 | activetravelvietnam |  | Cycling Angkor Temples and Kayaking Halong Bay |
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Mar 9 2010
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Cycling , Angkor, Kayak, Halong Bay
12-day tour with 5-day cycling & 1,5 day kayaking
Grade: Moderate
From US$ 1,144 per person
Let’s discover the world’s remarkable awesome historical site through this adventure trip and grasp the reasons why the Tomb Raider’s film maker team chose the Angkor Complex in Siem Reap for its screen backdrops. Also experience the biodiversity of Tonle Sap listed as the World Ecological Wonder.
2010 Summer Promotion
Validity: 1May, 2010 – 30Sep, 2010
Enjoy great adventures in Vietnam & Cambodia with ATA Blazing Hot Summer Promotion.
- 01 Foot massage in Siem Riep
- Welcome Dinner in Siem Riep for group from 6 persons
- Free-of-charge Visa-on-arrival fee for Cambodia
- Free-of-charge 01 cooking class at Hidden Hanoi Restaurant (joined class)
- 5% discount on any pre or post trip booked with ATA
Day 1: Arrival in Siem Reap
Upon arrival in Siem Reap, meet our guide at the airport and transfer to hotel in Siem Riep for check-in. The rest of the day is free to explore Siem Reap, the gateway to the impressive Angkor Wat which is located 7km south of Siem Reap. With its many bars, café’s and restaurants, Siem Reap is a bustling town that relies on the tourism industry and has all the amenities you need when you travel. Tour briefing and Dinner with Khmer cuisine. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Summary
Transfer airport – hotel: 20 mins
Meal: Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Riep
Day 2: Siem Reap – Angkor Complex
After breakfast we start exploring Angkor Wat by bike. Angkor Wat is one of the biggest religious monuments in the world and represents the Khmer heritage. It’s stunning base relief, massive towers and huge entrance way will simply awe you in every sense.
We continue heading to the former capital Angkor Thom (Bayon, Terrace of the Elephants) and Ta Prohm. Ta Prohm is famous for its massive overgrown trees. It was used as set for the movie Tomb Raider. Lunch in local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we cycle to Banteay Kdey and explore this massive complex before we head back to Siem Reap for refreshing ourselves and dinner. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Summary
Biking: 25 km, flat country road
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Riep
Day 3: Siem Reap – Banteay Srey – Siem Reap
After breakfast at the hotel we depart for Banteay Srey. Banteay Srey remains the best preserved temple in Cambodia and offers stunning bass relief and other stone carvings. The temple is only small in size but of huge significance in understanding the Angkorian Era. On the way to Siem Reap we pass Banteay Samre, a miniature Angkor Wat, which is relatively unexplored. The road to these temples passes pretty countryside. From there we cycle through the Angkor Complex back to Siem Reap. Along the way you will be able to enjoy the stunning views of some of the most impressive temples of the Angkor Complex. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Summary
Biking: 60 km, flat country road
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Riep
Day 4: Siem Reap – Rolous – Beng Mealea (60km) B,L,D
After breakfast in hotel we start cycling towards Rolous group. The oldest Angkor temple complex around Angkor and dates back to the 8th and 9th century. The three main temples are Lolei, Preah Ko and Bakong. After our exploration and a picnic lunch we continue to Beng Mealea Temple which is truly a hidden gem in jungle. Upon our arrival we set up our camp and enjoy dinner at the campsite. Overnight camping.
Summary
Biking: 60 km, flat country road
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Camping
Day 5: Beng Mealea – Phnom Kulen – Siem Reap
After breakfast at the campsite we explore Beng Mealea. Beng Mealea is a relatively unexplored temple. This huge complex is covered by jungle and receive few visitor. It’s a real treat for anyone who loves nature, religion and history.
