Road Biking from Saigon to Angkor

Day 1 Meet in Saigon

We meet at the hotel in Saigon at 3 pm (you can check in from 2 pm) for a city tour. The first stop will be Reunification Hall, formerly known as the Presidential Palace, and it was this modern building that North Vietnamese tanks seized on the morning of April 30, 1975, marking the fall of Saigon. From there, we stroll to the major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City: The Old Saigon Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Continental Hotel, the Opera House, and City Hall. In the evening, we go over our upcoming tour and have a welcome dinner.

Grand Hotel
Dinner

Day 2 Saigon – Phan Thiet

This morning we transfer about 2.25 hours out of the vibrant city to avoid the chaotic traffic. We start riding along a coastal road to Phan Thiet, which has one of the best beaches in Vietnam. We cycle past Ke Ga Cape near the Ta Kou National Reserve as we ride north to Phan Thiet. Our quiet, flat road runs between sand dunes, pine forests, and the sea. A white sand beach is waiting for you at the end of the day!

Mana Mui Ne Beach Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 105km
+730m
-723m

Day 3 Phan Thiet – Dalat

We stick to the coastline for a flat and fast start before our inland route starts to climb on the journey towards Dalat, a hill station town at more than 1,500 m. At the 90-km mark, we climb over 700m in just 10 km and then get a bit of a break before our last push until Di Linh. En-route, we ascend a total of 2000m on quiet roads but we'll take several breaks, including one at Dai Ninh hydroelectric dam. Feel free to hop into the support vehicle for any section of this tough ride. From Di Linh, we take a transfer (to avoid busy roads) to our hotel in Dalat. Enjoy the views and colonial atmosphere of the town with the surrounding pine trees that this city is known for.

Dalat Du Parc Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 105km
+2404m
-1448m

Day 4 Dalat – Madagui

We are rewarded for yesterday's climbing efforts with an overall descending day riding down over 2000m. It is also a picturesque ride through numerous banana and rubber plantations in the rich, red earth that marks the Central Highlands. This is also where Vietnam’s finest teas and coffees are grown.We end the day in scenic Di Linh, nestled in Vietnam’s central highlands. From here we transfer to the city of Madagui. We cross a suspension bridge over the Da Huoai River to reach our rooms.

Madagui Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 116km
+1796m
-2448m

Day 5 Madagui – Phuoc Long

Today we will cycle directly out of the resort on a beautiful road that reveals hidden farming communities in the foothills of the Annamite Mountains. Emerging at the Dong Nai River, we are in the territory of an ancient Hindu culture (lingam statues found here have been dated to the 8th century CE). You might wish to stop in at the museum housing some unearthed artifacts. Winding our way progressively higher throughout the ride, we will have lunch in a small village, then enter a more challenging climb at around the 60 km mark. Reaching a plateau, we will have views over green rolling countryside, before a short transfer to our hotel. We will spend the night in Phuoc Long, a small town that was the site of a decisive battle in the Vietnamese-American War in 1975.

Tullia Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 110km
+1238m
-1152m

Day 6 Phuoc Long - Prey Veng

This is the day we say “hen gap lai” (see you later!) to Vietnam, and we enter Cambodia! This morning, we will drive one hour to the border and complete formalities, then drive one more hour to the start of our ride. Change into cycling clothes and begin pedaling through this sparsely-populated frontier country of Cambodia, with friendly villagers eager to make our acquaintance. Today's ride offers a descent from the mountains to start, then a moderate climb about 20 km in. From there, it's a fairly easygoing ride as we settle into the rhythm of these farming communities, where life is lived with serenity and good humour. Hop in the van to reach our hotel for the night in a sleepy market town on a lagoon of the Mekong. Take a walk through town to mix with the locals and enjoy some delicious Khmer cuisine.

Navy Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 100km
+656m
-787m

Day 7 Prey Veng - Phnom Penh

This morning, cycle out of town and head into the open countryside parallel to the Mekong! Our destination is Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital. We pass through villages with stilted houses, traditional wooden fishing boats, and colorful Theravada temples, making for a picturesque ride. The expanse of the mighty Mekong opens before us, and we board a ferry, taking in views of the of the rapidly developing capital city skyline. After a shower and lunch, the afternoon is yours to sightsee as you wish. By tuk tuk (motorized rickshaw) or on foot, explore the Cambodian Royal Palace or the Russian Market. You may also go to the memorial to victims of the Khmer Rouge at Tuol Sleng Prison. It's also worthwhile to simply walk through the city and take in its architecture, parks, or new trendy neighborhoods. This evening, you are free to choose a restaurant for dinner. Please check with your guide for some favourites!

