Be astounded by natural wonders
Get a closer view of this world heritage
Cycle the backroads and get a glimpse of how Cambodians live
Get your dose of sights, sounds and smell that's not found anywhere else
Sample the local delicacies of each country
Cycle and chill in style
Go to where the real action is - with the local people
Soak in the splendor of historical monuments
See the simpler side of life
Get up close and personal with local life

Saigon to Bangkok by Bicycle

Duration
14 days
Site savings
$105
From
$3,395 USD

Send your tires sliding through three of Southeast Asia’s sensational countries – Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. Enjoy these diverse and magnificent lands from the unique vantage point of your bike as we ride along the Mekong Delta, take in the wondrous history of Angkor Wat, kick back on the beach, and, of course sample some of the finest food in the world.

  • Category
    Adventurous
  • Type
    Fully Guided
  • Duration
    14 days
  • Culture Level
    Adventurous
  • Skill Level
    3 - Intermediate
  • Activity Level
    3 - Active
  • Elevation
    2 - Moderate
  • Terrain
    Mixed
  • Distance
    377.2 miles
  • Avg. Daily Distance
    37.9 miles
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Quick Stats

  • Duration
    14 days
  • Main Destination
    Ho Chi Minh City
  • Distance
    377.2 miles
  • Avg. Daily Distance
    37.9 miles
  • Elevation
    2 - Moderate
  • Terrain
    Mixed

Route Map (click to view larger image)

Itinerary Details

  1. Day 1Touchdown time

    Step into the wonder that is Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City as it’s known to the locals. The capital of the mesmeric Vietnam is where you first set foot and it is quite the introduction to a whole new land.

    You're free to explore the city on your own today; discover the sites, smells and sounds of Vietnam's former capital. Round off the day with a welcome dinner at a beautiful Ho Chi Minh Restaurant.



    • Northern Hotel
    • Dinner
  2. Day 2Ho Chi Minh - Tra Vinh: River Riding Time on the Mekong Delta

    After breakfast, you'll journey a couple of hours from Ho Chi Minh City to Ben Tre, the entrance to the Mekong Delta. Begin your cycling tour through rural Vietnam, riding along narrow roads and lanes, passing banana plantations and sugarcane fields. Parts of the route will lead you off-road onto gravel and dirt lanes, winding through villages, over rivers, and through dense vegetation, offering an exceptional biking experience. Conclude the bike ride with a ferry crossing to Tra Vinh, a charming town adorned with trees and home to a significant population of ethnic Khmers.

    • 40.4 miles
    • -16.4 ft
      816.9 ft
      833.3 ft
    • Tra Vinh Provincial Guesthouse
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  3. Day 3Tra Vinh - Can Tho: Serene Passage to Can Tho

    The route today is peaceful, and the road is scenic all the way to the destination of Can Tho. There is plenty to see along the way from contrasting architectural styles of Khmer homes and temples to the rich and colourful river scenes as you cross many small bridges.

    • 57.2 miles
    • 6.6 ft
      1,118.8 ft
      1,112.2 ft
    • Ninh Kieu 2 Hotel
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  4. Day 4Can Tho - Chau Doc: From floating markets to looming mountains

    In the morning, you'll visit the Cai Rang Floating Market, immersing yourself in the bustling atmosphere before beginning your cycling journey through the Mekong Delta. Pedal through picturesque countryside, passing by useful Thot Not, or toddy palms, which are entirely utilized from stem to leaves and fruit.

    Upon reaching Thoi Lai, you'll transfer for lunch, followed by a relaxing one-hour drive to Ba Chuc. Here, you'll have a poignant visit to the Killing Fields of Vietnam, where over 3,000 Vietnamese were massacred by Pol Pot's regime in 1978.

    Afterwards, you'll loop around Ba Chuc along the Cambodian border, riding along stunning country roads to Chau Doc. Your cycling route leads you directly to Sam Mountain, which, despite its name, is more of a hill. Arriving in time for sundowners, you'll witness the sun setting over the rice fields. A short transfer will then take you to your hotel.

    • 43.5 miles
    • -6.6 ft
      1,197.5 ft
      1,204.1 ft
    • Chau Po Hotel
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  5. Day 5Chau Doc – Phnom Penh: Cambodia is calling!

