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Map of Cycle Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand including Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam

Enjoy an exceptional two-wheeled adventure from Vietnam to Thailand

What’s the best way to explore Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand? From a bicycle, of course, with the wind in your (helmet-covered) hair and tropical breeze on your face. Cycle out of busy Ho Chi Minh, through the Mekong Delta, past riverside villages and alongside paddy fields, and see life from a different perspective as we meet locals, experience their culture and eat lots of great food (you’ll certainly work up an appetite for it!). Riding around sixty kilometres each day, this is an energising and rewarding way to see the beauty and majesty of Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand.

Start
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Finish
Bangkok, Thailand
Destinations
Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam
Style
Original
Theme
Cycling
Code
TTXC
Physical rating
Ages
Min 14
Group size
Min 1, Max 16

Why you'll love this trip

  • Explore Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand in just 13 days on this speedy but comprehensive adventure

  • See Indochina as you’ve never seen it before – from the seat of a bicycle. Cycling is the ultimate way get off the beaten track

  • Work up an appetite for Southeast Asia's famously delicious local and regional food

  • Get among nature, wildlife, small villages and ancient ruins, as well as the region's most lively cities

  • We cover approx. 440km/270 miles on this itinerary, averaging around 50km/30 miles each riding day, with 4 non-riding days

Is this trip right for you?

  • To complete this trip it is important that you are both confident and competent in riding a bicycle.

  • You’ll be cycling for up to 70 kilometres per day on varied terrain – this trip is for the reasonably fit.

  • Confident cyclists who want an even longer cycling adventure should opt for ‘TVXCC - Cycle South East Asia’, which includes everything that's on the itinerary of this trip, plus the itinerary of ‘TVXB - Cycle Vietnam’.

  • The weather in Indochina can be varied. Be prepared to get sweaty and for the occasional rain storm, which may require a change of plans.

Cycling through the beautiful countryside of Cambodia
Take in the beautiful temples and scenery in Cambodia
Travel through the temples of Cambodia on your bicycle
Get on the road in Cambodia
Cycle past some of the breathtaking sights of Cambodia
Cycle through Thailand and check out some of it's beautiful temples
Bond with fellow cyclists and travellers in your group
Say hello to the locals on your travels
Cycle through some of Thailand's most beautiful scenery
Catch a ride on a boat as part of your trip through the Mekong Delta

Itinerary
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Xin chao! Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm today. You can arrive at any time during the day as there are no activities planned until this important meeting. Please check with hotel reception or look on the reception noticeboard for where and when the meeting will take place. If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader. Because this trip doesn’t spend much time in Ho Chi Minh City, why not arrive a day or two early to see the sights? Ho Chi Minh City has a dynamic atmosphere and a French influence. Perhaps head to Pham Ngu Lao Street to see the local open-aired market, visit Vinh Nghiem Pagoda or one of the amusements parks.

Notes: If you can't arrange a flight that will have you arrive at the hotel in time for the meeting, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).

Riding distance: none
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

Take a three-hour bus ride to the Mekong Delta. Known as the ‘Rice Bowl of Vietnam’, the fertile delta is famous for its harvest of tropical fruit, flowers and rice, as well as the views over the canals. When you arrive in the region, get on your bike for the first full day of cycling. Ride along quiet backroads, past farms and villages and make a stop for lunch. You’ll also get to visit orchards and some local cottage industries. You'll cycle for around 45 kilometres in total today. Around sunset, make your way up one of the canals by boat and reach your homestay. Stay with a family for the night and enjoy a wonderful meal of local specialties.

Notes: At your homestay, you’ll be sleeping on simple camp beds in a dorm-style arrangement. You’ll share a toilet and bathroom facilities with cold water only. Bedding and mosquito nets will be provided.

Riding distance: approx. 45kms/28 miles, flat with approx. 70m/230ft of elevation gain.
Accommodation
  • Homestay (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Start the day early by boat then bus to riverside Sadec where you start today’s ride, shaking out your sea legs with a cycle (approx. 48 kms) through the bustling settlements along the river. Here you’ll see more of local life dependent on this vital and beautiful river, including lunch at a local community.

Cycle on (approx. 27 kms) and then take a ferry and bus to Chau Doc which is right next to the Cambodian border. Head out in search of the city’s famous hot noodles and cold beer, then stay the night in your hotel.

Riding distance: approx. 75kms/47 miles, flat with approx. 120m/395ft of elevation gain.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Cycle to your last destination within Vietnam, the border town of Tinh Bien (about 32 kilometres) and stop for lunch. You’ll then go through visa formalities and cross into Phnom Den, Cambodia. Meet your new support team and hop on your bike again on your way to Phnom Penh (about 33 kilometres). You’ll be cycling along dusty and bumpy roads for a while, and then along a paved highway which leads to Cambodia’s capital. Once you arrive, you’ll have a free evening to enjoy your first delicious Cambodian meal for the trip. Phnom Penh is quickly becoming a hot destination among foodies, so load up on grilled seafood, fish curry and green mango salad.

Riding distance:
Ride 1 - Tinh Bien ride – approx. 32kms/20 miles, mostly flat with approx. 115m/380ft of elevation gain.
Ride 2 – Cambodian border ride – approx. 33kms/20 miles, flat with approx. 30m/100ft of elevation gain.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Cambodia Visa - as of 19 Sept 2022 the standard 'e-visa' for Cambodia is not valid at this border crossing. Travellers of all nationalities must apply for a 'visa-on-arrival' at the Phnom Den border. The border crossing takes approx. 2 hours.

Spend the day enjoying a leisurely ride around Mekong Island. Visit local artisans selling quality silks, and cycle past temples and pagodas. Stop for a refreshing drink at a roadside food stall.

