Trip valid: Until 31 Oct 2013

Duration: 11 Days

Main Activity: Bicycling

Trip Type: Bicycle and culture

Suitability: All level

Location: Southern Vietnam and Cambodia

Best time to travel: October to April

Supported: Minivan/Truck

Product code: IDT-VNCSA10

Guarantee to depart: From 2 pax

TRIP INCLUSIVE:

Experienced English speaking biking guide ( different guides in Vietnam and Cambodia)

Private transportation by air-conditioned vehicle.

Private boat trips where mentioned.

Bicycle rental and helmet for cycling days. (TREK 4300/4500 Mountain bike)

Meals as mentioned in the itinerary.

Healthy snacks, fresh local fruits and soft drink for biking days.

Bottled drinking water for sightseeing.

All sightseeing entrance fee as stated in the itinerary.

Accommodation in twin shared room in hotel with daily breakfast.

Simple First Aid Kit.

International flight reconfirmation.

TRIP EXCLUSIVE:

International flight to/from Vietnam

Vietnam visa

Travel Insurance. We highly recommend purchasing travel before departure.

Personal expenditure (telephone, laundry, shopping and so on…)

Tips for guide, driver, porters. We recommend 3 USD/person/day for guide, 2 USD/person/day for driver and 2

USD/person/hotel when you check in/out.

Beverage and alcoholic drinks.

Any other services not clearly mentioned on itinerary and trip inclusive portion.

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City.

Arrive at Tan Son Nhat airport. Meet with our guide and transfer to hotel. Depending on the time of your flight, we can take in an afternoon tour of Saigon.

In the afternoon take a tour of the city centre. Your guide will be happy to personalise your programme, however we would recommend sites such as the Reunification Palace where the South finally fell to North Vietnamese troops in 1975; Notre Dame Cathedral; the Old Saigon Post Office; Thien Hau Pagoda in the city’s bustling Chinatown and the War Crimes Museum, highlighting the suffering of the Vietnamese people during recent conflicts – you won’t be too surprised to find it’s not exactly a politically balanced exhibition. The remainder your day is at leisure. It’s a great city to explore at night, lots of bars and great restaurants...you’ll be spoilt for choice!

Overnight in Saigon

Meal: None

Accommodation: 3*Golden Rose hotel- deluxe

www.goldenrosehotel.com.vn

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City- Cu Chi Tunnel Cai Be by bicycle.

Following breakfast, we transfer out of Saigon to avoid the heavy traffic. Visit Cu Chi tunnel, home to 5,000 VC troops during the Vietnam/U.S. War. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and a feeling of what underground life in the American/Vietnam war must have been like. We can squeeze underground for an insight into life as a tunnel dwelling resistance fighter as we negotiate a very short stretch of the system, remember that people lived here for months on end. We discover the various mantraps and the remains of an American tank as well as numerous bomb craters made by 500 pound bombs dropped by B52 bombers.

After the visit, we start our cycle ride on a great tarmac road to Trang Bang, from there we go cross country by bike or bus towards Hau Nghia and Duc Hoa. On arrival in the small town of Cai Be we take an interesting boat trip across the mighty Mekong River to reach a village on a small island in the middle of the river, where we spend the night in a local home. The home stay will be an unforgettable experience and can give you a unique insight into the culture of the locals. Dinner and overnight at Bay Thoi home- stay

Cycled distance: 35-40km

Difficulty: Moderate

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch &Dinner

Accommodation: Bay Thoi Home Stay

Day 3:  Bike Cai Be- Vinh Long- Can Tho.

Early morning boat trip to explore the bustling Cai Be floating market. From the boat we can watch local people trading fruit and vegetables on the river. Stop at a local rice paper factory, candy workshop and orchards. Disembark at Vinh Long, and cycle on the tarmac road to Long Ho, we then branch off and cycle through quieter countryside roads alongside rice paddies, coconut trees and orchards. Stop along the way for a short break and interact with hospitable locals. Lunch is served in a local restaurant. Our ride ends at Binh Minh where be board the support vehicle and transfer to Can Tho. Dinner and overnight in Can Tho

Cycled distance: Approx 60 km

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: 3* Ninh Kieu- Superior

www.ninhkieuhotel.com

Day 4: Bike Can Tho- Rach Gia. Transfer to Ha Tien

After an early morning breakfast, visit the early morning market along the riverbank. Ride on a narrow paved road to Phong Dien floating market. Absorb the sights of endless cottage industries, timber merchants, coconut shredders, small docks loading/unloading rice, tiny vibrant markets. Continue the ride on narrow lanes to explore the hidden backwaters of the delta and along canal banks until you reach Rach Gia a laid back fishing village, which faces the Gulf of Thailand. The main part of town is on an island connected by road. This area is a stronghold of the Cao Dai faith. Our ride finishes in Rach Gia where we transfer for a couple of hours to Ha Tien for the night.

Cycled distance: Approx 80 km

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Dong Tam Hotel- ROH

Day 5: Bike Ha Tien- Kep (Cambodia)

A short pleasant ride on quiet scenic roads to the border crossing. This rural crossing is used mainly by local traders, it makes a pleasant stop while we complete all the immigration formalities. After a 15 km ride, we leave our bikes in Vietnam and walk across the border to Cambodia where our new bikes await.  We then enjoy a gentle ride as stunning rural areas introduces you to Cambodia. Tonight’s destination is the tranquil seaside town of Kep.

