
Touring
Biking Siem Reap to Ho Chi Minh 12D/11N
Join us for an unforgettable journey through the mystique of Angkor, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Immerse yourself in rich culture and heritage as we explore the timeless charm of Battambang, the floating villages of Kampong Chhnang, the coastal allure of Kampot, and the border town of Ha Tien. Then glide through Vietnam’s lush Mekong Delta, all the way to the vibrant streets of Ho Chi Minh City.
You are welcome at Siem Reap Airport and drive to Siem Reap City Center; check in at the hotel, and rest after the flight journey. Welcome dinner in one of the best restaurant in town.
Travelers love to enjoy sunrise and sunset at Angkor Temple because Angkor Wat Sunrise is so popular among visitors. After all, the sun rises directly behind the temple creating the most stunning photographs. We depart early to enjoy the sunrise at Angkor Temple, visit the main temple, and then have breakfast in the compound of Angkor Wat. From here, we'll venture to the Angkor complex and temples in the area for the remainder of the following: Kravan temple, Banteay Kdei, and stop at the famous Ta Phrom, embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees and gigantic creepers, Ta Keo temple, Chao Say Tevoda, Terrace of Leper King, Terrace of Elephant, Bayon temple, Angkor Thom. Afterward, we cycle to Angkor Wat to finish the small circuit. Stop at the South Gate of Angkor Thom to take photos. Have lunch at a selected restaurant before we ride on jungle trails to see more of the Angkor surroundings. Return to Siem Reap by support vehicles.
Boats between Siem Reap and Battambang leave in either direction at 7:30 am. each day. The trip takes 6 to 8 hours, depending on the season, the water level, and the direction you are going; the journey from Battambang to Siem Reap is shorter than the other way around.
In the afternoon, following lunch with two options:
-Take the afternoon boat ride from Battambang to Siem Reap in the rainy season- high water levels. Cruising to Battambang from late July - early January
- Take a transfer from Battambang to Siem Reap in the dry season- low water levels - transfer to Battambang from late January to early July.
We will cycle 30 minutes from the hotel to catch the morning boat to Battambang. We follow a small road and quickly ride on dirt tracks through the countryside, rice paddies, and lotus fields, see many buffalos, and experience people's lives through fertile farmlands to Tonle Sap, where the boat awaits. Siem Reap to Battambang by boat is one of the best ways to see the beautiful country and a chance to experience it. Traveling across the Tonle Sap Lake and its rivers is an experience you will never forget. Witness the real life of Cambodia, which lives alongside rivers in local material stilt houses and floating villages. Most people live mainly fishing on creeks, rivers, and lakes, where boats travel through.
The option for traveling in the dry season:
After a leisurely breakfast, a transfer from Siem Reap to Battambang takes about 4 hours. Break for lunch in Battambang town, then check in at the hotel. Be ready for a bike ride at 1:30 pm. Your half-day combined tour by bike and bamboo trains lets you explore the verdant agriculture fields, ancient temples, and vibrant villages and learn more about local businesses and industries with breaks at workshops making local snacks from rice, bananas, tapiocas, and cooking sticky rice in bamboo. Biking on single tracks as we get more and deeper remote hamlets but don't worry about it because support/backup vehicles are always nearby as much as possible in Cambodia's countryside.
After breakfast, we start the back roads and briefly leave the town behind. We cycle on the small dirt back road along the Sangker River, cross the railway, pass fruit orchards, lush rural farming, and authentic villages, and sometimes ride alongside the river. See vendors of a variety of snacks and drinks along the way. The routes are flat, with some undulating, and look over the stunning mountain scenery, rice paddy fields, and peaceful landscape along the Sangker river banks. Arrives in the small town of Banan-a rural Dist is about 19km from Battambang. Break for coffee in Banan, then continue crossing the vast farmlands and countryside villages to Thippadei Mountain. From here, we hop on support vehicles for a-45 minute transfer to Moung Ruessei town for lunch. Following lunch, we resume the transfer 30 minutes to Beong Khna, where we cross the beautiful countryside to canals called Prek Chik. This is the longest manufactured canal in Cambodia. We ride race along the man-made canals to Damnak Ompil, pass quite a few villages. There are regular stops for coffee and fruit during the cycling. We finish the day at Damnak Ompil and have a quick transfer to Pursat City.
