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Saigon to Bangkok by Bicycle

OverviewFull ItineraryTour Details
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Price from
US$ 3,500
Duration
14 Days / 13 Nights
Distance
607 km
Difficulty
Tour Code
MCT-MSB
Next departure
24-Nov-2024
Number of Cycling Days10
Average Distance Per Day: 55
0
150 Km
Average Climbing Per Day: 330
0
2,250 m
Accommodation
Basic
5 Star
Total Cycling Distance607 kilometres
AccommodationIncluded
Bike HireMountain Bike: US$ 250, E-Bike*: US$ 575
Single SupplementUS$ 595
Client Rating (based on 162 reviews)
*E-bikes are in limited supply, please enquire to reserve one.

About this Cycle Tour

Want to experience three of Southeast Asia’s most captivating countries in one bike tour? Then this iconic SpiceRoads adventure is for you. From the lush Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam to the ancient temples of Cambodia and ending on the sandy shores of the Gulf of Thailand, "Saigon to Bangkok by Bicycle" is the ultimate way to connect the region’s two most electrifying cities. Cycle on quiet backroads, immerse yourself in local lifeways, discover unmissable heritage sites, let loose on tropical cuisine, and unwind in cosy hotels.

We meet in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and head south into the Mekong Delta, cycling for three days through a serene world of coconut farms and rice fields. We cross small bridges and local ferries, explore Vietnam’s largest floating market, and speedboat up the Mekong River to the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh. From there, we plant our wheels on Cambodia’s rugged red-dirt roads and head north to the sleepy town of Kampong Thom before reaching Siem Reap, the gateway to the majestic UNESCO World Heritage-listed temples of Angkor. On trails perfect for mountain biking, we spend two days exploring these ancient ruins. A boat cruise then takes us across the Tonle Sap, Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake, for a stay in the former French colonial town of Battambang. And finally, we cross into Thailand and wind down with scenic coastal rides along the Gulf of Thailand until it’s time to say goodbye in Bangkok. The tour ends with hotel drop-offs in Bangkok.

Join us on this must-ride Southeast Asian cycling classic!

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Itinerary

Day 1

We meet at our tour hotel in Ho Chi Minh City (a.k.a Saigon) and head out for a trip briefing and welcome dinner.

Day 2

We transfer out of Saigon for our first ride amongst the lush greenery and intricate waterways of the Mekong Delta. Starting from Ben Tre, we weave through coconut farms, banana plantations, sugarcane fields, and quaint hamlets, and cross meandering rivers via small bridges and local ferries.

Day 3

Venturing deeper into Vietnam’s “rice bowl”, we cycle through an extensive patchwork of rice paddies and observe scenes of daily life amidst the fields, waterways, fruit orchards, villages, and towns. We spend the night in Can Tho, the Mekong Delta’s largest city and commercial hub.

Day 4

In the morning we visit Cai Rang, the Mekong Delta’s liveliest floating market, by boat. Back on dry land, we ride, transfer, and ride again to reach the town of Chao Doc near the Cambodian border.

Day 5

We cruise up the Mekong River by speedboat to reach Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s dynamic capital city. Here we take a rickshaw ride to the Royal Palace, a treasure trove of splendid architecture and art.

Day 6

Maneuvering our way out of Phnom Penh, we ride through suburbs and the surrounding countryside to reach Oudong Mountain. Here we visit hilltop Buddhist stupas of Cambodia’s former capital and then transfer to the sleepy backwater town of Kampong Thom.

Day 7

We ride along the floodplain of the Stueng Saen River to reach Sambor Prei Kuk, an abandoned, ancient city with scattered brick temples nestled in a serene forest. We then transfer to Siem Reap, the “gateway to Angkor”.

Day 8

We discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor by bike, cycling on small paths that crisscross the ancient landscape. Visiting the most iconic sites today - Ta Prohm, Bayon and, of course, Angkor Wat – we’ll learn about the enigmatic history of the once-glorious Khmer Empire.

Day 9

We cycle through the countryside surrounding Siem Reap, far away from the touring masses. Our destination is Banteay Srei, a pink-sandstone temple renowned for its intricate carvings.. After lunch, we transfer back to Siem Reap and enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

Day 10

Today, we take a break from cycling. Depending on water levels, we'll either cruise across the Tonle Sap Lake by boat or transfer by vehicle to Battambang. In the afternoon, we hop into tuk-tuks and visit a nearby mountain to see millions of bats fly from a cave at dusk!

Day 11

A broad cycling loop through Battambang’s lush countryside takes us to local houses crafting favorite snacks, an 11th-century Angkorian ruin, and the Samrong Knong Killing Field. We’ll also have some fun on the bamboo train and visit the Cambodian Peace Gallery.

