Active Indochina: Vietnam to Cambodia
Trip Overview
(Biking, Hiking and Kayaking) This unique active vacation to Vietnam provides a double dose of adventure. You’ll visit both Vietnam and Cambodia, and the trip is perfect for adventure travellers seeking a slightly more luxurious active adventure experience in Southeast Asia.
On this 12-day adventure tour, we stay in 4-star hotels and on an Indochina Sailing Junk. The first eight days are in Northern Vietnam, kicking off in Hanoi, where we hike and ride rickshaws around the bustling old quarter. We mountain bike through remote villages past terraced rice paddies, trek into the Sapa Region witnessing the colourful Dzao hill tribe, and overnight in a cozy Eco-Lodge high in the mountains.
In Halong Bay we explore a labyrinth of limestone cliffs that rise out of the sea from the comfort of our sailing junk and ocean kayaks. The last four days are in Cambodia, visiting Angkor Wat, the epitome of classical Khmer architecture, as well as the monuments in Phnom Kulen National Park and Kompong Phluk, a medieval floating village.
This 12-day adventure vacation is loaded with comfort, culture, nature, and adventure.
WOW FACTORS
- Cruise Halong Bay on a Vietnamese Junk Boat and kayak to discover hidden caves, lagoons, pearl farms and villages
- Bike and hike through remote villages and past terraced rice paddies, meeting and learning about hill tribe culture
- Explore on foot the legendary ruins of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Ta Prohm and nearby temples
Itinerary & Map
Day 1
Hanoi
Arrival
Upon arrival into the Hanoi airport a BikeHike Adventures representative will greet you and transfer you to a comfortable hotel. Depending on your time of arrival, you’ll likely have free time to relax, get adjusted and explore a bit of Hanoi’s bustling Old Quarter. In the evening you’ll meet your guide and enjoy a savoury spread of Vietnamese dishes for dinner followed by a visit to the Water Puppet Theatre for a performance of this ancient traditional art form. Puppeteers stand in waist-high water and manipulate their charges in such a way that you can’t help but be swept up in the legend being told. Overnight at a comfortable hotel..
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Dinner
Day 2
Hanoi - Lao Cai
City Tour
Today we dig deeper into Hanoi, exploring some of its historic sites, such as The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and his house, The History Museum, One Pillar Pagoda and the 11th century Temple of Literature. We’ll then break for lunch and afterwards we’ll ride in cyclos, touring the historic French Quarter. This area is a shoppers and photographers paradise as the streets are alive with colourful shops and vendors selling everything imaginable. We’ll also visit the Hoan Kiem Lake in the heart of Hanoi and have a chance to go for a walk and visit its pagoda. After the tour we’ll return to our hotel to relax and prepare for our 930pm night train to Lao Cai. We have a 6:00pm check-out from our rooms. Dinner is on your own this evening. The air-conditioned sleeping berths have 4 beds.
Accommodation: Train
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3
Lao Cai - Nam Cang
Biking
We’ll arrive into Lao Cai early in the morning and have breakfast in a restaurant near the train station. We then depart for Cam Duong. Once in the mountains, we’ll begin our cycling adventure to Thanh Phu village. We’ll ride through a spectacular landscape of verdant mountain scenery and over a couple of small passes. Lunch will be served in a local home. From here, we’ll continue a scenic ride crossing the valleys through villages, rice fields and across a hanging bridge to Nam Cang village. Nam Cang is located in the most remote area of Sapa and here we’ll experience the Red Dao women wearing some of the most colourful and diverse costumes of all Vietnam’s ethnic groups. Herbal bath, local medicine and embroidery are some of the things that the Red Dao are very skilled at. We’ll explore the village and learn how the local villagers make writing paper from rice, silver jewelry and embroidery. We will then transfer to our mountain ecolodge for the night.
