12 days Cycling Tour Vietnam – Cambodia from Hoi An to Angkor Wat

This Cycle Holiday Vietnam – Cambodia package takes you by bike from the World Heritage Site of Hoi An, on the Vietnam coastal line, to the World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia, the largest Hindu temple site in the world.

You will cycle through Hoi An – My Son – Quang Nai – My Lai – Kon Tum – Pleiku – Cambodian Border – Banlung – Stung Treng – Kratie – Kompong Cham – Kompong Thom – Siem Reap – Angkor Wat temple.

Day 1: Hoi An (D)

• We meet in the ancient town of Hoi An, which was one of Southeast Asia’s major trading ports during the 17th and 18th centuries.
• This merchant town was an important port of call for Chinese, Japanese and Portuguese traders.
• It is a fantastic place to spend the day wandering the narrow streets. We meet for a welcome dinner and trip briefing.
• Overnight in Vinh Hung 2 Hotel in Hoi An.

Day 2: Hoi An – My Son – Hoi An (45 km ride – B,L)

• We have an easy start to our riding with a visit to another World Heritage Site.
• We cycle along scenic backcountry roads, past rice paddy fields, through a eucalyptus forest, and many scenic villages.
• This 14 km road cuts through the lush jungle alongside the Song Tranh River and eventually leads us to My Son, which was once Champa’s greatest city.
• We have a pic nic lunch and then spend the afternoon visiting the site.
• Dinner is on your own.
• Overnight in Vinh Hung 2 Hotel in Hoi An.

Day 3: Hoi An – Quang Ngai – My Lai (46 km ride – B,L,D)

• This morning we transfer from Hoi An and begin our ride from a small village. The road is shaded by arching palm trees and surrounded by tended rice paddies.
• By lunch we arrive at My Lai, the site of one of the worst massacres of the American/Vietnam War.
• The cycling continues out into the Vietnamese countryside where we stop to visit a traditional pagoda before heading to our hotel in town.
• Overnight in Central Hotel in Quang Ngai.

Day 4: Quang Ngai – Kon Tum (90 km ride – B,L,D)

• Today is a more challenging day as we leave the coast and head into the central highlands towards Quang Nam and on to Kon Tum.
• We will transfer about 2 hours to the town of Bato in the highlands and cycle 15 km uphill to the top of Vilolak Pass (1000m above sea level).
• This is followed by a fantastic 20 km descent to the bottom of the pass.
• Overnight in Family Hotel in Kon Tum.

 Day 5: Kon Tum – Pleiku (60 km ride – B,L,D)

• After breakfast, we ride out into the countryside to visit some local villages of the Jarai and Bhanar ethnic minorities.
• The area is well known for their communal houses with very steep and tall roofs.
• After a local lunch we then pedal to the town of Pleiku, which has some of the best coffee in Vietnam.
• This is an easier day and you will notice the change in scenery as you cycle through a wide valley surrounded by mountains punctuated by tea and coffee plantations along the route.
• Overnight in Tre Xanh Plaza Hotel in Pleiku.

Day 6: Pleiku – Cambodia border – Banlung (70 km ride – B,L,D)

• Two hours transfer by car after breakfast takes you to the border with Cambodia. At this point it is time to say goodbye to the Vietnamese team.
• After the immigration formalities at the Le Thanh border check point, you will be met by your Cambodian cycling crew. We start our ride from the border to the Banlung town of Ratanakiri. Banlung is one of the most far-flung of the Khmer provincial capitals.
• You continue your riding along a recently paved, winding road as we climb into the highlands that are home to the former Ho Chi Minh Trail.
• We spend the night in the surroundings of Terres Rouge a traditional style Khmer house oozing with old world charm in this remote part of Cambodia.
• Overnight at Terres Rouges Lodge in Banlung.

Day 7: Banlung – Stung Treng (B,L,D)

• After breakfast you will be transferred 3 hours to the border of Laos PDR and then meet the Mekong River at a point just below a series of falls and rapids.
• We take to our kayaks and gently drift down the Mekong River, through a flooded forest that is home to a wide range of bird-life.
• We enjoy a picnic lunch, and then meet our van again for the drive down to Stung Treng Province.
• Tonight you experience a special dinner at Le Tonle Tourism Training Centre where young poor locals are being trained in hospitality and tourism skills to ensure a better future.
• Having dinner here means you will get real Khmer food with personalized service from the students.
• Overnight at Gold River Hotel Stung Treng.

Day 8: Stung Treng – Kratie (85 km ride max – B,L,D)

• We have a long day of riding today as we head to Kratie Province, a small provincial capital located on the bank of Mekong River.
• You stop at Kampi to take a one hour boat ride to see the Irrawaddy dolphins.
• You then cycle to Kratie Town and board a ferry to Koh Trong where you will spend a night with a Home stay Family.
• Enjoy tasty Cambodian food with your hosted family.
• Overnight at a Home stay in Kratie.

Day 9: Kratie – Kompong Cham (85km ride max – B,L)

• Transfer south through the town of Chhlong and take a ferry to the western bank of the Mekong to start riding from Phnom Han Chhey on quiet roads along the river, through small rural villages and scenic countryside.
• We stop for a drink and snack at the tiny town of Chhlong. The many French colonial houses in this town are amongst the most beautiful in Cambodia.
• We cycle up to Wat Han Chhey, a small hilltop pagoda that houses an 8th century pre-Angkorian temple and offers spectacular views over the Mekong.
• Here we can enjoy a well deserved picnic lunch complimented by sweeping views of the Mekong.
• From here we will cycle the last 22 km to Kampong Cham, where you can relax at the hotel’s swimming pool.
• Overnight in 7 Makara Hotel in Kompong Cham.

Day 10 – Kompong Cham – Kompong Thom (80 km ride max – B,L)

• We leave Kampong Cham over dirt and tarmac roads along the Mekong and eventually head for a quiet secondary highway towards Kampong Thom.
• You will be flanked by rubber plantations, paddy fields and typical Khmer Villages on today’s ride.
• Kampong Thom is a picturesque town on the banks of the Stung Sen River, which hosts the magnificent Khmer temple site Sambo Prei Kuk.
• Overnight in Sambor Village Hotel in Kompong Thom.

Day 11: Kompong Thom – Siem Reap (95km ride max – B,L)

• After breakfast you drive about one hour to the town of Kompong Kdei where you will start cycling.
• You pedal pass quiet villages, rice paddies and palm trees in the area.
• You stop at Makak Dam for a rest.
• After another 20 km you will arrive at Kvao Village where we are treated to a ride down a 700 year old ancient road to Beng Mealea.
• After a quick look into this temple ruin you do a final push to Dam Dek then transfer to Siem Reap for the night.
• Overnight in Royal Crown Hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 12: Cycle Angkor Wat Temples (40 km ride – B,L,D)

• This morning you will meet your specialist temple guide once you are ready and begin your cycle exploration of these incredible temples.
• Today you will focus on the Small Circuit which features temple greats such as; the pyramid of Takeo; the jungle-clad Ta Prohm made famous by the Hollywood blockbuster ‘Tomb Raider’; Sras Srang known as the King’s bathing pond; and the impressive Royal City of Angkor Thom, where you will find Bayon, a temple famed for its many gigantic carved faces smiling beguilingly down at you.
• After lunch it is time to take on the majestic Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious building. After returning to the hotel you are free until we pick you up for a farewell celebratory dinner.
• Overnight in Royal Crown Hotel in Siem Reap.