0Mekong River Cruise and Bike Tour – Saigon to Siem Reap
Cruise the Mekong River from the vibrant southern capital of Saigon, Vietnam, to the ancient kingdom of Angkor, Cambodia. Enjoy it the best way possible, the slow way, by bike and boat on a tour specially made to accommodate both cyclists and non-riding partners. Spend your mornings exploring your surroundings by bike or by foot, then in the afternoons, cruise the iconic Mekong River in comfort and style.
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Highlights
- Enjoy a walk around lively Saigon on a food tour tasting local treats.
- Explore the Mekong Delta by bike or on foot.
- Visit traditional villages and learn about Cambodian history in Phnom Penh.
- Learn about the Mekong River from an expert.
- Watch a beautiful sunrise at Angkor Wat and explore the park.
Whats Included
- All breakfasts, 7 lunches and 7dinners
- Flight from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap
- 5 nights on a chartered river ship
- 2 nights in a premier hotel
- Guides & support team
- Cannondale bikes and support vehicles
- Healthy snacks and water during cycling
- All activities and site entry fees
- Memento cycling jersey and water bottle
- Tips for non-ABT service staff
Itinerary idea in detail
Includes international flights from a choice of UK airports, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
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1
We’ll meet at our pre-designated hotel where you can get acquainted with your fellow adventurers on a walking tour. Exploring the city on two feet you’ll learn about Saigon’s history and architecture, all the while discovering more about local life. Along the way, we’ll have the opportunity to taste some local specialties, such as Vietnamese coffee and chocolate.
After lunch in a special, floral setting, we take a 2 hour transfer to reach the port at the north-eastern end of the Mekong Delta where we board the charming ship, the Tom Tiou 2 and become acquainted with our delightful crew.
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2
Today you’ll have the option to choose between a morning ride and afternoon on the ship, or morning on the ship and afternoon ride… unless you want to try both! Our morning ride takes us through the busy floating villages and river commerce of My Tho, and ends at a local home for a traditional Vietnamese lunch.
If you choose to pursue the afternoon ride, we’ll cycle along towards Cai Be: another town built on a mix of land and water. This village is full of friendly children, so be prepared to stop and smile or wave at kids biking to school in their blue and whites. Our ship anchors near Cai Be so we can enjoy a flavorful Vietnamese meal in town.
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3
Again today you have the option to choose whether or not to ride in the morning, afternoon, or both. The morning cycling route takes us along the riverbanks from Cai Be to the pleasant colonial town of Sa Dec, where we’ll devour lunch before boarding the ship again.
Should you choose the afternoon ride, you’ll saddle up on your bike and pedal through narrow, shaded paths past locals hard at work growing flowers, clay brick, and transporting a wide variety of colorful fruits and veggies to the market. Our ride ends near the busy city of Cao Lanh, then we board the boat again to stop near the Chau Doc canal for the night.
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4
It could be said that we saved the best for last. The last day in Vietnam that is. We come ashore on a small island just below the border and spend the morning riding through the small communities and farmland. This island feels different to other parts of the Delta, because there are very few cars and the houses are more traditional in appearance, made from wood and on low stilts to protect from the occasional flooding. We farewell most of the Vietnam support team and then sail for the boarder where, after some brief formalities, we cruise onward into Cambodia and drop anchor with the lights of Phnom Penh visible.
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5
Koh Dac, also known as Silk Island, is a small island close to Phnom Penh that is well-known as the home of silk weaving. Local women practice this traditional activity on looms under their raised houses, and we’ll have a chance to learn about the process of how silk is made as we cycle around this piece of land. We’ll head back to the boat for lunch. In the afternoon, we will dock so you can explore the riverside area of the city on foot at your leisure. We will push out into the river again before sunset for our final night aboard.
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6
As the sun rises to its post in the sky, our ship will arrive at Phnom Penh. The capital of Cambodia is an interesting place. Little more than a collection of shacks along the river when the French arrived, it was quickly designed with a grid-style layout and lined with beautiful colonial buildings such as the Central Market which has recently been restored.
The city was forcibly evacuated when it fell to the Khmer Rouge in the 1970s and thus ensued a period of decay that continued through the early years of re-population. In the late nineties and early 2000s as the country started to get back on its feet, the city had a shattered charm to it with many still-vacant buildings and creaking infrastructure.
We will check out of the ship after breakfast and explore this dynamic city with a multi-modal tour, followed by lunch in the city. Then it’s off to the airport for our flight to Siem Reap.
