Highlights
- Watch the sunrise over Angkor Wat
- Cycle through the heart of rural Cambodia and Vietnam
- Kayak on the Mekong River
- Meet local communities and get to know their stories
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Ride the countryside around Siem Reap | Siem Reap |
| Day 2 | Visit Angkor Wat for sunrise | Siem Reap |
| Day 3 | Cycle to Kbal Spean then head to Sra Em | Sra Em |
| Day 4 | Pedal to Preah Vihear and visit Stung Treng | Stung Treng |
| Day 5 | Kayak the Mekong River | Ban Lung |
| Day 6 | Cross the border into Vietnam | Kon Tum |
| Day 7 | Explore the Kon Tum countryside | Kon Tum |
| Day 8 | Cycle around Quang Ngai | Quang Ngai |
| Day 9 | Bike around Tam Ky | Tam Ky |
| Day 10 | Cycle Hoi An | Hoi An |
| Day 11 | Explore the Hoi An countryside | Hoi An |
| Day 12 | Departure |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Ride in the Countryside around Siem Reap
Check-in at your accommodation in Siem Reap, then hop on your bike and head out along the river. Cycling back roads to villages surrounded by rice paddies, you'll leave the city bustle behind and enter a world where buffalos roam. Visit a local crocodile farm before watching the sunset over the palm trees, then head back to town to spend the night.
Cycling distance: 10 miles
Day 2: Visit Angkor Wat for Sunrise
Watch the sunrise over the incredible temple that is Angkor Wat. Once the sun has risen behind the iconic triple towers, make the most of the cool morning temperatures to explore this historic site. Breakfast is just a short cycle away, then continue exploring the other hidden treasures and temples of the Angkor area. Ride back to Siem Reap over some lovely quiet trails, stopping to ride atop the wall of Angkor Thom temple, which overlooks the moat, along the way.
Cycling distance: 18.6 miles
Day 3: Cycle to Kbal Spean
This morning, head along back trails and secondary roads through coconut and palm groves into the Kulen Range area. Here you'll find Banteay Srey, also known as the Pink Temple. Check out the building's intricate carvings before pushing on to Kbal Spean waterfall. After a little walk around the shady falls, make the drive to Sra Em to spend the night.
Cycling distance: 40.4 miles
Day 4: Pedal to Preah Vihear and Visit Stung Treng
Today, visit Prasat Preah Vihear — a temple that sits on the border of Cambodia and Thailand. Set atop a mountain range and with views over the surrounding plains, this ancient Hindu temple was built during the days of the Khmer Empire and it's in an amazing location. Explore the ruins, then return to your accommodation for lunch before making the drive to Stung Treng where you'll spend the night.
Cycling distance: 18.6 miles
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 5: Kayak the Mekong River
Trade your bicycle in for a kayak as you paddle instead of pedal. First up, drive north towards the border with Laos and hop in your floating craft. As you paddle downstream, you'll pass through flooded forests that are home to all kinds of bird, fish, and plant life. In total, you'll be paddling for around four hours. Thanks to the Mekong's currents, this won't be hard-going! Finish up just after lunch, then head to Ban Lung for the night.
Day 6: Cross the Border into Vietnam
This morning, begin your cycle into the highlands and over the Vietnamese border. You're now in the neighborhood of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Cross the border into Vietnam and drive to Kon Tum. This area is home to various indigenous minorities, all with their own traditional farming techniques. Spend the afternoon getting to know the area, and maybe taste some of the locally grown coffee.
Cycling distance: 43.5 miles
Day 7: Explore the Kon Tum Countryside
Spend another night in Kon Tum, and spend the day exploring the area's backroads and trails. Along the way, visit local villages to learn a little bit about tribal customs and beliefs, and to see and understand a bit about the local farming practices.
Cycling distance: 28 miles
Day 8: Cycle in the Quang Ngai Area
Today you'll be cycling a few gentle hills before an epic descent into Vietnam's flatlands. The views over the side of the mountains all the way out to the ocean on a clear day are unreal. Cycling past rice fields and villages, stop for lunch in the town of Ba Ro before transferring by vehicle to the buzzing regional capital of Quang Ngai later in the afternoon.
Cycling distance: 56 miles
Day 9: Cycle around Tam Ky
Today, it's time to head towards the coast. Along the way, you'll gain insight into a tragic part of history at the Mỹ Lai Massacre site. Learn about the Vietnam War here, then continue the ride to the ocean till you reach the little town of Tam Ky, where you'll spend the night.
Cycling distance: 62.1 miles
Day 10: Cycle to Hoi An
What a ride you have today! This morning, pedal along peaceful roads by the coast, passing little fishing villages, then take a boat along the river to Hoi An and its stunning old town. In the afternoon, explore the city and its gorgeous beach at your own pace.
Cycling distance: 34.2 miles
Day 11: Cycle in the Hoi An Countryside
After breakfast, explore the hidden passages and secret alleyways of Hoi An. Check out the 18th-century Japanese Covered Bridge before visiting a local family that makes banh dap rice crackers the traditional way. Then cycle to one of the prettiest villages in the area before pedaling past rice fields and small farms towards a boat building site. Here, check out a traditional mat weaving shop and a family-run wine distillery before boarding a local ferry for the trip back to Hoi An.
Cycling distance: 15.5 miles
Day 12: Departure
It's the end of your cycling adventure in Cambodia and Vietnam! From Da Nang airport, you can choose to explore another part of Southeast Asia, or perhaps it's time to head home from your vacation.
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