Vietnam to Cambodia Cycle
363 - 383KM
Approx. distance
Challenging (1)
Challenge Grading
11 days
Challenge Duration
Vietnam & Cambodia
Challenge Location
Challenge Highlights
Explore two incredible Asian countries in one challenge
Finish our challenge at the breathtaking Angkor Wat temples
Cycle off the tourist trail and explore the real Vietnam and Cambodia
Explore two of the most fascinating and friendly countries in South East Asia
Challenge Itinerary
Day 1 - Depart UK
We depart the UK for our overnight flight to Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 2 - Arrive Vietnam
Arrive Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to our hotel. After our bike fitting the rest of the day is at leisure to rest or explore the sights and sounds of this fantastic city. We will meet for dinner and a briefing in the evening.
Day 3 - Ho Chi Minh City to Tra Vinh
After breakfast we transfer for a couple of hours out of Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho – the gateway to the Mekong Delta. Today’s ride will lead us right into the heart of the rural Mekong. We pedal along narrow paths and lanes, past banana plantations and fields of sugar cane, through the lush green landscape of the Delta until we reach Tra Vinh – a small town off the tourist trail, with a large population of ethnic Khmer.
Cycling distance – approx. 62km / 5 – 6 hours
Day 4 - Tra Vinh to Can Tho
Following breakfast at our hotel, we push on with our cycling adventure – the roads are peaceful, narrow and very pretty all the way to Can Tho. Along the way we cross numerous rivers and streams via bridges and local ferries. There is plenty to see on our journey, including colourful Khmer temples and the pond of Ba Om, where we’ll hear the story of how it was dug and subsequently got its name according to local legend. We cycle along riverbank paths and through busy villages until we join the main road to Can Tho. Can Tho is a popular town on the banks of the Mekong with a night market and waterfront bars and restaurants.
Cycling distance – approx. 90km / 9 hours
Day 5 - Can Tho to Chau Doc
After a very early breakfast, we catch the boat to Cai Rang floating market to see the local farmers selling their produce from their boats on the busy river. Once we’re back on dry land we cycle along narrow roads weaving through the morning market hustle and bustle on the banks of the river, whilst absorbing the sights of endless cottage industries, timber merchants and coconut shredders. Once we finish cycling for the day we will transfer for approximately one and a half hours to the border town of Chau Doc, where we spend our last night in Vietnam.
Cycling distance – approx. 75km / 7 – 8 hours
Day 6 - Chau Doc to Phnom Penh
Today we will say goodbye to our Vietnamese crew and bikes, as we continue our journey by boat up the Mekong and then the Bassac River to Phnom Penh. We stop off en route to officially exit Vietnam and then again to obtain our visas into Cambodia. We arrive in the Cambodian capital for lunch. In the afternoon we may have time to visit the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum or one of the killing fields of Cambodia at Choeung Ek – sad but important reminders of this beautiful country’s troubled past.
Day 7 - Phnom Penh to Kampong Thom
Following breakfast we transfer across the Japanese bridge and start cycling alongside the Mekong River on a mixture of tarmac and dirt roads on one of the most scenic rides in the country. We meet and see many friendly locals as we pass through orchards and villages. After lunch we set off on good tarmac roads as the route takes us west once again until we meet up with the main national road. We continue on to our finishing point of today’s cycling – Totoeng Village. We then transfer to Kampong Thom.
Cycling distance – approx. 70 – 90km / 6 – 8 hours
Day 8 - Kampong Thom to Siem Reap
This morning’s transfer is approximately one and half hours to an ancient bridge at Kampong Kdei, one of the best examples of the remaining 800 year old bridges in Cambodia. From the bridge we transfer another 31km to Damdek village where our bikes are waiting for us to start our ride. We have lunch along the way and then will continue cycling directly to our hotel in the colonial city of Siem Reap – a fantastic town with markets, bars and restaurants to suit everyone!
Cycling distance – approx. 66km / 3.5 – 5 hours
Day 9 - Siem Reap to Angkor Wat
Following breakfast, we cycle on to the finish line at the famous Angkor Wat. After lunch we explore the incredible city of Angkor – the overgrown Ta Prohm, embraced by tree roots and gigantic creepers, the tranquil Bayon with its multitude of serene stone faces, the impressive 350m long Terrace of the Elephants and the magnificent pièce de résistance, Angkor Wat! After exploring this fascinating world heritage site, we celebrate our achievements in Siem Reap.
Day 10 - Cambodia to UK
Enjoy a free morning in Siem Reap before we catch our flight back to the UK.
Day 11 - Arrive UK
We arrive in the UK, and make our onward journeys home.
Please note, this is a complex itinerary and subject to change.
Challenge Inclusions
What's Included
- • One-way flight from a London airport to Ho Chi Minh City
- One-way flight from Siem Reap to a London airport
- All accommodation
- All meals, from dinner on day 2 to to breakfast on day 10
- Bottled drinking water, snacks and fruit for all cycling days
- Private air-conditioned vehicles for backup, support and transfers
- Local English-speaking guides for cycling and for the Phnom Penh and Siem Reap visit
- Mechanic and medical support
- Global Adventure Challenges leader from the UK
- Full and comprehensive first aid kits
- Local boat trip to visit floating Cai Rang Market, Vietnam on day 5
- Speed boat ticket for Chau Doc to Phnom Penh on day 6
- All local ferry tickets and entrance fee into Angkor Wat Temple Complex
- Local bike hire with spares
- Challenge Medal
What's Not Included
- Airport Tax and Fuel Surcharge Contribution – Please refer to Dates and Costs tab. These are approximately £250 and payable 12 weeks prior to departure
- Visa for Vietnam
- Visa for Cambodia – this is obtained at the border – participants need to take US $25 and a passport sized photo
- Personal travel insurance
- Alcoholic drinks and drinks during meals
- Tips and gratuities
- Please note that for bespoke challenges, inclusions and exclusions may differ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this trip for me?
