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Code: |
VNBKTD101 |
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Routes: |
Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi
Tunnel - My Tho - Tra Vinh - Can Tho -
Long Xuyen - Chau Doc - Phnom Penh -
Kampong Chnang - Siem Reap - Full day in
Angkor Wat |
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Duration: |
12 Days |
Detail Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Ho Chi Minh City
On arrival at Tan San
Nhat Airport, you are met and transferred to
hotel. Ho Chi Minh City is a center of commerce,
finance, culture and tourism in Vietnam. This
bustling metropolis ,contradiction of its
northern counterpart, is crowded with bikes and
motorbikes, excited by numerous shopping area
and sidewalk cafés. ( If time permits) we stroll
around the down town to explore the different
local ways of life.Overnight in Saigon.
Day2: Ho Chi Minh - City Tour (B, L, D)
Sightseeing in
Saigon and Cholon (Chinatown)
Saigon is the largest of Vietnamese cities, with
the hustle and bustle of Vietnamese life visible
everywhere. There are street markets, sidewalk
cafes and sleek new bars. The city churns and
bubbles. Yet within this teeming metropolis are
300 years of timeless traditions and the beauty
of an ancient culture. To the west of the city
is District 5, the huge Chinese neighborhood
called Cholon, which means 'Big Market'.NOTRE
DAME CATHEDRAL: built between 1877 and 1883 and
set in the heart of Saigon's government quarter.
It has a neo-Romanesque form and two high square
towers, tipped with iron spires. In front of the
cathedral is a statue of the Virgin Mary.CENTRAL
POST OFFICE: a French-style building with a
glass canopy and iron frame, situated next to
the Notre Dame Cathedral. The structure was
built between 1886 and 1891 and is by far the
largest post office in Vietnam.CITY HALL:
completed in 1908, also known as “Hotel de
Ville”, and located at the northern end of
Nguyen Hue Boulevard. With its ornate
gingerbread façade, it looks like the town hall
of a French town. (May be viewed from the
outside only).OPERA HOUSE: built around the turn
of the century and first renovated in the 1940s,
the building housed the lower division of the
National Assembly. Today it is a Municipal
Theatre and also known as the Saigon Concert
Hall. (May be viewed from the outside only).JADE
EMPEROR PAGODA: was a key meeting place for
Chinese secret societies. It has very colorful
and mysterious ambience.
REUNIFICATION PALACE: this was the Independence
Palace of the South Vietnamese president and was
stormed by tanks on 30 April 1975, signifying
the fall of South Vietnam. It has been preserved
in its original state.WAR REMNANTS MUSEUM:
collections of weapons and photographs from two
Indochina wars are exhibited along with the
original French 'Guillotine' brought here in the
early 20th century.
BEN THANH MARKET: the central market of Saigon,
its surrounding streets make up one of the
city's liveliest areas. Everything commonly
eaten, worn or used by the average resident of
Saigon is available here.GIAC LAM PAGODA: the
oldest pagoda in Saigon, built at the end of the
17th century. Because the last reconstruction
here was in 1900, the architecture, layout and
ornamentation remain almost unaltered by the
modernist renovations that have transformed so
many other religious structures in Vietnam. Ten
monks live in this pagoda, which also
incorporates aspects of Taoism and Confucianism.
BINH TAY MARKET: Cholon's main marketplace, much
of the business conducted here is
wholesale.THIEN HAU PAGODA: built by the
Cantonese congregation in the early 19th
century. The pagoda is one of the most active in
Cholon and is dedicated to Thien Hau. It is said
that she can travel over the oceans on a mat and
ride the clouds to wherever she
pleases.Overnight in Saigon.
Day 3: Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi Tunnel
(B, L, D)
Excursion to Cu Chi
Tunnels and Tay Ninh
CU CHI TUNNELS: Cu Chi was an important base
during the American War, because of its
strategic location. The Vietcong built a 200km
long network of tunnels connecting command
posts, hospitals, shelter and weapon factories.
Dug out of hard laterite by hand tools without
the use of cement, this amazing network was
never discovered.
TAY NINH: this town serves as the headquarters
of one of Vietnam's religions, Caodism. The
Caodai Great Temple at the sect's Holy See is
one of the most striking structures in all of
Asia and was built between 1933 and 1955. The
area's dominant geographic feature is Nui Ba Den
(Black Lady Mountain), which towers 850m above
the surrounding plains.
Please note that shortly before and during the
annual TET festival (Vietnamese New Year) the
daily ceremony of the priests in Tay Ninh may be
cancelled without prior notice.Overnight in
Saigon.
Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City - My Tho - Tra Vinh
(52km cycling) (B,L,D)
After breakfast, transfer a couple of hours out
of Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho – the gateway to
the Mekong Delta. Today’s ride will lead you
right into the heart of rural Mekong. Start
cycling after the ferry journey across the Tien
Giang River at My Tho. Pedal narrow roads and
lanes, past banana plantations, fields of sugar
cane, through the lush green landscape of the
Delta, crossing rivers and canals by numerous,
ubiquitous, fascinating ferries. A section of
biking cuts off road onto gravel and dirt lanes,
and weaves around hamlets, across water channels
and through quite dense vegetation. This makes
for superb biking. A final ferry across the
gaping expanse of Co Chien River leads us to Tra
Vinh, a pretty tree lined town with a large
population of ethnic Khmer.
Day 5: Tra Vinh - Can Tho (82km cycling) (B,L,D)
The route is peaceful, the road narrow and very
pretty all the way to Can Tho. There is plenty
along the way to see, from the contrasting
architectural styles of ethnic Khmer homes, to
the numerous colourful Khmer temples and to the
fascinating river scenes witnessed when
pedalling over countless small wooden plank
bridges. Visit Ba Om Pond with its magnificent
lotus flowers, and observe local women having
their future predicted in the small temple
nearby. En route, spend time at a local Khmer
Temple School and learn about the life of the
students.
Day 6: Can Tho - Long Xuyen (95km cycling) (B,L,D)
Today’s ride is spilt into two sections and is a
contrast to the previous day’s ride. After a
very early breakfast, you will ride on a narrow
paved road via Can Tho floating market to Phong
Dien floating market. Weave through morning
market bustle along the banks of the very busy
river. Absorb the sights of endless cottage
industries, timber merchants, coconut shredders,
small docks loading/unloading rice, tiny vibrant
markets. After reaching Phong Dien, take a quick
boat trip on the river before continuing by bike
on the narrow lane to the main road. Transfer
along the highway back to Can Tho for lunch in a
local restaurant. In the afternoon, continue
riding along a tiny road leading upstream
towards Long Xuyen. For the last 15-20kms, the
road is a little busier but there is the chance
to ride single track alongside a canal
paralleling the route. End the ride with a final
5 minute ferry crossing and short transfer to
Long Xuyen.
Day 7: Long Xuyen - Chau Doc (75km cycling) (B,L,D)
Once more the scenery is completely different.
After a short early morning transfer to Tri Ton,
the cycling starts to gently undulate and
mountains begin to loom as you ride closer and
closer to Chau Doc. The presence of Thot Not
trees indicates the growing proximity to
Cambodia and the local people speak Vietnamese
as their second language. Cycle to the Killing
Fields of Vietnam at Ba Chuc, where Pol Pot’s
regime massacred over 3,000 Vietnamese in 1978.
Loop round to Chau Doc from Ba Chuc along the
border, or re-trace back to Tri Ton (depending
on road conditions) and ride the rest of the way
to Chau Doc along incredible country roads.
Those with energy to spare can climb Sam
Mountain for sunset!
Day 8: Chau Doc - Phnom Penh (no cycling) (B,L,D)
Depart early for the boat journey up the Mekong
River to Phnom Penh (take water, food, book etc
for your approx 6hr journey). Once arriving at
the pier at Chau Doc you will say Goodbye to
your Vietnamese guide & bikes and cruise up the
Bassac River for approximately 1hr to the
Cambodian border. At the Cambodian border the
boat crew will obtain your visas on your behalf
(you will need a spare passport photo, fill in a
form and pay the $20 visa fee). This process
will take about to half an hour. The boat will
then continue to take you upstream to Phnom
Penh, where you new Cambodian team will be ready
to greet you with your new bikes. You will then
continue your journey into Cambodia & Phnom
Penh. This capital city was once considered one
of the most beautiful in the Orient, and despite
its recent turbulent history, it still retains a
colonial charm. After lunch at the atmospheric
Foreign Correspondent’s Club and you will
transfer to Cambodia’s killing fields and a
visit to S21, Tuoel Sleng genocide museum. Later
this afternoon you will transfer to your hotel
where your bikes will be ready for you to fit
and check. Overnight in hotel.