Day 12

We fast-track ourselves from the Cambodian plains to the Gulf of Thailand via two back-to-back vehicle transfers followed by a short and sweet coastal ride. In the evening we feast on Thai food and spend the night near the beach.

Day 13

Our final ride heads west through shrimp farms, rubber plantations, and fishing villages, with two scenic bridges crossing river mouths along the way. The afternoon is free to relax on Mae Phim Beach, and we’ll gather for a farewell Thai dinner in the evening.

Day 14

The adventure ends with a transfer to your post-tour hotel in Bangkok.

Elevation Profiles

Day 2 - Saigon – Ben Tre – Tra Vinh Ride 74km. +632m / -628m.
Day 2 - Saigon – Ben Tre – Tra Vinh Ride 74km. +632m / -628m.

Reviews

It was a very beautiful tour. Guides and supporting staff were amazing in all the three countries. Plus I had the chance to mix with a great group of Australians. Definitely a our that I highly recommend.

Paolo CorinaldesiAugust 2024

I enjoyed having a more in depth look at Cambodia (beyond Siem Reap), and all the itty-bitty roads in Vietnam.

kerrie goodrichAugust 2024

Best way to see and learn about these countries. Excellent guides who answered questions, provided a wealth of information and experiences, and paid close attention to the needs of riders in the group.

Timothy RicksMay 2024

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Saigon to Bangkok by Bicycle
Tour CodeMCT-MSB
14Days
13Nights
DestinationsVietnam, Cambodia, Thailand
Tour MeetsHo Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Tour EndsBangkok
Fly in toTan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN)
Fly out ofSuvarnnabhumi International Airport (BKK)
Group Size2-16 riders
Minimum Age18 (on scheduled departures)

Activity Profile

10Cycling days
607kmTotal cycling distance
55kmAvg distance / day
330mAvg climbing / day

Pricing

PriceUS$ 3,500
Bike Hire (Mountain Bike)US$ 250
Bike Hire (E-Bike*)US$ 575
Single SupplementUS$ 595
*E-bikes are in limited supply, please enquire to reserve one.

What's Included

  • SpiceRoads jersey
  • Water bottle
  • Support vehicle
  • Guide(s)
  • Meals (as indicated)
  • Accommodation
  • Snacks and drinks
  • Entrance fees
  • Ferry/boat fares

What's Excluded

  • International flights
  • Domestic flights
  • Airport pick up
  • Airport drop off
  • Visa fees
  • Alcohol
  • Tips

Departures

24 November - 07 December 2024
08 December - 21 December 2024
26 December - 08 January 2025
05 January - 18 January 2025
12 January - 25 January 2025
19 January - 01 February 2025
09 February - 22 February 2025
02 March - 15 March 2025
04 May - 17 May 2025
01 June - 14 June 2025
See website for later departures

Trip Profile

We ride a total of 550 km over 10 cycling days. The first three days take us through the Mekong Delta, following narrow country lanes amidst coconut farms, rice fields, and quaint villages. After a rest day to reach Phnom Penh by speedboat, we tackle 4 back-to-back rides on Cambodia’s rugged dirt roads, including a memorable day exploring the ancient Angkor temples by bike. Another boat cruise (or a partial cruise and transfer in the dry season) brings us to Battambang for a final day of riding in Cambodia before we cross into Thailand. The last two rides are along well-paved coastal roads. This diverse journey is complemented by a range of touring highlights and cultural experiences, capturing the essence of everything we love about Southeast Asia. A standout feature of the tour is the incredibly welcoming locals we encounter, always eager to wave hello and cheer us on!

The trip is fully supported, and your guide’s expert knowledge of the area and terrain means that you always know what is coming up in terms of distance and difficulty. This makes a tremendous difference, as does the constant supply of water and refreshments along the way.

Suitability: This is a moderately difficult trip that anyone with a reasonable level of fitness will enjoy. Besides a few inclines here and there, there are no sustained climbs and the rides are predominantly flat throughout. Daily distances average around 55 km, allowing ample time for immersion, sightseeing, and relaxation. In Vietnam and Cambodia, navigating gravel, sand, and cratered country roads requires some handling skills but does not involve technical manoeuvring. The main challenge of the tour is keeping up stamina over back-to-back riding days and cycling in the tropical heat. Riders with less experience are more than welcome, although the fitter you are the more you will enjoy it. The support vehicle is always nearby to offer refuge to any weary cyclists.

Biking Conditions: In Vietnam and Cambodia our rides include a mix of paved roads in varying conditions, gravel and sand country roads, and vehicle-width dirt roads. While cycling in Angkor, we’ll also enjoy some fun single tracks in the forests. In Thailand, the roads are all paved and in good condition. Although much of the route is on quiet countryside roads with minimal traffic, we will regularly share the roads with cars, motorbikes, and buses. There are a few unavoidable sections along the main roads, especially coming in and out of cities and near popular attractions. In the dry season, the roads in Vietnam and Cambodia are notoriously dusty, and when it rains, they can become muddy. We generally ride rain or shine, but based on the guide’s discretion or your comfort level, modifications to the planned route can be made. It’s all part of the adventure!

