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Some adjustments may be made, when appropriate, with the aim to always improving your experience when travelling with us. Changes may occur with relation to customers requests, fitness level, weather, flight times and maybe unforeseen issues…..
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“2 hours bike ride” is an approximate, based on previous trips, time will vary dependent on milage requested and group fitness levels.
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DAY 1 - ARRIVAL DAY
Whatever time your flight arrives we will greet you at the airport and via taxi bring you to the your hotel.
There will be a meal at a local restaurant for those who arrive in time.
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DAY 2 - SIGHT SEEING HO CHI MIN
Breakfast buffet at the hotel, meet all the other guest.
Meeting, details, question and answers about the trip.
A walking tour of the cultural sites of Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, including the old Saigon post office, Independent palace, Notre Dame cathedral, Peoples Committee and the well-known War Remnant museum.
We will take you to City bank cash point if you need to withdraw some Vietnamese currency, (Dong)
Lunch at one of our favourite restaurant followed by a trip to the local Ben Thanh market.
After which should be some free time to catch up on jet lag or take a foot or full body massage near the hotel.
Evening meal at near by restaurant that specialises in Vietnamese cuisine.
Things you need for today:
shorts , walking shoes, (trainers are fine)
tissues, camera, (ladies, I recommend to always carry some spare tissues for the bathroom), (dong) money for shopping
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DAY 3 - RURAL ROADS AND BIKE PATHS CYCLE FROM HO CHI MIN TO TRA VINH
After breakfast meet at 7.30am.
We start the trip with a 2 hour private bus transfer to Mekong Delta, home of the “Coconut Monk” who practiced his own blend of Buddhism and Christianity.
Our guides will meet you with bikes ready (according to personal measurement previously sent) Adjustments will be made for the perfect fit. Helmets, water bottle, pedals and a comfortable saddle are provided, however, if you wish to bring your own these can easily be installed.
2 hour bike ride into the Mekong Delta from Ben Luc to My Thou.
We cycle along beautiful tree lined roads and paths that wind through lush farms and small villages crossing rivers on small ferries. Throughout our days in the Mekong we will travel through areas seldom traveled by Westerners where the local people find us as new and interesting as we find them.
Lunch followed by a 30 minute bus transfer.
2 hour bike ride from Ben Tre to Tra Vin
The rural areas are covered with green paddy fields and country farms along hamlets.
We ride along narrow bike paths and over small bridges, past fields of dragon fruit and lined with coconut trees.
40 minute bus transfer .
Evening Eco Village hotel and dinner.
Total distance for the day 20-40 km. Easy - moderate.
Things you need for today :
cycle shorts, t-shirt. flat pedal bike shoes/sandals/trainers
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DAY 4 - RURAL ROADS AND BIKE PATHS CYCLE FROM TRAVIN - CAN THO
10 min bus ride
2 hour bike ride
The day starts with visit to a beautiful Buddhist temple.
The ride today’s through an area populated by Khmer people. The regional architecture is interesting as we cycle through villages.
The locals always greet us with smiling faces, hellos and waves.
snack stop
2 hour bike ride
Even more coconut trees , flowers, bridges and paddy fields
Lunch is in traditional local cafe.
1 hour bus to a hotel in Cho Tho on the river front or an Eco resort.
Evening meal we walk along the river front to a local restaurant or dinner at the resort
After the meal you may want to see what’s on offer at the local town market or just relax at the resort.
Total cycle distance for the day 20-40 km. Easy - moderate.
Things you need for today :
cycle shorts, t-shirt, camera, tissues
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DAY 5 - FLOATING MARKET AND COUNTRY SIDE BIKING
Early morning take a local sampan (boat) to explore the interesting Cai Rang floating market and enjoy the daily local lives of the locals along the riverbank.
10 minute bus transfer
2 hour bike ride
Along small paths that follow canals through the countryside. Experience the sights of cottage industries, timber merchants, coconut shredders, and small boats loading/unloading rice in this vibrant area.
snacks
1 hour bike ride
Lunch is Pho (fresh noodle soup) in traditional local cafe.
3 hour bus ride to Cho Doc (you may want a change of clothes)
Free time to wander through Cho Doc
Hotel on Mekgon river front or eco lodge in hills
Total cycle distance for the day 20-40 km. Easy - moderate.
