Cycling from Saigon to Angkor wat to Bangkok Thailand 16days/15nights itinerary of Vietnam Bike Tours

Highlight: Angkor Wat is the prime example of the classical style of Khmer architecture—the Angkor Wat style—to which it has given its name. By the 12th century Khmer architects had become skilled and confident in the use of sandstone (rather than brick or laterite) as the main building material. Most of the visible areas are of sandstone blocks, while laterite was used for the outer wall and for hidden structural parts. The binding agent used to join the blocks is yet to be identified, although natural resins or slaked lime have been suggested.

Angkor Wat has drawn praise above all for the harmony of its design, which has been compared to the architecture of ancient Greece or Rome. Copy at www.vietnambiketours.com, According to Maurice Glaize, a mid-20th-century conservator of Angkor, the temple "attains a classic perfection by the restrained monumentality of its finely balanced elements and the precise arrangement of its proportions. It is a work of power, unity and style."

Architecturally, the elements characteristic of the style include: the ogival, redented towers shaped like lotus buds; half-galleries to broaden passageways; axial galleries connecting enclosures; and the cruciform terraces which appear along the main axis of the temple. Typical decorative elements are devatas (or apsaras), bas-reliefs, copy at www.vietnambiketours.com, and on pediments extensive garlands and narrative scenes. The statuary of Angkor Wat is considered conservative, being more static and less graceful than earlier work. Other elements of the design have been destroyed by looting and the passage of time, including gilded stucco on the towers, gilding on some figures on the bas-reliefs, and wooden ceiling panels and doors.

The Angkor Wat style was followed by that of the Bayon period, in which quality was often sacrificed to quantity. Other temples in the style are Banteay Samré, Thommanon, Chao Say Tevoda and the early temples of Preah Pithu at Angkor; outside Angkor, Beng Mealea and parts of Phanom Rung and Phimai.

Brief Itinerary for cycling Vietnam - Cambodia - Thailand

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 - My Tho (45km+ cycling) (Vietnam) (B,L,D)

Meet up at your hotel in Saigon. Transfer with bikes to Long An. Ride to My Tho on back roads.

Take the boat trip to visit coconut candy making, rice paper making, popcorn & pop rice making. Have lunch on an island before continuing onto our local home stay.

You may take a photo with a friendly python by hanging over your shoulder! 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. Dinner will be prepared by home stay hosts.

Day3: My Tho - Ben Tre – Tra Vinh (60km+ cycling) (Vietnam) (B,L)

After breakfast at home stay, bike along narrow country lanes, easy dirt tracks and trails through the coconut plantations in Ben Tre.

This province is not only covered by millions of coconuts but also famous as the Viet Cong (Vietnamese Communists) cradle back in the vietnam war. This is biking at its most glorious - through tiny orchards and canels. 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 Chau Doc.

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) – boat Vietnam to Cambodia (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.

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 (99km+ cycling) (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 99Kms 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.

Day11: Siem Reap – Battembang (56km+ cycling) (Cambodia) (B,L)

Today we have another break from riding and visit the floating village before heading across the lake to Battembang, Cambodia's second capital, a sleepy city full of faded colonial charm.

Day12: Battembang – Pailin (89km+ cycling) (Cambodia) (B,L)

We saddle up and ride south to Pailin. The road in sections is in poor condition but the scenery is the most impressive as we head towards Thailand.

The road undulates as we get closer to Pailin but there is nothing to step or long. We will cross streams and bridges and really get a feeling of riding into uncharted territory. This used to be bandit country, but don't worry the area is now completely safe.

Day13: Pailin Border - Koh Chang (border to Thailand) (no cycling) (B,L)

Our guide and driver will meet you at Baan Pakad border. After entering through the Thai countryside before take a break with lunch at local restaurant.

Then, transfer by air conditioned vehicle to Ferry Pier in Trad province and get on board to Koh Chang , transfer by land to Koh Chang.

Day14: Free day in Koh Chang (Thailand) (B)

Free day at the beach to relax in this quite secluded part of Thailand - a must for anyone wanting to see some off the beaten track beaches. Overnight in Koh Chang.

Day15: Koh Chang to Bangkok (no cycling) (Thailand) (B,L)

Upon arrival by boat from Chang Island, copy at www.vietnambiketours.com, your guide will meet you at Ferry Pier and accompany you during the transfer by air-conditioned car to Bangkok

Take a short city tour Bangkok and to hotel for overnight in Bangkok.

Day16: Bangkok departure (no cycling) (Thailand) (B)

Free at leisure or shopping in Bangkok until transferring to Suvanabhumi Airport and assist you with the check-in at the airport for your departure flight. End of tour and welcome back.

Departure dates: Daily