We commence today's rice from the hotel, follow the quiet back roads by the Purtsat River, and enjoy local life along the river bank. After we cycle a few km, we turn onto the idyllic countryside, pass primary schools, and colorful temples, then turn off the single and dirt tracks through the verdant lush farmlands, and keep biking along the agricultural canals. There are many stops at local markets and small villages to experience local culture before we reach the wetlands of Tonle Sap. The zig-zag routes through stilt-house villages lead you to Kampong Loung- a sizeable floating village north of Krakor on Tonlé Sap Lake. Break for coffee before your guide arranges a sampan boat ride to see the floating market. After the boat ride, have lunch at a local restaurant. The following lunch, we'll transfer 1. hour to the Tmar Keo rural village, where we will continue exploring the backwaters, wetland, and fish farmings, continue on dirt roads to the outskirts of Kampong Chhnang, take the back roads and ride directly to the non-tourist destination town.
After early breakfast, we'll transfer 2 hours to Oudong—the former capital of Cambodia in 18 century. We climb the stairs to the top of Oudong Mountain and enjoy the stunning scenery over the plains below. Learn more about the ancient history and local lifestyles before we cycle 30km to discover the rural communities, sometimes on amazing trails with many stops along the way. Passing Chey Odam, cross the rustic rural villages and will finish the day ride at Prek Pnov. Lunch en route before a transfer to Phnom Penh in early the afternoon. Check-in at the hotel. Free to explore the capital city and have dinner on your own.
We'll transfer out of the crowded city of Phnom Penh. Then we ride south of Phnom Penh to Chisaur Mountain Temple in rural Cambodia. Ride through beautiful countryside and casually cycle through remote villages and waterways via narrow dirt tracks. Visit Chisaur Mountain Temple, located on the top of a hill, a 133-meters high mountain in Dok Por village, overlooking the Cambodian countryside. Ride through beautiful countryside and casually cycle through remote villages and waterways via narrow dirt tracks. After lunch at a local restaurant, we'll take a transfer to Kampong Trach Mountain where the afternoon begins. We cross the paddy fields and small villages, enjoy the stunning landscape of Kampong Trach mountain park and water caves. The area offers limestone karst mountains that hide numerous caves and caverns with beautiful mountain views.
The routes are gentle dirt tracks and a little hilly but more undulating. Afterward, we continue to explore chili pepper farms and the vast plantations. Chilli pepper in Kampot is one of the most well-known chili pepper in the world. Visit the workshop to learn more about how to process it. Ride past the Brateak Krola Lake, enjoy watching lotus fields, and cycle through lush farms to Tuek Chhou, hop on support vehicles and drive to Kampot City.
Bokor Hill Station is a historic collection of French colonial buildings perched atop Bokor Mountain in Preah Monivong National Park. Originally built in the early 1920s as a luxurious mountain retreat for French colonial residents, the site sits at an elevation of approximately 1,000 meters above sea level and lies about 38 km from Kampot.
The journey begins with a flat 10 km ride before ascending into the highlands. But no worries—the support vehicle is always close by. Our team will transport your bike by van to the summit, allowing you to enjoy a scenic downhill ride from the top. Take time to explore the atmospheric ruins, soak in panoramic views, and capture memorable photos. After visiting the historic site, enjoy lunch in town before continuing with a 1.5-hour transfer to the Prek Chak Border Gate.
Upon clearing Cambodian immigration, you'll be warmly welcomed by our Vietnamese team for a short transfer to Ha Tien City.
Begin your first day of cycling in Vietnam right from the hotel, pedaling along quiet back roads to leave Ha Tien behind. The route winds alongside peaceful canals, passing shrimp farms, aquaculture sites, and stretches of lush mangrove forest. Make a stop at Kien Luong Market to explore the vibrant local scene before continuing your ride through picturesque rice paddies toward Mo So Cave.