    Early in the morning, you'll embark on a speedboat cruise up the majestic Mekong River. Shortly after leaving Chau Doc, you'll reach the Cambodian border and complete immigration procedures. The journey upstream is comfortable and scenic, allowing you to witness the daily life along the Mekong River and its banks.

    The cruise lasts approximately 5-6 hours, and you'll arrive in Phnom Penh, the bustling capital of Cambodia, in time for lunch. In the afternoon, you'll have the opportunity to explore the city. Pay your respects at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, formerly an interrogation center where enemies of the Khmer Rouge regime were imprisoned, tortured, and executed. Today, Tuol Sleng is a thoughtfully curated museum and a place for both Cambodians and international visitors to reflect.

    You'll also visit the Royal Palace, the official residence of the King of Cambodia, which boasts splendid architecture and art, offering a glimpse into Cambodia's rich history.

    • Frangipani Royal Palace Hotel
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  6. Day 6Phnom Penh – Oudong – Kampong Thom

    Leave Phnom Penh behind as you transfer to the cycling start point in the suburbs. The first ride in Cambodia will be short yet delightful, offering you a glimpse of the rustic Cambodian countryside. Pedal through numerous villages adorned with stilt-houses, farms, and, of course, the warm and welcoming locals!

    Conclude the ride at Oudong, where a vast complex of Buddhist stupas crowns a ridge protruding from the plains. This area was once Cambodia's capital before it was relocated downstream to Phnom Penh. Climbing the 400-plus steps to the top will give your legs a workout, but the panoramic views make it all worthwhile! After the visit, enjoy lunch nearby before a 3-4 hour transfer to Kampong Thom, a tranquil town where you'll spend the night.

    • 16.8 miles
    • 62.3 ft
      629.9 ft
      567.6 ft
    • Sambor Village
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  7. Day 7Kampong Thom - Siem Reap

    Starting directly from your hotel, your journey begins with a ride along the winding Stueng Saen River. After 8 km, you'll cross the river, either by a small wooden ferry or a makeshift bridge depending on water levels. From there, continue north along serene country roads that cut through the fertile floodplain of the river.

    This route showcases rural Cambodia at its most picturesque, with charming villages, expansive rice fields, and other agricultural landscapes. After covering 40 km, you'll reach the ancient site of Sambor Prei Kuk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that predates the Angkor period and reflects one of Cambodia's earliest civilizations. Here, brick temples in various stages of restoration, many intertwined with tree roots, are scattered throughout a forested area, connected by sandy paths—an ideal terrain for enjoyable mountain biking.

    After exploring the temples, take a break for lunch at a local restaurant before completing a final 15 km to intersect with the main road. From there, hop into the support vehicle for a 2-hour transfer to Siem Reap, known as the "gateway to Angkor," where you'll spend the next two nights.

    • 398.3 miles
    • -3.3 ft
      1,118.8 ft
      1,122 ft
    • Steung Siem Reap
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  8. Day 8Ancient Angkor’s Iconic Sites by Bike

    The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor was once the heart of the Khmer Empire, where powerful god-kings constructed magnificent stone temples between the 9th and 15th centuries CE. Today, you'll explore Angkor's most renowned sites by cycling along the intricate paths that wind around the temples and ruins scattered across the plain.

    At Ta Prohm, made famous by the film "Tomb Raider," you'll encounter a captivating sight: a crumbling façade of laterite and sandstone blocks enveloped by the massive roots of fig trees.

    Next, at the Bayon, a temple designed as a representation of the heavens, you'll be awestruck by the rows of divine faces carved into the temple towers, gazing serenely in all directions.

    Finally, at Angkor Wat, Cambodia's national symbol and the world's largest religious structure, you'll wander through the inner and outer courtyards adorned with remarkably preserved carvings and bas-reliefs depicting Hindu myths, battles, and scenes of life and death.

    In the afternoon, return to Siem Reap. With plenty of dining options available, dinner is at your leisure tonight.

    • 29.2 miles
    • 6.6 ft
      472.4 ft
      465.9 ft
    • Steung Siem Reap
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  9. Day 9Siem Reap Countryside

    Building on the previous day's exploration, today's focus is on venturing further from the main Angkor sites, leaving the crowds behind. Starting from Siem Reap, you'll head north by bike, initially on paved roads before transitioning to tranquil dirt roads that meander through rice fields and small villages. Along the route, you'll have the opportunity to visit local homes and observe rural cottage industries like basket weaving and sugar palm production up close. The ride culminates at the 10th-century Banteay Srey temple.

