Cycle Indochina & Angkor - Premium Adventure

This adventure starts in Bangkok, the enthralling and energetic capital of Thailand. Around 6pm, say sawasdee to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big Thai welcome by arranging a group dinner at a local restaurant. Your main luggage will be transported ahead of you to the start point early in the morning so please bring this with you to the welcome meeting; just hold onto what you need for the night/morning – you will be with your luggage again by mid-morning tomorrow. Want extra time in Bangkok? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative. Stay: U Sathorn Bangkok (D).

It's an early start as we venture out of Bangkok to the ancient town of Ayutthaya. Our two-hour transfer takes us into the heart of this fascinating site and we start cycling by the huge reclining Buddha. Much of the old town was destroyed by the Burmese in the 18th century and we will cycle through the remaining shrine towers and enormous temples to appreciate the past magnificence. Stay: The Kantary Ayutthaya Hotel (B).

Today we follow minor roads through rural landscapes, including rubber and eucalyptus plantations, and tapioca and rice fields. We stop for lunch at a local restaurant along the way. There are a few easy rolling hills, but the route is mostly flat. The ride ends when we join a busier road before driving the final short distance to the town of Kabin Buri by bus. For dinner, join our tour leader and group for traditional Thai cuisine. Stay: Kantary Kabinburi Hotel (B/L/D).

Leaving our hotel early, we transfer (one hour) to Thung Yao Temple in Prachantakham, where we begin our final day of cycling in Thailand.
Our route takes us through scenic landscapes dotted with small villages, farms and lush paddy fields to Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam, one of the largest dams in Thailand.

Along the way, we enjoy a leisurely lunch and have the chance for a refreshing dip in the natural streams of Wang Takhrai Park. After recharging, we pack up our bikes and transfer (2hr 20min) to the U Sathorn Bangkok for our final night in Thailand. Stay: U Sathorn Bangkok (B/L).

After an early breakfast, we transfer to Don Mueang International Airport where we take a 1hr 5min flight to Siem Reap (SAI). Arriving mid-morning, where transfer to our hotel, where we spend the next three nights at the intimate Lynnaya Urban River Resort & Spa – the perfect base to explore Angkor.

This afternoon’s shorter ride from Siem Reap takes us past Wat Athvea, a modern temple in the grounds of the ruins of an Angkorian temple, and ends at a market and picnic area outside Siem Reap. Stay: Lynnaya Urban River Resort & Spa Upgrade to a junior-suite today – speak to your sales representative for more details (B).

Today we may choose to have an early start to avoid the inevitable crowds drawn to the wonders of Angkor. The various temples are spread over a wide area and are linked by shady avenues; meandering our way between them by bike provides a unique perspective. Our cycle tour will include: the jungle-covered Ta Prohm, with amazing fromagier tree roots clinging to the ancient stones; Angkor Thom, with the Bayon temple of 37 towers (originally 49) topped with the four faces of the king; and, of course, the incredible Angkor Wat, with its huge moat, long causeway and massive towers. Stay: Lynnaya Urban River Resort & Spa Upgrade to a junior-suite today – speak to your sales representative for more details (B).

Today we cycle outside the main Angkor complex to the outlying temple of Banteay Srei, 22mi (35km) from Siem Reap town. Our route takes us past paddy fields and through pretty villages. Banteay Srei was built in the 10th century and contains some of the finest examples of Khmer sculpture. Although much smaller than the later temples, here all the buildings are covered in exquisite carvings. We also stop along the way at a village where we'll have to chance to meet the local people and learn from them about their way of life, including the art of Khmer noodle making. Here we can taste this popular Cambodian dish and sugar palm.

In the afternoon, as we cycle back to Siem Reap, we can stop at a few of the lesser visited Angkor temples. Siem Reap town is pleasant to wander around; the market has plenty of interesting and excellent shopping opportunities and there is a vibrant nightlife.

This afternoon there may also be time to visit the Tonle Sap Lake, which is a branch of the Mekong River. Time permitting, this optional trip includes a boat ride to see floating fishing villages. Anyone wanting to do this visit may need to miss part (or all) the ride back to Siem Reap, depending on timings. Cycle approximately 43. 5mi (70 km) if riding the full distance to and from Banteay Srei. Stay: Lynnaya Urban River Resort & Spa Upgrade to a junior-suite today – speak to your sales representative for more details (B/D).