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7
Prepare for an early rising this morning, as we get moving before the sun has peeked out from behind the horizon and the first roosters have started to crow. We’ll transfer to the otherworldly Angkor National Park, where all tour participants will gather in front of the many imposing towers of the main temple itself. If we get lucky with the weather, we’ll catch a spectacular color show as the sun rises behind the great temple’s spires.
Once the sun is up and the crowds of tourists have dispersed, we will begin our in-depth exploration of this and other ancient temples in the Angkor complex and enjoy breakfast in these peaceful surroundings. Discover the mysteries this jungle has to offer as we cycle down narrow tracks and hidden dirt paths to iconic temples such as Bayon or Ta Prohm, and some of the lesser-known ancient structures. Non-riders will explore the temples by tuk-tuk.
We’ll enjoy lunch by the Sra Srang Reservoir that surrounds the Angkor Wat temple before we head back to the hotel. The afternoon is free to pursue your own wanderings in town or relax back at the accommodation.
After an early dinner, we’ll head to an enthralling show put on by Phare Circus: the acrobatic troupe comprised of talented Khmer who have attended a professional arts training center run by an NGO.
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8
Our tour concludes this morning in Siem Reap with a few last activities to immerse you fully in Cambodian culture. We’ll start with a visit to the Angkor National Museum, dedicated to the preservation of ancient Angkorian architecture and artifacts, then make our way to the APOPO NGO that uses rats to detect landmines, then finish our morning with some of the best coffee in town at Footprint cafe. You will be transferred to the airport in time for departing flights, or feel free to stay and explore this charming little city on your own.
Accommodation options
While the itinerary price reflects the suggested accommodation, Audley trips are 100% tailor-made, and a specialist can help you select the option best suited to your tastes and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Currently, the E-Visa does not facilitate water border crossings. While you can exit Cambodia with an E-Visa, you cannot enter through this water border. Most nationalities are able to obtain a visa on arrival during the cruise for USD 35 per person (please carry one passport photo). Visit our FAQ section for more information on Cambodian Visas.
- We do not organize visas for Cambodia directly. However, we can provide information and guidance on the visa application process and requirements.
We'll help plan your trip based on you like and want to do. We know a lot about the place you're gomg. so we can give you good advice. WIIether you're into history, food, or culture, ue'll make sure your trip is just right for you. With us. your travel will be easy and fun!
We carefully choose our expert guides and travel concierges to make sure you have an authentic experience. They're passionate about their work and will bring your destination to life with care and enthusiasm.
We design our luxury trips with responsible travel principles in mind. This means we prioritize experiences that benefit both you and the planet.
It is easy to customize your Highlights of Vietnam tours with us
What our clients say about us
Eriberto P
16 March 2024 ★★★★★We had an amazing time with Flipside! The easy riders were fantastic and made us feel so safe over the 3 days. The food and home stays were lovely over the trip and there were plenty of stops along the way. The evenings were so much fun with the group and easy riders! Everyone was so accommodating and friendly and made the experience unforgettable. We cannot wait to come again and highly recommend Flipside
Jeremy
28 April 2024 ★★★★★Flip side honestly exceeded my expectations! Of course the views of Ha Giang were amazing but the staff were absolutely incredible and the easy riders were amazing! I felt so safe on the back of Truong’s bike the whole time. We had a small group of 6 people, 4 of us with easy riders and my boyfriend and our friend drove themselves. The drivers were steady and kept a good, safe pace for the guys riding (we saw and heard how fast the other tour’s went and how many injuries they have). Every night was super fun and our riders had such a laugh with us. Flip side take you off the beaten track and we saw some amazing views and swam in some gorgeous waterfalls that we hiked down too, it was so special. The main highlight was day 4, where we met Thiên and Truong’s families. We had the best day wild swimming with them, swimming inside a hidden cave, and drinking too much happy water while teaching everyone Scottish country dancing. Special thanks to Duc Anh, Thiên and especially Truong. Amazing people that made the four days so special!!! Flip side really feels like a family and social enterprise and really supports the staff & the villages in the mountains, it was amazing to see and hear about from a tour company! 10/10
Steven
23 April 2024 ★★★★★I had a good time and I am Glad, that I decided me to book this tour I can recommed it, it was nice and uncomplicated to book We had a really good time
Naad
16 April 2024 ★★★★★We just returned from a 14 day trip to Vietnam with FLIPSIDE. The trip was perfect, thanks to Mr. Kevin and his team, who took care of every detail of the organization and were attentive throughout, ensuring that our experience was excellent. They even provided us with tips on some great hotels in Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City. During our trip, we visited Hanoi, Halong Bay (two night by boat, highly recommended for a full experience), did the Ha Giang Loop for 4 days, explored Hoi An and went on a 3-day bike tour in the Mekong Delta. The guides spoke good English and took excellent care of us in each city: Tony in Hanoi and Halong Bay, Nghia in Ha Giang and Tom in the Mekong Delta, all of whom helped us enjoy the journey more. Vietnam is a wonderful country with delicious food and the people are charming. I absolutely recommend it. Many thanks to Mr. Kevin and Flipside Adventure Travel for their excellent work.
