Siem Reap to Saigon
Cambodia, Vietnam Bike Tours
Bike through scenic and historical Southeast Asia
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length7 days
- Prices from$2515 Rates
- Book This Trip
Overview
Few bike tours contain as much variety as this one that runs from Siem Reap to Saigon. Ancient temples, friendly villages, and two rapidly modernizing cities emerging from a difficult past are all waiting to be explored.
This is a journey in the truest sense of the word. From the most significant archeological sites in Cambodia to the most significant commercial city in Vietnam, the contrasts along the way are what make this an educational, enjoyable, and achievable ride for anyone passing through Southeast Asia.
With hardly a hill in sight, but enough variety in scenery and surface to keep the ride interesting, the cycling is punctuated by a boat ride down the Mekong River and finishes off with two full days of riding through the intriguing Mekong Delta.
If you want to get far away from the daily grind and immerse yourself in Indochina, this is the ride for you.
Highlights
- Cycle to the jungle of Kampong Thom and see the Angkor ruins of Sambor Prei Kuk
- Explore the small villages of the Silk Islands Phnom Penh for a day
- Enjoy a scenic boat ride to Can Tho
- Experience daily Vietnamese life as you cycle through the countryside
- Visit the hustle and bustle of the floating markets of Can Tho
- Take a walking tour of Saigon and its historical sites
Interested in more? Check out all of our Vietnam Tours.
Itinerary
Day 1: Siem Reap - transfer to Kampong Thom - cycle Sambor Prei Kuk, 34 mi (55 km)
Day 2: Transfer to Oudong Mountain - cycle to Phnom Penh, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 3: Islands of the Mekong, 19 mi. (30 km)
Day 4: Boat to Chau Doc, Vietnam
Day 5: Cycle and transfer to Can Tho, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 6: Long Xuyen - Can Tho, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 7: Floating markets and transfer to SaigonAll distances are approximate. All itineraries are subject to change due to variables in weather and other unforeseen circumstances having to do with the route and road access, sailing conditions etc.
Day 1: Siem Reap - transfer to Kampong Thom - cycle Sambor Prei Kuk, 34 mi. (55 km)
Starting with an early pickup from your hotel, we have a 2.5-hour drive to reach Kampong Thom, the neighboring province to Siem Reap. After a bike fitting, we set off on a ride north of the town to find the sprawling complex of pre-Angkorian temples known as Sambor Prei Kuk. These ruins date back as far as the 7th-century and are remarkably intact for their age. The leafy surrounds and the absence of tourists make this a really special experience. After we see out the heat of the day in the shade, we return to Kampong Thom by a different route and enjoy a tasty, authentic meal.
Meals: L,DDay 2: Transfer to Oudong - cycle to Phnom Penh, 28 mi. (45 km)
Following a relaxed morning in order to time the day correctly, you transfer around three hours to Oudong Mountain, the former capital of Cambodia, and today a hilltop temple with fine views. After a Cambodian-style picnic, you will then take an afternoon ride on lovely village roads and trails, mostly unpaved. You zig-zag your way through rice fields and farmland, passing Oudong's smaller brother, Basset Mountain. Crossing a recently refurbished but as yet un-operational railway line, the scenery changes rapidly. For those comfortable cycling in traffic, you can ride right up to the hotel door. For those that are not game, the support vehicle awaits. Dinner tonight will be enjoyed by the Tonle Sap River, not far from where the three main rivers of Cambodia converge.
Meals: B,L,DDay 3: Islands of the Mekong, 19 mi. (30 km)
This morning you take to bikes again and explore the nearby Mekong islands through charming village communities, fruit orchards, traditional silk weaving workshops, and a variety of temples from a more recent time. This is a highlight ride and provides a unique perspective to Phnom Penh and its surrounds.Phnom Penh has a turbulent history. Little more than a collection of wooden shacks when the French first arrived, the colonials transformed it into a beautiful city. With the evacuation of the city by the Khmer Rouge in 1975, its decay and decline began, with regeneration and rapid economic development only a recent trend. Your guide can dispense a great deal of advice on how the city can be explored and will offer a late afternoon walk to introduce you to some of the lesser-known aspects of this eccentric city
Meals: B,LDay 4: Boat to Chau Doc, Vietnam
Today is a day off the bike. In the morning you can have a bit of leisure time to enjoy the pool or wander a bit around Phnom Penh. After an early lunch, you embark and enjoy a boat ride down the Mekong River and enter Vietnam via Chau Doc, a bustling Delta town, whose specialty is salted fish.