Cycling distance: Approx 40km

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Veranda Resort- Superior

www.veranda-resort.com

Day 6: Bike Kep – Shihanouk Ville.

Following breakfast, we have a  full day in the saddle. Today's ride takes us along easy tarmac roads that pass through many rural areas with occasional glimpses of the Gulf of Thailand.  Cycle through Kampot and view the Damrei Mountains. This is a provincial capital with well preserved French colonial buildings. Continue to Cambodia's premier beach resort, Sihanoukville, where we spend the night.

Cycling distance: Approx 80km

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: 3* Golden Sand hotel- Deluxe

www.goldensandhotel.com.kh

Day 7:  Shihanouk Ville- Phnom Penh.

Morning at leisure on the beach before transferring from Sihanoukville by road to Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh.

In the afternoon, ride or transfer by minibus to the Tuol Sleng Museum and the infamous Killing Fields.

Cycling distance: 25km

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Ohana hotel- Superior room

www.ohanahotelpp.com

Day 8:  Phnom Penh- Kampong Chnang by bicycle.

Following breakfast, we commence cycling from the hotel and head toward Oudong, the former capital of Cambodia, passing magnificent scenery and meeting friendly locals. Climb to the top of Phnom Oudong for sweeping views of the countryside before pedaling on tarmac roads towards Kampong Chhnang.  This quiet, riverside town is known for producing some of the country's best pottery. Overnight in Kampong Chnang.

Cycled distance: Approx 90km

Difficulty: Moderate

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Standard Monorom hotel.

Day 9:  Kampong Chnang- Siem Reap by bicycle.

An early start today with a 6 hour boat ride on Tonle Sap Lake . Arrive Siem Reap around lunchtime.

In the afternoon, we take a 10km ride from Siem Reap to Angkor Wat, stopping to explore the temple complex and to enjoy a picnic lunch. In the afternoon, cycle an additional 17 to 24km on the Small Circuit between Angkor Wat and Phnom Bakeng, with stops at the Death Gate, Victory Gate, Terraces of Elephants and Leper King, and Srah Srang. Watch the sunset from Phnom Bakeng. Overnight in Siem Reap

Cycled distance: Approx 34km

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: 3* Steung Siem – Superior room

www.steungsiemreaphotel.com

Day 10: Explore temples by bicycle.

After breakfast, take a shuttle bus to the rose sandstone temple of Banteay Srei, then explore the temple’s magnificent carvings on the 31km Grand Circuit to the ruined, jungle temple of Preah Khan. Bike to Neak Pean Temple, famous for its sacred pools. Breaking for lunch before riding another 21km to Banteay Kdei and Siem Reap via picturesque country lanes. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Cycled distance: Approx 52km

Difficulty: Easy/Moderate

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: 3* Steung Siem – Superior room

www.steungsiemreaphotel.com

Day 11: Departure.

At your leisure until you transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Meal: Breakfast.

Should I purchase insurance?

Yes! This must cover medical care and emergency evacuation/repatriation. Also keep hardcopy of emergency contact numbers as well as insurance policy number.

What are the main vaccination and health procedures?

Before travel please consult a general practitioner for up to date advice on recommended vaccines and malaria prophylaxis.

Is there anything I can do to better prepare for a situation requiring first aid?

All guides have basic first aid training and carry a small first aid kit. But each client should also bring personal first aid supplies including antiseptic wipes, antiseptic liquid/cream, steristrips, sterile gauze and bandage as well as oral rehydration sachets.

What gear do I need for biking?

Helmet, gloves and shorts; stiff soled cycling shoes or trainers; water bottles, eye protection; lightweight waterproof jacket; insect repellent; sun hat; strong sunscreen, puncture repair kit.

What can I do to have a safe trip?

Wear a helmet! We can provide them, but you should also participate in this process and look out for yourself. This will contribute to the overall safety of the tour and allow you to have more fun knowing that you’re on your own adventure. It is customary to sign a disclaimer before hiring a bike. Traffic rules in Vietnam are not strict! It is advisable to ask the TITC guide about safe riding on the roads.

What are the bikes like?

Lightweight Trek 4300 & Trek 4500 mountain bikes with components from Shimano, Bontrager, and RockShox. Give your height when booking to guarantee the right one. (Note: the support vehicle will carry tools and spares and the guide will oversee repairs.)

What is the food like?

All or most meals are included on our trips. You will be treated to an extensive variety of traditional Vietnamese  cuisine. We choose the finest restaurants in the cities to give you the opportunity to taste a great variety of local delicacies and flavors. In camps our cooks are experts in preparing nourishing wholesome and delicious meals. We will accommodate any special diet requests you may have including vegetarian, please request prior to the trip.

Do these tours support responsible travel?

Yes! We try to make sure that these holidays are as socially, economically and environmentally sound as possible. We are affiliate members of the Environmental Certification Green Globe 21 Scheme. Our goal is to deliver biking tours that do not contribute to the destruction of Vietnam’s unique cultural and natural environment.