Day 1 Meet in Ho Chi Minh City (a.k.a Saigon)

Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon as most locals prefer to call it! Vietnam’s largest city and the southern capital, Saigon moves at a pace that may initially be a shock to the system, but you’ll quickly adapt. We recommend arriving at least a day or two before the tour begins to get acclimated and explore sites such as the War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, Giac Lam Pagoda, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Cu Chi Tunnels, and Ben Thanh Market. On arrival day, we gather at our tour hotel in the late afternoon for a trip briefing and welcome dinner. Please let us know if you need assistance with airport transfers or pre-tour hotel bookings.

Northern Charm Hotel / Nhat Ha L'Opera Hotel
Dinner

Day 2 Saigon – Ben Tre – Tra Vinh

We leave the concrete jungle of Saigon behind and travel 2.5 hours into the Mekong Delta, a vast expanse of lush greenery and braided waterways sprawling towards the East Vietnam Sea. Starting in the city of Ben Tre, we acquaint ourselves with Vietnamese road dynamics (i.e., motorbikes zipping about!), then cross the Ham Luong River into a serene world of coconut farms, banana plantations, sugarcane fields, small hamlets, and criss-crossing canals and rivers. Our route primarily follows narrow farm roads and lanes, featuring several small bridge crossings and two local ferry rides. The second ferry takes us across the broad Co Chien River to reach the city of Tra Vinh, where we settle for the night. Tra Vinh showcases a cultural blend shaped by Vietnamese and Cambodian (a.k.a. Khmer) influences that predate modern borders.

Cuu Long Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 74km
+632m
-628m

Day 3 Tra Vinh – Can Tho

Departing from Tra Vinh, we head westward along a fertile floodplain nestled between the Cho Chien and Hau Rivers, two tributaries of the Mekong. The route winds through an extensive patchwork of rice paddies, highlighting why the Mekong Delta is known as Vietnam’s “rice bowl”! Taking our time, we soak in scenes of daily life amidst the fields, waterways, fruit orchards, villages, and towns. Along the way, we'll also encounter numerous Khmer-style Buddhist temples, a testament to centuries of Cambodian presence in the heart of the Mekong Delta. After nearly 80 km, we arrive at the outskirts of Can Tho, where we dismount and transfer a short distance to avoid riding in the heavy city traffic. As the largest city in the Mekong Delta, Can Tho serves as a bastion of the region's waterborne lifeways and thrives as a commercial hub.

IRIS Hotel Can Tho/Ninh Kieu 2 Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 78km
+422m
-434m

Day 4 Can Tho – Chau Doc

We have an early start as we board a boat to visit bustling Cai Rang, the Mekong Delta’s largest floating wholesale market. Here we discover a lively aquatic scene as vendors navigate their brightly adorned boats, displaying goods for sale on tall poles. From the comfort of our chartered boat, you can join the locals for a morning coffee, a bowl of rice noodles, and some fresh fruit. Back on dry land we then hop on our bikes to begin our final green and meandering Mekong Delta ride. After around 35 km we jump in the support vehicle to fast-track ourselves closer to the border with Cambodia where we’ll savor a shorter afternoon ride to reach the town of Chau Doc. Along the way we’ll stop to pay our respects at the genocide memorial site of Ba Chuc where, in 1978, the Khmer Rouge committed atrocities against Vietnamese civilians. We complete the ride along country roads straddling the border with the gently rising mountains in the background. We spend the night in Chao Doc, a border town located right along the banks of the mighty Mekong.

Chau Po Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 56km
+456m
-452m

Day 5 Chau Doc – Phnom Penh

Early in the morning, we cruise up the Mekong River by speedboat. Not long after our departure from Chau Doc we’ll reach the border with Cambodia and pass through immigration formalities. And then it is a comfortable journey upstream, affording us the opportunity to observe the ebb and flow of daily life unfolding on the Mekong River and its banks. The cruise takes around 5-6 hours and we’ll arrive in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s dynamic capital city, in time for lunch. We then make the most of our afternoon in the city! While Phnom Penh is best known to travelers for it’s sobering genocide memorial sites we want to show you the city’s bright side. As such, we’ll take a rickshaw ride from the riverside to the Royal Palace, the official residence of the King of Cambodia and a treasure trove of splendid architecture and art. After a tour of this glittering complex we have the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Time permitting you can visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum or the National Museum of Cambodia (on own expense).