Riding distance: approx. 27kms/17 miles, flat with approx. 35m/115ft of elevation gain.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today you’ll confront Cambodia’s tragic past with visits to several historical sites. First stop is the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, a former school which served as a Khmer Rouge torture centre. You’ll take a guided tour of the museum where over 20,000 people were once incarcerated and tortured. Next you’ll visit the Choeung Ek Memorial, where a stupa made up of some 8,000 human skulls marks the site of the infamous Killing Fields. This was where the prisoners of Tuol Sleng were executed and nearly 9,000 corpses have been exhumed from the area. Finally, learn about a brighter period in Cambodian history with a visit to the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda.

Riding distance: none
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Phnom Penh - Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) & Choeung Ek
  • Phnom Penh - Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Settle in for a long day of driving as we travel to Siem Reap. The bus ride will take about seven hours but will be full of stunning rural views of tiny towns, and it also gives you the chance to catch up on some shut-eye.

Riding distance: none
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

The name Angkor always captures the imagination, conjuring up images of soaring temples set in deep jungle hidden from the world for generations, and there is simply no better way to experience the allure of Cambodia's legendary Angkor temple complex than by bicycle. Faster than walking yet able to go places that the big tour buses just can't go, cycling at your own pace along quiet, secluded small roads and jungle trails gives you the feeling that you are the first person to discover Angkor as you visit many small temples hidden from everyday view.

That’s not to say you miss out on the icons, with visits to Angkor Wat, the greatest Buddhist temple in the world, as well as guided visits to the iconic jungle-covered ‘Tomb Raider’ favourite Ta Prohm, and the sheer majesty of Angkor Thom all included.

Seeing this magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site in such an environmentally friendly way, with no pollution or strain on the environment also helps to preserve this magnificent icon for future generations.

Riding distance: approx. 29kms/18 miles, flat with approx. 65m/215ft of elevation gain.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Siem Reap - Three Day Angkor Pass
  • Angkor - Full day temple cycling tour
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Today you’ll cover around 70 kilometres by bicycle on your visit to Banteay Srei, the 10th century temple dedicated to the Hindu god, Shiva. The temple was rediscovered in 1914 and has some of the most intricate carvings in the world. It was restored shortly after discovery using traditional techniques and materials.

Riding distance: approx. 70kms/43 miles, gentle uphill with approx. 220m/720ft of elevation gain.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Leave from Siem Reap early in the morning and head for the border. Our crossing at Poipet/Aranyaprathet should take around 4 hours including the driving and processing time. From the border we transfer to the Tha Kabark Dam. We can have a quick swim and lunch before our next cycling leg - approx 40km to Sa Kaew where we will stay for the night.

Riding distance: approx. 40kms/25 miles, mostly flat with approx. 155 m/510ft of elevation gain.
Accommodation
  • Resort (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Wake up at sunrise and make your way to the local market. Here you’ll see the Buddhist monks from nearby temples who come to receive food from the villagers in exchange for blessings. Perhaps offer the monks some alms before continuing on your way. Spend the rest of the day cycling along mostly flat terrain towards the small district of Kabinburi. You’ll pass rubber tree and tapioca plantations as well as lush rice fields.

Riding distance: approx. 70kms/43 miles, undulating with approx. 300m/985ft of elevation gain.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kabinburi - Alms giving at morning market
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Make your way to Khun Dan Dam, Thailand’s largest dam, for your last full day of cycling. You’ll ride past small villages, paddy fields, farms and shops. Stop for lunch along the way, then enjoy a quick swim. After cycling for around 50 kilometres, pack up the bikes before transferring to Bangkok, your final destination.

Riding distance: approx. 50kms/31 miles, undulating with small uphill, approx. 400m/1315ft of elevation gain.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

There are no activities planned for today and you’re able to depart the accommodation at any time. However, as we don’t spend much time in Bangkok, why not stay a few days extra to make the most of your time here? We’ll be happy to assist with booking accommodation. Perhaps take a riverboat to Chinatown and explore the crowded streets, wander down the tourist mecca of Khao San Road or pay a visit to Wat Pho, home to the country's largest reclining Buddha. Explore the magnificent Grand Palace and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, or travel by long tail boat down the Chao Phraya River to explore Bangkok’s famous khlongs (canals). Consider doing one of our day tours of Bangkok, see urbanadventures.com for more information.

Want more cycling in Thailand - check out our Cycle Southern Thailand (TTXB) trip at http://www.intrepidtravel.com/thailand/cycle-southern-thailand-100031

Riding distance: none
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

11 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Transport

Bicycle, Support Vehicle, Public bus, Public boat

Accommodation

Hotel (10 nights), Homestay (1 night), resort (1 night)

Included activities

  • Phnom Penh - Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (S21) & Choeung Ek
  • Phnom Penh - Royal Palace & Silver Pagoda
  • Siem Reap - Three Day Angkor Pass
  • Angkor - Full day temple cycling tour
  • Kabinburi - Alms giving at morning market

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Cycle Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. Please note that some room configurations have two single beds, although a double bed will always be requested.
2. Bicycle hire is included in your trip price. Please advise your height at time of booking so as we can organise a suitable sized bike.
3. If you plan to bring your own bike please advise us at time of booking as additional transport is required.
4. Bike helmets are compulsory on this trip. We are unable to hire bike helmets locally so please ensure you bring your own bike helmet from home.
5. Cambodia Visa - as of 19 Sept 2022 the standard 'e-visa' for Cambodia is not valid at this border crossing. Travellers of all nationalities must apply for a 'visa-on-arrival' at the Phnom Den border.
6.Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for train and flight tickets. Fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing new tickets.

Essential trip information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

View Essential Trip Information

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