Cycle Indochina & Angkor

Cycle through awe-inspiring ancient monuments across three countries

This journey takes us through three countries with divergent histories and subtly different cultures. From the bustling streets of Bangkok, to the serene tranquillity of the shimmering paddy fields, to the magnificence of Angkor’s temples, we see a little piece of everything these amazing countries have to offer. In Vietnam, we enter the Mekong Delta, a spectacular patchwork of paddies and waterways. Our journey ends in Ho Chi Minh City where the frenetic pace contrasts starkly with the rural areas we have cycled through.

This trip includes a few of our Citizen Science Departures. These special departures offer you the opportunity to be involved in the collection of freshwater samples during the trip. The environmental DNA information derived from this sample will contribute directly to the eBioAtlas; the world’s largest repository of flora and fauna species data, contributing to the conservation and restoration of biodiversity both locally and globally. To book onto one of these special departures, see the Dates & Prices tab. For more information on these departures and the eBioAtlas, click here.

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips that improve life for the people and places we visit, and look after the planet we explore. Find out more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here, and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

How this trip helps improve life for local communities.

• The use of local guides means our customers will be well informed about local traditions, and cultural and social sensitivities. During the trip, we use one local leader from either Thailand, Vietnam or Cambodia and different local support teams and assistant cycling staff in each country so clients have the opportunity to interact with support staff from all countries.
• This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally owned hotels and restaurants, the emphasis on eating locally produced food and support of other local enterprises.
• During the trip, we stop at the Friends restaurant in Phnom Penh. The restaurant is a fully functional social enterprise run by local NGO Mith Samlanh, which works with marginalised children. Behind the restaurant, the organisation offers food, water, shelter, medical care, training and educational facilities for more than 1,800 homeless, vulnerable or abandoned children every day. By visiting, our business goes towards changing the lives of these young people and giving them the right direction towards schooling, employment or back to their families.
• Guests will have the opportunity to stay overnight and eat a delicious home-cooked meal in a homestay guesthouse in the Mekong Delta.
• We do a lot to celebrate the cottage industries on this tour, as this is not only a way to directly benefit the locals but also fascinating and enjoyable for travellers. For example, in the Mekong Delta we visit a lot of these small businesses and factories selling handmade coconut sweets, rice paper, soya bean sauce and popped rice among other things.
• There is also the option to see a traditional folk dancing or water puppet show in Ho Chi Minh City. This encourages local customs to continue and creates employment opportunities.

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

• By travelling in a small group, led by a local guide, we tread lightly to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment. On this trip, some parts of the itinerary stay in smaller towns using accommodation outside of busy cities.
• Our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices with regard to working animals and wildlife viewing. Our animal welfare policy can be found here.
• We work with our partners on the ground to proactively eliminate or reduce waste, for example eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles and instead providing refills for reusable bottles.
• When visiting landmarks, cultural sites and national parks, such as Pang Sida, Angkor Wat and the Genocide Museum, our fees contribute to the upkeep and maintenence of these places.
• We provide clients with a reusable tote bag at the start of the tour (made in Bangkok), offering an alternative to single-use plastic bags and a souvenir to take home.
• Some departures of this trip provide the opportunity for you to collect water samples for the International eBioAtlas initiative which collects vital DNA information to assist in essential conservation initiatives.
• Read about our commitment to nature protection and restoration here, including our rewilding commitment for every customer who travels with us and the eBioAtlas.

 Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

• Read about Exodus Travels’ Planet Promise here, including our rewilding and carbon compensation commitments for every customer who travels.
• Accommodation and restaurants in the itinerary use locally sourced food, which has not been transported long distances.

 Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

• Leave no trace: we do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish behind in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, we’d ask you to consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
• Plastic waste reduction: Please bring your own reusable water bottle on this trip; filtered water will be provided where tap water is not drinkable.
  Cultural respect:
  • Please remember that you will be expected to cover your legs and arms (to the elbow) during visits to temples and sacred sites so packing a sarong or other suitable clothing is recommended. Also remember to remove hats when visiting a sacred site.
  • Do not rest your chopsticks upright in a bowl of rice as this symbolises the burning of incense (which is usually reserved for times of mourning).
  • One should not show the soles of their feet or touch someone’s head, both are considered disrespectful.

