Cycle Indochina: Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap

Welcome to bustling Ho Chi Minh City, one of Vietnam's most thriving cities.

There are no activities planned, but there will be a scheduled group meeting in the evening around 6pm. After the meeting, opt to head out for an optional dinner to get to know the CEO and fellow group members.

Until the meeting, enjoy free time to relax and explore the city. Why not take the chance to visit Thien Hau and Giac Vien pagodas, Ben Than Market, Reunification Palace or the War Remnants Museum?

In the morning, visit the Cu Chi Tunnels and learn about the Vietnam-American War. The Cu Chi Tunnels are a complex network of tunnels that Viet Cong forces lived in to protect themselves from the opposing forces. They stored ammunition, had underground hospitals and served as a hidden base to attack the allied forces. If you are not claustrophobic, you may want to crawl through some of the tunnel network to get a feel for what it must have been like during the war.

Approximate cycling distance: 25km (15 mi)

Start the day by exploring the breakfast options at both the hotel and the local market.Then take a boat ride to explore the surrounding area. There are a number of islands situated in the river which are sometimes not connected to the mainland other than by a small ferry. It's then time for some cycling.

Take an easy, flat ride through the shady canal paths and back roads, stopping along the way to try the fresh fruit and to have a tasty lunch. In the late afternoon, arrive at the home of our hosts. Enjoy some time to relax and, perhaps, help a little with dinner.

Upon waking, you will be wishing your time in the Delta won't end, but there is still time to see the floating markets for which this area has become quite well known. As most people will head to the chaotic main market near Can Tho, the hosts will take us to a real, local floating market where vegetables are tossed from craft to craft and a little coffee vendor boat bounces in and out of the gaps, serving strong iced coffee to both vendors and customers.

After taking some time to experience this explosion of colour and activity, return to the mainland. Take to the bikes again to explore some more of those lovely canal paths where the only traffic is an occasional motor scooter or pedestrian. End up with an hour transfer to the hotel in Chau Doc city.

Our Cambodian driver welcomes the group on the Cambodian side and takes us to Phnom Penh. Visit the Choeung Ek Genocidal Centre on the way back to Phnom Penh. Learn about one of the darkest points in the history of Cambodia during the Khmer Rough Regime. Arrive in Phnom Penh early in the afternoon.

Phnom Penh has had a turbulent history. When the French colonialists arrived, it was little more than a collection of wooden shacks by the river, but they soon changed that and in doing so created what was once considered a very beautiful city. When the Khmer Rouge evacuated the city in 1975, they started it on its way to decay and decline, a theme that had carried through until only fairly recently when the country's economic development accelerated rapidly.

Enjoy this highlight ride and gain a unique perspective of Phnom Penh and its surrounds.

As first light dawns and the roosters begin to crow, the day begins at the most important religious monument in the country, looking at the triple towers of Angkor Wat across a reflecting pool. After the sun rises as a giant orange ball behind the towers, the crowds will thin out as most people return to bed. Instead, make use of the cool temperatures and soft morning light to explore Angkor Wat. Monkeys and a handful of other travellers are the only others at the site. A delicious breakfast spread awaits just a short pedal away. After filling up, continue to explore the iconic Angkor temples and some hidden treasures of the Angkor area. Ride through some lovely back trails and even ride atop the wall of Angkor Thom, overlooking the moat on the way back to Siem Reap.