Beyond Boundaries - Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam: Bike and Boat Bangkok to Saigon

Details Map Bikes Dates/Price/Includes Reservations

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam
Bike and Boat Bangkok to Saigon

This is the classic overland travel route, taking in three countries that should be included in any Asian adventure. From the vibrant heart of the Thai capital, through the heartland of the former Khmer Kingdom and the center of the present Cambodia, we reach the Mekong Delta, know as the food bowl of densely populated Vietnam. The bustling city of Saigon with all it's intrigue is our final destination on this great adventure from Bangkok through Indochina.

Throughout our journey you will see similarities, contrasts and curiosities between each country, each with their own profound sense of culture, religion and of course, cuisine.

Traveling by bike and boat as well as private vehicle, we will have the time and flexibility to stop and connect with the friendly people of these countries.

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam: Bike and Boat Bangkok to Saigon Quick Info

Tour Type	Bike/Bus/Boat
Accommodations	Hotels 3 stars. Some lower. See note under accommodations below.
Biking Tour Type	Group Guided (English)
Biking Level	1 (Easy)
Duration	9 days / 8 nights
Biking Distance	Total biking: 115km/71mi
Bike Rental	Bikes are included
Tour starts in:	Bangkok, Thailand
Tour ends in:	Saigon, Vietnam

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam: Bike and Boat Bangkok to Saigon Tour

Day 1: Bangkok, Thailand

We meet in the evening at our riverside hotel in Bangkok where we are just on the edge of the vibrant Banglamphu area. We have a meeting to discuss the trip ahead and then enjoy an authentic Thai meal.

Meals included: Dinner

Day 2: Siem Reap, Cambodia - Travel to Cambodia

We make an early start towards Cambodia and we arrive in Siem Reap just after lunch time. We travel by private van, making this smooth journey through the mainly flat, rice growing areas between these two cities. After a free afternoon to settle into Siem Reap, we take a pedal out to the Angkor Temples to enjoy a memorable sunset.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Siem Reap, Cambodia - Cycle the Angkor Temples
Biking distance 30km/19mi

This morning we set out on bikes to explore the most important and well known temples of the main Angkor Thom area and of course Angkor Wat. We start with a visit to the most famous Angkor Wat and then continue onto The Bayon, The Elephant Terrace and after a delicious lunch among the temples, we will explore Angkor Thom, known by many as the Jungle Temples, We return to the hotel mid afternoon to allow some time for shopping, massage or just to enjoy the pool.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Phnom Penh, Cambodia - Boat the Tonle Sap

This morning we take to the waters of the largest freshwater lake in SE Asia. We cruise through the floating villages that call the lake home. We visit a Crocodile farm and enjoy morning tea on a floating cafe. When we return to shore, we take a drive of around five hours to reach the capital, Phnom Penh. Along the way we will see small rural towns and have a chance to enjoy a fried spider for the more adventurous.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Phnom Penh, Cambodia - Cycle Islands of the Mekong
Biking distance 25km/16mi

Phnom Penh, the bustling capital of Cambodia and home to more than half of the national population. We hit the bikes and after a boat ride over the river find ourselves on fantastic dirt trails through small village communities. We ferry hop through-out the morning as we explore the islands in the middle of the river where orchards and market gardens are tended and silk is weaved under stilt houses. We return to town for lunch and then head out to see the more sobering side of Phnom Penh, the infamous S21 Genocide Museum and the Killing Fields of Chuong Ek, to learn about the darkest chapter in the history of Cambodia.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 6: Chau Doc, Vietnam - Boat to Vietnam

After a free morning we leave Phnom Penh around lunch time and travel south along the Mekong River to Vietnam. We cross the border about two thirds of the way through our journey and you will instantly see a change in the scenery. More people, more activity and sometimes more cultivation. We land in Chau Doc, a significant trading centre of the Mekong Delta and also home to some of the best fish sauce in Vietnam. Time permitting, we make a visit by car to the top of Sam Mountain to enjoy sweeping views over the surrounding area and on a clear day, all the way to the sea.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Can Tho, Vietnam - Bike and boat
Biking distance 35km/22mi

Today we set out to explore the maze that is the Mekong Delta. The Delta is often referred to as the food bowl of Vietnam and you will see why today. Orchards, market gardens, rice fields, fish farms and friendly faces at every turn. We bike and boat our way through all this and stop to try snacks whenever the opportunity arises. We then drive into Can Tho, the most size-able city of the Delta, set at the confluence of two large arms of the river. The riverside is a great place for a stroll before another delicious meal.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Saigon, Vietnam - Floating markets, bike and boat
Biking distance 20km/12mi

We make an early start to visit the floating markets. Here you can see the mountains of produce piled up on boats and tossed between vessels as it makes it's path from the food bowl to the chopsticks and mouths of Saigon. We return to the hotel for breakfast and then take a drive, a bike and a boat through more delta scenery before heading into Saigon, the commercial hub of Vietnam. This evening we enjoy a celebratory dinner to say goodbye to new found friends.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Saigon, Vietnam - Departure

Today our adventure concludes, you are free to leave any time this morning.

Meals included: Breakfast

Number of Participants:

min. 2, max. 16 participants

Biking Level

1 - Easy! Anyone who can ride a bike can and should join this great adventure. We cycle on small trails and dirt roads, or concreted canal paths. We spend very minimal time on roads with any traffic to speak of and we stop whenever we see something interesting or tasty which is quite often.

Vehicles

We use mainly private, air-conditioned vehicles. Where we use public transport, we have verified their safety standards. Your trip leader will always handle transport situation: leaving you to enjoy the journey.

