Biking & bikepacking
You get to travel through Asia on a bike...enough said!
12 days
Vietnam and Cambodia
start
UK airport (with flights) Ho Chi Minh City (without flights)
Fitness:
Moderate
ANNUAL leave needed:
8 days off work
Had an amazing experience with the 24 hours 3peaks challenge. Don't underestimate this it is a challenge. Rob our guide was just the best, you could not be in safer hands & Dave our drive was a super star. Getting us safely to the start of each mountain.
Trudie K, National Three Peaks
coming soon
12
meals included:
Yes
coming soon
accomodation
Hotel
Open up the world of travelling by bike
Angkor Wat and Phnom Penh world renowned temples
Floating markets of Caj Rang and phong Dien
Had an amazing experience with the 24 hours 3peaks challenge. Don't underestimate this it is a challenge. Rob our guide was just the best, you could not be in safer hands & Dave our drive was a super star. Getting us safely to the start of each mountain.
Trudie K, National Three Peaks
A great way to get out of London, get some fresh air, see a new place and have a little adventure! Our guide is well organised and a pleasure to go with.. he accommodates all levels, I highly recommend a trip!
Theresa, National 3 Peaks
Not only did our guide show absolute professionalism, but he shows the highest degree of care and ultimately you’ll only feel that you’re on a wonderful day out with a good friend. Would highly recommend
Steph, National 3 Peaks
A really well organised trip. Would use Call to Adventure again, they have a great ethos.
Nick J, National Three Peaks
It was well organised, a great challenge and fun! The info was clear and comprehensive and I fully knew what to expect
Pauline, J National 3 Peaks
Departure from the UK to Ho Chi Minh, usually from London Heathrow airport.
You’ll be met on arrival and transferred to a centrally located 3-star hotel to relax after the flight. Ho Chi Minh City is in the delta area of the Saigon and Dong Nai rivers. Though it is Vietnam’s biggest city, it is also rich in agricultural land and rural community. In the afternoon you will be introduced to your guides and given a full briefing as well as your bike for the trip. In the evening, a welcome dinner of local fare kicks off the trip. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
(Dinner included)
Transfer from Ho Chi Minh to Can Giuoc. And so begins the adventure! We’ll ride along the winding roads and lanes that weave their way through local villages, past banana plantations, sugar fields, luscious rivers and canals and eventually into My Tho by ferry – the heart of the Mekong delta. It’ll be a hot day as we adjust to riding in such temperatures. Overnight in My Tho.
Cycling distance: 60 – 65 km
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)
An early start and we’re off, cycling through tranquil country lanes and dirt trails with views all the way to Can Tho. Passing through local orchards, riverside villages and wooden bridges, we’ll pause to chat to welcoming villagers and take in the scenery. A few more canal crossings using the local sampans later and were at the main ferry port for a boat trip across to Vinh Long. From here, a bus will take us 30km to Can Tho city, where we’ll spend the night. More narrow canal crossings using local sampans to reach the main ferry for a refreshing boat trip across the expansive river to Vinh Long.
Cycling distance: 70 km
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)
Another early breakfast and we’re hopping on a boat to Cai Rang, before pedalling down to Phong Dien floating market. Making our way through the market by boat, we see a bustling hub of local trade. It’s a feast for the senses as we absorb the sights of locals selling their fare. Timber merchants, coconut shredders and rice sellers do their thing whilst we weave through on two wheels, before stopping for lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we continue riding along the narrow roads that lead us towards Long Xuyen. We then transfer to Chau Doc, where we stay overnight.
Cycling distance: 95 km
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)
An early departure from Chau Doc to Phnom Penh by boat. We cross the border to Cambodia via a river checkpoint then continue northwest along the Bassac River. Another day of tranquil riding through rural Cambodia.
We arrive in Phnom Penh in the afternoon just in time for some lunch before we hit the city. Once considered the “Pearl of Asia”, Cambodia’s stunning capital has something of a colonial charm to it. Though its allure was tarnished by war and revolution, it has since bounced back into a bustling hub of a city, with its world-class food scene and tree-lined boulevards packed with cafes.
In the afternoon we’ll explore two of Phnom Penh’s most famous sites. Our first stop is The Royal Palace, the last palace to be built during the French colonial period in 1866. We will visit the Silver Pagoda, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, where over 5,000 real silver tiles adorn the floor and gold, crystal and bronze Buddha’s sit majestically.