After visiting the cave, continue cycling to a local restaurant where a well-earned lunch awaits. Following the meal, transfer by vehicle to Rach Gia. The rest of the day is yours to relax by the pool or explore the city at your leisure.
From the Start your day with a relaxed breakfast before a short 30-minute shuttle ride out of Rach Gia to begin an unforgettable cycling adventure. Pedal through a peaceful landscape of emerald rice fields, charming villages, and quiet country roads lined with narrow creeks.
Enjoy a refreshing coffee break at the vibrant Giong Rieng market, where local life pulses with color and energy. The journey continues along tranquil rivers and canals, past riverside markets and sleepy towns, offering a true slice of rural Mekong life.
We’ll stop for a local lunch en route to Thoi Lai, soaking in the region’s laid-back charm. After lunch, hop aboard our support vehicle for a comfortable transfer to Can Tho, where your Mekong experience continues.
After experiencing the vibrant floating market of the Mekong Delta—where boats overflow with fruits, vegetables, and local goods—we take a short transfer to Binh Minh to begin our cycling journey.
Pedaling out of town, we follow quiet backroads into the heart of the Mekong countryside, passing Khmer villages, fruit orchards, and rice paddies. Along the way, we’re greeted by locals and treated to scenes of daily life—children waving, monks walking, and farmers tending crops.
We arrive in Vinh Long for a hearty lunch of regional specialties, then take a ferry across the Co Chien River to An Binh Island. The afternoon brings relaxed cycling through peaceful, car-free paths lined with lotus ponds, wooden bridges, and traditional homes.
By late afternoon, we reach a welcoming homestay surrounded by gardens. Enjoy a home-cooked dinner with fresh, local ingredients and unwind under the stars—ending a day rich in culture, scenery, and connection.
After breakfast, say farewell to your gracious host and begin your final day of cycling as we explore the scenic An Binh Islands. Pedal along peaceful concrete paths that trace the riverbanks, passing through the quiet villages of Ba Co and Dong Phu. From here, venture onto smaller trails that wind along the mighty Mekong River, offering authentic glimpses into local life.
We'll reach Phu Phung, where a short ferry ride takes us across the river to Tan Phong Island. Enjoy a leisurely ride through the lush orchards of this fertile island, soaking in the tranquility and greenery.
The final ferry of the day brings us to Cai Be township. Here, we’ll visit a local family-run business to learn about traditional
An Immersive Experience You Can Only Have on Bikes
We cycled through rice fields with egrets, we ate lunch under a thatched roof and rested in hammocks, we saw how rice noodles are made, how water buffalo walk into water up to their necks, how school kids get to school and how they yell "HELLO!" to Western cyclers, tasted numerous fruits and vegetables. Our guides made safety a priority and we did not ride into the busy cities (van carried us and our bikes). Our guides were very knowledgeable in Cambodian and Vietnamese history, customs, etc. and were super helpful and friendly. Hotels and meals booked by the tour were outstanding. The guides will alter the pace or amount of riding based on the clients wishes so it can adapt to your needs. Ask for Poleak in Cambodia and Huong in Vietnam. Both are professional and delightful. We did 12-day Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) ride. 19 November 2023
Thank you for a great trip!
1. Bike seats for women! I got very sore riding with a regular bike seat. (I didn't tell Poleak because I didn't know we could do anything about it.) Once I got a different kind of seat (in Vietnam), I was WAY more comfortable. I guess women need a different kind. Maybe you could make some women's seats available. I'm attaching a picture of the comfortable seat.
2. Most of the hotels were great, especially the eco-lodges and the colorful one in Phnom Penh. The only hotel that wasn't great was the River Hotel. Just thought I'd let you know. People were nice but the hotel was a little run down and the street noise in the morning.
3. 12 days is a lot of days to ride, unpack, pack and ride again. Maybe you want to offer a "down day” in the middle of the trip where the clients stay in same place for two nights in a row. People can have the option to ride that day leaving and returning to the same place, or not ride. Just an idea! 05 - 16 November 2023