Frangipani Royal Palace Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6 Phnom Penh – Oudong – Kampong Thom

We maneuver our way out of Phnom Penh by bike, not an easy feat considering the city’s notoriously unruly traffic but we’ve found a way! First we ferry across the river to a peninsula wedged between the Tonle Sap and Mekong Rivers. Then we follow a series of riverside neighborhoods leading to Phnom Penh’s northern suburbs which, after around 30 km, give way to the countryside. We’ll enjoy our first taste of Cambodian rural riding, cycling through many villages filled with stilt-houses, farms and, of course, curious and friendly locals eager to cheer us on! We finish the ride at Oudong where a sprawling complex of Buddhist stupas sits atop a ridge jutting out of the plains. This was once the site of Cambodia’s capital before it was moved further down river to Phnom Penh. The 400-plus steps to the top will get the legs working over-time, but the views are well worth it. After our visit we have lunch nearby and then transfer 3-4 hours to the sleepy backwater town of Kampong Thom where we spend the night.

Sambor Village/Glorious Hotel & Spa
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 47km
+263m
-207m

Day 7 Kampong Thom - Siem Reap

Starting directly from our hotel, we begin by riding along the meandering Stueng Saen River. After 8 km we cross the river either by a small wooden ferry or a makeshift bridge (depending on the water levels) and then continue north along quiet country roads dissecting the fertile floodplain of the river. This is rural Cambodia at its finest, riding through quaint villages, expansive rice fields, and other farmlands. After covering 40 km, we arrive at the ancient site of Sambor Prei Kuk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site which dates back to one of Cambodia’s earliest civilisations preceding the foundation of Angkor. Here. brick temples in various stages of restoration - many still entwined by tree roots – are scattered throughout a forested area and are connected by sandy paths. This makes for some fun mountain biking! After checking out a collection of the many temples we’ll break for lunch at a local restaurant and then complete a final 15 km until we intersect with the main road. We jump in the support vehicle and transfer around 2 hours to Siem Reap, the “gateway to Angkor”, where we’ll spend the next three nights.

Steung Siem Reap
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 64km
+341m
-342m

Day 8 Ancient Angkor’s Iconic Sites by Bike

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor is home to the once-glorious capital cities of the Khmer Empire, whose powerful god-kings built lavish stone temples between the 9th and 15th centuries CE. Today, we discover Angkor’s most iconic sites by cycling along the manifold paths that pass by, lead to, and twist around the temples and ruins scattered across the plain. At Ta Prohm - brought to fame by the film “Tomb Raider” - we stumble across a tumbling façade of laterite and sandstone blocks draped by the massive roots of fig trees. At the Bayon - a temple built as a microcosm of the heavens - we marvel at the rows of godly faces carved into the temple towers and peering sublimely in all cardinal directions. And at Angkor Wat - the national symbol of Cambodia and the largest religious structure in the world - we stroll through the inner and outer courtyards decorated with excellently conserved carvings and bas-reliefs depicting Hindu myths, wars, life and death. We return to Siem Reap in the afternoon. Tonight we dine at SPOONS, a social enterprise restaurant serving up authentic Khmer food and supporting the professional training of marginalized youth.

Steung Siem Reap
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 42km
+334m
-334m

Day 9 Siem Reap Countryside

As the ideal sequel to the previous day, today’s focus will be getting further afield from the main sites at Angkor and leaving the touring masses behind. Departing Siem Reap by bike, we head north, initially on paved roads but soon transitioning to quiet dirt roads cutting through an expanse of rice fields and small villages. Along the way, we’ll pop into local houses for a close up look at some rural cottage industries, such as basket weaving and sugar palm production. Our ride ends at the 10th-century temple of Banteay Srey. Considered a jewel of Khmer artistry, Banteay Srey is renowned for its exquisite bas-reliefs carved into delicate, pink sandstone. We’ll have lunch at a local restaurant near the temple and then transfer back to Siem Reap, giving you the afternoon at leisure to relax by the pool, enjoy a massage, or explore the town of Siem Reap. For anyone with extra energy, you are welcome to skip the transfer and cycle back to Siem Reap instead (it is around 40 km along the main road). With plenty of options to choose from, dinner is on your own tonight.

Steung Siem Reap
Breakfast, Lunch
Ride 54km
+171m
-139m

Day 10 Siem Reap – Battambang

Today, we take a break from cycling but still have an action-packed day ahead! Our goal is to reach the city Battambang, located across the Tonle Sap, Southeast Asia’s largest freshwater lake and one of Cambodia’s most vital natural resources. When water levels are high enough (typically from October to January), we'll cruise across the lake and its channels by boat, a journey that takes 6 to 8 hours. If the water levels are lower, we’ll visit the Tonle Sap via a morning cruise to a floating village near Siem Reap (accessible year-round) and then transfer to Battambang by vehicle, which takes about 3 hours. Once we’ve arrived, there will be time to unwind before we hop into Cambodian tuk-tuks – motorized rickshaws – and head to Phnom Sampov, a rocky outcrop in the countryside. Here, we’ll witness the mesmerizing exodus of millions of bats swirling into the twilight sky from a cave. We’ll take a seat at the base of the hill, grab a drink, and enjoy the show! After dusk has settled, we’ll head back to the city for dinner in Battambang’s historic core, renowned for its laid-back vibe and well-preserved French colonial architecture.

