Day 1 Saigon The morning is free for you to explore the city. Post-lunch, 12:30 pm, our guide meets you at your hotel for a walking tour to explore some of the most popular sites (Ben Thanh Market, Saigon Opera House, Continental Hotel, The Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral and Post Office, The War Remnants Museum). This walking tour gives an excellent introduction to the city's history and will provide you with plenty of opportunities to soak up the unique mix of chaos and tranquility that is modern-day Saigon. We convene tonight to celebrate the start of our awesome journey on a bike.
Day 2 Tra Vinh A short shuttle transfer brings us to Long An province, outskirts of Saigon. Ride along small creek to Mekong estuary past gorgeous paddy fields and lotus farms. Arrive at Con Phung Island and break for lunch here at a local restaurant. Later trade bike with small boat and cruise through small canals surrounded with lush water-coconut trees. You may also see how local people use water-coconut leaves to make thatch roofs.
Day 3 Can Tho Another classic day on a bike as we ride through the interior trails of Mekong Delta to Vinh Long and then take a shuttle or ride further to Can Tho. Apart from rice fields, the region is dotted with many plantations of banana, coconut, and citrus trees. Set on the southern bank of the Hau River, Can Tho is known for its network of canals and nearby floating markets.
Day 4 Chau Doc Experience early morning Cai Rang floating market on a boat ride and later ride to the culturally diverse Chau Doc as you get to see mosques, temples and churches here. If we make it on time, take a boat trip to the Cham communities across the river.
Day 5 Ha Tien Another stretch of riverside villages and exquisite countryside awaits us today. Here, we begin cycling towards Tra Su, a national reserve forest and a bird sanctuary. The road is quite hilly, but the path is unique. At national forest, experience a classic boat ride through the forest including rowed sampan boats and hiking amidst Cajeput trees. The wetlands here attract a tremendous variety of birds including storks, egrets, cormorants, peafowl and water cocks. Witness dramatic limestone formations along the way and later ride to the quaint riverside town of Ha Tien.
Day 6 Kep Our Cambodian representative welcomes you at the border. Today, it's a short coastal ride to Kep through salt flats and coastal villages. We ride slowly, taking pictures along the way and taking in the stunning vistas. Kep's seaside front is the perfect place for weary legs to feel rejuvenated. Earthy colors and breezy wind make for the perfect ambience to unwind.
Day 7 Ta Keo The topography that will be forever etched in your mind is that of a sprawling countryside of fields, palm trees and lotus farms. Ta Keo is a small town situated amidst beautiful lakes.
Day 8 Phnom Penh Get ready for a ride towards Phnom Penh past some amazing lake scenery surrounded with paddy fields and lotus farms. We stop by along the way at Phnom Chiso Temple, situated on the top of a hill with 400 steps to climb up. Later ride to Killing Fields. An essential on the itinerary due to the historic hook and for understanding the country better, we walk through the killing fields. Experience the painful story of the country that led to the death of 2 million Cambodian people between 1974-1979. We take a shuttle and arrive at the capital city of Cambodia via boat, Phnom Penh, at the edge of the Mekong River. Historical splendours are spread in every corner whether it's the local palace or the horrific remnants of the Khmer atrocities. In the evening, taste some local khmer cuisine at one of Phnom Penh's finest dining place Romdeng. End day with a walk or tuk-tuk ride back to the hotel.
Day 9 Phnom Penh Today get ready to be immersed in the Cambodian culture and history of the city as we kick off our walking tour from Independence Monument. Enjoy walking along the Tonle Sap river, considered as lifeline of the region. Continue towards National Museum, houses several national treasures from three different eras: Pre-Angkorian, Angkorian and Post-Angkorian, giving the flavor of diverse culture and architecture. The last leg of our walk takes us to gilded Royal Palace, shimmering with silver tiles and sculptures of Buddha, that gives an insight about Cambodian Royal Life. After the museum, hike up the steps of a small hill to see Wat Phnom Temple, the birthplace of Phnom Penh. Get ready to taste some local Khmer cuisine at one of Phnom Penh's finest dining place 'Romdeng'. End day with a walk or tuk-tuk ride back to the hotel. Enjoy some leisure evening time walking around the beautiful river-front. We insist that you step outside for dinner after a short break, to enjoy the local nightlife and enjoy the street food. Traditional dishes like amok (coconut fish curry served in a banana leaf), bobor (rice porridge) and lok lak (stir-fried beef) are easy to find by the streets.
Day 10 Kampong Cham After a short transfer to the outskirts of Phnom Penh, ride along the Mekong river for a good part, and through tropical plantation landscape consisting of rubber, cashew, and cotton. Today's ride takes us through remote bucolic villages, and past beautiful wats and riverside towns. Kampong Cham is a less visited place yet have a charm of the beautiful riverside town.
Day 11 Kampong Thom A short ride along Mekong river brings us to Wat Hanchey, an 8th-century hilltop pagoda offering best views of Mekong in Cambodia. Continue riding along tropical farmlands dotted with cashew and rubber plantations and bucolic villages. Later take a transfer and arrive at Kompong Thom.
Day 12 Siem Reap In the morning, ride around Kampong Thom's Sambor Prei Kuk temple complex, which predates Angkor Wat by at least 200 years. Later, ride through the bucolic countryside with spectacular views of paddy fields and lotus farms all around.
Day 13 Siem Reap The Angkor temple complex is synonymous to Cambodia, so a ride around the temple is essential. We start riding directly from the hotel and reach the moat of Angkor Wat. Exquisite sculptures, tall towers and maze-like trails flanked by large banyan roots, you might want to spend ample time photographing as you would have seen nothing like this before. We will loop back to Angkor Wat for a detailed tour at the end of our ride. Continue riding towards Angkor Thom and enter the city from South gate. Beat the crowd and climb the surrounding wall of the city and ride on top of it. Take a break here for a rich fascinating account of the city from our guide. A further ride through East gate takes us to Bayon, a richly decorated face temple within the Angkor complex is one of the highlights here. Exit from second East gate of city and ride towards jungle clad TA Prohm. Our guide shares historical anecdotes and walks you through temples along the way. The Angkor Wat requires more than a morning, so we loop back for a more detailed guided tour. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered one of the largest religious complexes in the world and its bound to enthrall you. If time permits, climb Phnom Bakheng for a classic view of Angkor during sunset. In the evening, explore some of the local food in the cafes that flank the narrow roads.
Day 14 Siem Reap Please make plans as per your onward journey.
Vietnam.14 days $2,995.00