Our second stop will be the infamous Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum. It is an important reminder of the Khmer Rouge and history of modern Cambodia.
In the late afternoon we’ll check in to our hotel, where we can relax and shower off before dinner.
Cycling distance: none
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)
You guessed it - another early start! This morning we’re getting ready for an exciting push along the Mekong river. We’ll start on the outskirts of Phnom Penh and watch the city slowly give way to yet more idyllic, rural countryside, passing small Muslim communities that live on the river banks.
Today’s ride ends at the crossroads of Kang Meas. We’ll load up our bikes and head directly to Kampong Cham where we’ll stay overnight.
Cycling distance: 75km
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)
In the morning we’ll head to Kampong Thmor where we will begin cycling. We’ll be treated to the distant silhouettes of the mountains in the Tonle Sap basin and gentle country roads, before reaching the ruins of Sambor Prey Kuk, the pre-Angkor capital of the Khmer Empire. It’s a merge between nature and history; huge tree roots envelop and cling on to ancient unrestored temples.
After our visit to Sambor we’ll hop back onto our bikes head for Kampong Thom where we’ll spend the night.
Cycling distance: 65 km
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)
After transferring to the village of Damdek, we’ll begin our last day of cycling, the finish line just outside of Angkor Wat. We’ll spend some time resting and taking stock of the site, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, before packing up our bikes and heading to town to relax and have dinner.
Cycling distance: 65 km
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)
After breakfast this morning, we’ll be introduced to the guides who will be taking us on a journey through the Angkor jungles.
We kick off with a visit to Ta Prohm temple (a film location for one of the Tomb Raider films), built in the mid-12th to early 13th century. Similar to Sambor Prey Kuk, Ta Prohm has been largely left as it was found and is overgrown with jungle life. We’ll continue from here to the ancient city of Angkor Thom, the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under Jayavarman VII’s reign. The city is enveloped in an 8-metre high wall, which we will enter by the East gate and observe on the entrance path a row of fifty-four gods and demons of Hindu lore.
From here, we continue to Bayon Temple in the centre of the city. This 12th century piece of architecture is characterised by its fifty four towers, each emblazoned with faces representing the provinces of the Great Khmer Empire. The Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King are particularly intriguing on account of their intricate bas-relief.
We return in the afternoon to Angkor Wat. Built during the reign of King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat is the largest religious monument in the world. Inside the temple, the walls are engraved with stone carvings and bas-reliefs depicting Hindu mythology. The building of the temple is thought to have taken around 30 years of intensive labour. Today, it is featured on Cambodia’s national flag as a representation of the Khmer people.
At the end of the day, it’s time to return to the hotel for a final dinner together and an evening show from the local nonprofit arts school, Phare.
Cycling distance: 35km
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)
After breakfast there’s often time to explore Siem Reap before transferring to the airport for your departure flight.
(Breakfast included)
Arrive back home, filled to the brim with good memories and great stories!
coming soon
Yes
Fully qualified, European guide
coming soon
From the very start when you booked your place on this trip to the moment you arrive back in London you will be in the capable hands of experienced staff.
All of our staff have extensive knowledge of world travel, event support and other skills that are ideal for the job they are doing and situations that might arise. As well as this they are motivated, friendly and approachable. While out on the road the support team also have great back up from the office with a 24 hour emergency number just in case.
Back up team numbers and number of vehicles vary depending on the group size and the logistics of the route, but we ensure that there are enough staff to provide you with a great and enjoyable trip.
The team are there to look after the running of the trip and all the aspects that are involved. From route-marking to luggage transportation, or motivating to puncture repair, the back-up team are there to help you complete your challenge and enjoy every minute!
The other big job for the back-up team is to keep your bike on the road so you can keep pedaling! We carry a range of spares and inner tubes should something happen to your bike on the trail and will be along before long to fix you up and keep you cycling. We also carry spare bikes.
Yes absolutely. If you haven’t used an e-bike before, don’t be fooled you still have to pedal, and it can be hard work. The additional cost is in the region of $180 for the whole trip and should be paid in situ. However if you know this is what you want, please do advise us before going so we can let our crew know.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be typical Vietnamese and Cambodian food, lots and lots of rice and noodles!
In Vietnam meals will look like this:
Breakfasts: Fried rice with beef or pork; fried noodles with beef or pork; vegetables, eggs, pancakes, bananas, cake, bread, hot tea and coffee.
