Cycling Ho Chi Minh City to Angkor Wat to Bangkok (Vietnam - Cambodia - Thailand)
Highlight:
Angkor Wat is a masterpiece of 12th-century Khmer architecture, known for its harmonious design and sandstone construction. Key features include lotus-bud towers, axial galleries, and intricate decorations like devatas and bas-reliefs.
Maurice Glaize praised its "classic perfection" and balance. Over time, elements like gilding and wooden panels have been lost. The style influenced temples like Banteay Samré and Beng Mealea, preceding the less refined Bayon period.
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Day 1: Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City (D)
Our guide will be at the airport to welcome you and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. Once settled, your bike will be adjusted to your preferences, and we’ll enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant in the city. You will stay overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City - My Tho 45km+ Cycling (Vietnam) (B, L, D)
We’ll rendezvous at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City and have a quick transfer to Long An. Then, we’ll take back roads to My Tho, where we’ll board a boat to Con Phung Island. We’ll spend some time visiting artisans, watching coconut candy making, rice paper making, and popcorn/popped rice making. Afterward, we’ll enjoy lunch on the island before continuing to our local homestay. We’ll spend the night with a local family in a typical Mekong Delta Vietnamese house, with airy rooms and an outdoor kitchen. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to bike around the homestay.Day 3: My Tho - Ben Tre – Tra Vinh 60km+ Cycling (Vietnam) (B, L)
After breakfast at the homestay, we’ll bike along narrow country lanes through the coconut plantations in Ben Tre. This province is not only famous for its millions of coconuts but also for its reputation as the Viet Cong cradle during the Vietnam War. We’ll cycle through tiny orchards, witnessing the colorful life along the riverside. You will stay overnight in Tra Vinh.Day 4: Tra Vinh – Can Tho 80km+ Cycling (Vietnam) (B, L)
After breakfast, we’ll start the day with a ride through the pretty, tree-lined town of Tra Vinh. We’ll go off-road onto gravel and dirt lanes, weaving through villages, across water channels, and through quiet, dense vegetation. The route to Can Tho is special, as much of the area is populated by Khmer people. The regional architecture is interesting, and there are many Khmer temples to stop and admire along the way. You will stay overnight in Can Tho.Day 5: Can Tho - Long Xuyen 75km+ Cycling (Vietnam) (B, L)
On the fifth day, the ride is split into two sections and is a contrast to the previous day's ride. After an early breakfast, you will take a boat trip to the famous Cai Rang floating market. Then, we’ll ride on a narrow, paved road to Phong Dien, where we’ll have a short transfer to Long Xuyen. You will stay overnight in Long Xuyen.Day 6: Long Xuyen - Chau Doc 80km+ Cycling (Vietnam) (B, L)
After breakfast, we’ll have a quick transfer to Tri Ton. Afterward, we’ll begin cycling toward Chau Doc. The road is quite hilly, but the path is unique. The presence of Thot Not trees indicates proximity to Cambodia, and the local people speak Vietnamese as their second language. We’ll arrive in the afternoon. Those with energy to spare can climb Sam Mountain for a great sunset view! You will enjoy dinner and stay overnight in Chau Doc.Day 7: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh (Speedboat from Vietnam to Cambodia) (B)
We’ll depart early for a speedboat journey up the Mekong River to Phnom Penh. Upon arrival at the pier in Chau Doc, you will prepare to cruise up the Bassac River for approximately 1.5 hours to the Cambodian border. Your guide will assist with immigration. You will stay overnight in Phnom Penh.Day 8: Phnom Penh – Kompong Thom 90km+ Cycling (Cambodia) (B, L)
In the morning, we’ll head north on National Road N5 (past the ancient Japanese bridge) and start traveling through the Cambodian countryside. After 12km, the cyclists of Vietnam Bike Tours will arrive at Prek Phnov and begin taking unpaved roads past local villages and rice fields. We’ll encounter the ancient capital of Udong, where Udong Mountain is still home to many old royal palaces. You will stay overnight in basic Cambodian accommodation in Kompong Thom.Day 9: Kompong Thom – Siem Reap 99km+ Cycling (Cambodia) (B, L)
After transferring a short distance toward Siem Reap, we’ll begin the day’s ride. We’ll head to the small town of Stoung (45km from Kompong Thom) and bike approximately 100km toward the city of temples. You will have some shade as you cycle beneath roadside palms past Preah Pros Lake and Kompong Svay district. You will stay overnight in Siem Reap.Day 10: Full Day in Angkor Wat 30km+ Cycling (Cambodia) (B, L)
You’ll have an entire day to explore the temple complex of Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat itself is just one of many temples in the region but is one of the best-preserved and most impressive. It is worth climbing the remarkably steep and narrow steps of the central spire for a view of the entire temple surrounded by jungle. You will stay overnight in Siem Reap.Day 11: Siem Reap – Battambang 56km+ Cycling (Cambodia) (B, L)
On the eleventh day, we have another break from riding. We’ll visit the floating village before heading across the lake to Battambang, Cambodia's second capital, a sleepy city full of faded colonial charm. Overnight in Battambang.Day 12: Battambang – Pailin 89km+ Cycling (Cambodia) (B, L)
We’ll saddle up and ride south to Pailin in the morning. The road, in sections, is in poor condition, but the scenery is impressive as we head toward Thailand. The road undulates as we get closer to Pailin, but it’s manageable—nothing too steep or long. We’ll cross streams and bridges, truly getting a sense of riding into uncharted territory. Overnight in Pailin.Day 13: Pailin Border - Koh Chang (Cross Border to Thailand) (B, L)
Our guide and driver will meet you at the Baan Pakad border. After immigration, we’ll take a break for lunch at a local restaurant in the Thai countryside. Then, Vietnam Bike Tours will have a quick transfer to the ferry pier in Trat province and board the ferry to Koh Chang, where you will stay overnight.Day 14: Free Day in Koh Chang (Thailand) (B)
You’ll have a free day to relax at the beach in this quiet, secluded part of Thailand. Koh Chang is a must for anyone wanting to see some off-the-beaten-track beaches! You will stay overnight there.Day 15: Koh Chang to Bangkok (Thailand) (B, L)
In the morning, your guide will meet you at the ferry pier. He/she will accompany you during the transfer to Bangkok. Upon arrival in Bangkok, you will take a short city tour and have some free time to explore the bustling city on your own. You’ll stay overnight in Bangkok.Day 16: Bangkok Departure (Thailand) (B)
On the last day, you will have leisure time in the morning before your transfer to the airport. Your guide will assist you with check-in at the airport for your departure flight. -
Inclusive:
Air-conditioned van/bus
Support vehicle to carry gear, luggage, first aid
English speaking cycling guide
Entrance fees, boat trips, ferries & speedboat tickets
Airport transfer in/out
Pick up & drop off at your hotel
Meals as mentioned (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
All biking gear (mountain bike - MTB, tool kit, water cage)
Water, snacks, soft drinks and fresh fruit on cycling days
Accommodation
Exclusive:
Travel insurance
Visas
Personal expenses
Optional E-bike, Gravel bike, Road bike