Classy Hotel & Spa
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 Battambang Exploration

The countryside around Battambang bursts with vibrant rural scenes, reflections of Cambodia’s history, and some unexpected fun. We’ll start with a 25 km ride along the banks of the Sangker River and its surrounding roads, passing traditional cottage industries where local favorites like banana chips, rice wine, bamboo sticky rice, and prahok (a pungent fermented fish paste) are made. We’ll also explore Wat Phnom Eak, an 11th-century Angkorian ruin, and pay our respects at the Samrong Knong Killing Field, a genocide memorial within the grounds of a Buddhist temple. The second half of our ride takes us through lush rice paddies and roadside markets, culminating in a quintessential and somewhat comical Battambang experience: a ride on the bamboo train, clattering along train tracks on bamboo platforms powered by a small motor. Before riding back to the city, we’ll cross a hanging bridge that feels straight out of an Indiana Jones movie and visit the Cambodian Peace Gallery, a thought-provoking exhibition on war and reconciliation. After some free time in the afternoon, we’ll gather for dinner at Jaan Bai, a social enterprise restaurant serving fresh local cuisine and providing employment for Cambodian youth.

Classy Hotel & Spa
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 54km
+268m
-268m

Day 12 Battambang – Thai Border – Chanthaburi

It is time to transition to the third country on this tour: Thailand! We start with a morning transfer of about 2 hours from Battambang to the border crossing at Ban Pakkad. After completing immigration procedures, the SpiceRoads Thailand team will greet us in the “Land of Smiles,” and we’ll continue with a 1.5-hour transfer to the coast of Chanthaburi Province. A moment you’ve probably been looking forward to is that first taste of delicious, world-famous Thai food, and we’ll satisfy that craving with lunch before saddling up for a short but sweet afternoon ride. Starting from the headland of Laem Sing, we’ll cycle a well-paved road skirting the Gulf of Thailand for just over 20 km. We’ll then relax for the evening near Chao Lao Beach, a peaceful stretch of palm-fringed sands that’s popular with locals but off the usual tourist trail. Note that if the border procedures are quicker than expected we can extend today’s ride by around 10 km.

Chanchalao Beach Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 22km
+169m
-148m

Day 13 Chanthaburi – Laem Mae Phim Beach

Darting off from our resort in Laem Sing, our final ride heads west along the Gulf of Thailand’s coast. As we cycle on well-paved secondary roads, we'll pass shrimp farms with their distinctive patchwork of ponds, rubber plantations with neatly spaced trees, and fishing communities with their colorful boats and wooden houses. We’ll also enjoy memorable bridge crossings over river mouths leading to the sea. The last stretch takes us right along Laem Mae Phim Beach, where we’ll conclude our cycling tour – high fives and maybe a cold brew or two will surely be in order! The rest of the afternoon is free to relax with a swim in the ocean, a soothing massage, or unwinding by the pool. We’ll gather for a farewell Thai feast in the evening to celebrate the end of our adventure.

Grande Blue Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 58km
+247m
-350m

Day 14 Laem Mae Phim Beach – Bangkok

After breakfast and some time at leisure, we’ll transfer to Bangkok, Thailand’s brimming capital city. The total driving time is around 3.5 hours and we aim to get you there in the early afternoon. Lunch is not included, but you can pick something up at a rest stop along the way or save your appetite for a late lunch in Bangkok – one of the world’s greatest culinary cities. The tour ends with a drop-off at your post-tour hotel in Bangkok. If you need assistance with post-tour hotel bookings in Bangkok or airport transfers, please let us know.

Breakfast

Disclaimer: The adventure cycling tours we operate often go beyond the beaten track, and the countries where we ride are not always predictable. Due to these reasons, it is occasionally necessary to reroute or update itineraries. Our guarantee is that we will not change a trip unless for safety or to improve it. Our listed hotels are always accurate at the time of writing, but should we have to change any hotel, it will always be for a similar or better one.

Nuts & Bolts

Bikes

Because some people can't imagine going on a trip without their own beloved bicycle, we do not provide them as part of this tour. However, you can hire bikes locally for the price listed in the tour pricing section. Please note that we will have different bikes in each country. In Vietnam and Cambodia we use mountain bikes while in Thailand, where the roads are mostly well-paved, we use hybrids. If you bring your own bike, it can be a mountain, hybrid, or gravel bike. Please make sure it is in good mechanical order.