Visa

It’s your responsibility to obtain any visas required for this trip. Visa requirements vary depending on your nationality and destination, so please check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations
• United Kingdom: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel.html

Vaccination

Thailand

There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include tetanus, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, rabies, tuberculosis and typhoid. You will also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you're arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission or transiting for more than 12 hours through a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Please confirm all the above with your doctor or travel clinic.

Dengue and zika, both viral diseases spread by mosquitoes, are a known risk in places visited. There are currently no vaccines or prophylaxes available, so take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Cambodia

There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, rabies and tuberculosis. You will also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you're arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission or transiting for more than 12 hours through a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Please confirm your vaccine recommendations and requirements with your doctor or travel clinic.

Dengue fever, a tropical viral disease spread by daytime biting mosquitoes, is a known risk in places visited. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, so take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Vietnam

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to speak to your doctor or travel clinic about vaccinations for hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid, cholera, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis, rabies and tuberculosis. The risk of malaria is slight, but you may want to consult your doctor or travel clinic for further advice.

Similarly, dengue and zika, both viral diseases spread by mosquitoes, are known risks in Vietnam. There is currently no vaccine or prophylaxis available, so we strongly recommend you take the usual precautions to avoid mosquito bites.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts, one lunch and one dinner are included.

The food on this trip is a real highlight for many. South East Asian cuisine is known for its abundance of freshly prepared dishes with strong aromatic flavours. There is a focus on herbs and citrus to ensure each dish packs a punch; chilli is also a common feature, but it’s easily avoided if desired.
Typically most dishes will come with rice and many are often served in a banana leaf with a variety of dips and herbs served separately.

The three countries visited ensure a different culinary experience every time you cross the border; try freshly made pad Thai noodles from the street stalls of Bangkok, the fish amok curry in Cambodia for a creamy coconut-based fragrant curry, and the banh xeo (huge sizzling pancakes) in Vietnam.
Western food is readily available almost everywhere except in the Mekong Delta region.

Vegetarians are well catered for, but please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests.
Please note that the availability of certain specialised products for restricted diets, eg gluten-free or dairy-free, is minimal or non-existent and we strongly recommend you bring these specialised dietary items from home.

You may find it beneficial to bring cycling snacks with you from home if you use high-energy bars or gels while cycling. If you wish to contribute, a kitty is normally arranged (see extra expenses); fresh fruit, nuts, biscuits and local snacks are all provided from the snack kitty along with drinks and electrolyte powders.

Weather

In Thailand and Cambodia, the weather will be hot and humid all year round. The dry season runs from November to April with the monsoon between May and October. April and October are transition months. The dry season is characterised by hot days and generally clear skies, though you can expect the odd shower. The monsoon is characterised by short, sharp bursts of rain and can be a very atmospheric time to travel, but an umbrella may be useful.

In Vietnam, the weather patterns are similar to Cambodia; expect year-round temperatures from 25C-39C (77F-102F). The rainy season typically runs from June to September; expect short, sharp showers with the sun breaking through for extended periods. From the end of March to May, just before the monsoon season, it’s hot and humid with temperatures approaching 40C (around 104F) between Bangkok and Siem Reap.

Is this trip for you?

This trip is rated Activity Level 3 (Moderate) and classified Road.

There are nine cycling days; average daily distance: 29.2mi (47km) per day; 95 percent vehicle support

Terrain and Route: The road is generally well paved in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, with some easy dirt roads in Thailand and Vietnam. Conditions will be hot and humid and there are some long days, but there are very few hills. Traffic levels in South East Asia are higher near the larger towns, so you should be comfortable riding occasionally in traffic. Though many of the roads are in good condition, expect potholes and occasional poor road conditions.

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as generally not suitable for persons of reduced mobility. However if you are a regular traveller on such trips, please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.