We continue our ride to the foot of the Phnom Kulen Hills. It’s only a short ride to Kulen along a very deserted main road that leads through great local villages and nice paddy fields. From there we continue our riding towards Siem Reap. The last 20km will lead us pass several temples and mainly countryside. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Summary
Biking: 30 km, flat country road
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Riep
Day 6: Siem Reap – Grand Circuit of Angkor – Tonle Sap – Siem Reap
After breakfast we set off for the morning ride towards the “Grand Circuit” of Angkor Wat. This road will lead pass temples such as Preah kahn, Neak Pean and West Mebon. The shady roads contribute to a nice experience and through the forest you will be able to “discover” some great structures from the 12th and 13th century.
In the afternoon we transfer to the lake. The Tonle Sap Lake lies in the heart of Cambodia. It’s the largest fresh water lake in South East Asia and its biodiversity put the Tonle Sap on the Ecological Wonders of the World list. Half of the Cambodian population relies on this lake. The many floating villages are spectacular to see and on this tour you will visit Chhong Kneas, one of the largest floating villages. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Summary
Biking: 45 km, flat country road
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Siem Riep
Day 7: Siem Reap – Flight to Hanoi
After breakfast you are free to explore the town of Siem Reap and shopping in local market. Transfer to the airport for flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival in Hanoi our guide will meet you at the airport and transfer to hotel down town. Dinner with local delicacies. Overnight in Hanoi.
Summary
Transfer Hotel – Siem Riep Airport: 20 mins
Transfer Noi Bai Airport – Hotel in Hanoi: 45 mins
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 8: Hanoi city tour
Breakfast in the hotel. Today we will have a full day to explore Hanoi, the city of green trees, lakes and busy ancient towns. This intensive eight-hour tour takes you to must-see sights in Hanoi. In the morning, you will visit the Ho Chi Minh complex and the One-pillar-pagoda. Afterwards we take in the first university of Vietnam, the Temple of Literature. After lunch we drive to the Ethnology Museum. To complete a day, explore the Old Quarter of Hanoi on a cyclo. In the evening we will have a Water Puppet Show. Overnight in Hanoi.
Summary
City tour: Full-day
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 9: Hanoi – Halong Bay
Leave Hanoi for Halong Bay at 8.30am. On the way we will have a short break for refreshment at a handicraft centre. Upon arrival in Halong City we board a luxury junk for a fine seafood lunch and a short cruise to Thien Cung Cave. After a short exploration of the cave we start our exploration of the bay paddling through an amazing area of limestone islets. We will pass a floating village to reach Luon Cave, which is a tunnel thrusting through a mountain. Paddling through the tunnel to explore a beautiful secluded lagoon. We will meet the in front of the cave. Aboard the junk for dinner and overnight in AC, private cabin.
Summary
Transfer Hanoi – Halong Bay: 3.5 hrs
Kayaking: 2.5 hrs
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Twin shared cabin
Day 10: Kayaking Halong Bay
After breakfast we start paddling to Van Chai Floating village and then continue paddling to Dark Cave. Tide permitting, we explore this amazing cave by kayak. The cave is a 200m long, dark tunnel thrusting through a limestone mountain. The tunnel is the only entry to a secluded and beautiful lagoon. We can also explore some other caves nearby. Lunch on support boat in front of the cave. After lunch we paddle to Ba Trai Dao Lagoon, along a stunning and fairly rough sea channel, to explore its beautiful beaches. Continue paddling to Lan Ha Bay, which is smaller than Halong Bay but much more interesting with lots of secluded beaches. Cruise back to Halong Bay for dinner and overnight on mother boat.
Summary
Kayaking: 6 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Twin shared cabin
Day 11: Halong Bay – Hanoi
Breakfast on the junk and enjoy the sundeck of the junk while she navigates amazing rock formations of Bai Tu Long Bay to get back to Halong City. Lunch on the junk before heading back to Hanoi by bus.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch on mother boat
Summary
Cruising: 3 hrs
Transfer Halong Bay – Hanoi: 3.5 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 12: Departure
Breakfast and free at leisure until transfer to the airport for departure. Trip ends.
Summary
Airport Transfer: 3.5 hrs
Meal: Breakfast
Note on client safety
We reserve the right to deviate from this itinerary for any reasons, including road and weather conditions, frequency of visits to a village, or for any other factor which may influence client safety.
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