Frangipani Royal Palace Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch
Ride 60km
+221m
-224m

Day 8 Phnom Penh – Kampong Cham

This morning, we will hop on our bikes and cycle to the ferry dock once more. Reaching the left bank of the river, pedal through lush tropical countryside, where the jungle extends up to the roadside, creating a breathtaking backdrop. Along the way, make a stop at a local home to witness the traditional art of silk weaving, a craft passed down through generations. Our refreshment stops will be in villages where we can take in the sights and sounds of rural life. We cross into Kampong Cham province, where we’ll explore the ancient Khmer temples of Phnom Pros and Phnom Srie. Nearby, we’ll pause to reflect on history at the site of former Khmer Rouge extermination camps, known as the "killing fields" from 1975 to 1979. Afterward, we’ll complete the final stretch of our ride to the hotel, where we can unwind before regrouping in the evening for a traditional Khmer meal.

LBN Asian Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 116km
+268m
-160m

Day 9 Kampong Cham - Kampong Thom

After breakfast, we'll begin riding along the Mekong River to Hanchey Mountain to check out one of the many Khmer temples scattered on its peak. Then we'll continue the ride through Cambodian countryside, passing rice paddies and rubber plantations. Near the end of the ride, you'll have the opportunity to visit Santuk Mountain. With over 800 steps, it offers expansive views of the plains and Cambodian countryside.

Glorious Hotel and Spa
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 130km
+337m
-326m

Day 10 Kampong Tom - Preah Vihear

The ride from Stueng Saen goes north and passes through the Boeng Peae Wildlife Sanctuary, a scenic jungled area home to ancient, Angkor-style temples. Enjoy the lush scenery and some mild climbs before heading out onto the undulating terrain of the Cambodian countryside. Once in Preah Vihear, transfer to the hotel by van, check in and have a shower, before heading out again to visit Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Dedicated to the god Shiva, Preah Vihear temple is impressively carved and sits 500 meters above the surrounding Cambodian plains.

Preah Vihear Jaya Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 90km
+271m
-194m

Day 11 Preah Vihear – Siem Reap

Today's ride begins from the hotel and cycles through Kulen Prum Tep Wildlife Sanctuary. This region of the country is very rural, and the wildlife sanctuary is a quiet and lightly forested plain, offering a side a of Cambodia not often seen by foreign tourists. In the afternoon, the opportunity to visit the jungled ruins of Beng Mealea temple, only recently made accessible. After visiting the temple, we will transfer to Siem Reap, settle into our hotel, and enjoy an evening in this small city that is the gateway to Angkor Wat.

Somadevi Angkor Boutique
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 120km
+410m
-387m

Day 12 Siem Reap – Angkor Wat

This morning, we start our bike ride to the entrance of Angkor Wat and head to Ta Prohm, famous from the film “Tomb Raider”, deliberately left by French conservationists in the same condition as it was discovered – over-grown by strangler fig and silk-cotton trees, giving the temple a mystical and romantic appeal. We continue to Angkor Thom, Bayon Temple, and the Terrace of the Elephants. We enjoy lunch at the Angkor Café before we explore the biggest religious Hindu edifice in the world - Angkor Wat. Considered the masterpiece of Khmer architecture, this Vishnuite temple is the king’s funerary temple, which is why the temple faces west. Inside the temple, the walls are covered with carvings and bas reliefs depicting Hindu mythology and the wars Suryavarman II fought during his reign. After our visit to these magnificent temples, we cycle back the 7 km to Siem Reap. We meet up for our farewell dinner.

Somadevi Angkor Boutique
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 30km
+66m
-32m

Day 13 Siem Reap – Departure

We enjoy a free morning taking in the sights and sounds of Siem Reap, before we head to the airport for onward flights.

Breakfast

Disclaimer: The adventure cycling tours we operate often go beyond the beaten track, and the countries where we ride are not always predictable. Due to these reasons, it is occasionally necessary to reroute or update itineraries. Our guarantee is that we will not change a trip unless for safety or to improve it. Our listed hotels are always accurate at the time of writing, but should we have to change any hotel, it will always be for a similar or better one.