Vietnam and Cambodia Mountain Bike Challenge

vietnam

Vietnam and Cambodia Mountain Bike Challenge

PRICE $6900.00 AUD

Welcome to what we reckon is the greatest mountain bike adventure yet…
As we traverse Vietnam and Cambodia, by mountain bike, trekking and traditional boats.

Immerse yourself and honour the spirit and sacrifice of our Australian Soldiers in the Vietnam War as we take you to some of the most important and fiercest battle sites and recount the stories and heroism of this bloody war.

We will hold and participate in our commemoration service at the Long Tan Cross which was the site of one of the most ferocious battles that the Australians fought. Overcoming overwhelming odds and forcing the enemy to withdraw.

Overview

From 1962 to 1973, more than 60,000 Australians served in the Vietnam War. They were part of an allied force led by the United States.

523 Australians died in the war.

Over 3,000 Australians were evacuated with wounds, injuries, or illness.

Our challenge will cover close to 500km of tough back country endurance riding and hiking through some of the most spectacular countryside in S.E Asia.

Starting in Saigon, travelling through Phnom Penh and finishing in Angkor, in Cambodia’s northern province of Siem Reap, which is one of the most important and spectacular archaeological sites of Southeast Asia.

Vietnam-War

Our epic endurance challenge sees us battling, tropical heat, thunderstorms, and rough back country roads.

Each day we will finish our adventure in a local village

or town where we will stay with the local people and eat and drink at their local cafes and bars.

Our adventure concludes with a celebration in the “Famous Pub Street” in Siem Reap which is a fitting way to “Cheers” our extraordinary adventure.

Vietnam-map

Itinerary

Day 01

Ho Chi Minh on Arrival

Welcome and transfer you to Sonnet Saigon Hotel.

Highlights

Welcome drinks.

Sonnet Saigon Hotel

Day 02

Explore Cu Chi Tunnel & Saigon Tour

Highlights

Explore Cu Chi Tunnel & Saigon City Tour

Bike briefing and bike preparation.

Cu Chi War Tunnels

Saigon City Tour

Reunification Palace, War Remnant Museum, Ngoc Hoang Emperor Jade Pagoda, Saigon Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Ngoc Hoang Emperor Jade Pagoda.

Sonnet Saigon Hotel Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Day 03

Ho Chi Minh – Long Tan, Vung Tau

Highlights
Distance: 43KM Time 3 Hours
Road surface: Sealed/gravel
Intensity rating: Moderate.
Hydration awareness: Moderate.

Bike briefing, first day of our epic ride.
Ride through the Australian Nui Dat Task Force Base; visit the former Australian camp and its surroundings.
Long Tan Cross- War Memorial
At the Memorial we will hold a memorial service and brief on the battles.
Ride to Long Phuoc War time tunnels.
Ride to Vung Tau Beach which was the R and R beach base for the Australians.
Lunch and drinks.
Return to Ho Chi Minh by speed boat.
Sonnet Saigon Hotel Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Day 04

Ho Chi Minh – Vinh Long – Can Tho

Highlights

Time 9hs plus Hours

Road surface: Dirt and sealed plus river crossing.

Intensity rating: extreme.

Hydration rating: Extreme

 

Today we begin our massive challenge through the spectacular countryside to the village of Can Tho.

A couple of times today we cross the Mekong delta system by ferry before continuing our ride and challenge.

We take ferries to cross the rivers and continue our journey and finishing today in Can Tho Village.

Overnight in Can Tho/ Bamboo Eco Village (Bungalow) Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Day 05

Can Tho – Long Xuyen

Highlights

Time 9 hours plus Hours

Road surface: Sand, dirt, and gravel. Undulating hills.

Intensity rating: extreme.

Hydration rating: extreme

 

Today is a massive day on the bike across, sand, dirt, and gravel roads. The terrain is undulating with some long climbs that will test us all.

On our ride we stop and visit the largest floating market in the Mekong Delta.

Tough day but brilliant riding day.