Things you need for today :
cycle shorts, t-shirt,
comfortable change of clothes for bus ride (you can leave on the bus whilst riding in the morning)
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DAY 6 - TRAVEL DAY TO PHNOM PENH
A chance to rest reflect and look out the window
5 hour private boat up the melon river into Cambodia
Passports will be stamped and visas issued at two check points one on the way out of Vietnam one on arrival in Cambodia
Lunch at colonial style restaurant on river fronting in Phnom Penh
Visit Phnom Penh National Museum which has one of the world's largest collections of Khmer art. Some truly beautiful sculptures and paintings for any art lover to see.
4pm arrive at hotel, dinner if required.
rest day
Things you need for today :
comfortable travelling clothes, perhaps a sweater for the air-conditioned bus,
small currency (several $1 or less) for the children at the “spider stop” .
a good book, a journal, a great play list and quality earbuds, battery charger.
DAY 7 - BUS TO AND BIKE RIDE IN SIEM REAP
6 hour comfortable private bus ride to Siem Reap
A chance to rest reflect and look out the window
Lunch box on bus
check in hotel
2 hour bike ride around trails in swim reap.
This is also a chance to get some laundry completed. Washed, dried, ironed and folded $1 per kg, 24hour turn around only 5 minute walk for the hotel.
An evening meal from the hotel menu at pool side bar or in the hotel restaurant
Total cycle distance for the day 20-40 km. Easy - moderate.
Things you need for today :
Comfortable travelling clothes, earbuds, battery charger. book. sunglasses
Bike clothes ready to change for fast turn around into at hotel
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DAY 8 - CAMBODIAN COUNTRYSIDE VILLAGES & BUDDHIST MONASTERY
10 minute bus transfer to process “temple pass”.
2 hour bike ride through remote countryside to Kulen Mountain.
2 hour Steep hike up the mountain. Near the top we will visit the river of 1000 Lingas and , at the top a 16th century Buddhist Monastery with famous reclining Buddha and amazing views.
Picnic at a sacred waterfall.
After lunch we will travel back to the hotel.
Free evening
We can organise a tuk tuk into town, a 5 minute ride, for you to wander around and choose a restaurant of your choice. Town is also a good place to do some souvenir shopping.
or alternatively you could get a massage in or near the hotel and a meal in the hotel restaurant.
Total cycle distance for the day 30-50km. Easy - moderate. 6km Steep hike
Things you need for today :
bike clothes for the morning.
hiking clothes after 11am (you can leave on the bus while riding in the morning)
A towel and change of clothes for after you swim under the waterfall. plastic bag for wet clothes.
(Riel or Dollars) money for shopping, souvenir /tourist shop near lunch
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DAY 9 - BIKING AROUND TA PHROM, ANKOR THOM AND BAYON TEMPLE
Early morning 15 minute bus transfer
2/3 hour the ride to the famous over grown temple Ta From, then cycle to Angkor Them and Bayon Temple (famous for its four faces).
The roads are smooth and quiet around the temple sites.
Dress code long pants and long sleeved shirts is required for the temples.
Snack and blessing from local Buddhist monks.
1 hour bike ride on single track through jungle.
A memorable lunch prepared by our guides at a local house in country side of Steung Trochak
Visit to killing field with extraordinary personal story from our guide.
Bus transfer 30 mins back to hotel.
Meal at Siam Reap Restaurant.
Early night!
Total distance for the day 20-40 km. Easy - moderate.
Things you need for today :
cycle shorts and t-shirt.
long trousers and long sleeves for the temple
a towel, change clothes (you don’t have to but you may want to - trust me!)
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DAY 10 - ANGKOR WAT, HOT AIR BALLOON & FLY TO HANOI
4.45am start to go watch sunrise over Angkor Wat.
Tour of Angkor Wat Temple
30 minute ride cycle back to hotel for breakfast
check out hotel at 12am
Visit to Opopo - facility that trains rats to search for land mines.
Tethered balloon ride with view of Ankor Wat site.
3pm late lunch
8pm flight to Hanoi (departure time dependant on available flights)
Met at airport by Hanoi guide and 45 minute bus transfer
Hotel in in the old French Quarter of Hanoi
Total cycle distance for the day 10-20 km. Easy
Things you need for today :
long pants, long sleeves temple clothes to put over cycle shorts
after check out, travel clothes, jacket for arrival in Hanio ,the climate is cooler than the South.
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DAY 11 - HALONG BAY DELUX CRUISE
3 hour bus ride to Haul Long Bay.
Enjoy the journey through rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life.
Upon arrival, board the Deluxe junk for a cruise among some of the 3, 000 spectacular limestone islands.