    Regarded as a masterpiece of Khmer art, Banteay Srey is celebrated for its intricate bas-reliefs carved into delicate pink sandstone. After exploring the temple, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant nearby. Following lunch, you'll transfer back to Siem Reap, where you'll have the afternoon free to unwind by the pool, indulge in a relaxing massage, or explore the town. For those feeling particularly energetic, there's an option to skip the transfer and cycle back to Siem Reap instead, a distance of approximately 40 km along the main road.

    • 33.6 miles
    • 105 ft
      561 ft
      456 ft
    • Steung Siem Reap
    • Breakfast and Lunch
  10. Day 10Siem Reap – Battambang

    Today, you'll take a break from cycling, but the day will still be full of exciting activities! Begin the morning with a visit to Tonle Sap, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia and one of Cambodia's most important natural resources. Board a boat and cruise to a floating village to learn about the unique water-based way of life. Afterward, return to shore and hop back into the support vehicle for a 2.5 to 3-hour transfer to Battambang.

    Although it is Cambodia's second-largest city, Battambang maintains a relaxed atmosphere and is renowned for its well-preserved French colonial architecture. After lunch and some leisure time, immerse yourself in two quintessential Battambang experiences. First, enjoy a thrilling ride on the bamboo train, which travels along the train tracks on bamboo platforms mounted on wheels. As dusk approaches, head to Phnom Sampov, where you'll witness a spectacular natural phenomenon: the mesmerizing exodus of millions of bats swirling into the twilight sky from a cave. Today, you'll travel around in iconic Cambodian tuk-tuks! Note: If water levels on the lake are high enough, we may transfer all the way to Battambang by boat (generally from October to January).

    • Classy Hotel & Spa
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  11. Day 11 Battambang - Pailin

    Embark on the longest ride of the tour, cycling west to the border town of Pailin. Starting from your hotel, you'll initially traverse a bustling section of roads as you leave the city behind. However, the scenery soon transitions to tranquility as the route leads you through the heart of Battambang Province, one of Cambodia's most fertile agricultural regions teeming with farms, plantations, and rice paddies. The paved roads are flanked by traditional stilt houses, modern residences, and lively market towns, offering a fascinating glimpse into rural life in Cambodia. While most of the ride is flat, the last 30 km will feature some undulations as you ascend into the foothills of the Cardamom Mountains, a sprawling range of jungle-clad ridges that extend over the western reaches of Cambodia.

    After completing nearly 100 km, you'll arrive at the hotel on the rural outskirts of Pailin town. Although this area is now a peaceful agricultural region, it was a stronghold for the Khmer Rouge until the 1990s. You'll learn about this historical legacy as well as Pailin's role as a center for gemstone trading.

    • 60.9 miles
    • 659.4 ft
      1,817.6 ft
      1,158.1 ft
    • Memoria Palace Resort
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  12. Day 12Pailin - Chantaburi: Time to say ‘Hi, Thailand’

    Enjoy a short and pleasant ride along peaceful, scenic roads to the border crossing. This rural crossing, primarily used by local traders, offers a delightful stop as you complete all necessary immigration formalities.

    Upon completion, begin the bike tour in Thailand by cycling through the picturesque Thai countryside until you reach the main road. There, you'll transfer to the beach, with a change of guides, vehicle, and bikes, stopping for lunch in Chantaburi along the way.

    • 27.3 miles
    • 36.1 ft
      1,233.6 ft
      1,197.5 ft
    • Chanchalao Beach Resort
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  13. Day 13Chantaburi - Laem Mae Phim

    You'll have a flat and easy ride, passing through mangroves, shrimp farms and along the coast. Tonight, you'll stay at a very local Thai beach, with the afternoon free to swim or take a walk on the sand.

    • 40.4 miles
    • 19.7 ft
      823.5 ft
      803.8 ft
    • Grande Blue Resort
    • Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
  14. Day 14Laem Mae Phim – Bangkok: Back to Bangkok and goodbyes

    You have the morning to enjoy the beach before heading back to Bangkok. The arrival in the city is expected around 3 pm. If you'd like to extend your time in Thailand, we can help you plan extra days at the beach or a nearby island.

    • Breakfast