OK. So rather than focusing on the 399km I thought I would share my itinerary with you. It is way cool!! I have highlighted the cycling distances, but it would be completely unreasonable to assume that I am obsessing about it!!
Taking a closer look, I still don't see cocktails listed anywhere... Note to self, check this out with travel company!
So I have highlighted the really good bits... you may notice that they rarely relate to the actual cycling. Repeat after me... I can do this..
Day 1, Friday 28th February 2014
Fly Australia to Vietnam
The adventure begins! Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) late in the afternoon, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.After a trip briefing, join the guide and the rest of the group for a welcome dinner.
Meals: D
Day 2, Saturday 1st March 2014
Mekong Delta cycling and boating
We leave the frenetic streets of Saigon behind and head to My Tho, gateway to the Mekong Delta, by bus. We ease into things today with a 40 km ride along paved, sand and dirt roads to the port town of Cai Be, following the Mekong River. In Cai Be you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch in a French colonial-style villa. After lunch, relax and enjoy the two-hour boat trip to Vinh Long. Along the way, we’ll stop at some at some island farms and orchards, and you can observe life on the river. From Vinh Long, we drive to Can Tho, the unofficial capital of the Mekong Delta. It is a lively city with a friendly, relaxed vibe, home to a thriving rice-husking industry and fascinating Cai Rang floating markets. This evening, stretch your legs on a sunset
stroll along the town’s riverside promenades before enjoying dinner at a local restaurant.
Cycling distance: 40 km
Meals: B, L, D
Day 3, Sunday 2nd March 2014
Can Tho to Ha Tien
It’s an early start today to experience the spectacle of the Cai Rang floating market. Here you will witness wooden boats of all sizes gathering on the river to sell their wares. Your small boat allows you to weave in and out of the market boats, great for photo opportunities and buying some produce yourself! After lunch, we drive to the village of Tri Ton to begin cycling. Follow the Vinh Te canal, deep into the heart of the Mekong Delta. We’ll cycle along narrow roads with minimal traffic, passing through traditional villages and over small bridges, getting a real feel for this part of the world. In the late afternoon we arrive in Ha Tien, a coastal town with a certain faded charm, with its shuttered terraces, crumbling colonial buildings and mats of seafood drying in the sun.
Cycling distance: 50 km
Meals: B, L, D
Day 4, Monday 3rd March 2014
Ha Tien to Kep (includes border crossing)
Today we leave Vietnam and the Mekong Delta behind and cycle to Cambodia. After breakfast, transfer by vehicle to the Vietnamese border. This area was once ruled by Cambodia and you will see remnants of this influence in the Khmer-style temples dotting the landscape, along with towering limestone cliffs and vivid green rice fields. Say goodbye to your Vietnamese crew and be welcomed by your Cambodian crew. After you have completed the customs formalities you will cycle through the countryside and local communities via Kampong Trach to Kep. The sleepy beachside village of Kep has a relaxing vibe and features fantastic seafood, including a thriving crab market and there’ll be plenty of time this afternoon to explore.
Cycling distance: 40 km
Meals: B, L, D
Day 5, Tuesday 4th March 2014
Kep to Sihanoukville
We begin early to avoid the heat of the day and head off on a relaxing ride along the coast, through the lush scenery around Bokor Mountain, passing through rice paddies and fishing villages. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant in Veal Rinh before we travel by bus to Sihanoukville, arriving in the late afternoon. There is time to take a relaxing stroll along the beachfront, or simply chill out and enjoy a sunset drink before dinner.
Cycling distance: 83 km
Meals: B, L, D
Day 6, Wednesday 5th March 2014
Sihanoukville to Phnom Penh
Today presents some challenging terrain (Nooooooooo!!!!!) as we head back towards the capital. We depart in the early morning, stopping at Ream National Park on the way. The park offers secluded beaches, mangrove forests, tropical jungles and fishing villages and is the ideal place for a boat trip. Cruise through the mangroves and discover the incredible natural heritage of this protected area. We’ll stop for lunch at a quaint local restaurant then transfer by bus to Phnom Penh. After freshening up, the evening is free to explore the city or relax
at leisure.
Cycling distance: 50 km
Meals: B, L, D
Day 7, Thursday 6th March 2014 - Woo Hoo, already my favorite day!!
Phnom Penh – free day
Today you will have a full free day to explore Cambodia’s friendly capital city. You may choose to rest and recover, or perhaps you will join an optional city tour. Some sites you may like to visit include the Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda, the National Museum and Wat Phnom – the city’s namesake. A visit to the Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocidal Crimes is a confronting but worthwhile experience – this former school was used as a prison during the Khmer Rouge reign and today stands as a memorial to the millions who lost their lives during the darkest period of Cambodia’s history. A stroll along the riverfront promenade is a must, and the city’s Central and Russian Markets are great places to seek out traditional weavings, silver, and clothing.
Meals: B
Day 8, Friday 7th March 2014 - another big favourite day!!
Plan site visit and Siem Reap
Today we have a special opportunity to visit one of Plan Cambodia’s projects and we rise early and depart Phnom Penh by bus, arriving at the Plan program site in Kampong Cham mid-morning. Here you will have the opportunity to witness the work that Plan has been doing to build opportunities for poor families in Cambodia. This is sure to be a highlight as you see firsthand the difference your vital funds have made. After lunch we continue by bus to Siem Reap, arriving in the early evening.
Meals: B, L, D
Day 9, Saturday 8th March 2014
Temples of Angkor cycling
Today is International Women’s Day, and we return to the saddle to explore the magnificent temples of Angkor. The world-famous temples of Angkor were built between the 9th and 14th centuries, when the Khmer civilization was at the peak of its extraordinary creativity. After being lost to the jungle for centuries, today they stand again as one of humankind’s most magnificent architectural achievements. We begin today’s cycle early, heading to the walled city of Angkor Thom where you will have the chance to admire the stone faces of the Bayon. Enjoy lunch in the Angkor Complex before embarking on a discovery of the famous Angkor Wat – best preserved of all temples within the Angkor complex. Then, follow hidden paths through to the Western Baray, a former Royal Pond, to relax before cycling or driving back to Siem Reap. This evening we celebrate International Women’s Day with a memorable dinner with women from the community.
Cycling distance: 50 km cycling
Meals: B, L, D
Day 10, Sunday 9th March 2014 - oh, dear...this is the bad day, the very, very bad day
Banteay Srey and Boeng Maelea
Today we venture further afield, to some of the lesser-visited temples that lie on the outskirts of the city. After breakfast, cycle to the exquisite Banteay Srey, ‘Citadel of the Women’, home to some of the finest examples of classical Khmer art. From here we cycle to the true jungle temple, Boeng Mealea. After exploring this impressive monument, we return to Siem Reap for a celebration dinner and rest.
Cycling distance: 86 km
Meals: B, L, D
Day 11, Monday 10th March 2014
Departure
Enjoy a free day to explore Siem Reap before your afternoon transfer to the airport. You may like to head to the Old Market for some last minute shopping, or visit the Land Mine Museum, founded by ex-child soldier Aki Ra.
Meals: B
Day 12, Tuesday 11th March 2014
Arrive home
Welcome home!
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