Halong Bay is one of the natural wonders of the world and one of Vietnam’s five UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Over three thousand jagged limestone islands emerge from the emerald green waters of Halong Bay.
Fresh seafood lunch severed in boat's dinning room/bar.
Trip in smaller side boat to lime stone caves, a sandy beach and a chance to kayak in the bay.
Dinner aboard Dragon Pearl junk in Halong bay.
Sleep on boat in personal cabin.
No cycling
Things you need for today :
over night bag. warm clothes, swim suit, toiletries, book, money for the bar. (bottle of wine $30 corkage)
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DAY 12 - CRUISE, CAVE AND CLUB
Breakfast on boat while we cruise past rock formations named after their shape.
Short trip by sampan (small boat) to Luon Cave (tunnel cave). Paddle through the tunnel and emerge into a crater lake, surrounded by impenetrable cliffs and gliding sea eagles (dependent upon tidal conditions).
Lunch on board as we cruise out to Bai Tu Long Bay around Bai Tho Mountain and head back to dry land.
3 hour bus transfer back to Hanio Old french Quarter
Dinner at one of Hanois well known restaurants
Optional, water puppet performance at the Thang Long theatre.
No cycling
Things you might need for today :
travel clothes
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DAY 13 - CYCLE AROUND CO LOA CITADEL
Early morning start
30 min bus transfer
Meet our local guide, Dan, who lives inext to the Red Riveron the outskirts of Hanio.
Dan will take us to local cafe for coffee or tea and then a 2 hour bike ride around Co Loa.
Co Loa was the first ancient citadel of Vietnam. Lying to the north of Hanoi, the area offers beautiful rice paddy fields, old villages, and many pagodas & temples. This is one of the places closest to Hanoi where you can see the real countryside of Northern Vietnam.
Lunch at local authentic Vietnamese restaurant.
Then a 1 hour cycle ride on top of the dike along the Red River and see where two great rivers meet.
Tea with Mr and Mrs Nguyens at their very old Vietnamese house which has been passed down through generations . There are a lot of bonsai trees in the garden.
We stop under an old tree by the river for photos before heading back to the ferry and crossing the river again.
Beers and spring rolls cooked by our guide on the balcony of his house.
30 mins bus transfer
Dinner at an Italian restaurant or a restaurant of your choice in the Old French Quarter.
Total cycle distance for the day 25-40 km. Easy - moderate.
Things you might need for today :
cycle shorts and t-shirt, warm jacket, rain jacket
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DAY 14 - MUSEUMS AND DEPARTURE DAY
A half-day excursion to explore the modern capital, Hanoi.
Museum of Ethnology, one of Vietnam’s best with interactive displays and a wide collection of well-preserved objects and documents representing the diverse minority peoples of Vietnam.
Womans Museum, home to a collection of around 25,000 pieces, the Vietnamese Women’s Museum pays tribute to the role of women in Vietnamese society. Besides costumes and crafts from the nation’s 54 ethnic groups, the museum honours the role local women played in the Vietnam War.
Lunch at a local restaurant
Guided historical walk through the Old Quarter, delving into the nooks and crannies of the back alleys of Hanoi.
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.
(Check out of the hotel before noon).
No cycling
Things you might need for today :
warm jacket, dong for shopping
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DAY X - EXTRA DAY
Transfer to the airport those for those staying an extra day.
Some great places we’ve found that you might want to experience.
Plenty of places to get massage and or manicure/pedicure
A walk around Hoan Kiem Lake
St. Joseph's Cathedral
Shopping hundreds of outlet stores
Beer tasting at Pasteur Craft Beer
30 Cua Bác,Tru Bạch Ba Dinh
Two great Traditional craft and clothes stores
Văn Tribal Art
26 P. Hàng Bè, Hàng Bạc, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Vietnam Craft Guild
1a-3 To Tich Str., Hanoi
Bánh Mì - 38 Dinh Liet
Museum of Ethnology- Nguyen Van Huyen str., Cau Giay Dist., Hanoi
Temple of Literature & National University, is a temple dedicated to Confucius.
58 P. Quốc Tử Giám, Văn Miếu, Đống Đa, Hà Nội, Vietnam
Pizza at 4P (Japanese high end clay pizza joint, booking is always required)
Pizza 4P’s Tràng Tiền, 43 Tràng Tiền, Hoàn Kiếm, Hà Nội, Vietnam +84 19006043
Evening 28th Jan 2025 is Tet Eve - there will be festivities leading up to and celebrations on the night. there’s always a wonderful festive feel around this time