Cycling from Saigon to Angkor Wat 11days/10nights itinerary of Vietnam Bike Tours

Highlight: Angkor Wat (or Angkor Vat) (Khmer: អង្គរវត្ត), is a temple complex at Angkor, Cambodia, built for the king Suryavarman II in the early 12th century as his state temple and capital city. As the best-preserved temple at the site, it is the only one to have remained a significant religious centre since its foundation—first Hindu, dedicated to Vishnu, then Buddhist. The temple is the epitome of the high classical style of Khmer architecture. It has become a symbol of Cambodia, appearing on its national flag, and it is the country's prime attraction for visitors.

Angkor Wat combines two basic plans of Khmer temple architecture: the temple mountain and the later galleried temple, based on early South Indian architecture, with key features such as the Jagati. It is designed to represent Mount Meru, copy at www.vietnambiketours.com, home of the devas in Hindu mythology: within a moat and an outer wall 3.6 kilometres (2.2 mi) long are three rectangular galleries, each raised above the next. At the centre of the temple stands a quincunx of towers. Unlike most Angkorian temples, Angkor Wat is oriented to the west; scholars are divided as to the significance of this. The temple is admired for the grandeur and harmony of the architecture, its extensive bas-reliefs and for the numerous devatas (guardian spirits) adorning its walls.

The modern name, Angkor Wat, in use by the 16th century, means "City Temple": Angkor is a vernacular form of the word nokor which comes from the Sanskrit word nagara (capital), while wat is the Khmer word for temple. Prior to this time the temple was known as Preah Pisnulok, after the posthumous title of its founder, Suryavarman II.

Brief Itinerary for cycling Vietnam - Cambodia

Day1: Arival in Ho Chi Minh city (D)

Our guide will be at the airport to welcome you and trasfer to the hotel for check in, bike fitting and welcome dinner at local restaurant in Saigon. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

Day2: Ho Chi Minh City - Cai Be (45km+ cycling ) (Vietnam) (L,D)

Meet up at your hotel in Saigon. Transfer with bikes to Cailay. Ride to Caibe on back roads. Take the boat trip to visit coconut candy making, rice paper making, popcorn & pop rice making. Have lunch on an island, copy at www.vietnambiketours.com, before continuing onto our local home stay run by a lovely retired couple, Mr & Mrs Bay.

They live in a typical Mekong delta Vietnamese house, with airy rooms and outdoor kitchen. The rest of the afternoon is free to bike surrounding the home stay.

Day3: Cai Be - Vinh Long – Tra Vinh (60km+ cycling) (Vietnam) (B,L)

After breakfast at home stay, the last short boat trip will be reached Vinhlong, one of the famous fruits town in Mekong, bike along narrow country lanes, easy dirt tracks and trails.

This is biking at its most glorious-through tiny orchards, witness colorful life along the riverside. Overnight in Tra Vinh.

Day4: Tra Vinh – Can Tho (80km+ cycling ) (Vietnam) (B,L)

A special ride today as much of the area is populated by Khmer people. The regional architecture is interesting and, copy at www.vietnambiketours.com, there are many Khmer temples to stop and admire en route.

Cycle as much or as little as is preferred, the road is peaceful. Overnight in Can Tho.

Day5: Can Tho - Long Xuyen (75km+ cycling) (Vietnam) (B,L)

Today's ride is split into two sections and is a contrast to the previous day's ride. After a very early breakfast, you will take a boat trip to the famous Cai Rang floating market before riding on a narrow paved road market to Phong dien, short transfer to Long Xuyen.

Day6: Long Xuyen - Chau Doc(80km+ cycling) (Vietnam) (B,L)

Once more, the scenery is completely different. After a short transfer to Triton, the cycling starts to gently undulate and, copy at www.vietnambiketours.com, mountains begin to loom as you ride closer and closer to Chaudoc.

The presence of Thotnot trees indicates the growing proximity to Cambodia. Those with energy to spare can climb Sam Mountain for sunset! Dinner and overnight in Chau Doc.

Day7: Chau Doc – Phnom Penh (no cycling) (B)

Depart early for the boat journey up the Mekong River to Phnom Penh (take water, food, book etc, for your journey). Copy at www.vietnambiketours.com, Once arriving at the pier at Chaudoc you will say goodbye to your Vietnamese guide and bikes and cruise up the Bassac river for approximately 1,5 hours to the Cambodian border. Overnight in Phnom Penh.

Day8: Phnom Penh – Kompong Thom (90km cycling) (Cambodia) (B,L)

Today is an early morning departure by bike heading north on the national road N5 past ancient Japanese bridge and start traveling through the Cambodian countryside.

After 12kms you get to Prek Phnov where you turn onto unpaved roads passing local villages and rice fields. You head towards the ancient capital of Udong where Udong Mountain is still home to many of the old Royal Palace and overnight in basic Cambodian accommodation.

Day9: Kompong Thom – Siem Reap (100km) (Cambodia) (B,L)

After transferring a short leg towards siem reap today's cycle. This will bring you to the small town of Stoung – 45Km from Kompong Thom. Copy at www.vietnambiketours.com, In Stoung start by biking the 100Kms left to the city of the temples .

You will have some shade as you cycle beneath the roadside palms past Preah Pros Lake and Kompong Svay district. Overnight in Sieam Reap.

Day10: Full Day In Angkor Wat (30km cycling) (Cambodia) (B,L)

Angkor Wat itself is just one of the many temples in the region but is one of the best preserved and most impressive.

It is worth climbing the remarkably steep and narrow steps of the central spire for the view over the whole temple surrounded by jungle. Overnight in Siem Reap

Day11: Siem Reap departure (Cambodia) (B)