Sures M
3 April 2024 ★★★★★The flipside Ha Giang loop tour was a absolutely incredible experience which left us both completely speechless until now! Diving into the heart of the loop and being given a real experience of the life in which the local people live here was truly amazing. The company puts real emphasis into helping local communities within the loop. You are able to make donations, if you wish, to local families in need and the experience visiting the family really does change your perspective on things. Furthermore, you are taken off the main tracks and see parts of the loop no one else does. However, you still see the incredible scenery and pass through the loops most popular tracks so don’t miss out in incredible views. The easy riders ensure you make plenty of stops for delicious coffee/drinks and have the chance to take plenty of photos and videos to capture the moment! Me & my girlfriend had Ǎn and Dukang (I hope I’ve spelt that correctly) as our easy riders and they were genuinely amazing people. You connect with them over the three/four days and make a real friendship with them! They’re fantastic drivers and go above & beyond to make sure you have a brilliant time. Food was delicious and we never felt hungry as there was so much! The homestays were great too, couples on our tour were given private rooms when possible (which was both nights for us). The flipside team do an amazing job and deserve the most recognition possible! I hope one day to return & do the loop again. It was truly amazing. Thank you to everyone at Flipside, with particular thanks to Ǎn & Dukang! Legends!!
Stolecki G
10 April 2024 ★★★★★We just completed a 26 day tour of Vietnam: Hanoi, Ha Giang Loop Tour by motorbike, Halong Bay cruise, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh, Cu Chi tunnels, Mekong cycle tour. We arrived by boat in the Cambodian capital and from there, we went to Siem Reap to visit the temples of Angkor. Finally, we traveled to Bangkok, visiting the city's temples, floating markets and parks. We were met for all the transfers, including 4 internal flights, a boat transfer and the cruise. Everything was perfectly organized by Kevin. All tour guides were excellent and very attentive, and the drivers and vehicles were also great. Despite choosing budget hotels, they were good quality. We felt safe and secure throughout the trip. The only accommodation that felt a bit out of place was the one in Bangkok. Flipside Adventure Travel is an agency we highly recommend as they organize tailored tours with half board, diverse activities and at a reasonable price. This experience was particularly special as it was our first trip to Asia.
Armer S
12 June 2024 ★★★★★Flipside Adventure Travel organized a fabulous 3-week trip for us to Vietnam and Cambodia. We visited Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh, traveled by boat on the Mekong River with a bike tour and explored Saigon, Hoi An, Halong Bay and the Ha Giang Loop. A choice was perfectly offered in different hotels and accommodations, allowing everyone to manage their desires and budget. Our travel consultant, Stephen was always ready to answer us on WhatsApp when we needed it. We were really taken care of! Also, when bad weather made us cancel our scuba diving, Stephen quickly found us another plan. The guides were nice and spoke English well; the drivers were good and we loved our trip. Highly recommend Flipside Adventure Travel!
Vernola S
18 January 2024 ★★★★★Our trip to Vietnam was fantastic, one of the best I've ever had. Flipside Adventure Travel was very well organized throughout. We were fortunate to have a wonderful guide, Tony, who was incredibly helpful, kind and patient. The group of fellow travelers were also great. They ranged in age from about 30 to 50 years old and were easy to get along with and friendly. We always made stops at clean restrooms, dined at wonderful restaurants, and stayed in excellent hotels. The itinerary struck a good balance between sightseeing, shopping, downtime, group activities, communal meals, and individual dining choices. I particularly enjoyed visiting Halong Bay, Ha Giang Loop, Saigon, Mekong Delta, Hoi An, trying Vietnamese cuisine, watching water puppetry and more. I would definitely travel with them again and highly recommend this company.