Ascent: 1092 m / 3582 ft
Biking Distance: 35 km / 22 mi
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
Nam Cang - Nam Nhiu
Hiking
We’ll wake up to the sound of nature and then head for a traditional breakfast. Afterwards, we’ll set out on foot with an easy walk down to Lech Village. This village is home to the Dzao people. We’ll have spectacular views of the rice paddies surrounding us and if we’re lucky, there will be water buffalo plowing through the muddy fields, which will make for some great photo opportunities. Our hiking route is also through bushes of tropical plants with some steep paths leading up the mountainside. After the hike, we’ll return to the ecolodge for a late lunch. This remainder of the afternoon is free to relax and enjoy your surroundings.
Hiking Distance: 7 km / 4.3 mi
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
Golden Stream Valley - Hanoi
Hiking
Today enjoy a relaxing morning with no activities. Breakfast will be served at our lodge and at 10:00am we’ll check out and drive to Ta Van village, inhabited by the Dzay people, in the center of the Golden Stream Valley. The view is stunning from the road, with wide valleys and traditional villages dotted amongst terraced fields bordered by the impressive Fansipan mountain. Here we’ll meet Mrs Sung, a local H’mong woman, who will introduce us to the valley and her village. We’ll walk through Ta Van village with a short visit to a local school. (Please note that the visit of the school cannot be guaranteed, e.g. during term break the school is closed). We’ll continue walking to Lao Chai, a village of Black H’mong people. The walk is mostly downhill in a spectacular setting of rice terraces and impressive mountain views. Once in Lao Chai, we’ll meet Mrs. Sung’s family and learn about their daily lives and fascinating culture. We’ll then enjoy a light home-cooked lunch with them. Later in the afternoon, our hosts will teach us their traditional batik skills and indigo dying. Afterwards, we’ll walk back to the main road to meet up with our driver who will drive us back to our accommodation in Hanoi. We’ll arrive at our hotel about 9pm this evening.
Ascent: 175 m / 575 ft
Hiking Distance: 9 km / 6 mi
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 6
Hanoi - Halong Bay
Boating
We’ll be picked up and transferred to Halong Bay through the Red River Delta with a coffee stop on the way. Upon arrival into Halong Bay, a World UNESCO Heritage Site, we’ll transfer to a luxury Junk, a traditional Vietnamese boat, and enjoy a welcome cocktail on board. We will start cruising while everyone checks into their cabins. For lunch, we’ll feast on fresh local seafood while cruising to the boundaries of Halong Bay. Our course is away from the populated, touristy areas and into the more authentic reaches of Halong Bay. Once we reach Titoy Island, we’ll disembark the boat and have time to swim or climb to the peak of the island for 360’ views of the Bay. We’ll then return to the junk boat where everyone can enjoy an aperitif on the sundeck. Dinner is served on board featuring an array of salads, seafood, meat and fresh fruit. Overnight on-board the Junk Boat in air-conditioned cabins with en-suite bathrooms.
Accommodation: Boat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7
Halong Bay
Boating & Kayaking
For those interested in an early morning tai chi session, there will be one happening on the sundeck at 6:45am, along with coffee and tea, before breakfast is served. After breakfast we’ll transfer to a smaller boat, for a cruise further to explore the hidden nooks of the archipelago and into the area that we will start our kayaking. Then we have a few hours to paddle kayaks on the calm emerald waters, past limestone karsts and floating houses, and small sandy beaches that are taken away in the high tide. We’ll have a traditional Vietnamese lunch served on our support boat. We’ll return to our junk boat mid-afternoon where everyone can refresh before relaxing on the sundeck, enjoying the dramatically beautiful scenery. The evening is at leisure to relax under the starlit sky before retiring to the comfort of our cabin.
