Vietnam

Vietnam, Cambodia Bike + Boat Tour

Bike & Boat in the Far East

Vietnam is a hidden beauty, a  unique country blessed with overwhelming nature; soaring mountains, magnificent coastline, pristine waters.  Mysterious monuments remind one of times gone by.  A country of  contrasts with bustling, vibrant cities and rural districts where women in conical hats still tend to their fields and children herd buffalos along country paths, there are still places where  time has  stood still.  Go to  this fascinating country at the other side of the world, expecting the unexpected and assured of adventure!

Nothing can prepare you for the  beauty of Halong Bay and its 2000 limestone karsts. You will have opportunity to explore this rocky, fairytale world  with this unique landscape by bike and kayak. Admire the lush green rice fields, meet the friendly water buffaloes, visit colorful temples and pagodas, and let the emerald-green waters of the South China Sea and the incredible cave formations enchant you. In Central Vietnam, explore the impressive monuments of the Vietnamese emperors as well as the historical town of Hoi An - a World Heritage site - and in South Vietnam the expansive water labyrinth of the Mekong Deltas.

Where You’ll Stay

You will spend the night in very good 3-4 star hotels In Hanoi, on Cat Bay Island, in Hue and Hoi An (Central Vietnam) and in Saigon. The majority of this tour, however, will be spent on the lovely Le Cochinchine and Vietnamese Junks

What’s Included

• 14 nights accommodations of which 5 are on comfortable ships in air conditioned double cabins and 9 overnights are in very good hotels (at least 3 stars)
• All meals with the exception of dinner on days 7, 9, and 14, and lunch on days 8, 10, and 11
• Guided walks, bicycle, and kayak tours
• All city tours and entrance fees to National Parks, museums, etc.
• English speaking guides
• Rental bikes (the bikes vary from destination to destination)
• In Angkor:
• 3 nights accommodations in very good (at least 3 star) Hotels in Seim Reap
• Support vehicle with air conditioning
• Breakfast provided on days 1, 2, 3, and 4, and lunch served on days 2 and 3
• Entrance fees and fees for tours
• German and English speaking tour guides
• Water and snacks during the tours
• Rental Bikes

What’s Not Included

• Flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap (1 way = 150 Euro)
• Outward flight to Hanoi and return flight from Ho Chi Minh City
• Drinks on board and in hotels
• Dinner on days 7, 9, and 14, and lunch on days 8, 10, and 11
• Valid Visa for Vietnam
• In Angkor:
• Drinks other then mentioned
• Visa to Cambodia ($20 at entry)
• Dinner on days 1, 2, 3, and 4, and lunch on days 1 and 4
• Tips

Tour Dates

• March 4, March 18, April 1, October 28, November 11, and November 25, 2012
• Extended stay in Angkor: March 18, April 1, 15, November 11, 25, December 8, 2012

Skill Level

The bike routes average about 16 miles through hilly or mountainous areas that can be completed without any time constraints. Roads are mainly asphalted but good accessible trails will be utilized as well.

Tour Boats

• Le Cochinchine
• Vietnamese Junks

Day-To-Day Itinerary

1. Arrival in Hanoi
2. Hanoi – Island of Van Don, 21 miles (33 km)
3. Islands of Tra Ban and Quan Lan, 24 miles (39 km)
4. Ha Long Bay (kayaking day)
5. Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay (kayaking day) 
6. Island of Cat Ba, 12.5 miles (20 km)
7. Island of Cat Ba, 21 miles (35 km) 
8. Hanoi – Hue, 6 miles (10 km)
9. Hue – Perfume River – Hoi An
10. Hoi An, 11 miles (17 km)
11. Ho Chi Minh City
12. Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta, 12 miles (20 km)
13. Mekong Delta – Islands of Vingh Long and Traon, 19 miles (30 km)
14. Can Tho – Ho Chi Minh City

15. Departure

Extended Stay in Angkor Vat (optional)
1.  Ho Chi Minh City - Siem Reap, 25 miles (40 km)
2. Siem Reap - Phnom Kulen 31 mile cycle (50 km) and 2 hour hike
3. Angkor Wat, 25 miles (40 km)
4. Departure  

*All distances are approximate. The above planned itinerary is subject to change due to changing wind and weather conditions and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with mooring requirements, etc.

Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi
Upon arrival at Hanoi airport, a transfer bus will be waiting to take you to the hotel in the heart of Hanoi's old town center. Despite its 3 million inhabitants, Hanoi is rural and traditional. The historical old quarter is considered one of the best-preserved in all of Southeast Asia. During a walk through the colorful, lively streets, you will be captivated by the incomparable Asian flair. Late in the afternoon, there will be an opportunity to attend the famous water-puppet theater, a traditional Vietnamese art form. This is a perfect opportunity for you to become familiar with fellow cyclists. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2: Hanoi – Island of Van Don, 21 miles (33 km)
After breakfast, a bus tour will begin past extensive rice fields to Van Don Island. After a picnic lunch, the first bike tour will begin. Initially, the tour follows asphalt roads along the coast before crossing the heavily wooded island center on rural paths.
Afterwards, you will check in on the ship and enjoy the crossing on the traditional wooden vessel.

Day 3: Islands of Tra Ban and Quan Lan, 24 miles (39 km)
In the morning, the ship will sail to Tra Ban Island. Cycling on small paths and through green rice fields, you will cross the island entirely untouched by tourists. Water buffaloes, very typical in this region as well as farmers cultivating fields next to small villages, are all unique sights along the way. After this pleasant bike ride, you will meet up again with the ship and, during lunch, will cruise to Quan Lan Island. This island, famous for the brilliant white sands of its immense and pristine beaches, is the second bike tour of the day. Afterwards, the ship will sails towards Ha Long Bay.

Day 4: Ha Long Bay (kayaking day)
After a long cruise during breakfast, you will reach the fabulous fairy-tale world of the Ha Long Bay. The best way to explore the extraordinary caves, lagoons, and silent bays of this area is in a kayak! This tour will begin in the afternoon. An interesting sight today is the lookout on Titop Island. It is named after the Russian cosmonaut Titov who once stood with Ho Chi Minh on the very same rock. In the evening, this lookout point presents is an unforgettable image of the vista of wonders of Ha Long Bay.

Day 5: Ha Long Bay and Lan Ha Bay (kayaking day)
After breakfast, luggage will be transferred onto a smaller ship that will sail to the bay of Lan Ha.
From there, the kayak excursion will start once more to a picture-book beach. Lunch will be enjoyed here and you will have time to go swimming in the emerald-green sea. The tour will continue from the beach to a small landing on Cat Ba, from where a bus will transfer you to the resort.

Day 6: Island of Cat Ba, 12.5 miles (20 km)
In the morning, the bus will transfer you back again to the small landing, where the ship is still docked from the previous day. A one-hour crossing finishes at another small landing place from where the bike tour will begin to a remote village inhabited by the Viet Hai, an ethnic minority. Continuing on foot, there will be a fascinating guided walk through an incredible forest that will amaze you with its wild pristine flora and giant colorful butterflies. The destination is one of the island's highest mountains, which, on a clear day, presents a grandiose view across Ha Long Bay and the entire island.
A cycle back to the boat will end the day quietly and you can enjoy the rest of your time on the private beach of the Sunrise Resort. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 7: Island of Cat Ba, 21 miles (35 km)
After visiting the local market, the morning bike tour will take you to the center of the island and back to Cat Ba Town along the island’s panoramic coastal road.  Here, lunch will be served and there will be time to explore while waiting for the Hydrofoil, which will take you back to the mainland. From there, a bus transfers back to Hanoi. In the evening, you are free to stroll through the lively streets and lanes of the capital. Dinner can be enjoyed at one of the many restaurants in town. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8: Hanoi – Hue, 6 miles (10 km)
In the morning, you will fly from Hanoi to Hue, which is discreetly located between hills and rice fields at a bend of the Perfume River. The spiritual heart of Vietnam beats here in more than 300 temples and pagodas. The bike tour in the afternoon goes through this ancient imperial city to visit the expansive citadel, with the “Forbidden Purple City”; once exclusively reserved for the Ngyen dynasty. Afterwards, you will visit the Thien Mu Pagoda, which is one of the most influential monasteries in Vietnam. The day ends with a leisurely boat trip on the Perfume River.

Day 9: Hue – Perfume River – Hoi An
In the morning, a transfer bus will drive to one of the famous Vietnamese Emperor’s tombs. Afterwards, the bus will continue on to Hoi An. En route, there will be a brief stop at the Cloud Pass, the weather line between North and South Vietnam, and at the Marble Mountain with its numerous little sanctuaries. Hoi An, once the most important port of Southeast Asia, has a delightful old center inviting you to take stroll in the evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10: Hoi An, 11 miles (17 km)
Today, there is a possibility to take a closer look into the daily life of the local farmers. A bike tour will lead to Tra Que- a small village in the suburban area of Hoi Ans. The name of the place originates from a sweet vegetable often used by locals as a spice in their meals. The host will prepare a meal with you and explain this special ingredient. The afternoon can be designed individually: Perhaps a stroll through the picturesque old town or a relaxing bathing afternoon at the white beach of Cua Dai can end the day! 

