Embark on a transformative journey through Vietnam and Cambodia with our captivating 8-day cycling tour. From the bustling streets of Saigon to the historic allure of Phnom Penh, immerse yourself in vibrant cultures, savor exquisite cuisines, and explore poignant historical sites on this unforgettable adventure of discovery.
Arrive into Saigon, where your transfer service will take you to your accommodation, to meet your guide and fellow travelers. Explore the sights and sounds of the largest city in Vietnam and get to know your group over your first dinner at a restaurant.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: 4* hotel in Saigon
Following breakfast, transfer out of Saigon to avoid the heavy traffic and head to the Cu Chi tunnels, home to 5,000 VC troops during the Vietnam War. Go underground for an insight into life of a tunnel-dwelling fighter and remember that people lived here for months on end. Once you’re out, begin cycling on a great tarmac road to Trang Bang, towards Hau Nghia and Duc Hoa. Visit a farm to learn about rice paper making and follow the Mekong to Cai Be where we spend the night.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Cycling: 30 km
Accommodation: 4* hotel or equivalent in Cai Be
Enjoy breakfast, then leisurely cycle from your accommodation, visiting a candy workshop and orchards. As you move towards Vinh Long city, riding on the tarmac road to Long Ho, branch off and cycle through quieter countryside roads alongside rice paddies and coconut trees. Stop along the way for a short break and interact with hospitable locals. Lunch is served in a local restaurant. Once you reach Binh Minh, board the support vehicle and drive to Can Tho where you’ll spend the night.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Cycling: up to 60 km
Accommodation: 4* hotel or equivalent in Can Tho
Rise early for a unique taste of life in the Mekong Delta. Board a local boat and explore the colorful Cai Rang floating market — this memorable and action packed experience makes for many excellent photo opportunities. Relax and enjoy the cruise back to the hotel, freshen up before check-out and start cycling. Reenergize with lunch at a local restaurant along the way. Continue riding on narrow lanes and explore the hidden backwaters of the delta, along canal banks, until you reach Rach Gia — a laid back fishing village facing the Gulf of Thailand. Your day ends in Rach Gia where you’ll board the support vehicle and drive to Ha Tien.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Cycling: up to 60 km
Accommodation: 4* hotel or equivalent in Ha Tien
Today is a pleasant ride towards the border crossing. After you complete all the immigration formalities, cycle for 15 km, leave your bikes behind, and walk across the border to Cambodia where your new bikes await.Enjoy a gentle ride passing through stunning rural areas introducing you to Cambodia. Tonight’s destination is the tranquil seaside town of Kep where you’ll spend 2 nights at the lovely resort.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Cycling: 40 km
Accommodation: Luxurious resort in Kep
After breakfast, transfer for a morning visit to Kampong Trach markets that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the area. Revel in the bustling atmosphere and the opportunity to engage with local vendors. Continue cycling to Phnom Vur, a mountainous area that holds great historical significance. Today, it stands as a memorial, attracting visitors seeking to understand Cambodia’s painful history and pay respects to those who lost their lives. Enjoy a lakeside picnic lunch and maybe even take a swim, then head back to your resort in Kep.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Cycling: 60 km
Accommodation: Luxurious resort in Kep
Enjoy breakfast then cycle to the Kampot Pepper Farm for a tour and tasting. After savoring traditional delicacies, continue cycling to Kampot itself, a sleepy town with French colonial buildings. Join your group for lunch and transfer to Phnom Penh for the night.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Cycling: 30 km
Accommodation: 4* hotel or equivalent in Phnom Penh
After your final breakfast in this fascinating region, your guides will make arrangements for your transfers. Pack up, head to the airport and say goodbye to Vietnam and Cambodia — you’ll probably be back soon as this region has so much more to see and explore!
What you get on this adventure:
What’s not included:
To fully enjoy this guided cycling trip in Vietnam and Cambodia, you should be in good physical shape. While previous cycling experience is recommended for maximum enjoyment, the flexible approach ensures even casual beginner cyclists can join this adventure. The good news is that Vietnam and Cambodia are pretty much flat, so there are no hills of note throughout this tour.