Today we rest our legs and take a private transfer (approximately seven hours) to Phnom Penh, with a couple of stops along the way. We visit Sambor Prei Kuk, the most impressive group of pre-Angkorian monuments in Cambodia with some of the oldest structures in the country. We'll also pause for a traditional Khmer lunch at a community restaurant here. The road is currently undergoing some resurfacing, so some sections will be bumpy. We should arrive in Phnom Penh for late afternoon, the perfect time for a sundowner on the Mekong. Stay: Baitong Hotel & Resort (B/L).

The fortunes of Phnom Penh have shifted dramatically during its history and the terrible years of the Khmer Rouge and subsequent civil war through the 1970s and 1980s have scarred the country. During our stay, we visit two sites that give us a vivid impression of some of the horrors.

There is the Genocide Museum, which is the former Khmer Rouge prison known as S-21 or Tuol Sleng, in the city centre. And 9mi (15km) out of town is the Killing Fields, a mass grave and execution site for the former inmates of S-21. While visiting Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields may not appeal to everyone, we feel they give us an important understanding of what the country and its people had to endure just a few decades ago. Now, the city is on the rise again and is a fascinating place with fine examples of French colonial architecture. We will also tour the Royal Palace with its Silver Pagoda.

Afterwards, there is also excellent shopping at the Russian market if you wish. There may also be the option to enjoy a sunset cruise on the Mekong, your leader will advise locally. Stay: Baitong Hotel & Resort (B).

This morning, we transfer south of Phnom Penh to the town of Takeo. Here the road becomes quieter and we mount our bikes for the 31mi (50km) ride to the Phnom Den/Tinh Bien border. Once we bid farewell to Cambodia (and border formalities have been completed), we cycle approximately 19mi (30km) to the Vietnamese town of Chau Doc, situated along the banks of the Hau Giang River.

This evening, we dine overlooking the river and get our first taste of southern Mekong cuisine. Stay: Victoria Chau Doc Hotel (B/D).

This morning we depart our hotel and transfer to Chau Giang ferry for a short transfer before cycling along a lovely, quiet backroad, lined with small villages and dwellings, before lunch at a local restaurant. We then visit the ancient village of Long Dien B, home to female artists known for maintaining their ancestors' special technique of glass painting.

Here we have the chance to observe and learn about this traditional culture and art over a cup of tea. The rivers and canals of the Mekong Delta form an amazing network of waterways. The area is famous for its abundant rice production, but many are now moving to more profitable fish farming and fruit and vegetable growing.

Afterwards, we transfer to the Mekong Riverside Boutique Resort & Spa, where we stay overnight. The evening is tranquil as we have dinner at the resort and enjoy Delta hospitality. Stay: Mekong Riverside Boutique Resort & Spa (B/L/D).

Those who wish can rise early to enjoy the sunrise and kayak on the Mekong from the resort before breakfast (optional). We then leave by boat, stopping en route to see Cai Be floating market, a small-scale traditional trading spot. A little further on, we make a short stop to see cottage industries producing items such as popped rice, pancakes, wine and other homemade products.

We start our ride towards Cai Lay, where we take a scenic route through orchards and along the Mekong riverbank. Back on the bus in My Tho, we drive on to the heat, hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City, still usually known as Saigon. This is an exciting and absorbing city where scooters pack the streets and temples stand alongside modern developments. Stay: SILA Urban Living (or similar) (B/L).

The whole day is free for you to explore Ho Chi Minh City, do some shopping and relax. There are several interesting things to see: the Saigon River, Ben Thanh market, Reunification Palace and Notre Dame Cathedral are all within easy walking distance. Alternatively, a short cyclo (cycle taxi) ride will take you to the War Remnants Museum, which has an extensive photographic record of the Vietnam/American War. Please be aware that some images at the museum are very graphic.

For those interested, the leader can arrange an optional visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, which are two hours outside the city. Used by the Viet Cong during the war, the network covers three levels with approximately 150mi (240km) of tunnels. Originally these were very narrow, but some areas have been widened to allow tourists to explore the system. Claustrophobes may prefer to stay outside in the sunshine.

In the evening, we have a final farewell dinner together, feasting on delicious Vietnamese specialties. Stay: SILA Urban Living (or similar) (B/D).

The trip ends this morning after breakfast in Ho Chi Minh City. If you'd like to extend your stay and discover more of this vibrant city, please speak to your sales representative. (B).