Accommodation

8 Nights comfortable hotel. All with en suite and air-conditioning. Due the nature of adventure travel, we stay in some towns where the general standard of accommodation is quite low. In these places we have chosen the best possible place to stay - trust us there's nothing better!

Arrival Details

Your guide will meet you at your hotel at a pre-arranged time. Should you need a hotel for the night preceding the tour, please inquire with us at the time of booking.

Visas

Most nationalities can obtain a 30 day visa on arrival at Thai Airports. There is no fee for this. Check with your nearest Thai embassy if you are unsure.

One month single entry visas can be easily obtained upon entry to Cambodia. Visas at the airport cost US$20 and require one passport photo. You can obtain a visa in your own country if you wish.

Vietnamese Visas need to be pre-arranged. You can apply for a Vietnamese visa at any of their embassies. The cost should be around $50-60USD.Be sure to check the entry date with us for Vietnam prior to applying for your visa.

Before you travel check your passport to ensure that there is room for a visa and entry/exit stamps (at least 3 pages) and that it has at least 6 months validation remaining.

Travel Insurance

It is a condition of participating in this tour that you hold travel insurance for the duration of the trip. Insurance must include comprehensive medical and emergency evacuation. Your travel insurance details will be checked by your group leader on arrival at the starting point hotel. If you are looking for an insurer we can recommend Travelex.

Flights

International flights to the starting point and from the finish point are not included in the price of this tour. We can assist with the purchase of inter-Asia flights and/or provide advice if you are considering overland travel. All domestic flights as per itinerary are included.

Money

Thailand's currency is the Thai Baht. You can use an international debit or credit card to withdraw cash in baht from ATMS if your account allows this. Most currencies can be easily changed in Bangkok.

The official currency of Cambodia is the Riel, however, the US dollar serves as a second currency and can be used in all situations. When going to Cambodia it is best to bring small denomination US dollars cash along with travelers checks as your main form of money. Around Siem Reap, Thai Baht can also be used. Credit cards can be used in a few major centers, however, they should not be relied on as the main way you will access your money. There are now ATMS in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Sihanoukville which dispense US dollars, however, this should not be relied on as your sole source of money.

The official currency for Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong. You can change dollars into Dong when you are in Vietnam. Additionally, there are now ATMS in most major towns and cities, so you can withdraw using debit and credit cards.

Costs

We recommend that you allow approximately US$20 for food and general living costs per day. Shopping money should be considered extra to this amount. It is customary to tip the guides and drivers in Asia. You should allow approximately US$30 for tips. Note: this is a guide only, feel free to tip more or less (or nothing) depending on your satisfaction. If you think your tour leader has done a good job you may also tip him/her. Again this is completely up to you.

Health

There are no specific health requirements for traveling in Cambodia, however, we recommend that you visit a travel medicine doctor before traveling. You should carry a well stocked first aid kit with you when you travel. All our Group Leaders are first aid trained, however, they are not permitted to distribute any medications.

Climate

Thailand, Cambodia and southern Vietnam are classic tropical climates with generally warm to hot days and warm nights. You won't need any warm clothing on this tour. The coolest months are November to January. During the wet season (May-Oct) it does rain most days, but the rain generally falls in the late afternoon or night - after we have finished our cycling. The wet season is actually a fantastic time to visit Cambodia as the rain brings the fields and country to life. Endless green rice fields are a feature of this time of year.

Electricity

Cambodia & Vietnam work on a 220 volt system and use American/Asian 2 flat pin plugs. For more on plug types visit the World Electric Guide. You can easily buy an adapter in Cambodia for much cheaper than in your home country.

Packing

Dress

Cambodia and Vietnam are still quite conservative countries. In rural areas and temples overly revealing clothing is considered offensive. You should make an effort to dress more conservatively in these situations. Walking around a village in bike shorts is not appropriate so if you wish to cycle in just bike shorts you should have something with you on the bike to put on over the top such as long loose shorts or a skirt/sarong. A good solution to this are 'shy shorts' which combine cycling shorts with loose long shorts over the top. When visiting temples shorts are acceptable providing they cover the knee. Sleeveless tops are not acceptable in temples.

Phrase Book

A highly memorable part of your travels will be the local people that you meet. In the tourist areas some people will speak English but away from these areas it is great to learn a few words of Khmer and Vietnamese. We will teach you some of the basics but if you want to really interact we recommend bringing a phrase book.

Donations

Often when coming on trips overseas people like to bring items such as sweets, pens and books for children or old clothing for families. While this is a fantastic idea, if distributed in the wrong way it can actually create more problems. Giving items away to local people can create an expectation that a visiting foreigner equals free give away's. In some communities in Asia this has created whole villages where the only interaction is the locals asking for things. If you would like to donate anything to the communities that we visit we suggest that you give the items to the guide and they will then pass on to development organizations, schools or whole communities. In this way items are distributed by those working in the communities who understand better the local needs.

Poverty

There is an enormous amount of poverty in Cambodia and to a lesser extent in Vietnam which you will see, particularly in tourist areas. If you choose to give something to a beggar you must bear in mind the value of money in the country you are visiting. Many beggars can earn more than those who work unskilled jobs. There are organizations in Cambodia who are working to alleviate this poverty issue and may be able to do more good with donations that you might like to make. Your Tour Leader will be able to provide more information about this.

Important

All information in these tour notes is researched with care and provided in good faith. The information is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and Beyond Boundaries Travel.

Changes:

We reserve the right to alter the itinerary details, published times, and accommodations due to weather, local conditions, organization necessity or safety concerns.

Thailand, Cambodia & VietnamBike and Boat Bangkok to Saigon