Our Itinerary
Day 1 – Upon arrival in Saigon, enjoy some free time to explore Vietnam’s most cosmopolitan city before a welcome dinner with the group.
Day 2 – Today we visit the Reunification Palace, considered by the Vietnamese to be the most important building in Ho Chi Minh City, the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Post Office, built between 1877 and 1883. Then you’ll visit the History Museum and one of the most beautiful pagodas in the city – Thien Hau Pagoda. Dinner will feature ingredients from the Southern region in Vietnam.
Day 3- Today we drive through the streets of Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho (2 hours). The cycling tour begins with a 40 km ride along paved, sand, and dirt roads. In the tranquil village of Cai Be, we’ll enjoy a delicious lunch in a French colonial-style villa, then enjoy a 2-hour trip by traditional boat from Cai Be to Vinh Long. From Vinh Long, we’ll be driven to your hotel in Can Tho.
Day 4 – We start the morning with a boat trip to the Cai Rang floating market. After touring the market, we are driven to Tri Ton to begin cycling. The 50 km ride along the Vinh Te canal through the peaceful countryside to Ha Tien is very scenic.
Day 5 – Today a car will take us across the border and into Cambodia where we will receive different bicycles and meet our new local tour guide as we change countries. We’ll ride north to Kompong Trach and then on to Kep and will see many differences in architecture and in customs between Cambodia and Vietnam. In Kep, we have ample time to explore this quiet French colonial town and to experience the many flavours of Cambodian cuisine.
Day 6 – The day begins with a relaxing ride along the coast, through the lush scenery of Bokor Mountain, rice paddies and small fishing villages. We then explore the secluded beaches, mangrove forests, tropical jungles and fishing villages of Ream National Park. After a boat trip through the mangroves to discover the incredible natural heritage of this protected area we reach Sihanoukville in the late afternoon.
Day 7 – We depart in the early morning for the capital, Phnom Penh. After lunch at a local restaurant, we travel on through the open countryside and rice paddies. The evening is free to explore the city’s palaces, parks, and temples.
Day 8- Our local guide will show us all the highlights of this bustling, vibrant city, including the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, the National Museum and the Wat Phnom. In the afternoon, we can visit the sobering and poignant Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. We also enjoy the colourful stalls of Central Market.
Day 9 – This morning we’ll cycle to Udong to visit the temples and three large stupas in which the ashes of three former kings are preserved. You’ll also see the impressive “Vihara of the 18-Cubit Buddha”, one of the most impressive Buddhas in Cambodia. The former capital of the Khmer Empire, Udong was founded by King Soryopor in 1601. Built on a hill 40 km north of Phnom Penh, there are spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and the vast sugar palm plantations. We ride further along the National Road to Kompong Chhnang, which is famous for its clay pottery and from there are driven to the ancient colonial city of Battambang.
Day 10 – Battambang is famous for its French colonial architecture, fertile soil, and the quality of the rubies and garnets mined in this province. Today we cycle to Vat Banan, an 11th century temple built by King Jarvarman VII. The temple is perched at the top of a 400m hill, with a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside. In the afternoon, we make the 4-hour trip to Siem Reap by private car.
Day 11 – In the morning we cycle to the famous Angkor Wat – the best preserved of all the Angkor temples. We explore this huge architectural wonder at our leisure before riding on through the ancient city of Angkor Thom, taking small, tree-lined paths through the countryside to the Roulos Temple complex before returning to Siem Reap.
Day 12 – After breakfast, we’ll cycle to the exquisite Banteay Srey, “Citadel of the Woman”, home to some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art. There is time to walk around this beautiful spot before lunch. Our journey continues to the foot of the Phnom Kulen Mountain, then east to the true jungle temple of Beng Mealea. After exploring this impressive monument, the group will return to Siem Reap.
Day 13 – This day is free for us to explore Siem Reap, its restaurants, activities, and temples, or just to relax.
Day 14 – We spend the morning at leisure before being transferred to the airport for our onward flight.
Inclusions:
□Strength and Conditioning Program prepared by our Aurora Exercise Physiologists specifically for this adventure – 8 weeks and 2 fully supervised sessions for Brisbane trekkers or our 12 week Remote Preparation Program for our interstate trekkers
□Personal travel insurance.
□Restaurant meals in country.
□Internal travel in country.
□All transfers and transport in country.
□Accommodation on the journey
□All food during the trek.
□Most personal camping and cooking equipment.
□Local cycle guides and our Aurora Australian guide and wilderness remote area medic.
□Trek gear including trekking shirt, and cap.
□Cycles for the adventure