ABSOLUTELY! This cycle is suitable for all ages with the correct training. The minimum age for this cycle is 18 years old (14-17 years must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian). The one thing everyone will have in common is a great sense of adventure and a desire to help Alder Hey Children’s Charity. Whether you are taking part as an individual or as a team with friends, team spirit will be flying high on the challenge.
How fit do I need to be?
This cycle ride has been graded as Challenging (1) on our challenge grading scheme, and is designed to be challenging but achievable by anyone as long as you fitness train beforehand. Remember, you are cycling for 6 days and in very hot temperatures – the fitter you are the more you will enjoy this challenge. Cycling training tips can be found on the Global Adventure Challenges website to point you in the right direction and why not sign up for one of our training weekends – it’s a great opportunity for you to meet our team and fellow participants!
Our policy is to encourage and support as many people as possible to take part in our challenges. But they may not be suitable for all people due to restriction posed by limitation in mobility, physical or cognitive disability, pregnancy or other various medical conditions. If you have any doubts regarding your suitability for your challenge please contact our office to speak to one of the team.
What is the challenge grading scheme?
All our challenges are graded on a scale from 1 to 3 to indicate the level of difficulty, 1 being the lowest challenge grade and 3 being the most challenging. (1 = Challenging, 2 = Tough and 3 = Extreme).
Do I have to carry my own luggage?
No. All luggage will be transported from accommodation to accommodation by our support vehicles. You will need a small saddle bag/bum bag/‘camel bak’ while cycling, to carry items such as camera, sunscreen, etc. Some people find wearing a back pack uncomfortable due to the heat and humidity, but it’s your choice.
Do I need specialist kit?
We will supply you with a kit list of what to take once you register to take part. Apart from some cycling shorts, a cycling helmet and maybe some cycling gloves, you do not need any specialist kit. Participants can bring their own pedals, bar-ends and any other personal cycling equipment they see fit to modify the bikes supplied, although it is not compulsory.
Food Matters...
All meals will be provided. While cycling, we will either stop at local cafes/restaurants or be supplied with a packed lunch. We cater for most dietary requirements so long as we know in advance – just fill in the appropriate section on your registration form. Vietnamese and Khmer food is very varied and nutritious with plenty of vegetables, noodles, rice and fish.
What support is there on the challenge?
There will be a strong support team with a professional Global Adventure Challenges leader from the UK, as well as local guides.
Full, comprehensive first aid kits will be taken and we are never too far away from hospitals. An air-conditioned vehicle will accompany the group providing support if needed.
Can I stay in Cambodia after the challenge?
Yes you can, but this is subject to us being able to amend your booking from our flights inclusive package to our ground only package. For further information on how our ground only packages work, please visit our guide to ground only challenges.
If you have already registered and would like to request a change to our ground only package, please contact [email protected].
What happens if I get tired?
There will be regular rest stops for drinks and snacks – there is no problem if you need to take more rest stops. A guide will be bringing up the rear of the group on the cycle ride ensuring no-one is left alone – remember though, this is not a race!
How do I go about raising the sponsorship?
Once you have signed up you will receive a fundraising pack from Alder Hey Children’s Charity in order to make your fundraising as easy as possible. You will also receive a few tips and ideas from Global Adventure Challenges to help you on your way.
Request a Call Back
We understand that booking your challenge is a big step, and you may have some questions before you take the plunge! If you'd like to talk to our Customer Care team before you book your space, just click the button below to request a call.
Request a Call Back
Need more information before you book your space? Just enter your details and our friendly team will give you a call back!
If you have any particular questions or would like to request a specific time for your call, please include this in the message section.
Please note, our office hours are 9am - 5:15pm Monday - Thursday, and 9am - 4:15pm on Fridays.
Request a Call Back
Need more information before you book your space? Just enter your details and our friendly team will give you a call back!
If you have any particular questions or would like to request a specific time for your call, please include this in the message section.
Please note, our office hours are 9am - 5:15pm Monday - Thursday, and 9am - 4:15pm on Fridays.
dates and costs
Option A – Minimum Sponsorship
You pay the non-refundable Registration Fee of £299 to Global Adventure Challenges. In addition, you then commit to raising the minimum sponsorship of £4,000. Please send the sponsorship money to Alder Hey Children’s Charity as you raise it. 80% of the minimum sponsorship (£3,200) must be received by Alder Hey Children’s Charity no later than 12 weeks before departure (15th August 2026). Failure to do so may mean non-participation in the challenge. The balance of the challenge costs will be paid for you by the charity out of the sponsorship raised. All outstanding sponsorship must be sent to the charity no later than 4 weeks after your return to the UK. Please do try and raise as much as you can, as every penny you raise over the minimum sponsorship will be retained by the charity too.
Registration Fee
£299
Minimum Sponsorship
£4000
When?
7 – 17 November 2026