Meals: B,L,DDay 5: Cycle and transfer to Can Tho, 31 mi. (50 km)
Today you officially begin your two-wheeled exploration of the Mekong Delta. After a short ferry ride, you will jump on the bikes and begin crisscrossing the canals by bridge and boat, exploring your way through the maze of waterways. Along the ride, you’ll get your first good glimpse of the fertile delta lands that are used for food production and see the locals hard at work to grow, harvest and transport these products. Throughout the morning, you will enjoy cycling on small, paved canal roads that allow for only cycling or motorbike travel.After a rest stop with some deliciously fresh tropical fruit, you will visit a local brick factory and get to know the process of making and baking bricks in the Delta. Lunch today will be in a local restaurant and following your well-earned feast, you will transfer approximately one hour by van to Can Tho, the capital of the Mekong Delta.
Meals: B,L,DDay 6: Transfer, cycle & boat loop, 31 mi. (50 km)
Your last day on the bikes begins with a small transfer out of town to escape any city traffic, set up your bikes, and start riding. Today you will be pedaling through the scenic countryside laced with many small canals and large crop plantations such as jackfruit, an intriguing spiky tropical fruit that can reach incredible proportions.You will ride past mat weavers and wooden boat builders along your way and learn about your trade before enjoying another unforgettable Vietnamese lunch. The day’s explorations conclude in a laid-back style, with a relaxing boat ride back into Can Tho in the late afternoon.
Meals: B,L,DDay 7: Floating Markets and transfer to Saigon
An early morning visit to the floating markets is offered today. It's an impressive site with boats of varying sizes and all manner of fruit and vegetables being bought and sold. After breakfast, you pack up and board the van for a 3-hour drive into Saigon. If you have done your reading and research before the tour, you will have read that Saigon is actually now officially called Ho Chi Minh City, though most residents still call it Saigon. The tour concludes after lunch and a short walking tour of the city center and major historical sites. Saigon is an exciting city and is certainly worth a couple of extra days if you have time to spare.
Meals: B,LAdd on a pre- or post-tour extension below for an extended experience. Please take a look under pricing.
SIEM REAP & ANGKOR EXPLORER
Duration: 2 nights/3 days
Activities: Ride / Walk
Difficulty: Easy
Accommodation: 4 or 5-star hotelsWhether you are finishing a cross country tour with us or about to start one, this explorer tour of Siem Reap and the Angkor Temples is an action-packed 48 hours that allows you to see the best that this exciting town has to offer, without being exhausted by the experience. Optimal time management and seamless transitions allow you to just get on with it and enjoy your time with us. Enjoy an extra 2-nights and days exploring Siem Reap and Angkor, before or after your two-wheeled adventure of rural Cambodia and SE Asia.
Tour includes: Airport transfer, entry fees to temples, Phare Circus and where applicable, bike, helmet & water bottle, 2 nights accommodation of choice, all meals stated in Itinerary, shared snacks & nibbles, first drink at each bar, host, and guide
Not included: International flights, flights to/from Siem Reap, extra snacks and drinks, personal expenses, anything not mentioned, travel insurance, tips, spa treatmentsSAIGON EXPLORER
Duration: 2 nights/3 days
Activities: Ride / Walk
Difficulty: Easy
Accommodation: 5-star hotelsEnjoy an extra 2-nights and days exploring Saigon, before or after you set out on a two-wheeled adventure of rural Vietnam and SE Asia. Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City, the names are almost interchangeable to us, but whatever you prefer to call it, this is a city with a strong, beating heart. It is the commercial capital of Vietnam, even if it’s not the actual capital. This vibrant southern metropolis is home to 9 million people, in a country where 39% of the population are aged 25 or under, so you can imagine what a fun place this must be! Many of the historical elements of the city are intact, from the French period to the war years, and this has all been added to by one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia. You can literally see the city increasing in affluence, taste, and sophistication as you watch it grow.
