Thailand14 days
Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City by Bicycle — 14 Days Across Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam
Cycle through Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, including two days exploring the temple complex of Angkor and overnight in the Mekong Delta
This 14-day bicycle journey spans three countries, beginning in Bangkok and ending in Ho Chi Minh City. The route passes through Thailand's rural heartland and ancient temples, crosses into Cambodia at Poipet, and travels through the Angkor archaeological zone before descending into Vietnam's Mekong Delta and southern metropolis. The itinerary combines cycling on quiet rural roads with transport through busier regions, incorporates two nights at cultural heritage sites—the Genocide Museum and Killing Fields in Phnom Penh, and a homestay-style guesthouse on An Binh Island—and visits four distinct landscapes: Thai plantation country, Cambodian countryside, the Angkor temple complex, and the Delta's agricultural waterways. Throughout the tour, participants cycle distances ranging from 20 to 82 kilometers per day, with daily support and all meals and accommodation included.
Highlights
- Cycle through Ayutthaya's 18th-century temple ruins and shrine towers, destroyed by Burmese invasion
- Visit Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm jungle temple, Bayon with its 37 remaining towers, and outlying Banteay Srei with 10th-century Khmer sculpture
- Visit Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum (former Khmer Rouge prison S-21) and the Killing Fields outside Phnom Penh
- Overnight at a homestay-style guesthouse on An Binh Island in the Mekong Delta, experiencing local river hospitality
- Cycle 35 kilometers through Mekong orchards and villages, observing cottage industries producing popped rice, pancakes, and rice wine
Day by day
1Arrival in BangkokBangkok · a local restaurant
The tour begins in Bangkok, Thailand's capital. An evening gathering at 6 p.m. allows you to meet your tour leader and fellow travellers. Your tour leader will arrange an optional welcome dinner at a local restaurant. For 2026 departures, this dinner is included.
Arrange to bring your main luggage with you—it will be transported ahead overnight to the cycling start point. Pack only what you'll need for the evening and morning, as you'll be reunited with your bags by mid-morning on Day 2.
If you'd like extra time in Bangkok before the tour starts, speak with your sales representative about securing pre-tour hotel nights.
2Ayutthaya: Temple Ruins and Reclining BuddhaAyutthaya · Bangkok
An early transfer of approximately two hours from Bangkok delivers the group to Ayutthaya, the ancient Thai capital. Cycling begins near a massive reclining Buddha, passing through the old town's ruined shrine towers and temples. Much of this settlement was destroyed by the Burmese in the 18th century. The 39-kilometer ride covers 40 meters of ascent over 2 hours 30 minutes, cycling through the remnants of what was once one of Asia's largest cities.
3Rural Thailand: Plantations and Rice Fields to Kabin BuriRural Thailand · Rural Thailand to Kabin Buri
The day follows minor roads through farmland, cycling past rubber and eucalyptus plantations, tapioca fields, and rice paddies. The terrain is mostly flat with a few rolling hills. The 82-kilometer route accumulates 222 meters of ascent over four hours of cycling. Upon reaching busier roads, the group transfers approximately 40 minutes by bus to Kabin Buri.
4Cycle to AranyaprathetAranyaprathet
Eighty-two kilometers to Aranyaprathet.
5Border Crossing to Cambodia and Arrival in Siem ReapPoipet · Wat Athvea · market and picnic area outside Siem Reap
After breakfast, the group drives 20 minutes to the border at Poipet, completing customs formalities to enter Cambodia. A three-hour drive follows to Siem Reap. The afternoon ride is 20 kilometers, passing Wat Athvea—a modern temple in the grounds of Angkorian ruins—before reaching a market and picnic area outside town. The 20-meter ascent over 1 hour 15 minutes reflects the level terrain. Outside the capital and Siem Reap, Cambodia's countryside retains historical settlement patterns with limited modern infrastructure development.
6Angkor Temple Complex: Ta Prohm, Bayon, and Angkor WatAngkor Temple Complex · Ta Prohm · Angkor Wat · Bayon Temple
The day begins early to avoid crowds at Angkor. The temples spread across a wide area connected by shaded avenues. The route includes Ta Prohm, where tree roots cling to ancient stone structures; Angkor Thom with the Bayon Temple of 37 remaining towers (originally 49), each topped with four carved faces of the king; and Angkor Wat itself, surrounded by a moat, approached by a causeway, with massive towers. The 30-kilometer cycle covers 609 meters of ascent over 1 hour 45 minutes, the highest elevation gain of any single day on the tour.
7Angkor Outlying Temples: Banteay Srei and Village CyclingBanteay Srei · Tonle Sap Lake · Siem Reap town
This day cycles outside the main complex to Banteay Srei, 35 kilometers from Siem Reap, passing paddy fields and villages. Built in the 10th century, Banteay Srei is smaller than later temples but contains fine Khmer sculpture, with buildings covered in carvings. The afternoon return to Siem Reap includes stops at less-visited Angkor temples. An optional afternoon boat trip to Tonle Sap Lake can be arranged to observe floating fishing villages; those taking this option may skip part or all of the return ride. The full cycle distance is approximately 72 kilometers with 68 meters of ascent over 3 hours 45 minutes. Evening time allows exploration of Siem Reap town's markets, shops, and restaurants.