We also have E-Bikes available for hire, but they are limited in number & size - please send an email to us to check on availability.

Bike Repairs

Basic spares and tools are carried by the guide and on the support vehicle, though we cannot guarantee having spares for every conceivable problem. Carrying a basic tool kit, a spare tube and a pump while riding is recommended.

Safety

Wearing a helmet is required on all our biking adventures and is non negotiable. If you do not wear a helmet you will not be allowed to cycle. Your tour leader is trained in first aid and emergency rescue, but to a large degree you must be responsible for your own safety while riding. It is therefore compulsory that you take out travel insurance that will cover you for a mountain biking tour.

Guides

You will be led by a local English-speaking guide and if the group is 9 people or more we will add another guide to the tour. All our guides are well informed in the history, culture and religions of the area where you are biking and are skilled at passing that knowledge on to you. Your guide is also medically trained and an experienced cyclist, able to handle most minor repairs en route.

The Nitty Gritty

Cambodia

Passports and Visas

All nationalities require a visa and a passport valid for 6 months after their planned exit from Cambodia. A 30-day visa on arrival is available at Phnom Penh and Siem Reap Airports and at some land border crossings. You can also obtain a visa online through e-Visa. There is a 3-day processing time and you'll need a scanned copy of the passport. Not all border crossings accept the e-Visa, please check this port of entry page which provides a list of which checkpoints support the e-Visa service. If your chosen tour includes a border crossing where e-Visa is not available we'll tell you at the time of booking. For Visa-On-Arrival, the cost is 35 USD and it needs to be paid in cash. It is important that the USD are in good condition - i.e. no visible tearing, creasing, crumpling, or scribbling - so please only bring new and crisp USD bills to avoid any issues upon entry.

Update: All passengers travelling to Cambodia must now submit an electronic arrival card before entering the country. This 'Cambodia e-arrival card' can be completed and submitted up to 7 days prior to arrival via the official website or through Apple's App Store and Google Play Store. The platform also offers the option to apply for an e-visa or reserve a visa on arrival for eligible nationalities, eliminating the need for separate visa applications. At present, this process is applicable to travelers who arrive by flights into Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports. Those entering Cambodia by land crossing, boat or through Sihanoukville airport will use the paper-based forms at this time.

Health

We recommend that you visit a travel medical doctor and ask about the following vaccinations: typhoid, polio, tetanus and hepatitis A. A certificate for Yellow Fever is required when arriving from an infected area within six days.

Weather

Cambodia has two distinct seasons - wet and dry. The dry season usually lasts from October to April. The wet season starts in May until September. Within each season there are variations in temperature. The coolest being 24C around November/December and hottest hitting 35C around April/May.

Food

Meals are included as per the itinerary where B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner. Most meals are local and feature noodles, rice, curries, and soups. Cambodian cuisine is a mixture of Thai, French and Chinese dishes and we make sure you can sample a wide variety. Any special dietary requirements can also be catered for as well. Please let us know at the time of booking.

Drink

Keeping you completely hydrated is a job we take very seriously. Cold water, some energy-restoring local fruit, and soft drinks are included in the tour price while riding. Soft drinks and other beverages during meals are not included. Beer is freely available everywhere but is NOT included in the price.

Solo Travelers

SpiceRoads does not require you to pay a surcharge for traveling alone. We will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveler of the same gender and if we can not match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room. The cost of the single supplement is listed above.

Extra Expenses

We recommend that you tuck away a few extra dollars, perhaps US$20, for incidentals.

Money

Thai baht and US dollars are widely used in Cambodia, especially in larger cities and towns. In smaller towns and villages, Cambodian riels are usually preferred. There are ATMs in most areas, however, machines dispense US dollars. The guides will be able to show you where the ATMs are. Spend riel before departing as no one will exchange them for you once you leave.

Thailand

Passports and Visas

Visitors from 93 countries can enter Thailand for 60 days without applying for a visa. See here if your country is on the list. If you do not hold a passport from one of these countries please contact the Thai embassy or consulate nearest to you about applying for a visa. If you intend to say for more than 60 days you will also need a visa. Please check this page for more details and the latest updates. Please ensure you hold a passport with at least 6 months of validity remaining. You will need to show proof of an onward flight out of Thailand to be eligible for the visa on arrival. If you do not possess a ticket proving your exit from Thailand within 60 days of arrival, you may be denied boarding.

Health

We recommend that you visit a travel medical doctor and ask about the following vaccinations: typhoid, polio, tetanus and hepatitis A. A certificate for Yellow Fever is required when arriving from an infected area within six days.

Weather

Thailand generally has a tropical climate with fairly high humidity. The North and Central region have a tropical climate with fairly high humidity. Northeast Thailand has a humid hot and dry weather alternatively with medium rain while the coastal areas of the east is humid and hot with intermittent rain. The South of Thailand has a tropical climate with fairly high humidity.

