Biking Saigon to Angkor Wat

Price from
US$ 2,250
Duration
9 Days / 8 Nights
Distance
360 km
Tour Code
MCT-MSS
Next departure
11-May-2025
Number of Cycling Days6
Average Distance Per Day: 60
0
150 Km
Average Climbing Per Day: 408
0
2,250 m
Accommodation
Basic
5 Star
Total Cycling Distance360 kilometres
AccommodationIncluded
Bike HireMountain Bike: US$ 140
Single SupplementUS$ 395
Client Rating (based on 16 reviews)

About this Cycle Tour

The Mekong, Southeast Asia’s longest river, is the lifeblood of southern Vietnam and Cambodia. Its floodplains harbor a cycling paradise, from the braided waterways and lush greenery of the Mekong Delta to the endless rice paddies and heritage sites of rural Cambodia. On this 9-day bike tour, we explore the lifeways, histories, and cuisines spanning the lower reaches of the Mekong as we connect the electrifying modern city of Saigon with the venerable ancient temples of Angkor.

We meet in Ho Chi Minh City (a.k.a Saigon) and head south into the heart of the Mekong Delta, spending three days cycling on quiet backcountry roads in a serene world of coconut farms and rice fields. We rattle over small bridges or hop on local ferries to cross rivers. We also spend time on the water, delving into the aquatic commercial frenzy of Vietnam’s largest floating market at Cai Rang and cruising up the Mekong River on a speedboat to reach Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh. From here we head north, layering our tires with grit from the Kingdom’s notorious red-dirt roads, to reach the sleepy backwater town of Kampong Thom and the ancient, jungle-covered ruins of Sambor Prei Kuk. And finally we arrive in Siem Reap where, riding on paths perfect for mountain biking, we’ll explore the UNESCO World Heritage-listed, majestic temples of the once-glorious Khmer Empire, including, of course Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious monument. The tour ends in Siem Reap.

Join us on this captivating journey through the heart and soul of southern Vietnam and Cambodia!

If you want to explore more of Cambodia and then continue onwards into Thailand, then join our Saigon to Bangkok by Bicycle tour. The first 8 days between Saigon and Siem Reap are identical to this trip, with a further 6 days subsequently leading to Bangkok, Thailand.

Book Your Cycling Holiday

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 bustling 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

Our cycling tour has ended but we suggest you extend your stay another day or two to explore more of Siem Reap and the incredible ancient landscape of Angkor.

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

We had a once in a lifetime experience on our trip. The routes were fun and full of things to see, with lots of stops for sightseeing whenever we wanted. Both our guides were friendly and knowledgeble and we felt in very safe hands the whole time. The tour was incredibly well organised and even in the very hot weather we had we were well supplied with snacks and drinks. Accommodation ranged from reasonable 3 star to very nice 4 star hotels. A couple in particular were real stand-outs with nice pools to lounge in after a day of cycling. Thank you to everyone who made this trip so wonderful, we loved it and can't wait to do another one!

Alice RendellAugust 2024

Excellent organized tour, good accomodations and very knowledge guides - great experience!

Jens WrabelMay 2024

Cycling is the only way I feel you can unobtrusively observe the everyday lives of people & how they live whilst experiencing great food & scenery . Oh & getting fitter every day.

Phillip Mc MasterJuly 2023

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