Hoi An to Angkor Wat Cycle

We have an easy start to our riding with a visit to another World Heritage Site. After a short transfer we ride to see the My Son Temple Complex, the ancient centre of the Cham Civilization. We cycle along scenic backcountry roads, past rice paddy fields, through a eucalyptus forest, and many scenic villages. The road eventually climbs away from the coast, offering stunning views as we move into an increasingly more remote region. This 14 km road cuts through the lush jungle alongside the Song Tranh River and eventually leads us to My Son, which was once Champa’s greatest city. Although many of the temples were destroyed during the war, there is still enough of the archaeological site to impress most visitors. We have a pic nic lunch and then spend the afternoon visiting the site. In the afternoon we transfer by bus back to Hoi An. Dinner is on your own. A great chance to choose from Hoi An’s many fantastic restaurants.

This morning we transfer from Hoi An and begin our ride from a small village. The road is shaded by arching palm trees and surrounded by tended rice paddies. By lunch we arrive at My Lai, the site of one of the worst massacres of the American/Vietnam War. We take a sobering guided tour of the site and museum. The cycling continues out into the Vietnamese countryside where we stop to visit a traditional pagoda before heading to our hotel in town.

Today is a more challenging day as we leave the coast and head into the central highlands towards Quang Nam and on to Kon Tum. We will cycle only part of the route, along undulating roads through thick pine forests and with stunning photo opportunities. We will transfer about 2 hours to the town of Bato in the highlands and cycle 15 km uphill to the top of Viloluk Pass (1000m above sea level). This is followed by a fantastic 20 km descent to the bottom of the pass. From here the route undulates past many remote villages, tropical forests, over bridges and along quiet and scenic roads.

After breakfast, we ride out into the countryside to visit some local villages of the Jarai and Bhanar ethnic minorities. These tribes still practice animist beliefs, that demons inhabit all of creation. The area is well known for their communal houses with very steep and tall roofs. Each village takes great pride in these unique designs as they define the regional landscape. After a local lunch we then pedal to the town of Pleiku, which has some of the best coffee in Vietnam. This is an easier day and you will notice the change in scenery as you cycle through a wide valley surrounded by mountains punctuated by tea and coffee plantations along the route.

Two hours transfer by car after breakfast takes you to the border with Cambodia. At this point it is time to say goodbye to the Vietnamese team. After the immigration formalities at the Le Thanh border check point, you will be met by your Cambodian cycling crew. We start our ride from the border to the Banlung town of Ratanakiri. Banlung is one of the most far-flung of the Khmer provincial capitals. You continue your riding along a recently paved, winding road with some ups and a few less downs as we climb into the highlands that are home to the former Ho Chi Minh Trail. While the exact location of the trail is hard to pinpoint, it is obvious from the surrounding terrain and dense forest that it was no easy feat for the North Vietnamese to use this as their main supply route between north and south during their war with the US. We spend the night in the surroundings of Terres Rouge a traditional style Khmer house oozing with old world charm in this remote part of Cambodia.

After breakfast you will be transferred for 1 hour a half to Kbal Romeas market where you will set out on bikes into Stung Treng province through rice paddies and stop to enjoy the simple pleasures of rural life. Stung Treng is on the Mekong, just about 30 kilometres downstream from the Laos-Cambodia border. We arrive and checking hotel, a rural retreat just under nine kilometres from Steung Treng town. After checking in, you will explore its surrounding area by renting a kayak to explore the area on the Mekong River. Dinner will be reserved at the resort.

An early rise this morning and breakfast before we start heading south and cycle along the Mekong River and experience a local life along the bank of Mekong river. We cycle until we reach a highway. From here, we transfer to Kampi and hop on a boat in hopes of seeing Irrawady dolphin. You then cycle to Kratie Town then board a ferry to Koh Trong where you will spend a night with homestay. Enjoy tasty Cambodian food with your hosted family.

This morning, we transfer south towards to the tiny town of Chhloung which has beautiful French colonial style buildings. We then start our ride passing many Cham communities which are predominantly Muslim. Buddhist pagodas form a pretty contrast with small mosques and the particularly friendly locals will welcome you warmly in each village you pass. Arrive in Kampong Cham in the evening, a city on the Mekong River in southeastern Cambodia. It’s known for its French colonial buildings.

An early start this morning as you leave Kampong Cham on a paved road along the Mekong River toward Wat Hanchey, we cycle up to Wat Hanchey, a small hilltop pagoda that houses an 8th century pre-Angkorian temple and offers spectacular views over the Mekong. We then continue our ride along the river to Steung Trang, then we gradually climbing through many traditional villages, where you will witness people busy with their everyday lives: cooking, cleaning, playing, leading the cows to the river, cycling school kids, pagodas and monks and bright red chilies, rice and fish drying in the sun by the side of the road. After lunch, we hop in the van and transfer to Kampong Thom.

After breakfast, we will have a beautiful ride to the ancient temple of Sambor Preikuk through the paddy fields and small villages. Sambor Preikuk temple is the lesser visited pre-Angkorian temple complex. Most temples in the complex brick between the years 615 and 650. Cycle through these magnificent ruins, which are connected by shady dirt paths. Stop for lunch at a local community.

After lunch, we transfer 2 hours to Tonle Sap, the largest in South East Asia, where you will have the opportunity to learn about life on the lake. Board a local boat and visit the village of Chong Khneas, witnessing the residents going about their daily life. It is quite a sight to see a whole bamboo village complete with homes, petrol stations, schools, hair dressers and even karaoke bars, floating on a lake. We then transfer to your hotel.

(Note: Due to low water levels during the dry season, the boat trip is only possible from July to March)

Begin your cycling exploration of the incredible Angkor temples, focusing on the Small Circuit featuring the pyramid of Takeo, the jungle-clad Ta Prohm, Sras Srang known as the King’s bathing pond; and the impressive Royal City of Angkor Thom where you will find the Bayon, a temple famed for its many gigantic carved smiling faces. You will also visit other important sites in this immense walled city, including the pyramid of Baphuon, Phimeanakas and the royal viewing stands known as the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King.  After lunch, visit the incredible and majestic Angkor Wat, the world’s largest religious building. After being initially inspired by its overall size you will explore in more detail, getting up close and personal to fully appreciate its architecture and intricately detailed bas-reliefs. Return to your hotel to freshen up. This evening, we enjoy a final farewell dinner this night accompanies with a traditional Khmer Apsara dance. The Apsaras are legendary characters from the ancient Khmer tale of Reamker, which is closely related to the Hindu Ramayana.