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City
In the morning, after a transfer to Da Nang, you will fly to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon. The city is the vibrant heart of the south. A guided tour through the rapidly growing metropolis will visit the town hall, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Reunification Palace, and the War Remnants Museum commemorating the Vietnam War. Overnight at the hotel. 

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City – Mekong Delta, 12 miles (20 km)
A transfer will bring you to My Tho where the boat will sail to Cai Be. During the short cruise along the Mekong, the ample growing nature of the delta as well as the river related life of the inhabitants will pass by. The boat will move on north to Ben Tre. Here, there is a relaxing cycle tour of only a few miles. Back on board, lunch is served. In the afternoon, the schedule includes the discovery of the green island, Ngu Hiep, and the opportunity to try exotic fruits while exploring different local handcrafts. 

Day 13: Mekong Delta – Islands of Vingh Long and Traon, 19 miles (30 km)
The Vingh Long Island is full of cycle paths shaded by beautiful and all-natural palm trees. By boat, the tour will continue to Traon Island where there will be the opportunity to explore the surroundings by bike. Later on, you can enjoy the excellent cuisine on board and the wonderful evening atmosphere in the water labyrinth of the Mekong Delta.

Day 14: Can Tho – Ho Chi Minh City
During breakfast, the ship will cruise to Can Tho, where you will be transferred to a small boat to sail to Cai Rong, the most famous floating market of the Delta. You will surely get caught up in the unique atmosphere of the merchants on their gaily-painted boats; be sure to have your camera at the ready! The rest of the day will be spent traveling through the small tributaries of the Delta. After lunch on board the Conchinchine, you will check out and be transferred back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 15: Departure
Departure after breakfast

Extended Stay in Angkor Wat
The world famous temple of Angkor Wat are part of the world's many wonders and are perfect for an extension of your Vietnam holiday. The program consists of less difficult cycle tours, some distances covered by foot, and of course, plenty of sight seeing. Don't miss out on this opportunity in Angkor Wat.

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City – Siem Reap, 25 miles (40 km)       
After a short flight from Ho Chi Minh City, a tour guide will welcome you at the airport in Siem Reap and bring you to the Hotel in the city center. Siem Reap is a small town in the French colonial style situated north of the biggest lake of south-east Asia: the Tonle Sap. The town, with its charming houses and neat hotel resorts built after the slow fallback of the Red Khmer, are some of the many sights along the cycle route.  On calm country roads, you will cycle though villages along the pagoda, lakes full of lotus flowers, and rice fields. After about 9 miles (15 km), you will reach the temple group of Roluos which consits of the Bakong-, Preah Ko- and Lolei temple. Roluos was the former capital of the Angkor regime during the 9th century. After visiting the unbelievable architecture of the temple, the rest of the day is open to explore and relax.

Day 2: Siem Reap – Phnom Kulen, 31 miles (50 km) 2 hour hike
After breakfast, the cycle tour leads to Phnom Kulen.  Along a calm dirt-road, you will pass many different temples and monasteries before parking your bike on the Rattanak Tey pagoda. From here, the Phnomh Kulen hill, known as the cradle of Angkors culture, must be hiked on foot. The hill can be navigated by stairs and climbing paths. On the way, there are numerous picturesque places to stop and take breaks. Once at the top, you can enjoy a pic-nic near a gorgeous waterfall where you can also take refreshing swim after the long hike. After the walk down the hill back to the bikes, a transfer vehicle will take you to Siem Reap.

Day 3: Angkor Wat, 25 miles (40 km) 
Today, you will explore the wonderful temple of Angkor by bicycle. First, there is a ride through the typical countryside of Cambodia to the temple of Ta Prohm Temple- known for its tree covered brickwork. Next stop is the Bayon temple, with its 37 towers. More highlights of the day are the terraces of the so called Leprosy- King, the terrace of the elephants, and of course the Angkor Wat temple. It was built during the years 800 and 1200 A.D. and displays one of the most astonishing architectural achievements of mankind. The evening is free and can be enjoyed in Siem Reap.

Day 4: Departure
After breakfast, you will have free time until the airport transfer. 

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