Accommodation: Boat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8
Halong Bay - Hanoi - Siem Reap
Boating
This is our last morning in Halong Bay, so we wake up early to make the most of it. There will be another early tai chi session for anyone who’d like to participate. Then we’ll make a stop at Surprise Cave - one of the most spectacular and largest grottoes of Halong Bay. The mouth of the grotto is reached by ascending about a hundred stone steps. We return to the junk boat for 9am and then start cruising back to the pier. Brunch will be served along the way. Our driver will be awaiting us at the pier and will transfer us by vehicle back to The Hanoi International Airport. From here we will connect with our flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia, with an approximate departure of 5:00pm. Upon arrival we’ll be met and transferred to a comfortable hotel in town.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9
Siem Reap
Biking
This morning we cycle to the Mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. Believed to be the world’s largest religious building, this temple is the source of pride and strength to all Khmers. Built in the 12th century by King Suryavarman II, this is the most famous temple at Angkor. Stretching for almost one kilometre, this intricate carving is a candidate for the world’s longest unbroken piece of art. We’ll continue to the upper levels of the inner sanctuary. The final steps to the upper terrace of Angkor are quite steep, where pilgrims would stoop on their pilgrimage to encounter the Gods. Finally we see the pinnacle, the sacred heart of Angkor Wat. Late morning, we continue on to visit Angkor Thom, an immense walled city that was the masterpiece of King Jayavarman VII. At the southern end lies the Baphuon, once of the most beautiful temples at Angkor, dating back to the 11th century. Our climax is the enchanting temple of the Bayon. Its 54 towers are each topped off with the four faces of Avalokiteshvara (Buddha of Compassion). We’ll enjoy a picnic lunch nearby the temple of the Bayon. Afterwards we set off on bicycles to Gate of the Dead and then onward to Victory Gate. We’ll then follow a road to the ‘Indiana Jones’ temple of Ta Prohm. The tentacle-like tree roots here are slowly strangling the surviving stones. Ta Prohm has been abandoned by the elements, a reminder that while empires rise and fall, the riotous power of nature marches on, oblivious to human history. If time allows, we’ll visit Banteay Kdei or finish with a sunset drink at Srah Srang. We return to the same hotel in Siem Reap and have the rest of the evening at leisure.
Biking Distance: 18 km / 11 mi
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 10
Phnom Kulen National Park
Hiking
After breakfast, we’ll be picked up at the hotel and transferred to Phnom Kulen National Park for our trek. We start at the base of Mount Kulen, first ascending stairs to a breathtaking panoramic lookout point. We then continue our trek to visit the riverbed carvings in the “Valley of 1000 Lingas” (dedicated to the God Shiva) along the Stung Kbal Spean River. We’ll visit the reclining Buddha enshrined in Preah Ang Thom temple. This enormous Buddha was carved into sandstone in the 16th century. Afterwards, we’ll visit the magnificent nearby waterfalls. We’ll enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before trekking further to the bat caves, Srah Damrey and Wat Preah Kral, where we can interact with local monks. We return to the same hotel in Siem Reap and have the rest of the evening at leisure.
Hiking Distance: 25 km / 15 mi
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 11
Kompong Phluk
Biking & Boating
This morning we are back on bikes, following small backroads through rural landscapes and picturesque villages. Our first stop is the temple of Bakong. We continue into Ruluos town to visit a very local market, virtually untouched by tourism. After a refreshment here, we follow the path of Ruluos River to a point where we’ll board small wooden boats to continue our trip to Kompong Phluk. Cruising down the narrow waterway, we enter a medieval floating village where the houses stand atop stilts as high as seven meters above the water. Everything lives on the water here -- pigs, dogs, crocodiles and people, all jockeying for space in this incredible floating town. We’ll explore the local wat here before boarding a larger boat and cruising through the flooded forest and across the great lake to Chong Kneas, an expansive floating village with over 1000 houseboats. This village includes everything from a floating church to a floating police station. Afterwards, we travel to the holy mountain of Phnom Krom, where we’ll have a short hike to enjoy a glorious sunset before heading back to Siem Reap. We return to the same hotel in Siem Reap and have the rest of the evening at leisure.
Biking Distance: 20 km / 12.5 mi
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 12
Siem Reap
Departure
We'll transfer you to the Siem Reap airport to catch your international flight home or onward in South East Asia.
