Cycling from the Mekong Delta to Angkor Wat

Day 1: Arrive In Ho Chi Minh City (–,–,D)

Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City – transfer to the hotel by own arrangement. At 13:30, the guide will meet your group in the hotel lobby for a trip briefing. After that, you will visit the historic landmarks of the colonial city once known as Saigon: the old Saigon Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Chinatown of Cho Lon and Ben Thanh Market. You will have a group dinner in a local restaurant where the guide will talk more about your cycling tour in Vietnam. Meals included: Dinner Accommodation: Overnight at hotel Note: - Hotel room is at disposal from 14:00 - Notre Dame Cathedral is closed for renovation until 2027 - only exterior visits possible.

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City – Cai Be – Vinh Long (B,L,D)

You will first set out to reach Cai Lay, where you will begin cycling and crossing over creeks lined by beautiful orchards. Today, you will have the chance to observe and learn about the different artisanal skills from the region, like paper making, coconut candy making, and popped rice making. Crossing the stream by local ferry during the day, you will have the chance to observe the richness of the Mekong Delta and its sprawling plantations of exotic fruits, from durian and jackfruit, to mangos, coconuts and pomelos. Then, embark on a cruise heading to An Binh Island, where you will spend the night. If you would like to, set out and explore the island's trails by cycling or walking after you arrive and settle in. For the rest of the afternoon, you will be free to relax or to help prepare your dinner with the owner of the guesthouse. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Accommodation: Overnight in a guesthouse Easia Level: 2 Distance and duration of cycling: 50 kilometers – 5 hours (including breaks) Difference in elevation: None Terrain: Off road, concrete canal paths Transportation: Full-day vehicle support - 75 kilometers – 1hr 30min to 2 hours

Day 3: Vinh Long – Tra Vinh (B,L,D)

Begin the day by embarking on a local boat ride to reach your vehicle, which will take you to Vinh Long, a famous fruit town on the Mekong. From here, begin cycling through the countryside's narrow lanes and lush orchards. The local life, vibrant and perched right on the riverbanks, will charm you as you pedal around the picturesque Delta homes and villages. Make a stop for lunch, before continuing through a coconut plantation. Then, catch a ferry to cross the main arm of the Mekong and head to Tra Vinh, a Khmer town where you will stay overnight. Once you arrive and settle in Tra Vinh, you will have plenty of time to explore its paths and trails if you like. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Accommodation: Overnight at hotel Easia Level: 2 Distance and duration of cycling: 60 to 70 kilometers – 7 hours (including breaks) Difference in elevation: None Terrain: Concrete canal paths, narrow countryside lanes Transportation: Full-day vehicle support – 26 kilometers – 30 minutes + ferry crossing 5-10 minutes

Day 4: Tra Vinh – Can Tho (B,L,–)

On day 4 set out straight from your hotel to the Ba Om Lotus Pond, where you can stop and explore a Khmer temple, as well as a few villages sprawled along your path. As you cross bountiful rice fields, take in the tranquility that these landscapes exude until you reach Can Tho by bicycle (or by bus/van if you choose), where you will spend the night. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch Accommodation: Overnight at hotel Easia Level: 3 Distance and duration of cycling: 60 to 100 kilometers – 7 to 10 hours (including breaks) Difference in elevation: None Terrain: Concrete canal paths, narrow countryside lanes Transportation: Full-day vehicle support – 54 kilometers – 1 hour

Day 5: Can Tho – Long Xuyen (B,L,D)

The day will begin with a boat trip to the Cai Rang Market. Once you arrive, you can cycle or ride in the vehicle around the market along the river. Then, set off for the day on your bicycle, crossing through several more charming villages as you head to Stork Sanctuary. You will soak up incredible sights of seemingly-endless cottage industries, timber merchants, coconut shredders, small docks loading and unloading rice, and tiny, yet vibrant markets. Depending on how you feel, you can take the support vehicle or keep on cycling directly to a local restaurant for lunch. In the afternoon, continue riding through the picturesque countryside, before catching your vehicle back to your hotel in Long Xuyen. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Accommodation: Overnight at hotel Easia Level: 3 Distance and duration of cycling: 50 to 90 kilometers – 5 to 8 hours (including breaks) Difference in elevation: None Terrain: Concrete canal paths, countryside narrow lanes Transportation: Full-day vehicle support – shorter cycling tour – 40 kilometers – 1h 30min (3 short transfers)