There are six days of cycling. Daily rides vary between 18.5 miles/30 km and 37 miles/60 km. While some days offer longer rides, the tour is structured to accommodate varying fitness levels, allowing participants to tailor their cycling experience. There is a support vehicle throughout with the option to take a break from riding at any time. Please note that you can bring or rent an e-bike to aid your pedaling if you have little experience with steep sections. Riding an e-bike will make the adventure much less strenuous.
To prepare for this guided bike tour, consider incorporating a mix of cardiovascular exercises and strength training into your routine to enhance overall fitness. Aim for regular cycling sessions, gradually increasing the duration and intensity to simulate the conditions of the tour.
To fully enjoy this guided cycling adventure in Vietnam and Cambodia, you should have some cycling experience. That said, it is enough being a casual cyclist as the difficulty level can be customized to suit your experience and preferences. Vietnam and Cambodia are pretty much flat, so there are no hills of note throughout this tour.
If you’re a total beginner, consider incorporating cycling to your weekly routine in the months prior to the adventure. We recommend cycling at least every weekend, covering between 10 and 20 miles (20-30 km) and increasing the distances and the intensity every week.
Your guides provide lightweight alloy framed Trek or Giant mountain bikes with 24 indexed gears and front suspension (guides will generally be on hand to fix punctures and minor mechanical problems). All bikes are meticulously maintained and in a wide range of sizes; female specific saddles are also available. Helmets are also available for use or you can bring your own. Bikes and helmets are included in the price of the tour.
You can also rent an e-bike for an additional fee. Let us know during the booking process and we will make the necessary arrangements. Designed for convenience, e-bike allows you to climb hills with ease while still providing the exercise and outdoor fun of cycling. This bike rides like a regular one but comes equipped with an added battery store, offering pedal assistance precisely when you need it.
Feel free to choose the bike that best suits your preferences and cycling style!
Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:
Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans. You will get a more detailed and comprehensive list of equipment and clothes you should bring once the trip is confirmed.
South East Asia’s dry season runs from November to May, and it’s when temperatures are coolest. Your guides schedule this tour specifically to have us cycling in the best of the weather, sunny days, cool nights and no monsoon rains. Perfect weather can’t be guaranteed but it’s the best time to visit.
We know you will enjoy the quality of the properties chosen for this trip. After a day of cycling, there is nothing better than a welcome drink, cool room and a refreshing pool dip.
The accommodation throughout this tour is quality 4 star, most with pools, on site restaurants, gyms and other facilities. Properties may change occasionally but typically you’ll stay at the following accommodations:
Whilst Vietnamese food is well known around the world, Khmer food has come ahead in leaps and bounds and will surprise you. Traditionally comforting, with rice as a staple, recent International influences have become apparent. Rice is still the cornerstone, with the most popular Khmer dish being fish amok, a white fish steamed in a banana leaf and topped with coconut cream. Cambodia is also home to the famous Kampot Pepper, which comes from the south of the country. You’ll learn about these incredible flavors on the pepper farm tour.
Meals are included as per the itinerary, and your guides carefully select the best restaurants in terms of cuisine and ambience. They are happy to accommodate specific dietary requirements and allergies etc. Please leave us a note during the booking process and we will make the necessary arrangements.
Group sizes and pricing
Min. age requirements
To get to Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon, most people fly into Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN). Your guides will meet you there on Day 1 and transfer you to your accommodation.
On your last day (Day 8), your guide will also take you to the airport from Phnom Penh. You can talk about options and details with your guide after booking.
We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both emergency medical and travel insurance.
With medical insurance, if you have an accident or medical emergency on or off the mountain, you’ll avoid paying out of pocket for costly expenses. This covers everything from hospital treatments to emergency air transportation and more. Travel insurance covers canceled flights, natural disasters and other scenarios that may interrupt your travel plans.
We also expect you to respect local regulations and take measures to protect yourselves, your guides, and the communities you’re traveling to. For more information on travel recommendations and restrictions in Vietnam and Cambodia, please refer to Vietnam Tourism and Smarttraveler. You can be assured your guides are a quality operator and want nothing more for you than to have an amazing and safe travel experience.
If you need assistance selecting the right insurance for your group, let us know and we will be happy to help!