Meals: Breakfast
What's Included
TRIP INCLUSIONS:
All accommodation (twin shared), meals as indicated, internal transportation excluding flight (Hanoi-Siem Reap), all equipment (mountain bikes and kayaking gear) and English-speaking guides.
TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE:
International airfare, flight (Hanoi -Siem Reap), airport taxes, gratuities, meals not indicated and items of a personal nature.
MEALS:
11 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches, 5 Dinners
ACCOMMODATION:
Hotel: 8 Nights
Train: 1 Night
Junk Boat: 2 Nights
Trip Facts
Weather in Vietnam
There is no good or bad season for visiting Vietnam. When one region is wet or cold, another is sunny and pleasantly warm. Vietnam has a remarkably diverse climate because of its wide range of latitudes and altitudes. Although the entire country lies in the inter-tropical zone, local conditions vary from frosty winters in the far northern hills to the yearlong, sub-equatorial warmth of the Mekong Delta. At sea level, the mean annual temperature is 27°C (80°F) in the south, falling to 21°C (70°F) in the extreme north. There is a drop in mean annual temperature of nearly half a degree for every 100 meters in elevation. In the north, November to April is considered winter and May to October is summer. The south has two main seasons: the wet season lasts from May until November and the dry season from December to April.
Weather in Hanoi and Northern Region
September to December: Dry season. Temperatures during day range from 30°C (85°F) in October to 21°C (70°F) in December.
January to Mid-March: Dry season. Evenings can be chilly. Average temperatures during the day are 17°C (62°F).
Mid-March to April: Dry, hot season. Average daily temperatures range from 24 to 29°C (75 to 84°F)
July to August: Rainy season with monsoon rains and extreme heat.
Travel Documents
Citizens from Canada and the US require a valid passport and a visa to enter Vietnam. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the conclusion of the trip. Visa application forms can be downloaded from the embassy websites for Canada or USA. Citizens of other nations should check with the Vietnamese Embassy for entry requirements.
Food and Water
One of the delights of visiting Vietnam is the amazing cuisine. There are nearly 500 different traditional Vietnamese dishes, which are superbly prepared and reasonably priced. Of course, in addition to traditional Vietnamese dishes, there are terrific French restaurants across the country and street vendors selling fresh baguettes and pate. Fish, chicken and seafood are widely available, along with a good selection of vegetables. Countless types of exotic fruits provide for delicious fruit juices as well. While in Vietnam, it is best to drink only bottled or treated drinking water. Fruit drinks, soft drinks, coffee and tea are all widely available and safe to drink.
FAQ
Our adventures are built for small groups, with a maximum of 12 travellers on each guided tour. Each group is diverse, comprised of men and women of many different nationalities and ages. By travelling in small groups we leave minimal ecological impact, cause less disruption to the native life and are able to gain a better appreciation for our surroundings. Small numbers also allow greater flexibility and spontaneity: a dinner in a local home, an impromptu village wedding invite and any such experiences that can become among the most memorable experiences of your BikeHike adventure.
We understand that people come in many fitness levels, so we've graded our trips accordingly. There are four difficulty levels on our trips: Easy, Moderate, Challenging, and Strenuous.
This is a “moderate” trip. These trips include 4-5 hours of physical activity throughout the day, with many breaks along the way. The biking portions of BikeHike Adventure’s trips are the most cardiovascular portions of the trips. During the biking section, our travellers don’t have to carry anything on their backs as any packs can be carried in the support vehicle. During the hiking portions of the trip, the most you would have to carry on your back is a daypack.
BikeHike Adventures has been operating since 1994.
The logistics of organizing tours to remote corners of the world can be very complex. Our trip development department spends long hours researching destinations, routes, ground operations and equipment. All itineraries are screened without clients before they are added to our growing repertoire of adventures. Nothing is untested.
Our travellers share a common love for outdoor adventure. Most are looking for a physical adventure in an unfamiliar destination. A typical trip is comprised of men and women in good physical condition, who exercise regularly. The age range on this trip is typically from 35-60, although we occasionally get younger and older travellers as well.