Day 6: Long Xuyen – Chau Doc (B,L,–)

After a short trip to the starting point, begin the day by riding along the busy river channels and traditional brick factories on the way to Chau Doc. Along the way, make a stop to explore the Tra Su Nature Reserve, before arriving in Chau Doc and settling into the night's accommodations. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch Accommodation: Overnight at hotel Easia Level: 2 or 3 Distance and duration of cycling: 60 to 100 kilometers Difference in elevation: None Terrain: Concrete canal paths, narrow countryside lanes Duration of transportation: Shorter cycling tour – 37 kilometers – 1 hour Transportation: Full-day vehicle support Note: Possible to add a visit to the Killing Fields of Vietnam Bachuc, where Pol Pot’s regime massacred over 3,000 Vietnamese in 1978, before reaching Chau Doc.

Day 7: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh (B,L,–)

During the morning you will board a speedboat from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival, your guide in Cambodia will welcome you and take you to the hotel. In the afternoon, you will experience Phnom Penh in a truly exceptional way by local tuk tuk. You will see places rarely visited by tourists and have the chance to be immersed in this city of contrasts, its culture, history and its colorful daily life. During the tour, you will visit hidden temples and monuments, vibrant markets, architectural highlights, cultural institutes with private short movie screenings, and even a fortune teller on the riverside. Meals: Breakfast, lunch Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Phnom Penh Speedboat: 4hr 30min (depart Chau Doc at 07:00)

Day 8: Phnom Penh – Kompong Cham (B,L,–)

In the early morning, you will meet your driver and cycling guide at your hotel to begin your cycling tour around Cambodia. You will travel to Diamond Island and take the ferry to cross the Mekong River. Arriving on the east side of the river, you will travel for a few kilometers to reach a local weaving house and learn how Cambodians produce the beautiful silk which they use to create their famous scarves, called Krama. Continue traveling on the road and you will reach the starting point of your cycling adventure. Pedal along the Mekong River through colorful local villages and admire the local people’s daily routine. After lunch, you will continue on your way before taking a second ferry to cross the Mekong River. Continue pedaling until you reach Kompong Cham, your final destination for the day. Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel Easia Level: 2-3 Distance and duration of cycling: 60 to 90 kilometers – 4 to 7 hours Difference in elevation: Less than 150 meters Terrain: Mainly paved road with some off-road trails crossing local villages along the Mekong River Transportation: Full-day vehicle support – 36 kilometers – 40 minutes (hotel to starting point) Note: Early breakfast suggested, departure from the hotel at 07:30

Day 9: Kampong Cham – Sambor Prei Knuk – Kampong Thom (B,L,–)

Today, your final destination will be Kompong Thom, the region where the famous Sambor Prei Kuk Archaeological site is located. This site has been recently nominated as UNESCO World Heritage Site. It covers a huge area of 25 square kilometers, including a walled city center, as well as numerous temples dated from the 6th to 9th centuries, ten of which are octagonal, unique exemplars of their type in Southeast Asia. To reach this stunning site, you will pedal along dirt trails, passing through rural villages, rice fields and different plantations. Here you can stop in different local stalls to taste some delicious Cambodian fruits and snacks. After lunch, you will finally reach the archaeological site. You will not only cycle through the wild and verdant jungles, but you can also disembark to explore some of the temples slowly being engulfed by the encroaching jungle. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel Easia Level: 2-3 Distance and duration of cycling: 60 to 80 kilometers – 4 to 6 hours Difference in elevation: + 150 meters / - 0 meters Terrain: Flat dirt roads, paved road last 5 kilometers Transportation: Full-day vehicle support – 85 kilometers – 1h 40min (Kompong Cham to starting point) / 39 kilometers – 40 minutes (Sambor Prei Kuk to hotel) Notes: - Early breakfast suggested, departure from the hotel at 07:30 - Possibility to reach the hotel in Kompong Thom by bicycle, avoiding the transfer by vehicle – total cycling distance is 80 kilometers

Day 10: Kampong Thom – Beng Mealea – Siem Reap (B,L,–)