Tour includes: Airport transfer, entry fees where applicable, all meals stated in Itinerary, hared snacks & nibbles, host and guide
Not included: International flights, extra snacks and drinks, personal expenses, anything not mentioned, travel insurance, tipsHA LONG BAY EXPLORER
Duration: 2 nights/3 days
Activities: Trek / Kayak
Difficulty: Easy
Accommodation: 5-cabin boatIt’s often written that no trip to Vietnam is complete without visiting this spectacular site, and we agree. Yes, crowds have come, along with its notoriety, but we’ve gone out of our way to provide you with an unforgettable, private sailing and seafaring experience. Kayaking, swimming, and exploring by day, relaxing in luxurious accommodations by night, and savoring fine dining onboard in beautiful surroundings. We welcome you aboard our Ha Long Bay extension, a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a fitting conclusion to our Essential Vietnam tour.
Tour includes: Airport transfer, flight – DaNang to Hanoi, all land transport (Hanoi-Ha Long- Hanoi), welcome drink, 2 nights in a luxury ensuite cabin with A/C & hot water, all meals on the boat, tea & coffee free with breakfast, onboard guide, kayaking
Not included: Extra snacks and drinks, personal expenses, anything not mentioned, travel insurance, tipsLooking for more? Check out all of our bike tours or look at our featured bike trips, specials, and news.
Map
Hotels & Bikes
The hotels that are used are a great, and sometimes unexpected, part of this tour. In the larger cities and established tourist centers, stylish and supremely comfortable hotels and resorts are used, while in the smaller and more out of the way areas we stay in the best available accommodation, which is often simple yet always well run, clean, and comes with air-conditioning and a private bathroom.
Bicycles
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodations for 6 nights
- Meals as per itinerary
- Energy bars, local snacks, water, and sports drinks during your cycling itinerary
- Cannondale and GT mountain bike
- Helmet
- Handlebar bag
- English-speaking local guide
- Air-conditioned support vehicle
- Entrance fees to visited sites (as per itinerary)
- Boat/train/road transfers during the tour (as per itinerary)
- Complimentary cycling jersey and water bottle
What’s Not Included
- Transportation to/from the start/finish
- All beverages with meals other than water
- Tour extensions
- Gratuities
- Bike protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
2023
February 12*, July 23, November 5, December 23, 2023
2024
January 2, 2024
*These dates are guaranteed departures. All other tours require a minimum number of participants in order to be guaranteed.
Minimum of 2 people to confirm a departure.
Maximum group size is 14 travelers.
This tour can be made private. Pricing on request.Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
December departures $ 4101 £ 2153 $ 3,630 € 2489 ₪ 9888 ¥ 372774 NZ$ 4420 NOK 29919 kr 29042 $ 2,615 All other departures $ 3944 £ 2071 $ 3,492 € 2394 ₪ 9510 ¥ 358519 NZ$ 4251 NOK 28774 kr 27931 $ 2,515 Single supplement for all departures $ 784 £ 412 $ 694 € 476 ₪ 1891 ¥ 71276 NZ$ 845 NOK 5721 kr 5553 $ 500 *Single supplement can be avoided if you are willing to share with another traveler of the same gender. Even if a match cannot be found, you will not have to pay the supplement.
Extra Options
Bike rental options
Electric bike rental: $ 274 £ 144 $ 243 € 167 ₪ 662 ¥ 24947 NZ$ 296 NOK 2002 kr 1944 $ 175
Tour extensions
3-day Halong Bay $ 1082 £ 568 $ 958 € 657 ₪ 2609 ¥ 98361 NZ$ 1166 NOK 7894 kr 7663 $ 690 Single supplement $ 718 £ 377 $ 636 € 436 ₪ 1732 ¥ 65289 NZ$ 774 NOK 5240 kr 5086 $ 458 3-day Saigon Explorer $ 1082 £ 568 $ 958 € 657 ₪ 2609 ¥ 98361 NZ$ 1166 NOK 7894 kr 7663 $ 690 Single supplement $ 455 £ 239 $ 403 € 276 ₪ 1097 ¥ 41340 NZ$ 490 NOK 3318 kr 3221 $ 290 3-day Siem Reap & Angkor (4 star) $ 1239 £ 651 $ 1,097 € 752 ₪ 2987 ¥ 112616 NZ$ 1335 NOK 9038 kr 8774 $ 790 Single supplement $ 1694 £ 889 $ 1,499 € 1028 ₪ 4084 ¥ 153956 NZ$ 1825 NOK 12356 kr 11994 $ 1,080 3-day Siem Reap & Angkor (5-star) $ 1411 £ 741 $ 1,249 € 857 ₪ 3403 ¥ 128297 NZ$ 1521 NOK 10297 kr 9995 $ 900 Single supplement $ 2023 £ 1062 $ 1,791 € 1228 ₪ 4878 ¥ 183892 NZ$ 2180 NOK 14759 kr 14326 $ 1,290 New Year Surcharge: for trips running on 30th and 31st December, a surcharge of US$200 will be applied for all 5-star packages (includes special New Year Dinner).
