Cycle Indochina & Angkor - Premium Adventure

Welcome to Bangkok. You are free to arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome group meeting and briefing with your leader in the early evening followed by an included group welcome dinner. Your main luggage will be transported ahead of you to the start point early in the morning so please bring this with you to the welcome meeting; just hold onto what you need for the night/morning – you will be with your luggage again by mid-morning tomorrow. Premium accommodation: U Sathorn Bangkok, Bangkok (four-star)

It’s an early start as we venture out of Bangkok to the ancient town of Ayutthaya. Our two-hour transfer takes us into the heart of this fascinating site and we start cycling by the huge reclining Buddha. Much of the old town was destroyed by the Burmese in the 18th century and we will cycle through the remaining shrine towers and enormous temples to appreciate the past magnificence. Premium accommodation: The Kantary Ayutthaya Hotel, Ayutthaya (four-star)

Today we follow minor roads through rural landscapes, including rubber and eucalyptus plantations, and tapioca and rice fields. We stop for lunch at a local restaurant along the way. There are a few easy rolling hills, but the route is mostly flat. The ride ends when we join a busier road before driving the final short distance to the town of Kabin Buri by bus. For dinner, join our tour leader and group for traditional Thai cuisine. Premium accommodation: Kantary Kabinburi Hotel, Kabin Buri (four-star)

Leaving our hotel early, we ride towards Tha Krabak where we can stop by a reservoir for a swim and a view of the untouched jungle on the other side. We will break for lunch along the way before cycling on quiet but well-maintained scenic roads en route to Aranyaprathet, 6mi (10km) from the Cambodian border. Premium accommodation: The VELO's Hotel & Pumptrack, Aranyaprathet (four-star)

After breakfast, we bid farewell to Thailand and drive to the busy border, completing customs formalities as we cross into Cambodia at Poipet. Due to years of civil war, Cambodia is poorer and less developed than its neighbours. Apart from growth in the capital and around Siem Reap, countryside life is still much the same as it has been for centuries. Arriving into Cambodia, we transfer to Siem Reap (approximately 2hr 30min). Here the group spends the next three nights at the intimate Lynnaya Urban River Resort & Spa – the perfect base to explore Angkor. This afternoon's shorter ride from Siem Reap takes us past Wat Athvea, a modern temple in the grounds of the ruins of an Angkorian temple and ends at a market and picnic area outside Siem Reap. Premium accommodation: Lynnaya Urban River Resort & Spa, Siem Reap (four-star)

Today we may choose to have an early start to avoid the inevitable crowds drawn to the wonders of Angkor. The various temples are spread over a wide area and are linked by shady avenues; meandering our way between them by bike provides a unique perspective. Our cycle tour will include: the jungle-covered Ta Prohm, with amazing fromagier tree roots clinging to the ancient stones; Angkor Thom, with the Bayon temple of 37 towers (originally 49) topped with the four faces of the king; and, of course, the incredible Angkor Wat, with its huge moat, long causeway and massive towers. Premium accommodation: Lynnaya Urban River Resort & Spa, Siem Reap (four-star)

Today we cycle outside the main Angkor complex to the outlying temple of Banteay Srei, 22mi (35km) from Siem Reap town. Our route takes us past paddy fields and through pretty villages. Banteay Srei was built in the 10th century and contains some of the finest examples of Khmer sculpture. Although much smaller than the later temples, here all the buildings are covered in exquisite carvings. We also stop along the way at a village where we'll have to chance to meet the local people and learn from them about their way of life, including the art of Khmer noodle making. Here we can taste this popular Cambodian dish and sugar palm. In the afternoon, as we cycle back to Siem Reap, we can stop at a few of the lesser visited Angkor temples. Siem Reap town is pleasant to wander around; the market has plenty of interesting and excellent shopping opportunities and there is a vibrant nightlife. This afternoon there may also be time to visit the Tonle Sap Lake, which is a branch of the Mekong River. Time permitting, this optional trip includes a boat ride to see floating fishing villages. Anyone wanting to do this visit may need to miss part (or all) the ride back to Siem Reap, depending on timings. Cycle approximately 43.5mi (70 km) if riding the full distance to and from Banteay Srei. Premium accommodation: Lynnaya Urban River Resort & Spa, Siem Reap (four-star)

