Cycle Southeast Asia – Premium Adventure

This adventure starts in Bangkok, the enthralling and energetic capital of Thailand. Around 6pm, say sawasdee to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big Thai welcome by arranging a group dinner at a local restaurant. Want extra time in Bangkok? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

It’s an early start as we venture out of Bangkok to the ancient town of Ayutthaya. Our two-hour transfer takes us into the heart of this fascinating site and we start cycling by the huge reclining Buddha. Much of the old town was destroyed by the Burmese in the 18th century and we will cycle through the remaining shrine towers and enormous temples to appreciate the past magnificence.

Today we follow minor roads through rural landscapes, including rubber and eucalyptus plantations, and tapioca and rice fields. We stop for lunch at a local restaurant along the way. There are a few easy rolling hills, but the route is mostly flat. The ride ends when we join a busier road before driving the final short distance to the town of Kabin Buri by bus. For dinner, join our tour leader and group for traditional Thai cuisine.

Leaving our hotel early, we transfer (one hour) to Thung Yao Temple in Prachantakham, where we begin our final day of cycling in Thailand. Our route takes us through scenic landscapes dotted with small villages, farms and lush paddy fields to Khun Dan Prakan Chon Dam, one of the largest dams in Thailand. Along the way, we enjoy a leisurely lunch and have the chance for a refreshing dip in the natural streams of Wang Takhrai Park. After recharging, we pack up our bikes and transfer (2hr 20min) to the U Sathorn Bangkok for our final night in Thailand.

After an early breakfast, we transfer to Don Mueang International Airport where we take a 1hr 5min flight to Siem Reap (SAI). Arriving mid-morning, we meet our second leader and transfer to our hotel, where we spend the next three nights at the intimate Lynnaya Urban River Resort & Spa – the perfect base to explore Angkor. This afternoon’s shorter ride follows the Siem Reap River as it winds through local villages in the Angkor area. We then continue along the Angkor Wat moat, where we could be rewarded with a scenic sunset and reflections of the iconic temple on the water. Upgrade to a junior-suite or bungalow-suite with outdoor bathtub today – speak to your sales representative for more details.

Today we may choose to have an early start to avoid the inevitable crowds drawn to the wonders of Angkor. The various temples are spread over a wide area and are linked by shady avenues; meandering our way between them by bike provides a unique perspective. Our cycle tour will include: the jungle-covered Ta Prohm, with amazing fromagier tree roots clinging to the ancient stones; Angkor Thom, with the Bayon temple of 37 towers (originally 49) topped with the four faces of the king; and, of course, the incredible Angkor Wat, with its huge moat, long causeway and massive towers. Upgrade to a junior-suite or bungalow-suite with outdoor bathtub today – speak to your sales representative for more details.

Today we cycle outside the main Angkor complex to the outlying temple of Banteay Srei, 22mi (35km) from Siem Reap town. Our route takes us past paddy fields and through pretty villages. Banteay Srei was built in the 10th century and contains some of the finest examples of Khmer sculpture. Although much smaller than the later temples, here all the buildings are covered in exquisite carvings. We also stop along the way at a village where we'll have to chance to meet the local people and learn from them about their way of life, including the art of Khmer noodle making. Here we can taste this popular Cambodian dish and sugar palm. In the afternoon, as we cycle back to Siem Reap, we can stop at a few of the lesser visited Angkor temples. Siem Reap town is pleasant to wander around; the market has plenty of interesting and excellent shopping opportunities and there is a vibrant nightlife. This afternoon there may also be time to visit the Tonle Sap Lake, which is a branch of the Mekong River. Time permitting, this optional trip includes a boat ride to see floating fishing villages. Anyone wanting to do this visit may need to miss part (or all) the ride back to Siem Reap, depending on timings. Cycle approximately 43.5mi (70 km) if riding the full distance to and from Banteay Srei. Upgrade to a junior-suite or bungalow-suite with outdoor bathtub today – speak to your sales representative for more details.

Today we rest our legs and take a private transfer (approximately seven hours) to Phnom Penh, with a couple of stops along the way. We visit Sambor Prei Kuk, the most impressive group of pre-Angkorian monuments in Cambodia with some of the oldest structures in the country. We'll also pause for a traditional Khmer lunch at a community restaurant here. The road is currently undergoing some resurfacing, so some sections will be bumpy. We should arrive in Phnom Penh for late afternoon, the perfect time for a sundowner on the Mekong.

The fortunes of Phnom Penh have shifted dramatically during its history and the terrible years of the Khmer Rouge and subsequent civil war through the 1970s and 1980s have scarred the country. During our stay, we visit two sites that give us a vivid impression of some of the horrors. There is the Genocide Museum, which is the former Khmer Rouge prison known as S-21 or Tuol Sleng, in the city centre. And 9mi (15km) out of town is the Killing Fields, a mass grave and execution site for the former inmates of S-21. While visiting Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields may not appeal to everyone, we feel they give us an important understanding of what the country and its people had to endure just a few decades ago. Now, the city is on the rise again and is a fascinating place with fine examples of French colonial architecture. We will also tour the Royal Palace with its Silver Pagoda. Afterwards, there is also excellent shopping at the Russian market if you wish. There may also be the option to enjoy a sunset cruise on the Mekong, your leader will advise locally.

This morning, we transfer south of Phnom Penh to the town of Takeo. Here the road becomes quieter and we mount our bikes for the 31mi (50km) ride to the Phnom Den/Tinh Bien border. Once we bid farewell to Cambodia (and border formalities have been completed), we cycle approximately 19mi (30km) to the Vietnamese town of Chau Doc, situated along the banks of the Hau Giang River. This evening, we dine overlooking the river and get our first taste of southern Mekong cuisine.

This morning we depart our hotel and transfer to Chau Giang ferry for a short transfer before cycling along a lovely, quiet backroad, lined with small villages and dwellings, before lunch at a local restaurant. We then visit the ancient village of Long Dien B, home to female artists known for maintaining their ancestors’ special technique of glass painting. Here we have the chance to observe and learn about this traditional culture and art over a cup of tea. The rivers and canals of the Mekong Delta form an amazing network of waterways. The area is famous for its abundant rice production, but many are now moving to more profitable fish farming and fruit and vegetable growing. Afterwards, we transfer to the Mekong Riverside Boutique Resort & Spa, where we stay overnight. The evening is tranquil as we have dinner at the resort and enjoy Delta hospitality.