The Emerald Triangle Cycling Tour

Day 1  Depart the UK

Depart the UK on your overnight flight to Bangkok

 Day 2-4 Bangkok

 Prior to your cycling tour we include 3 nights in Bangkok. Not only is this a great city to explore but this gives you time to ease into the new time zone before you begin cycling. During your stay we include a half day with a personal guide who will show you the city from a local’s perspective. Whether you are interested in temples, markets or food, your guide will tailor the tour for you.

We also include a “Food Tour” of Bangrak district; this is a great way to learn a little about Thai culture and the centrality of food to the way of life.

If you’d like to get on your bike straight away, there are some excellent short cycle tours that take in the back roads of the city, call your travel consultant for details.

 Day 5 Ubon Ratchathani (Thailand)

An early start today for the short domestic flight to Ubon Ratchathani in North East Thailand. Your guide will meet you at the airport, and a transfer vehicle will take you to Pha Taem National Park, where you experience a spectacular view of Laos from the opposite side of the Mekong. Walking along the trail to below the cliffs, view intricate rock paintings of scenes from prehistoric times. A vehicle transfer leads you to the hotel on the Mekong riverbanks.

 Day 6  Khong Jiam to Tad Fane (Laos)

 Breakfast is followed by the journey to the Laos border. Following immigration formalities, ride along a flat tarmac road to Pakse, with charming villages and rural scenes along the way. Crossing the Mekong, you will stop for a restaurant lunch, and take on a gradual ascent on bike towards the Bolaven Plateau, where Arabic and Robusta coffee beans are grown. Pausing at a tea plantation, the ride finishes in the early afternoon at Tad Fane resort, overlooking the waterfalls. Take a dip if you dare, or relax in the restaurant with its stunning views.

 68km Ride

 Day 7  Tad Fane to Don Daeng (Laos)

 A downhill cycle of 30km leads you past small villages and creeks to the mighty Mekong river. Travelling by car ferry across, the ride continues through colonial style Champasak. An easy flat 8km cycle leads you to Wat Phou, a fifth century Khmer Hindu temple. Explore the site and enjoy a picnic lunch before returning by bike to Champasak and travelling by ferry to your hotel on Don Daeng Island. Enjoy the scenery, relax by the pool, or join the group for a 14km island tour cycle.

 87km Ride

 Day 8  Don Daeng to Don Kong (Laos)

 You will take a ferry to the opposite side of the river to see the Laotian village Ban Niet Ngong. Here, you can walk or cycle up to Phu Asa, a fascinating stone tower site. Lunch on-site is followed by a trip to Don Khong, a tranquil riverside island.

 34km Ride

 Day 9  Don Khong to Don Khone (Laos)

Today’s ride is a highlight, as you hop from island to island, enjoying breathtaking natural surroundings and rare wildlife spotting opportunities along the way. You will start with a ride to the Khan Phapeng waterfalls, which divide the Mekong. Traverse the labyrinth of smaller islands and travel to Don Det by boat. Following the former French rail road to the beach, you enter the Cambodian waters in search of the rare and almost extinct Irrawaddy dolphins. See the magnificent Leepi Falls before your transfer to accommodation on Don Khone Island.

 55km Ride

Day 10  Don Khone (Laos)

The tranquil island surroundings are perfect for giving your legs a break today. Meander through the streets of this quiet village, see the relics of French colonial times, walk past Buddhist temples, or simply swim and enjoy the sun.

Day 11  Don Khone to Stung Treng (Cambodia)

A boat and vehicle transfer from Don Khone leads you to the border between Laos and Cambodia. Meet your Cambodian guide and travel south through verdant forests to Stung Treng, stopping for picnics along the way. The change of natural surroundings is marked and beautiful, and the atmosphere is tranquil and almost uninhabited. Crossing the Sekong river, you will arrive at Stung Treng, a trade town situated on the confluence of the Mekong and Sekong rivers. Enjoy dinner in a unique restaurant that trains local youths in hospitality.