Today we rest our legs and take a private transfer (approximately seven hours) to Phnom Penh, with a couple of stops along the way. We visit Sambor Prei Kuk, the most impressive group of pre-Angkorian monuments in Cambodia with some of the oldest structures in the country. We'll also pause for a traditional Khmer lunch at a community restaurant here. The road is currently undergoing some resurfacing, so some sections will be bumpy. We should arrive in Phnom Penh for late afternoon, the perfect time for a sundowner on the Mekong. Premium accommodation: Patio Hotel and Urban Resort, Phnom Penh (four-star)

The fortunes of Phnom Penh have shifted dramatically during its history and the terrible years of the Khmer Rouge and subsequent civil war through the 1970s and 1980s have scarred the country. During our stay, we visit two sites that give us a vivid impression of some of the horrors. There is the Genocide Museum, which is the former Khmer Rouge prison known as S-21 or Tuol Sleng, in the city centre. And 9mi (15km) out of town is the Killing Fields, a mass grave and execution site for the former inmates of S-21. While visiting Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields may not appeal to everyone, we feel they give us an important understanding of what the country and its people had to endure just a few decades ago. Now, the city is on the rise again and is a fascinating place with fine examples of French colonial architecture. We will also tour the Royal Palace with its Silver Pagoda. Afterwards, there is also excellent shopping at the Russian market if you wish. There may also be the option to enjoy a sunset cruise on the Mekong, your leader will advise locally. Premium accommodation: Patio Hotel and Urban Resort, Phnom Penh (four-star)

This morning, we transfer south of Phnom Penh to the town of Takeo. Here the road becomes quieter and we mount our bikes for the 31mi (50km) ride to the Phnom Den/Tinh Bien border. Once we bid farewell to Cambodia (and border formalities have been completed), we cycle approximately 19mi (30km) to the Vietnamese town of Chau Doc, situated along the banks of the Hau Giang River. This evening, we dine overlooking the river and get our first taste of southern Mekong cuisine. Premium accommodation: Victoria Chau Doc Hotel, Chau Doc (four-star)

This morning we depart our hotel and transfer to Chau Giang ferry for a short transfer before cycling along a lovely, quiet backroad, lined with small villages and dwellings, before lunch at a local restaurant. We then visit the ancient village of Long Dien B, home to female artists known for maintaining their ancestors’ special technique of glass painting. Here we have the chance to observe and learn about this traditional culture and art over a cup of tea. The rivers and canals of the Mekong Delta form an amazing network of waterways. The area is famous for its abundant rice production, but many are now moving to more profitable fish farming and fruit and vegetable growing. Afterwards, we transfer to the Mekong Riverside Boutique Resort & Spa, where we stay overnight. The evening is tranquil as we have dinner at the resort and enjoy Delta hospitality. Premium accommodation: Mekong Riverside Boutique Resort & Spa, Mekong Delta (four-star)

Those who wish can rise early to enjoy the sunrise and kayak on the Mekong from the resort before breakfast (optional). We then leave by boat, stopping en route to see Cai Be floating market, a small-scale traditional trading spot. A little further on, we make a short stop to see cottage industries producing items such as popped rice, pancakes, wine and other homemade products. We start our ride towards Cai Lay, where we take a scenic route through orchards and along the Mekong riverbank. Back on the bus in My Tho, we drive on to the heat, hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City, still usually known as Saigon. This is an exciting and absorbing city where scooters pack the streets and temples stand alongside modern developments. Premium accommodation: Alagon Saigon Hotel & Spa, Ho Chi Minh City (four-star)

The whole day is free for you to explore Ho Chi Minh City, do some shopping and relax. There are several interesting things to see: the Saigon River, Ben Thanh market, Reunification Palace and Notre Dame Cathedral are all within easy walking distance. Alternatively, a short cyclo (cycle taxi) ride will take you to the War Remnants Museum, which has an extensive photographic record of the Vietnam/American War. Please be aware that some images at the museum are very graphic. For those interested, the leader can arrange an optional visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, which are two hours outside the city. Used by the Viet Cong during the war, the network covers three levels with approximately 150mi (240km) of tunnels. Originally these were very narrow, but some areas have been widened to allow tourists to explore the system. Claustrophobes may prefer to stay outside in the sunshine. In the evening, we have a final farewell dinner together, feasting on delicious Vietnamese specialties. Premium accommodation: Alagon Saigon Hotel & Spa, Ho Chi Minh City (four-star)

The trip ends this morning after breakfast in Ho Chi Minh City. If you'd like to extend your stay and discover more of this vibrant city, please enquire with your sales representative at time of booking about requesting additional accommodation.