Overview
A truly enjoyable way to journey between Siem Reap and Saigon is by bike and riverboat. Start out in your luxurious hotel in the ancient temple town of Siem Reap, then explore the ruins of Angkor before boarding your boat for a cruise down the Mekong. After several days of cycling exploration and leisurely cruising, finish up in the glistening, bustling and vibrant southern city of Saigon, Vietnam.
Along the journey, cycle and cruise down the Tonle Sap River in Cambodia then through the lush canal network that is the Mekong Delta. Biking or hiking through the backroads and paths each morning, you will have the opportunity to meet local people, learn about their lives and traditions, and see first hand the agricultural miracle that is the Mekong Delta, while enjoying delicious local cuisine, and staying in comfort throughout the journey.
270 - 305 Km riding. The riding is entirely flat. You’ll cycle on a great variety of surfaces, ranging from concrete to hard-packed dirt and even a few forest trails around Angkor. Traffic will almost always be a rarity, allowing you to engage with the locals as you go, stopping for a chat or a photo opp as you wish.
Pedal assist E-bikes are an available option on this tour for $385.
We specifically welcome non-cycling partners or friends on this trip and will have special activities planned for them each morning while the riders are cycling.
Standard Cabin: $4,990 USD
Single room: $1,500 USD
Upper Cabin: $5,690 USD
Single room: $2,000 USD
Highlights
Discover UNESCO World Heritage Angkor Wat at sunrise and cycle small tracks through the jungle to ancient ruins.
Cyclists and their non-riding partners will explore Phnom Penh together by tuk-tuk with an expert local guide.
Float down the Mekong Delta on the classy Toum Tiou and take in the changing scenery from the deck.
Take a walking tour of Saigon and sample delicious Vietnamese specialties along the way.
Day to Day
Welcome to Siem Reap. Today you check in to Jaya House, River Park, a lovely boutique property well-located along the river in a quiet area near the center of town- our hotel of choice in Siem Reap. In the late afternoon, we will meet for a briefing, sundowners by the pool and then an early dinner.
Our adventure begins with a spectacular start: sunrise over Angkor Wat. This reward is well worth the day’s early wake-up call! All guests will be transferred into Angkor Park by van, meaning riders and non-riders will have the chance to explore the key temples together before heading their separate ways.
A private breakfast will be served in the forest behind the main temple. Afterward those not on bike will travel by an open-air vehicle called a 'Tuk Tuk'; a nice, relaxed way to move. The cyclists will follow hidden forest trails past the walls and moat of the ancient city, hopefully catching a glimpse of the birds and other wildlife that are beginning to repopulate the park along the way.
The early start means we are done by lunchtime, leaving the afternoon for a swim in the pool or wander into town. Tonight we’ll enjoy dinner at a local restaurant known for sophisticated Khmer cuisine.
This morning we cycle to remote temple sites. We pedal down small dirt roads past 800-year-old temple ruins, interspersed by tiny villages with houses often made out of palm leaves and bamboo. Mid-morning we board our private van and transfer to our ship docked along the Mekong We arrive after lunch and are welcomed aboard with a cool refreshing drink.
Now aboard our barge, we'll cruise up the Tonle Sap River. Today’s cycling involves minimal traffic on hard-packed dirt roads. The people we encounter along the ride are very keen for a chat and will always call out words of encouragement for our efforts. We anchor by a small village community who are no doubt keen to invite you in for a rice wine tasting session.
We are just a short distance from Phnom Penh and arrive early in the morning. We moor near the cargo port just north of the city center and then can make our way onto dry land.
Today in Phnom Penh traditional Cambodian culture and way of life mix with more modern structures, a wide variety of shops and eateries and the heavy traffic of a bustling city. Exploring by Tuk Tuk is the perfect way to experience this dynamic city and our morning tour, led by our local guides, is the perfect introduction.
Lunch at a local restaurant is followed by some free time in the afternoon for shopping or exploring. At sundown, the ship will depart Phnom Penh for the Vietnamese border.
After sunrise, we reach the border customs and immigration formalities take place onboard before we continue down the Mekong to Chau Doc, a major port city.
The non-riders have an interesting afternoon visiting a floating fish farm along the river and also a regionally vital bird sanctuary. For the riders, our cycling itinerary will involve crossing numerous canals by bridge and boat and following a path through the maze of waterways. You will likely be struck by the fertility of the land as every square inch is cultivated for food production and each person in sight works hard to grow, harvest, process or transport these products. The riding is predominantly on small, paved canal paths with only bicycles and motor scooters.
Our day today starts early with a Sampan trip to visit a local floating market where varying sizes of boats and all manner of fruit and vegetables being bought and sold.
A fulfilling day of riding starts off with some relatively open road where we can use the cool of the morning to burn off some energy and put some distance behind us. Then we head into the narrow, shaded paths with lots of turns and an abundance of activity. You’ll see locals tending to vegetables and rice, transporting food and fruit, and most of all, eating! We'll make a few quality snack stops today where you'll be able to try some savory and sweet local specialties.
For the non-riders, we will take a morning walk to visit a well-known market for fish sauce/paste product as well as local products, we then drive along the river, cross a couple of ferries and tour a traditional brick factory.
The riders start cycling on a range of concrete paths along and over canals on a large island. Be prepared to smile and greet little kids pedaling to school in their blue and whites, or exchange waves with locals by the side of the road. Keep your eyes peeled for the interesting variety of produce you’ll see being transported to town on the back of motor scooters and glimpse other local scenes from your seat.
The non-riders will take a visit to one of the oldest Catholic Church of the Delta then drive to Sadec. This little town has a large flower village, a beautiful Chinese pagoda and the home of Marguerite Duras, author of the novel, The Lover. Dinner tonight is offshore at a local historical house,
Our last day of cycling follows another twisting network of paths and roads that are typical of the region.
We will have another day of weaving around the islands. By noon, we will have a home cooked lunch from a local family. Then we board the ship and head to My Tho.
In the afternoon the ship will cruise the fascinating water transport corridor that is the Cho Gao Canal. This evening the guides will be conducting a quiz to see how much we've all learned so far on our trip along the Mekong. You may be surprised how much has stuck with you!
This morning our final cruise takes us along the busy waterways adjacent to Saigon. Following our late morning arrival, we’ll spend time on a guided walking tour of Saigon, sampling lots of tasty foods and local specialties. Plus we’ll pass the former French quarter, stop in for a look at the Opera House, the Cathedral and the former Presidential Palace before arriving at our hotel.
After checking in we’ll enjoy one final farewell dinner and reminisce about our time together in Southeast Asia.
Our hotels of choice for Saigon are either MGallery or Le Meridien (based on seasonal availability), both are comfortable and very well appointed properties.
The tour winds up after breakfast. There is plenty to do in Saigon if you have the time to stay on. Otherwise, we'll have a driver ready to take you to the airport for your flight.
Dates & Price
EARLY RIDER PRIZE: Be in the first 4 to book a departure and get 5% OFF the tour price*
*Not applicable with guaranteed, private, or self-guided tours, other discounts, trip credit, or special offers
WHAT MAKES US STAND OUT
GRASSHOPPER STYLE
This unique tour allows you to take in the wonders of the lush Mekong Delta at a leisurely pace as you cycle and cruise from Siem Reap to Saigon. We understand that cyclists may have partners or friends who want to join the tour without getting on a bike. For our non-riding participants, we’ve created a separate itinerary that includes all of the must-sees of the area, walking tours, and fun activities as well as a few joint explorations with the cyclists.