Day 9: Phnom Penh - Kampong Chhnang (91km
cycling) (B,L,D)
We depart in the early morning by bike and we
head north on National road N5 via the ancient
Japanese bridge and start traveling through the
Cambodian countryside. You will share the road
with light local traffic and get a good sense of
what Cambodian transportation actually is. After
12Km you get to Prek Phnov and at the junction
we left turn to unpaved roads passing local
villages and rice fields. We pass the ancient
capital of Udong where Udong Mountain is still
home to many of the old Royal Palaces. We pay a
visit to one of the remaining stupa’s and after
a visit you will ride on the paved road heading
north-west to Kampong Chhnang.
Kampong Chhnang is the provincial capital of the
province with the same name. The Tonle Sap River
passes by Kampong Chhnang and the floating
village is an attraction itself. It is located
91 km North of Phnom Penh. The area is scenic
and if you cross the river you will find several
ancient temples from the Chenla period, such as
Samrong Sen and Prasat Prah Srey. You’ll get
great views of the countryside and for sure will
meet hordes of people welcoming you with a broad
smile and a “Hello Mr.!” quote. Overnight in
Samrong Sen hotel - Kampong Chhnang & dinner at
local restaurant.
Day 10: Kampong Chhnang - Siem Reap (70km
cycling) (B,L,D)
This morning you will start with a transfer by
(private) boat to Siem Reap crossing the immense
Tonle Sap Lake. The Tonle Sap Lake is the
beating heart of Cambodia and nearly half of the
Cambodians live from this lake. It’s the largest
fresh water lake in South East Asia and its
biodiversity has put the lake on the ecological
7 wonders of the world. The transfer takes about
4 hours. Upon arrival in Siem Reap we pass the
floating village of Chhong Kneas. This large
sized village is a bustling trade centre for
fish, other lake “products” and tourism. The
arrival will definitely one you will never
forget. We cycle the 12km into town and settle
in our hotel. A lunch will give us the power we
need in order to explore the world largest
heritage site: Angkor Wat. We will cycle towards
a small but very significant temple called
Banteay Srey. This temple is best preserved and
its carvings and painting are remarkable. The
road leading there passes through the Angkor
Area and you get a glimpse of the massive
complexes that were built between the 11th and
13th century. We continue the 25km to Banteay
Srey through pretty countryside over a good and
paved road. The late afternoon sun will only
contribute to the beauty of the pink stone walls
and towers of Banteay Srey. After our visit we
cycle back towards Angkor Wat where a nice
surprise awaits you! We celebrate your
accomplishment and head back to town for dinner,
a fine feast & celebration with traditional
Khmer dancing and food in the Apsara Theatre.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 11: Full day in Angkor Wat/ Depart Siem Reap
(no cycling) (B,L)
If you want to this morning you can ask your
expedition leader to arrange a sunrise visit to
the temples of Angkor (for a small additional
fee, approx $5pp) to give you the opportunity
see the ruins in all their splendour. Angkor Wat
itself is just one of the many temples in the
region but is one of the best preserved and most
impressive. It is worth climbing the remarkably
steep and narrow steps of the central spire for
the view over the whole temple surrounded by
jungle. Angkor Thom, is a fascinating ruin
featuring many mysterious giant carved faces and
some incredible wall carvings, and is one of the
most remarkable sights in the area. Also not to
be missed is the temple of Ta Prohm, which has
been left to be reclaimed by nature and features
incredible tree roots breaking through the stone
carvings and walls, a fascinating tribute to the
power of nature over man and an experience
reminiscent of ‘Indiana Jones’ and ‘Tomb
Raider.’ . Overnight in Siem Reap
Day 12: Siem Reap – Departure
today we have free time to explore Siem Reap by
own until transfer to airport for your flight.
Included
*
English Speaking tour leader (other languages
upon requests)
* All accommodations base on twin-share
at hotel, guesthouse and Home stay.etc…
* Meals detailed in the itinerary (B =
Breakfast , L = Lunches ,D = Dinners)
* A/C transfers and transportation.
* Boat trip mention in itinerary
* Mountain bicycle 24 or 27Speed (LA bike
or Trek bike. etc…)
* Sightseeing excursions as outlined in
itinerary
* Pump, bike tools, spares tubes.
* Spare bike
* Cold water box, small fresh towel.
* Mineral water drinking.
* Seasonal fruits.
* Snacks
Excluded:
* International airfares
* Travel insurance and bike helmet
(compulsory)
* Items of a personal nature
* Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
* Mineral water beyond that supplied
* Optional excursions
* Additional transport required due to
any emergency situation
* Personal expenses such as telephone and
laundry bills
* Visa fees
* Departure taxes
* Tipping for guiding
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