Southeast Asia Cycling Adventure

This journey begins in Bangkok, Thailand’s enthralling capital. Around 6pm we meet our tour leader and fellow travellers to hear about the days ahead and get to know one another. Our leader then hosts a Thai welcome with dinner at a local restaurant. If you’d like extra time in Bangkok, you can arrange pre–tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

It’s an early start as we leave Bangkok for the ancient city of Ayutthaya, a two hours transfer into the heart of this fascinating site. We begin cycling beside the enormous reclining Buddha, then pedal among shrine towers and vast temple complexes – poignant reminders of the former capital largely destroyed in the 18th century.

Today we follow quiet roads through rural Thailand, passing rubber and eucalyptus plantations and fields of tapioca and rice. We stop for lunch at a local restaurant en route. The riding is mostly flat with a few gentle rollers. We finish cycling where the road becomes busier, then drive the short final stretch to Kabin Buri by bus. In the evening we join our leader and group for traditional Thai dishes.

We depart early and transfer about one hour to Thung Yao Temple in Prachantakham to begin our final day of cycling in Thailand. We ride through small villages, farms and lush paddy fields towards Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam, one of the largest in the country. En route we enjoy a leisurely lunch and the chance for a refreshing dip in the natural streams at Wang Takhrai Park. Recharged, we pack up the bikes and transfer about 2hr 20min to the U Sathorn Bangkok for our last night in Thailand.

After an early breakfast we transfer to Don Mueang International Airport for a 1hr 5min flight to Siem Reap (SAI). Arriving mid morning, we meet our second leader and transfer to the Lynnaya Urban River Resort & Spa, our base for the next three nights – an intimate setting ideal for exploring Angkor. This afternoon we ride a shorter loop along the Siem Reap River through local villages, then continue beside the Angkor Wat moat, where we may be treated to sunset reflections on the water. If you’d like more space, you can upgrade to a junior suite or bungalow suite with outdoor bathtub – speak to your sales representative.

We start early to avoid the crowds drawn to Angkor’s wonders. The temples are spread across a wide area and linked by shady avenues – cycling between them gives us a unique perspective. Our route typically takes in Ta Prohm, where giant fromagier roots clutch the stones; Angkor Thom, with the Bayon temple of 37 towers crowned by serene faces; and, of course, magnificent Angkor Wat with its vast moat, long causeway and soaring towers. If you’d like, you can upgrade to a junior suite or bungalow suite with outdoor bathtub – speak to your sales representative.

Today we pedal beyond the main Angkor park to Banteay Srei, 22mi (35km) from Siem Reap. The ride passes paddy fields and pretty villages. Built in the 10th century, Banteay Srei is famed for exquisite Khmer carvings – every surface is richly decorated despite the temple’s modest scale. Along the way we stop in a village to meet local people and learn about Khmer noodle making, with a chance to taste this popular dish and sugar palm. In the afternoon we cycle back towards Siem Reap, pausing at some lesser visited Angkor temples. Siem Reap itself is a pleasant town to wander, with a lively market and nightlife if you wish. This afternoon you may also visit Tonle Sap Lake, a branch of the Mekong River, for an optional boat trip to floating fishing villages – timings mean you may need to skip part or all of the ride back. Cycle approximately 43.5mi (70km) if you ride the full distance to and from Banteay Srei. If you prefer more space, you can upgrade to a junior suite or bungalow suite with outdoor bathtub – speak to your sales representative.

Today we rest our legs and travel by private vehicle to Phnom Penh, a journey of approximately seven hours with a couple of stops. We visit Sambor Prei Kuk, the most impressive group of pre Angkorian monuments in Cambodia and among the oldest structures in the country, and pause here for a traditional Khmer lunch at a community restaurant. Some sections of the road are being resurfaced, so expect a few bumpy stretches. We aim to arrive in Phnom Penh late afternoon – perfect for a drink on the Mekong.

Phnom Penh’s fortunes have shifted dramatically, and the scars of the 1970s–80s Khmer Rouge era remain. During our stay we visit two sites that powerfully illuminate this past: the Genocide Museum, formerly the Khmer Rouge prison S‑21 or Tuol Sleng, and the Killing Fields, 9mi (15km) outside the city, a mass grave and execution site for S‑21 inmates. While these visits may not appeal to everyone, they provide important context for understanding Cambodia’s recent history. The city is now on the rise again, with fine examples of French colonial architecture, and we also tour the Royal Palace with its Silver Pagoda. Afterwards, you can browse the Russian market for gifts, and there may be the option of a sunset cruise on the Mekong – your leader will advise locally.

This morning we transfer south of Phnom Penh to Takeo, where the road quietens and we mount our bikes for a 31mi (50km) ride to the Phnom Den/Tinh Bien border. After Cambodian exit and Vietnamese entry formalities, we cycle approximately 19mi (30km) to Chau Doc on the Hau Giang River. This evening we dine overlooking the water and enjoy our first taste of southern Mekong cuisine.

We leave the hotel and transfer to the Chau Giang ferry for a short crossing before cycling along a quiet back road lined with villages and simple dwellings, then stop for lunch at a local restaurant. We continue to the ancient village of Long Dien B, home to female artists preserving a distinctive glass painting technique, where we observe and learn about this craft over tea. The Mekong Delta’s rivers and canals form an intricate network – long known for abundant rice, with many communities now turning to fish farming and fruit and vegetables. Later we transfer to the Mekong Riverside Boutique Resort & Spa for an overnight stay. The evening is tranquil as we dine at the resort and enjoy warm Delta hospitality.

Those who wish can rise early to watch sunrise and kayak on the Mekong from the resort before breakfast. We then travel by boat, pausing to see the small Cai Be floating market and stopping again to visit cottage industries producing popped rice, pancakes, wine and other homemade goods. We start riding towards Cai Lay on a scenic route through orchards and along the riverbank. Back on the bus in My Tho, we continue to the heat and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City, still commonly known as Saigon – an absorbing metropolis where scooters swarm the streets and temples stand beside modern towers.

Today is free for you to explore Ho Chi Minh City, shop and relax. Within easy walking distance are the Saigon River, Ben Thanh market, the Reunification Palace and Notre Dame Cathedral; alternatively, a short cyclo ride takes you to the War Remnants Museum, which holds a powerful photographic record of the Vietnam/American War – please note that some images are very graphic. If you are interested, your leader can arrange an optional visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, about two hours from the city. Used by the Viet Cong during the war, the network extends over three levels and approximately 150mi (240km) of tunnels, with some sections widened for visitors. In the evening we come together for a farewell dinner featuring delicious Vietnamese specialities.

Our journey ends this morning after breakfast in Ho Chi Minh City. If you would like to extend your stay and discover more of this vibrant city, please speak to your sales representative.