8Drive to Phnom Penh with Sambor Prei Kuk StopPhnom Penh · Sambor Prei Kuk · Siem Reap to Phnom Penh · community restaurant
A seven-hour bus journey along National Road 6 leads from Siem Reap to Phnom Penh, with stops en route. After approximately three hours, the group visits Sambor Prei Kuk, the most significant pre-Angkorian monument group in Cambodia, containing some of the country's oldest structures. A traditional Khmer lunch is taken at a community restaurant. Road conditions vary along the route. Arrival in Phnom Penh occurs in the late afternoon, allowing time for views over the Mekong.
9Phnom Penh: Royal Palace, Genocide Museum & Killing FieldsRoyal Palace · Killing Fields · Tuol Sleng · Russian Market · Mekong waterfront
Phnom Penh's modern character reflects its 20th-century history. The city was affected by the Khmer Rouge regime and subsequent civil war in the 1970s and '80s. A two- to three-hour guided tour includes two sites: Tuol Sleng, the former Khmer Rouge prison known as S-21, located in the city center, and the Killing Fields approximately 15 kilometers outside town—a mass grave and execution site. These sites document Cambodia's recent history. The tour also includes the Royal Palace with its Silver Pagoda. Time is available for shopping at the Russian Market and viewing the Mekong waterfront.
10Cycling to the Vietnam Border and Chau DocPhnom Penh to Takeo · Phnom Den-Tinh Bien border · Takeo to Phnom Den-Tinh Bien border · border to Chau Doc
The group transfers approximately two hours south from Phnom Penh to Takeo. The 50-kilometer cycle to the Phnom Den-Tinh Bien border takes 3 hours 45 minutes. After completing border formalities, the group cycles approximately 30 kilometers to Chau Doc in Vietnam. The total cycling distance is 73 kilometers with 72 meters of ascent.
11Mekong Delta Cycle and Homestay on An Binh IslandAn Binh Island · Chau Doc · quiet backroads · Vinh Long · homestay guesthouse on An Binh Island
Departure from Chau Doc occurs around 7:30 a.m., cycling along quiet backroads for 50 kilometers before a midday lunch stop around 1 p.m. A two-hour bus transfer follows to Vinh Long. Bikes remain on the mainland as the group takes a 30-minute boat ride to reach a homestay guesthouse on An Binh Island. The accommodation is built in the style of a local house, with bedding, mosquito net, and towel provided. Dinner is served at the homestay. The Mekong Delta's rivers and canals form an intricate network; rice production remains dominant, though many farmers cultivate fish and fruit and vegetables. The day covers 62 kilometers total with 323 meters of ascent over four hours of activity.
12Mekong Orchards and River Route to Ho Chi Minh CityHo Chi Minh City · homestay · Cai Be · My Tho · Mekong orchards and Mekong River
Departure from the homestay occurs around 8 a.m. with a 45-minute boat ride to Cai Be, stopping to observe cottage industries producing popped rice, pancakes, and rice wine. The 35-kilometer cycle toward Cai Lay takes a route through orchards and alongside the Mekong River, finishing around 1 p.m. The 36 kilometers with 48 meters of ascent requires 2 hours 15 minutes of cycling. After lunch, the group travels by bus from My Tho for 2 to 2.5 hours to Ho Chi Minh City (still commonly called Saigon). The city has transformed into a major urban center where scooters dominate streets and temples stand adjacent to modern developments.
13Free Day in Ho Chi Minh CitySaigon River · Ben Thanh Market · Reunification Palace · Notre Dame Cathedral · War Remnants Museum · Cu Chi Tunnels
The entire day is unscheduled, allowing independent exploration of Ho Chi Minh City. The Saigon River, Ben Thanh Market, Reunification Palace, and Notre Dame Cathedral lie within easy walking distance. A short cyclo (cycle taxi) ride reaches the War Remnants Museum, which documents the Vietnam War. For those interested, the tour leader can arrange an optional full-day visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, located two hours outside the city. Used during the war, the tunnel network spans three levels and approximately 240 kilometers; sections allow tourist exploration. Shopping, dining, and rest are available throughout the day based on individual preference.
14Ho Chi Minh City DepartureHo Chi Minh City · airport
Your tour concludes this morning after breakfast. A free shared transfer to the airport is provided for your return journey. If you'd like to extend your time in Ho Chi Minh City, an OK Cycle representative can arrange this.
Where you go
- 1Bangkok
- 2Ayutthaya
- 3Bangkok
- 4Aranyaprathet
Included
- All breakfasts, one lunch and one dinner
- All accommodation
- All transport and listed activities
- Tour leader throughout
- Local bike hire
- Arrival and departure transfers
Not included
- Travel insurance
- Single accommodation (available on request - hotel nights only)
- Visas or vaccinations
- E-bike hire (available for an additional cost)