57km Ride

Day 12 Stung Treng to Kratie (Cambodia)

Today begins with an early wake up call, and after breakfast you head to Kratie along the Mekong River. After a 40km ride, you will visit a small eco-tourism site known as O’Russey Kandal, where a picnic lunch is served along a cool stream. A vehicle transfer leads you to the next part of the ride along Highway 7. Exercise caution as cows, chickens, ducks, and dogs pass by along the way. Just before reaching Kratie, you will transfer to a boat and enjoy a cruise to spot Irrawaddy dolphins. The remaining 14kms to the hotel with a riverside rooftop terrace can be travelled by bike or bus at your request.

80km Ride

Day 13  Kratie to Kampong Cham (Cambodia)

After a riverside breakfast, you will ride 4km and cross the Mekong on ferry. Travel towards Chhlong along peaceful rural paths before crossing the river by ferry again. The villages on the other side are mainly Muslim, with a mix of Buddhist temples, pagodas, and mosques scattered throughout. Lunch is atop a small hill with scenic views of the Mekong. Should the ride be too long, a vehicle transfer will take you to Kampong Cham.

138km Ride or 72km Ride with transfer

Day 14 Kampong Cham to Kampong Thom (Cambodia)

Travelling along dirt roads by the Mekong, you head towards a more tranquil secondary highway road leading to Kampong Thom, a picturesque village located on the Stung Saen river banks. The ride is full of wonderful scenery, including paddy fields, Khmer villages, and rubber plantations. The final 40km may be traversed by bike or bus transfer.

120km Ride or 80km Ride with transfer

Day 15 Kampong Thom to Sambor Prei Kuk to Siem Reap (Cambodia)

Sambor Prei Kuk is a wondrous Khmer temple site constructed during the sixth and seventh century Chenla period. The jungle surroundings are scattered with preserved temples linked by sandy walking tracks. When exploring this site in the cool morning temperature, you may have the fortune of being alone, as this temple site is certainly off the beaten tourist track. A picnic lunch is followed by a 2.5 hour transfer to Siem Reap, with time for a swim in the pool in the late afternoon.

36km Ride

Day 16 Angkor Temples (Cambodia)

Your bike ride leads you to the Angkor Wat entrance, and to Ta Prohm, a mystical and overgrown site famous for its inclusion in the film Tomb Raider. The cycle tour continues to Angkor Thom, the Terrace of the Elephants, and Bayon temple, with lunch served at the Angkor Cafe. The afternoon is dedicated to exploring the wondrous Angkor Wat. Intricate carvings and mythological Hindu bas-reliefs cover the massive walls, a tribute to the battles fought during the reign of Suryavarman II. Following detailed site exploration, head back to town by bike.

25km Ride

Day 17  Siem Reap to Banteay Srei to Kbal Spean (Cambodia)

The destination of this morning’s ride is the very famous temple Banteay Srei, with well-preserved Cambodian stone carvings and bas-reliefs. This temple is a small but very culturally significant part of the Angkorian Era. The bike ride continues along rural roads, with a picnic stop for lunch, until you reach Kbal Spean, the Valley of 1000 Lingas. A three kilometre uphill walk will lead you through the verdant jungle to a unique river bed with many submersed carvings, and a gorgeous waterfall. Choose to cycle or travel by bus back to Siem Reap for a farewell dinner.

50km Ride

Day 18  Siem Reap to Phnom Penh (Cambodia)

After breakfast bid farewell to your cycle group and transfer to Phnom Penh. You can choose to take either a 50 minute flight or a 3 hour road transfer down to the capital, the pros and cons can be discussed with your travel consultant. On arrival in Phnom Penh your guide and driver will transfer you to your hotel.

Day 19 Phnom Penh (Cambodia)

A full day with your guide in Phnom Penh, you’ll have chance to explore the city itself, the Royal Palace, Tuol Sleng and the Killing Fields should you wish.

Day 20 Fly Home

 Depart Phnom Penh for your overnight flight back to the UK.