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
The terrain is a mix of sealed and unsealed roads, tracks, and trails. The tour takes place as much as possible on traffic-free tracks and trails, but at times it is necessary to resort to secondary roads, although no more than 5 km over the whole tour on anything resembling a highway. The riding is easily achievable for those who are comfortable on a bike, with hardly any hills and no daily distances over 75 km. You should be comfortable riding in quite hot conditions and it is highly recommended to get some practice on unsealed surfaces with a little loose sand and gravel as this will help you feel more confident at times on this ride. The support vehicle is always on hand should you require a break from riding, and in the Mekong Delta, where you are on narrow bike and pedestrian style paths and trails (where the support vehicle cannot follow), it will meet you at intervals of 10 km or so.
Airport Info
For the start of your tour in Cambodia, fly into Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (REP).
For the end of your tour in Saigon (Vietnam), fly out of Tan Son Hnat International Airport (SGN).Local Travel
Arrival:
Siem Reap is less than 15 minutes from the airport and taxis charge a flat rate of $7 to all hotels in town. There are no public transportation options available.
Departure:
Tan Son Nhat International Airport is the largest airport in Vietnam. It is located 4 mi (6 km) north of the center (District 1) of Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Taxi to the airport will be approximately the equivalent of $15 USD.Climate
The coolest time of year is from November to February with temperatures rising to a peak in April and May. With the arrival of the rains in June, temperatures drop, with rain falling mainly in the afternoons in short, heavy showers. September and October are the wettest months with a return to dry conditions in November. A combination of lower numbers of tourists, sharp light and refreshing showers make July and August a great time to cycle in this part of Indochina
Day of Rest
Day 4 is a rest day.
Recommended
We recommend that you speak with a doctor for professional advice before you depart and have your tetanus shots up to date. You can check the World Health Organization’s website for more information on recommended vaccines.
Important to know
Passports and visas:
A trip to Vietnam and Cambodia and a holiday there, require a certain amount of preparation in regard to formalities. Foreigners need a passport valid for at least 6 months and a valid visa. Be sure as well that your passport has sufficient blank visa pages for all necessary visas and stamps.
Please allow yourself enough time!
Cambodian visas are easy to obtain on arrival at a Cambodian border crossing or an international airport. The cost is US$30 and you will need one passport photo. If you do not have a passport photo you will be charged $1-$2 USD.
In order to enter Vietnam, foreigners need a passport valid for at least 6 months and a valid visa to be obtained from the Vietnamese embassy. Vietnam has introduced an electronic visa system on 1 February 2017. Citizens from 40 countries will be eligible to apply for the e-visa valid for 30 days, single entry. The land port you need to apply for is named Song Tien Landport. When you apply online your name will be placed on a pre-approved list for obtaining a visa on arrival at any international airport. Be sure to submit your online application at least 30 days before your arrival date and bring a copy of your approval letter. For multiple entry visas, you must follow standard mail-in or in-person protocol. So please consider all your travel plans as you begin the application process. The following documents must be submitted either in person or by mail:
-Passport (original document, not a copy!)
-Completed application form
-Current passport photograph (1.5 x 2.3 inch/ 4 x 6 cm)
-Visa fee as a non-negotiable check or in cash
-A sufficiently prepaid envelope for registered mailRead more about visa exemptions and online applications.
Covid-19 Info
Country Entry Requirements
Due to the changing requirements for entry, it is imperative that you stay up to date on requirements set by the country/countries that you are visiting. Please visit our Travel Restrictions Tool page and the country/countries government webpage for this information.
Extra Stay
Extra nights are highly recommended. If you would like to book extra time in Siem Reap, we can also arrange day tours or the following pre- or post tour extensions (please see pricing/itinerary). For example, we can offer a day bike tour to the Ankor Temples. If you would like to explore Saigon more, there are various activities including food tours that will keep you occupied. Ask us about the one-day tour to the Cu Chi tunnels. We can help book your hotel accommodation.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Grasshopper Adventures.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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