Lunches: Rice and mixed dishes of chicken, pork, beef, fish, vegetables, eggs, etc.
Dinners: Rice with 5-8 dishes, usually a mix of several vegetables, fish, pork, chicken, tofu, beef, and duck. See a theme running through this…?
In Cambodia it will be more like this:
In the cities, Khmer (Cambodian) food is quite complex. It’s usually sweet and sour or mild to moderate spice. We do try to include a little Western food (typically French cuisine) though in the provinces it is very hard to source Western staples.
Breakfast in the city hotels is usually buffet style so guests can enjoy some western food in the morning. In the countryside, food tends to be quite simple, but hearty. A typical lunch might include fried noodles with vegetables in a clam sauce. Meat is usually included, but there are vegetarian dishes readily available. Rice is almost always included with meals.
Absolutely, please let us know in advance.
It isn’t really necessary to bring snacks. We provide local snacks and fruit. If you want to bring energy snacks, such as power bars or gels which are not usually available in the country then please do.
Purified drinking water is available at all stages of the trip (with the exception of restaurants, where we do not include beverages). In restaurants, we recommend you purchase bottled water and refrain from drinking anything with ice (except in restaurants in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh, where clean ice is guaranteed.) Do not drink the water from the tap. If you think you might be filling up outside our planned water stops, bring purification tablets.
Depending on the terrain and the speed of the group, we try to stop every 15 – 25km (typically 1 – 1.5 hours of cycling). You can refill water bottles at any of these stops. We prepare between 3 – 5 litres of water per client per day.
Hotels and guest houses, which by local standards will be good, by western standards may seem a little simple in places, in more developed areas will be very respectable with western toilets and hot showers. Remember these are developing countries, but they do try hard to cater for western tourists.
Yes. All accommodation on the trip is shared (unless you pay a single supplement rate). If you have a friend on the ride let us know and we will make sure you share with them.
All your overnight luggage will be transported for you from hotel to hotel, but this does mean that it will be very awkward to access this bag during the day. Therefore we suggest if you have a few things you might need out on the road then you bring a small daysack or large bumbag to carry things while on your bike. Do keep your backpack small though otherwise you’ll find your shoulders get very stiff very quickly and you will get hot quickly. Better still get bike bags for the handlebars or under seat compartments for any essentials. Small daysacks are often more accessible on the bus during the day.
Space is limited in the luggage vans so we ask you not to bring suitcases but stick to soft duffel bags or kit bag and not one that is precious to you as they may be put on the bottom of the pile. Your bag should weigh no more than 15kg.
Western toilets are available at hotels and major cities. In the countryside, we cannot guarantee that a toilet will be available. Most toilet facilities in the countryside are squat toilets where they are available, otherwise you’re in the bushes.
There will be regular rest stops for drinks and snacks after every 20 miles or so of cycling – there is no problem if you need to take more rest stops. A support vehicle will be bringing up the rear of the group on the cycle ride ensuring nobody is left alone – remember, this is not a race!
You should ensure the usual traveler’s vaccinations to a developing country are up to date – Tetanus, Polio, Typhoid, Hepatitis A & B. Rabies is sometimes recommended. You should also consider taking malaria tablets. We ask that you seek the latest advice of your local GP, Nurse Practitioner or travel clinic before you travel.
You do not need a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate for travel to either country UNLESS you are arriving from a Yellow Fever risk country. Again, worth verifying that this information has not changed at the last minute before you travel.
If it’s something serious then in extremis helicopter evacuation can be arranged, otherwise vehicle transport will always be available. If it’s not a medical problem but you need to get home then equally arrangements can be made. Evacuation costs will need to be met by the client or their insurer.
Definitely! There are plenty of like-minded riders taking part who are thinking the same thing so you will be in good company and you will meet new friends. Some people come with friends or family but most people come on their own. Sign up today for a fantastic experience and the opportunity to make life long friends.
If you engage in fitness activities at least 3 times per week, or do a physical job e.g. builder and this will be easily achievable. The most important thing is to get “saddle time” meaning get on a bike either outdoors or in the gym as the skin – and the heart – take a little time to adapt to cycling all day. The aspect that will be hardest to acclimatise to is riding in the heat.
The minimum age to take part is 18 and there is not a maximum age limit but if you are over 65 years you will need to provide us with a medical certificate from your doctor.
