Mekong Adventures & Overlands in Cambodia

We begin with an easy ride along quiet bike paths shaded by coconut trees, passing through peaceful rural villages. Along the way, we enjoy several small ferry crossings over narrow waterways and make stops at local homes and workshops producing sweets, snacks, and other farm products before continuing by ferry toward Tra Vinh City. Lunch is served in town.

In the afternoon, the journey offers a deeper insight into Khmer culture and history. Along the way, we visit ancient temples and pass through Khmer communities where locals work in the rice paddies and surrounding farmlands.  Riding along well-maintained crisscrossing paths, we stop at local homes for a glimpse into everyday countryside life on the way to Cau Quan. The day concludes with a transfer to Soc Trang.

Explore one of the Mekong Delta’s most untouched wetland reserves. It covers approximately 2,800 hectares of flooded melaleuca forest, canals, swamps, and bird habitats, and is often referred to as the “green lung” of the Mekong Delta. Visitors can explore its unique flora and fauna while immersing themselves in the wetlands of the Melaleuca forest.

After lunch, you’ll spend 1 hour exploring this enchanting flooded forest ecosystem. Drift quietly by boat through the waterways and immerse yourself in the region’s rich wildlife and natural beauty. In the late afternoon, the journey continues to Tam Vu Victory Monument where we have a transfer to Can Tho City.

Boarding a boat for a pleasure boat ride passes many stilt-house along the riverbank to Cai Rang floating market. This is a chance to watch sampan boats, small ferries crossing the Can Tho River, and many boats cruising to Cai Rang. Watch the most significant and busiest floating market, as it is real. Then, your guide will choose the best route for a morning ride to Sadec. Travel through lush farmlands of sweet potato and peanut plantations, stop at local homes, and learn more about the rear life of Vietnamese and Chinese along the way to Sadec. Break for lunch in Sadec town, enjoy lunch at Huynh Thuy Le House. It's the "Lover's house" in Vietnam's Mekong Delta town of Sa Dec, which well known in the film" The Lover". Marguerite Duras lived in Sa Dec between 1928 and 1932 when her mother ran a school there.  

Following lunch, take a leisurely bike ride to Cao Lanh City with a stop at a flower village. The village offers various flowers, admires the vast, colourful flower fields, and experiences the way to take care of plants and flowers. Afterwards, we cycle past rustic country and Buddhist pagodas. Finally, you will transfer to Cao Lanh by ferry crossing the Mekong River.

Start your bike ride today by exploring the scenic countryside through mango orchards, small villages, local workshops, and smooth tracks along the Mekong River. Stop at a small café by the river and enjoy the peaceful daily life in the wetlands of Dong Thap. Farmers here grow two rice crops at different times of the year, and one crop must be harvested before the flood season arrives. People also rely heavily on fishing in the rivers and flooded rice fields.

Cross the Mekong River by ferry to Gieng Island and continue discovering local life, with a stop at a local market. The French built charming colonial buildings, cathedrals, and monasteries on Cu Lao Gieng between 1879 and 1889. Many of the construction materials were brought from France, giving these buildings a distinctive and impressive style.

Visit the monastery, the first monastery built in Indochina, established in 1874, and explore the cathedral. Be amazed by how local people live during the annual flood season, in stilt houses across the low wetlands. Stop at a bridge to admire the scenery along the riverbanks and watch people fishing in the river before boarding the support vehicle to Cho Moi for lunch.

In the afternoon, continue cycling to Chau Doc, experiencing local life amid lush green vegetation and passing through Muslim villages, home to the Cham people of Chau Doc.

Today is the final ride in Vietnam as we say goodbye to the Vietnam Backroads team and continue our cycling adventure into Cambodia, where we will meet our Cambodian support crew.

We begin riding from the hotel in Chau Doc, following back roads along the Vinh Te canals. Along the way, we pass thatched and stilt houses, and see buffaloes working in the rice paddies near the border.

We arrive at Tinh Bien Border Gate around 10:30 AM for immigration procedures into Cambodia. After crossing, we meet our Cambodian team and enjoy lunch before the afternoon ride. We then pedal along quiet back roads to Phnom Den, passing through villages, local homes, and temples along the way. Overnight stay in Ta Keo Town.

Keep your passport, visa photos, and any other required documents in your day bag for the visa application process. Your local guide will assist you with exit, entry, and visa procedures at both the Vietnamese and Cambodian border gates.

Exit point: Tinh Bien Border Gate

Entry point: Phnom Den Border Gate

Your bike guide will lead you along small paths and dirt tracks through villages, past stilt houses, palm trees, primary schools, and local markets. Along the way, you will visit several temples and stop at a café to enjoy some local snacks.

You will also have the opportunity to visit a local orphanage run by New Futures, where you can learn more about their valuable educational work in the surrounding villages.

In the late afternoon, you will transfer to Phnom Penh City. Tour ends.