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Day 1
We depart the UK for our overnight flight to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon.
Day 2
Arrive Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to hotel. After bike fitting and trip orientation briefing, the rest of the day is at leisure to rest or explore the sights and sounds of this unique city.
D ay 3 – Ho Chi Minh City – Ben Tre – Tra Vinh
After breakfast, we transfer a couple of hours out of Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho – the gateway to the Mekong Delta. Today’s ride will lead biker’s right into the heart of rural Mekong. We commence out cycling challenge after the ferry journey across the Tien Giang River at My Tho, and then we pedal narrow roads and lanes, past banana plantations, fields of sugar cane, through the lush green landscape of the Delta, crossing rivers and canals by numerous, ubiquitous, fascinating ferries. A final ferry across the gaping expanse of Co Chien River leads us to Tra Vinh, a pretty tree lined town with a large population of ethnic Khmer.
 An early lunch will be in a in local restaurant in Ben Tre. Dinner will be in Tra Vinh Town at a local restaurant.
Cycling distance – 52km
Day 4 – Tra Vinh – Can Tho
Following breakfast at our Hotel, we push on with our cycling adventure - the roads are now peaceful, narrow and very pretty all the way to Can Tho. There is plenty to see along the way, from the contrasting architectural styles of ethnic Khmer homes, to the numerous colourful Khmer temples and to the fascinating river scenes, which we witness when cycling over countless small wooden plank bridges. There will be an opportunity today to visit Ba Om Pond and local Khmer Temples and schools – feel free to bring gifts for the children!
Lunch will be in a local restaurant en route, or maybe a picnic. Dinner will be in a restaurant Can Tho.
Cycling distance – 80km
 Day 5 – Can Tho – Lai Vung – Long Xuyen – Chau Doc
After a very early breakfast, we catch the boat to Cai Rang floating market, and then cycle a narrow road to Phong Dien floating market. We weave through morning market bustle along the banks of the very busy river; absorb the sights of endless cottage industries, timber merchants, coconut shredders, small docks loading/unloading rice. We carry on with our cycling challenge and bike on a narrow lane to the main road, where we stop and have some lunch. In the afternoon, continue riding along a tiny road leading upstream towards Long Xuyen. We then have to transfer to Chau Doc, where we overnight.
Cycling distance – 95km
Day 6 – Chau Doc – Phnom Penh
Today is a shorter days cycling as we have cross the big lake in order to get to Phom Penh. We depart early from Chau Doc on the boat journey to Phnom Penh, arriving in the Cambodian capital in time for lunch at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club. In the afternoon we ride to the famous Tuol Sleng Museum and the infamous Killing Fields of Cambodia – a very popular attraction.
Day 7 – PhnomPenh – Kompong Tom
Following breakfast at our Hotel in Phnom Penh, we depart early by bike heading north on the National road N5 past and beneath an ancient Japanese bridge. We then bike out of town sharing with the local roads which appear less and less busy. After about 12kms the ride will pass by the lotus ponds, local villages, rice fields, fish farms, with mountain views in the distance. After the first break at 20km, we push on towards the ancient capital of Udong, where Udong Mountain is still home to many of the old Royal Palaces, where we can have a quick visit. Following this, we push on 8kms to Prek Kdam and take a ferry across the Tonle Sap River – make sure you take plenty of snacks and water for this journey as delays may happen.
Heading off after a hearty lunch you can soon appreciate the good tarmac roads and the route takes us north once again until the cashew nut plantations and sellers where your ride ends today. We then take a well served rest and our support vehicle will carry on towards the bustling town of Skoun, lying at the crossroads between the north and east of the country. Skoun’s local delicacy is tasty sautéed garlic tarantula! The transfer will take about 2 hours on 91km to Kompong Thom
Cycling distance – 89km
Day 8 – Kompong Thom – Sambo Prei Kulk – Siem Reap
After breakfast, cycle from the hotel in Kompong Thom towards the 7th century Sambor Prei Kuk temple complex, 35km north of town. After the visit, cycle via different roads to meet the National road 6, where we stop and transfer towards Siem Reap.
Cycling distance – 60km
Day 9 – Free day exploring Angkor Wat
Following breakfast, we take our bikes Take the bikes and spend the day exploring the incredible Angkor ruins either as a group or individually. The wonderful Angkor Wat, the Bayon, the Terrace of the Elephants and Ta Prohm, embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers, are all easily accessed by bike. Lunch will be a picnic. Following our amazing day exploring this truly fascinating world heritage site, we head back to Siem Reap and celebrate our fundraising achievements at our celebratory dinner.
 Day 10
Today we enjoy a free morning taking ion the sights and sounds of Siem Reap, before we head to the Airport to catch our flight back to the UK.
Day 11 - Arrive UK
(Please note, this is a complex itinerary and subject to change) |