There are plenty of opportunities for cultural interaction in Vietnam and Cambodia, as they are both culturally rich destinations. There are over 50 ethnic groups in Vietnam alone, each with their own languages, their own customs and dress. You’ll encounter them on their water buffalos as they’re working their rice fields. Sometimes we are even able to visit schools on our BikeHike trips. In the Sapa Valley in Vietnam, hikers actually pass through villages and have the chance to interact with locals in their homes.
Listen to a more detailed answer HERE.
The best months for this trip are from October to May. The best months for travel to Vietnam are October through May, after that it turns into the wet, typhoon season. Any month between October and May is a great time to travel, as it is the dry season. Below is the weather in Hanoi and the Northern Region during these months:
September to December: Temperatures during day range from 30°C (85°F) in October to 21°C (70°F) in December.
January to Mid-March: Evenings can be chilly, especially in the mountains. Average temperatures during the day are 17°C (62°F).
Mid-March to April: These are the hottest months in Vietnam. Average daily temperatures range from 24 to 29°C (75 to 84°F).
In Cambodia, the climate is divided into two seasons, wet and dry. The ideal months to visit Cambodia are December and January, when the temperatures are cooler, humidity is bearable and the chance of rain is unlikely. From early February temperatures start to rise, and by April temperatures can exceed 40°C (104°F). In May, the wet season and humidity begins.
This depends on your country of citizenship. However, Canadians and Americans do require visas to enter both Cambodia and Vietnam.
Vietnam: It is possible to do a visa in advance, which we highly recommend to allow you to pass through customs much more quickly and easily. However, it is possible to get a visa last minute, though this requires a few added steps including a letter of recommendation from your tour operator stating your tourism activities in the country, and upon arrival in Vietnam you will enter a special customs line. At times, this line can be quite long. So, whenever possible, it is always better to try to arrange your visa in advance to save time at customs.
Cambodia: The Cambodian visa can easily be purchased at the airport upon arrival.
The arrival airport is Hanoi, Vietnam and the departure airport is Siem Reap, Cambodia. You can arrive anytime on Day 1 of the trip into Hanoi (although by late afternoon is best) and depart anytime on day 12 from Siem Reap.
Yes, Wi-Fi and cell reception is available in most areas of Vietnam and Cambodia, mainly in the cities. However, while hiking and biking in Vietnam and Cambodia, there are perhaps a few areas where cell reception is unavailable. Most hotels are equipped with Wi-Fi in both countries.
We cannot give official medical advice. We advise you to contact your nearest travel clinic for updated information on health requirements, because this information can and does change frequently. You should plan ahead for your inoculations, as some of them require 30 days to take affect. Some shots cause mild reactions (fatigue to mild fever and nausea) and may require more than one dose over a period of weeks.
A good website for current information is The Centre for Disease Control.
Vietnam and Cambodia are both regarded as safe countries to visit. The local people are very hospitable and gracious. In larger cities however you must be cautious of street crime. Do not walk with your daypack behind you and always be aware of your surroundings. Use your common sense and protect your important documents, i.e. money, airline ticket and passport.
Can I take this trip if...
Many of our travellers (both men and women) join as singles. On average, BikeHike groups are 75% single travellers and 25% couples. Unlike many adventure travel companies, we don't charge single supplement fees to solo travellers. Instead, we pair you with another traveller of the same gender. If we can't find you a roommate, you get your own room at no additional charge. A single private room supplement fee is only required if you specifically request a confirmed private room for the duration of the trip. Learn more about solo travel with BikeHike.
We will do our best to accommodate special dietary requests (e.g. vegetarian, gluten free, etc.), but ask that you please discuss your request with us when signing up for a trip.
While most of our trips are created with adults in mind, many of our itineraries are suitable for strong and active teenagers. This trip is generally good for older children or teenagers. However, we do offer many Family Focused trips, some of which are able to accommodate children as young as six.