There are three seasons: from March to June it is hot and dry, with temperatures between 27˚C/80 F and 40˚C/104 F, with night temperatures in the 20s. The rainy season is from July to October, but temperatures are slightly lower, because of the effect of the rain. During this time it will not rain continuously, but in sharp bursts, and the sun can come out quickly. The cooler season is from October to February, with average temperatures between 20˚C/68 F and 30˚C/86 F.

Food

Meals are included as per the itinerary where B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner. Most meals are local and feature noodles, rice, curries, and soups. Any special dietary requirements can also be catered for as well. Please let us know at the time of booking.

Drink

Keeping you completely hydrated is a job we take very seriously. Cold water, some energy-restoring local fruit, and soft drinks are included in the tour price while riding. Soft drinks and other beverages during meals are not included. Beer is freely available everywhere but is NOT included in the price.

Solo Travelers

SpiceRoads does not require you to pay a surcharge for traveling alone. We will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveler of the same gender and if we cannot match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room. The cost of the single supplement is listed above.

Extra Expenses

We recommend that you tuck away a few extra dollars, perhaps US$20 per day, for incidentals.

Money

The Thai currency is the baht. ATMs, which are abundant, are the easiest ways to get Thai baht. Have a supply of US dollars in cash on hand, just in case your card doesn’t work. Banks or the rarer private moneychangers offer the best foreign-exchange rates. Credit cards are accepted in big cities and resort hotels but you’ll need baht for family-run guesthouses or restaurants.

Vietnam

Passports and Visas

Vietnam e-visa application is available to all nationalities. You can apply for a single-entry visa up to 30 days, or a multi-entry visa up to 90 days. Application is through the Vietnam visa portal.

Please carefully fill out the form and check the information you have entered. Even minor spelling errors will render the visa invalid and your entry to Vietnam will be denied.

For peace of mind, we suggest applying for your e-visa as early as possible, and no later than 2 weeks before your expected arrival in Vietnam. While processing time is generally no more than 1-3 working days (not including weekends and Vietnamese holidays), it is wise to give yourself some buffer time in case there are any issues.

If you are joining a multi-country trip beginning in Vietnam, please be sure to select the correct exit point from the list below:

“Saigon to Bangkok” and “Saigon to Siem Reap”: Song Tien Landport
“Road Biking from Saigon to Angkor”: Moc Bai Landport
“Remote Vietnam and Laos”: Na Meo Landport
“Hanoi to Luang Prabang”: Tay Trang Landport

If your SpiceRoads trip will end in Vietnam, please choose your point of exit as the airport, port or land border through which you have arranged to leave Vietnam.

Health

See here for recommendations and detailed information.

Weather

Weather in Vietnam is divided into 4 main regions - the far north, north, central and south.

The far north can get very cold in December and January while the dry season runs from October to late March and the wet season between April to September.

In Hanoi & the north, it is hot, wet and humid from May to October while November to April is cooler and dry.

Central Vietnam experiences hot, dry weather between January & August with temperatures ranging in the mid 30°C. High levels of rainfall are during September - November.

Southern Vietnam is dry and hot from November to April, and warm and wet between May & October, with the highest rainfall in June, July & August.

Food

Meals are included as per the itinerary where B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner. Most meals are Vietnamese food and features noodles, rice curries and soups. Vietnamese cuisine is world famous and we make sure you sample as much variety as possible. Any special dietary requirements can also be catered for as well. Please let us know at the time of booking.

Drink

Keeping you completely hydrated is a job we take very seriously. Cold water, some energy-restoring local fruit, and soft drinks are included in the tour price while riding. Soft drinks and other beverages during meals are not included. Beer is freely available everywhere in Vietnam but is NOT included in the price.

Solo Travelers

SpiceRoads does not require you to pay a surcharge for traveling alone. We will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveler of the same gender and if we can not match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room. The cost of the single supplement is listed above.

Extra Expenses

We recommend that you tuck away a few extra dollars, perhaps US$10, for incidentals. It is customary to tip local tour guides and drivers, however, the amount you give should be dependent on the level of service you receive. We will send you a tipping guideline before the tour begins.

Money

The official national currency is the Vietnam dong (d), but the US dollar is widely accepted in tourist centers. However, in smaller towns and villages the dong is preferred. ATMs are available in all major tourist destinations and big cities. Vietcombank has the best network with a single withdrawal limit of 2,000,000d (about US$125). Most major currencies can be exchanged at leading banks in Vietnam, but the US dollar is preferred away from the tourist centers. Changing US$100 will make you an instant millionaire! You cannot legally take the dong out of Vietnam but you can reconvert reasonable amounts of it into US dollars on departure.