Today, you will cycle to Beng Mealea temple, a slumbering giant lost for centuries in the forests of Cambodia. Constructed by Suryavarman II in the 12th century, the builder of Angkor Wat, the temple is the most accessible of Angkor’s lost temples, a mirror image of Angkor Wat itself despite being heavily affected by nature. You will first discover the surrounding hidden temples and end the trip with an exploration of Beng Mealea. After the visit, you will continue cycling along the main road towards the south to reach a countryside trail. En route, you will get to see charming villages, palm trees and endless rice fields before stopping by Troav Kot Lake for lunch. After the break, you will head to Siem Reap, your final destination. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel Easia Level: 3 Distance and duration of cycling: 65 kilometers – 4 hours Difference in elevation: +105 meters / -67 meters Terrain: Dirt and sandy roads, paved road last 6 kilometers Transportation: Full-day vehicle support – 148 kilometers – 2h 15min (Kompong Thom to Beng Mealea) Note: Early breakfast suggested, departure at 07:30

Day 11: Siem Reap – Angkor Complex (B,L,–)

Depart early to watch the sunrise at the archaeological site of Angkor Wat. After sunrise and an exploration of the site, head to the starting point for your day’s adventure. You will first visit the magnificent South Gate of Angkor Thom, the great capital of the Khmer Empire. Then, cycle towards the center of Angkor Thom's complex to reach the mystical Bayon Temple, once the state temple of the Khmer capital. It is one of the most beautifully-designed temples of the Archaeological Park, boasting an incredible 54 finely-sculpted Buddha faces. After soaking in Bayon, continue to explore the ancient capital at your own pace, admiring the elephant terrace and other jungle-bound temples, before making your journey to Preah Khan and Ta Phrom. You will cycle along an off-road trail, and suddenly, you will reach Preah Khan, the “Sacred Sword Temple”, and the magnificent Ta Phrom, known as the "Tomb Raider Temple." Undoubtedly, this is one of the most atmospheric temples, where the surrounding vegetation has blended into the ruins, creating a mystical sight. Proceed on and arrive at Srah Srang, the ancient reservoir of Angkor. Enjoy the stunning view and take a rest before heading back to the hotel. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap Easia Level: 2 Distance and duration of cycling: 40 kilometers – 4 hours (full-day activity including temple visits) Difference in elevation: Less than 150 meters Terrain: Mostly narrow jungle off-road trails, some sections on paved road Transportation: Full-day vehicle support, 10 kilometers – 30 minutes (from the hotel to starting point), 10 kilometers – 30 minutes (from the end point to the hotel) Note: Possibility to extend the daily kilometers of cycling to 50 kilometers, reducing the transfer.

Day 12: Siem Reap – Countryside And Floating Village (B,L,–)

After traveling to the starting point, begin riding your bicycle on an unpaved road through charming rural villages surrounded by palm trees and rice fields. The people in the villages live in charming wooden houses with abundant gardens, used to grow vegetables. On the way, you will see the cultural phenomenon of a fruit called betel, which the local people harvest and dry in front of their houses. Continue riding until you reach the boat pier of Kompong Kleang, one of the most populated floating villages on the Tonle Sap lake. Before the visit, you will stop in a local stilted house to enjoy a picnic lunch amongst the exceptional scenery and atmosphere. After lunch, set off to explore the floating village and the lake by boat. Once you reach the end of the canal, you will realize the immensity of this lake, whose horizon stretches as far as the eye can see (during the dry season, a walk to meet the locals of Kompong Kleang is offered before you set out for the cruise). You can rest there, enjoying the view, before traveling back to Siem Reap. Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch Accommodation: Overnight at hotel in Siem Reap Easia Level: 2 Distance and duration of cycling: 50 kilometers – 5 hours Difference in elevation: Less than 150 meters Terrain: Mainly off-road with countryside trails, last part paved road to access the town Transportation: Full-day vehicle support – 15 kilometers – 30 minutes (from the hotel to the starting point). Take the boat and reach the Kompong Kleang homestay where you will have lunch – estimated time 30 minutes to reach the house. Transfer back – 50 kilometers, 1h 30min (from the end point to the hotel) Note: From 15 February the boat trip cannot operate with big boats from 10 pax up due to low water levels – only small boats are available (1-9). So, for groups from 10 pax up we will do the boat trip at Chong Kneas instead.

Day 13: Departure Siem Reap (B,–,–)

Take the final day at leisure and check out by 12:00. Then transfer by your own arrangement to the airport for your outbound flight. Meal: Breakfast Note: Check-out at the hotel will be latest 12:00