More about this trip...
E-bikes are available, but they need to be arranged in advance before the trip starts. The E-bikes would be an extra cost.
In Vietnam, we include 24-27 speed mountain bikes with front suspension. In Cambodia, we use Trek bikes with front suspension and 8 or 9 speed. Cambodia is generally a hot country, so we will try to cycle in the shade as much as possible when exploring the ruins of Angkor Wat. The hottest months are from April to September.
On the three day biking segment of the itinerary, we’ll snake along paved and gravel roads, with moderate elevation changes. Vietnam will be hillier than Cambodia. We ride through small rural villages, local markets, the ruins of Angkor Wat, and on winding switchbacks with views of the misty mountains farmed with rice paddies. There are loads of cultural encounters along the way, which has us stopping a lot to interact with the local people.
Yes, it is available during most of the bike rides for those that want a break from biking.
The hikes are considered ‘light treks’. The terrain is a combination of local dirt roads and trails with some rice terraces being traverses. Hiking boots are not required, but a good pair of hiking shoes or runners is recommended. You are only required to carry a daypack with enough for an overnight at the homestay.
We’ll be paddling in single and tandem kayaks. Most of the paddling is in the shelter of the limestone karsts where the water is very calm. There are plenty of secluded beaches that make a perfect rest stop and great swimming! There are a couple of open water crossings, which usually have small swells and can be a bit choppy on windy days.
We sleep on the train for one night from Hanoi to Sapa. The air-conditioned sleeping berths have 4 beds. All the bedding is provided. On the return journey from Sapa to Hanoi, we take the bus, which is a 5-6 hour journey.
You'll have two overnights on-board a luxurious Junk Boat in Halong Bay in air-conditioned cabins with en-suite bathrooms. Each room overlooks the sea. This is an incredible experience as you'll be boating in paradise!
The bay is very sheltered and the water is generally flat and calm. However, there are still some days of the year that the sea becomes rough due to strong winds or tropical depressions. If this were the case, we would come up with a plan B instead of sailing.
Accommodation
Most of our trips include comfortable mid-range accommodations. This includes accommodation that provides a clean and comfortable experience in characterful surroundings that reflect the destination. To build stronger connections with the communities and support the local economies, we avoid using large international chain brands on BikeHike trips.
This trip includes the following types of accommodation:
HOTELS
In an effort to keep money in the communities we visit around the world, BikeHike prefers small hotels, bungalows, and haciendas that showcase the character and local flair of each destination.
TRAIN
The air-conditioned sleeping berths have 4 beds.
JUNK BOAT
You'll have two overnights on-board a luxurious Junk Boat in Halong Bay in air-conditioned cabins with en-suite bathrooms. This is an incredible experience as you'll be boating in paradise!
Click HERE for more information about accommodation styles.
Trip At A Glance
| Day | Destination | Activity | Distance | Ascent / Descent | Lodging | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Hanoi
|
Arrival
|
— | — / — |
Hotel
|
d
|
| 2 |
Hanoi - Lao Cai
|
City Tour
|
— | — / — |
Train
|
b,
l
|
| 3 |
Lao Cai - Nam Cang
|
Biking
|
35 km
22 mi
|
1092 m / 3582 ft
|
Hotel
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 4 |
Nam Cang - Nam Nhiu
|
Hiking
|
7 km
4.3 mi
|
— / — |
Hotel
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 5 |
Golden Stream Valley - Hanoi
|
Hiking
|
9 km
6 mi
|
175 m / 574 ft
|
Hotel
|
b,
l
|
| 6 |
Hanoi - Halong Bay
|
Boating
|
— | — / — |
Boat
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 7 |
Halong Bay
|
Boating & Kayaking
|
— | — / — |
Boat
|
b,
l,
d
|
| 8 |
Halong Bay - Hanoi - Siem Reap
|
Boating
|
— | — / — |
Hotel
|
b
|
| 9 |
Siem Reap
|
Biking
|
18 km
11 mi
|
— / — |
Hotel
|
b,
l
|
| 10 |
Phnom Kulen National Park
|
Hiking
|
25 km
15 mi
|
— / — |
Hotel
|
b,
l
|
| 11 |
Kompong Phluk
|
Biking & Boating
|
20 km
12.5 mi
|
— / — |
Hotel
|
b,
l
|
| 12 |
Siem Reap
|
Departure
|
— | — / — | — |
b
|
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Have You Experienced This Trip?