LARA HOTEL (Superior) Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Day 06

Long Xuyen – Tan Phu – Tra Su – Chau

Highlights

Time 9 Hours plus

Road surface: Sand, dirt, and gravel. Undulating and rolling hills. Strong headwind.

Intensity rating: extreme.

Hydration rating: extreme

Today is another challenging day as we ride along dirt and gravel tracks and stop to hike near the Sam Mountain. Today will challenge all of us as we ride into a headwind and battle heat and humidity as we ride through the Mekong Delta.

CHAU PHO HOTEL (Superior) Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Day 07

Chau Doc – Phnom Penh – Royal palace & S21 Tul Sleng Museum

Highlights

Distance: 22KM Time 1.5 Hours

Road surface: Sealed

Intensity rating: Moderate.

Hydration rating: Moderate

Hiking: 4km approximately 65 mins

 

Today we cross over the Vietnam border into Cambodia.

We have a shorter 22KM ride today and a 4KM hike.

The boat journey is upstream of the Mekong River, and it takes about 4.5 hours into Phnom Penh.

Visit to The Killing fields,

GRANGIPANI ROYAL PALACE (Superior) Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner at Titanic Restaurant

Day 08

PHNOM PENH – Oudong – Kampong Thom

Highlights

Distance: 63KM Time 6.5 Hours

Road surface: Sand, dirt, and gravel. Undulating and rolling hills.

Intensity rating: High.

Hydration rating: Very high

Hiking: 6 km approximately 65 mins

 

Depart Phnom Penh and commence our ride through some hot and unforgiving terrain across Cambodia to Oudong Mountain.

Cambodia was one of the most heavily land mined places in the world. Today is important we stay on the road.

After lunch we climb Oudong Mountain before riding into tonight’s Village

SAMBOR VILLA (Deluxe room) Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Day 09

Kampong Thom – Sambor Prei Kuk – Siem Reap

Highlights

Distance: 65KM Time 7 Hours

Road surface: Sand, dirt, and gravel. Undulating and rolling hills.

Intensity rating: High to extreme.

Hydration rating: Very high

Hiking: 3 km approximately 60 mins

 

A super ride today with a mix of dirt tracks on rural and country roads as we ride onto Siem Reap and the Angkor complex.

STEUNG HOTEL (Superior room) Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner

Day 10

Angkor Watt Discovery

Highlights

Distance: 37KM Time 3.5 Hours

Road surface: Sealed, light gravel

Intensity rating: Moderate.

Hydration rating: Moderate.

Hiking: 4km approximately 55 mins

 

Explore the Angkor complex by bike and trek, be mesmerised by the incredible structures as we explore this magnificent place.

The day ends with a visit to Phnom Bakheng Mountain where we climb to its summit for a spectacular sunset view over the

surrounding landscape.

STEUNG HOTEL (Superior room) Breakfast/ Lunch/Dinner

Day 11

SIEM REAP

Highlights

Distance: 37KM Time 3.5 Hours

Road surface: Sealed, light gravel

Intensity rating: light

Hydration rating: moderate

Hiking: 6 km approximately 70 mins Moderate

 

Today we ride to Kbal Spean to see the spectacular river of a thousand Lingas before climbing up the waterfall.          STEUNG HOTEL (Superior room) Breakfast

Day 12

20/10/2024: Siem Reap – Departure

After leisurely breakfast, the group will be transit to Siem Reap Airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh or Bangkok to connect flight to Australia.

Breakfast/ – Airport out

Inclusions

What's Included

  • Return International airfare Sydney Saigon return.
  • 11 nights in hotels: double & twin share rooms.
  • Travel Insurance.
  • Vietnam and Cambodia Visas.
  • B= Daily Breakfasts, L= 9 Lunches, D= 10 Dinners
  • Private A/C minibus takes up all cyclists and luggage.
  • Trucks to carry all bikes, spare bike, tool kits
  • Trek/Giant Mountain bikes, wheel size 27.5, hydraulic brakes.
  • Charter boat Chau Doc to Phnom Penh
  • All entrance fees + ferry tickets in countryside.