Normally the day would start with a wake up call and then breakfast. We ask that on your way down to breakfast you bring down your overnight bag. After breakfast there will be a few minutes to check your bike and tyre pressures. Before you set off there will be a short recap on the dinner briefing and then it is off. The ride will be broken down into sections with water stops, and lunch out on the road. Arriving at the hotel or guest house you will be shown where to leave bikes, you will check in and be told where your bags are so you are able to go and freshen up before dinner. During dinner you will also have a safety briefing for tomorrow’s ride.
In Vietnam it will be quite flat with some high bridges. Most routes go down tree lined lanes and roads. The area around the Tonle Sap basin is very flat, with only minor changes in elevation ranging from 100-200m. At times the roads will be reasonably busy, at the other end of the spectrum the only traffic we might encounter will be the odd buffalo. The cycling would be classed as easy to moderate for an averagely fit person.
Distances vary between 35 to 95 kilometers per day, covering 470km in total (distance may vary slightly due to changes of hotels or exact route). While you are training we recommend several days of these distances on consecutive days to get used to the distances day after day. If you are planning to track your route please remember that all computers and GPS devices vary slightly in readings.
Apart from the bicycles, we use different vehicles depending on the group size. Bike, bus, speedboat, small wood built “ferries”, tuk tuk, plane! This trip is not all about the cycling, it’s more by any means necessary and people should expect to be getting on and off vehicles each day, whether that’s the bus, a ferry etc. Generally though, we use buses or vans of varying size with trucks to support with equipment, with some interesting river crossings along the way.
In Vietnam we will be visiting mostly remote areas. Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are tourists hotspots. In the Cambodian provinces of Kampong Cham and Kampong Thom, we may see a few more tourists, but only at major stops like Sambor Prey Kuk and Angkor Wat.
Most definitely. The program features a full day in the Angkor area. There will be some time set aside to see the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh as well, and Sambor Prey Kuk in Kampong Thom.
October to March are all good times to visit Cambodia and Vietnam. During this time the weather is quite cool and there are fewer tourists. April and May can be very hot in Cambodia, with temperatures reaching daily highs of 35 or 40 degrees. In the Mekong delta, it is much cooler during these times.
During the day, temperatures in dry season average about 28 degrees Centigrade with moderate to high humidity. Lows tend to be around 22 degrees at night and highs tend to be 32 in the afternoon. The other factor is humidity which makes it feel far hotter and can reach 90% on occasion.
You must carry individual travel insurance to take part in the expedition. We cannot accept you on to the trip without proof of insurance.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the appropriate insurance for your intended trip. With your insurance coverage to include medical evacuation.
Your insurance details are requested on the booking form, however this can be arranged at a later date. We will be requesting your insurance details 8 weeks before your departure.
You will require a valid ten year passport which must be valid for at least six months from the day you enter Vietnam. Until 30 June 2021, British Citizen passport holders travelling for tourism can enter Vietnam for up to a maximum of 15 days (inclusive of dates of entry and exit) without a visa. Your Cambodian visa can be sorted at the border crossing.
The trip costs cover all of your accommodation (twin room basis), travel, all meals except for ones mentioned in the itinerary and luggage transfer. They also include trip support by experienced leaders; support, mechanical and medical staff and vehicles.
Costs do not include visas, personal travel insurance, meals mentioned on the itinerary, drinks, extra food, extra personal items and any other costs not mentioned.
You will need to allow extra for snacks, drinks, souvenirs and other personal extras. Non-alcoholic drinks usually cost around $1-2 USD at a restaurant. A tuk tuk is not usually more than $2-3 USD, depending on the occupancy and the distance. A budget of $20 USD a day would be more than ample even for the more adventurous. We would also recommend carrying a credit card to cover any personal emergencies that might arise.
In Vietnam, it is possible to exchange USD or GBP for Vietnamese Dong when you arrive at the airport in Saigon. In Cambodia, US dollars are accepted everywhere. Sometimes Cambodian Riels (roughly 4,000 riel to 1 dollar) are given as change. Riels cannot be exchanged outside of Cambodia so it is good to spend them prior to departure.
Yes. In the countryside there are pockets of dead space or low signal but these are usually small. SIM cards are available in Vietnam and Cambodia for $8-10 USD.
Yes. Be sure to bring appropriate adapters. Most outlets in major cities can accept several types of plugs, but it is not guaranteed in the provinces.
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