General booking info

If this is the tour for you here's what you need to do to confirm your place:

FLEXIBLE BOOKING CONDITIONS

Booking a SpiceRoads cycling adventure is easy and we try to do everything possible to make sure you have full flexibility and peace of mind. We do not require a deposit to hold your place on a tour and once full payment has been made your money is protected in our client account and you have the flexibility to cancel or change your booking if needed.

CONFIRMING YOUR BOOKING

Just complete our online booking form or send your booking details offline (email or post), and we will confirm your participation. No deposit is needed to confirm your place on a SpiceRoads tour.

You are advised to read our Booking Conditions in full before you make your payment and should you require further clarifications of any of the conditions below, please email us or call our office.

TRIP STATUS

There is a minimum number of participants (usually 2) required to enable the trip to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to Depart'. Once a trip is guaranteed to depart you are free to book your flights and make other travel arrangements. If the trip status is ‘Limited’ will mean we have only a small number of spaces available for booking. If you are unsure about the trip status, please email us or call our office.

BOOKING ONLINE

From the tour page, click the 'Book Now' link. All departures for this tour will appear, just select the date you'd like to travel. For the next steps, you'll need to know the names of the people travelling. If you wish you can also provide extra details such as passport numbers, height (for bike hire), or you can add that later by logging into Manage My Trip (we'll set up an account for you automatically if you don't already have one). Our system will contact you from time to time to fill in the missing information, as it will be required before departure. However, if the trip that you are booking offers a child discount, you will have to fill out the date of birth of each rider (so we can calculate the appropriate discount).

If you are having any problems please send us an email, or give us a call (+66 026 3295) and one of our travel specialists will assist you with your booking.

BOOKING OFFLINE

Just call us or send an email indicating which trip you want to join and we will happily send you a list of questions and process your booking for you.

DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS

We do not require a deposit or full payment to book a place for you on a tour.

The balance of the tour’s cost (final invoice) will need to be paid 60 days before the departure date with fees for any bicycle rental(s), single supplement(s) and extra hotel nights.

In the case where a booking is made when there are less than 60 days until the tour departure date, the tour’s cost should be paid in full within 72 hours of receiving an invoice from SpiceRoads. Payment can be made by credit card using our online payment gateway or by bank transfer. When making payment online you will need to confirm that you have read these booking conditions during the "checkout" process, which equates to agreeing to the terms of services and stipulations as indicated in this document.

In all cases, tour fees need to be paid “in full” before participation in a tour. No person(s) will be allowed to join a tour without fully settling their invoice and receiving a confirmation number from SpiceRoads.

The exception can be made for last-minute miscellaneous fees that can be paid locally (visas, additional local hotel bookings, etc.) can be settled on the day of arrival.

FULL FLEXIBILITY FOR TOUR CANCELATIONS

If the tour is cancelled or postponed by SpiceRoads because we didn't make the trip numbers and the tour can’t run, we will make a full cash refund (by bank transfer or on your credit card).

If the tour is cancelled for any other reason, including due to Covid related travel restrictions, we will give you a full credit (with no deductions for admin or any other small-print item) to use on any SpiceRoads tour with no time limit. (Exceptions being flights, special permits and other non-refundable items and these will be advised when booking the trip).

Before paying for your tour, you can cancel your booking with no charge and up until 40 days before departure, you can change your booking to another travel date or move your booking onto another SpiceRoads tour with no charges.

If you need to cancel after you have made full payment, please see our cancellation policy.

Loyalty Riders Club

For those who have been on several long tours with us, we reward customer loyalty by offering repeat customers a special discount off the tour price (excludes single supplement and bike rental). If this is your fourth scheduled tour or more you will receive a 5% discount. If this is your eighth scheduled tour or more we will extend a 10% discount. The discount will be reflected in your online booking, but please contact us if any questions. Loyalty discounts cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Note: Only tours of 7 days or more will be applicable for a loyalty discount.

International Flights

International flights, to and from the start and finish points are not included in the tour price. Once your tour is Guaranteed to Depart you can book your flight. Please contact us for advice before arranging flights for the best arrival and departure times. We would only cancel a trip for an extreme circumstance, but in that case, where we cancel your trip, we cannot be liable for losses incurred relating to any flight booking you have made. Please claim any losses from your travel insurance that you acquired when you booked your holiday.

Newsletter

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The information in this document is given in good faith, and covers the average range of conditions likely to be found on this trip. Please note that the itinerary is subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances, however, we will always do our best to adhere to this original itinerary

Contact Us

45 (Sub Soi Pannee) Soi Pridi Banomyong 26
Sukhumvit Soi 71 Klongtan Nua, Wattana
Bangkok, Thailand 10110
Tel: +66 (0) 2 026 3295
Email: info@spiceroads.com
Website: www.spiceroads.com