rural life in Siem Reap province, returning to the hotel around midday. In the afternoon we take a drive and after a little back-tracking, we divert to the south-west to Battambang, a welcoming rural center. We take a thrilling ride on the famous bamboo train in the evening and maybe join the locals for an aerobics session by the river.

Day 5: Kampong Chanang, village industry and floating communities - Biking 25km

Battambang is a great little town with some nicely preserved colonial architecture and a pleasant vibe. This morning we take the Soksabike Village Industries Tour. The ride itself is an enjoyable pedal through the shady outskirts of the town and into the villages. We see rice paper, banana sweets, rice wine making and have a chance to see how kralanh, a traditional Cambodian snack is produced. We return to the hotel around lunch time. In the afternoon we take a drive south to Kampong Chanang, an even smaller town. Here we take to small wooden rowboats. Our boat chauffeurs will carefully row us through the floating communities of the lower Tonle Sap Lake. As the sun gets low in the sky the lake is one of the more peaceful places to be.

Day 6: Phnom Penh, boating the Tonle Sap and visit S21

We first visit a pottery village today. This is how the town was named, as "chaining" means "cooking pot". In the mid morning we take the express boat to Phnom Penh and enjoy some great river scenes as we travel down from the Tonle Sap Lake to the river of the same name and onto Phnom Penh. In the afternoon we visit the S21 Genocide Museum to learn about this shocking chapter in the recent history of Cambodia, the effects of which are noticeable to this day. After this sobering experience, we have some free time.

Meals: BL

Day 7: Islands of the Mekong Ride & the bright lights of Saigon, Vietnam

Biking 30km

This morning we take to bikes again and explore the nearby Mekong Islands where we pass through charming village communities, fruit orchards, traditional silk weaving workshops and a variety of temples from a more recent time. This is a highlight ride and gives a unique perspective to Phnom Penh and its surrounds. After lunch we board the intercity coach to Saigon and a definite change of pace.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8: Ben Tre, Cu Chi Tunnels & the Mekong Delta

Biking 30km

This morning, we take a morning boat ride up the Saigon River, a rapidly changing view if ever there was one. We disembark at the Cu Chi Tunnels and after experiencing an example of one of the greatest advantages the Viet Cong held over the Americans in the war - extensive underground bases - we take to the bikes. We ride through rubber plantations and sleepy villages where rice paper is being produced and people tend to rice fields. We finish our ride at one of the main roads and then drive into the Mekong Delta and to our overnight home of Ben Tre, an area made up of three islands, known for its delicious coconut desserts.

Meals: Lunch, dinner

Day 9: Cycle Ben Tre to Tra On - Biking 60km

Today we are well and truly in the Delta. We start out on a boat, then back on the bikes, weaving through canal paths and fruit orchards that sometimes feel like a maze. We take small ferries to get across the many arms of the river and finish up in a small village in Tra On. Here we stay with a local family and learn about their way of life.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 10: Cycle Tra On to Saigon - Biking 30km

An early morning visit to the floating markets shows where all that produce is going. As vegetables and fruit are hurled from boat to boat and a small row-boat delivers coffee to its customers, we have a moment to enjoy the picture of intense activity unfolding before us. After breakfast we enjoy our last cycle as we make our way up to Vinh Long for lunch. We drive back to Saigon in the afternoon, arriving around 5pm. Our tour concludes on arrival in Saigon where we will drop you at your hotel of choice.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Included

• Included meals: 9 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 8 dinners
• 8 Nights comfortable hotel. Double occupancy. See Accommodation note below. 1 night homestay.
• Transfers to/from airport
• Bike hire (quality bikes), including helmet
• A/C private vehicle
• English speaking cycling guide
• Snacks and water while cycling
• Boat tickets
• Entrance fees where applicable
• Day 3: Siem Reap, Cycle the Angkor Temples
• Biking 30km