Submit a ReviewThe trip was great and I highly recommend it to anyone who is in reasonable physical condition. The itinerary was detailed, yet flexible on a daily basis as we explored and toured. Both our guides (Tam and Danny) were an encyclopedia of knowledge, friendly, helpful and made everything run smoothly. A trip to remember.
Great small group adventure tour focusing on getting off the beaten track so you can interact and have more authentic experiences. We hiked through remote valleys of rice fields and water buffalos, cycled through the “Death Gate” near Angkor Wat, and kayaked in Ha Long Bay with no one around but a couple fishermen in their sampans. Always had the option to do as much or as little exercise as we wanted. The cultural shows, demonstrations, and social interactions rounded out the trip well. And did we mention our guide, Tam, was awesome!
We highly recommend BikeHike as an extremely well managed tour operator. Tour coordinators are extremely well organized, proactive, and responsive to your individual needs. They also do an excellent job of picking local tour guides. The tours are as worry-free as they can get - you only enjoy and don't have to worry about timing, schedule, transfers, etc - the local guides take care of everything. We just completed our fourth tour with BikeHike in Vietnam and are looking forward to more.
Just last weekend, we got back from an amazing two-week trip to northern Vietnam and Cambodia. The people, food and sites were all incredible. I’d dreamed of this trip for so long and it was everything I’d hoped for and more. We had a guide (Tam in Vietnam and Danny in Cambodia, as well as occasional site-specific guides) and a driver. We spent time with local villagers including ethnic minorities in the northern mountains of Vietnam (including one of the best meals of my life and toasting endlessly to the joys of friendship...and we were very, very active. We visited Hanoi, the Lao Cai Province and Hoàng Lien Son Mountains, and Halong Bay in Vietnam and Siem Reap in Cambodia (the latter with day trips to Mt. Kulen and Tonle Sap Lake/Prek Toal Bird Sanctuary). We loved every minute of it.
In addition to the people, places and food, the trip was so amazing thanks in part to the travel company we used, BikeHike Adventures. While they do group tours, we were able to customize the trip to make it private, choose our own dates, and adjust the itinerary to spend more time in Cambodia. I even talked to the owner, Trish Sare, a few times! I’m sure this was just the first of our adventures with them!
The trip was thoughtfully organized to cover both major sites but also to include experiences that were unique (no big tour buses present). For instance, we especially loved a day long bike ride on dirt roads that cut through Cambodian countryside, villages, markets, temple sites, ultimately ending up at the less tourist-ed but more amazing entry to Tonle Sap Lake. In Vietnam our guide was amazing, very knowledgeable and entertaining. The experience with Keoung was like travelling with a friend that knew everything and took you to places no tourist would be able to find, especially in amazing Hanoi. We had so much fun traveling with him and cried a little when we parted.
Had amazing time with my spouse and the great group of people who were on the Vietnam adventure tour we joined with Bike Hike last winter. We are fit/energetic older folks (mid 50s) and the tour suited our travel interests and fitness perfectly. Great, active days and friendly, social evenings! Super guide! I will definitely look at their trips again in future. Highly recommend.
We can’t say enough about our guide Hoa Dang. He was outstanding. He took the time to make our trip extra-special. He was patient, upbeat, figured out what we liked and then exceeded our expectations.
Really enjoyed the hiking in the rice paddy fields and through the bamboo forest of Sapa Valley. Also enjoyed learning more about the history and current social and government situation of both Vietnam and Cambodia. The guides were excellent in providing these insights.
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