Cycle the Backroads to Angkor Wat

It's no secret that we love cycling, and many of us at HQ think it's the best way to see a country. But we also know that organising your own cycling adventure can be a total faff. That's why our local guides create the perfect route and take care of the navigation, while our support vehicle carries your overnight luggage and we provide high-quality bikes and delicious snacks to keep you fuelled along the way. Faff eliminated!

All you have to do is turn up, pedal and soak up the landscape with your fellow riders. You'll cycle at your own pace, with regular stops to regroup so no one gets left behind.

You'll be riding a Trek Marlin 5 hardtail mountain bike, a road- and trail-ready bike designed to handle climbs, descents and everything in between. Your host will need your height before the trip begins to ensure the correct frame size is provided. The bikes are equipped with water bottle cages and come with standard flat pedals and male/standard saddles. If you prefer to bring your own saddle and pedals (including SPDs), please do; these can be fitted for you.

One thing to know about riding in this region: honking is a way of life on the roads. It’s not aggressive; it’s simply a way for drivers to announce their presence, and you’ll get used to it quickly.

Can I bring my own bike?

Bringing your own bike is discouraged. This is due to limited storage space for bike boxes and bags, as well as the fact that the support trailers are designed to fit the bikes provided by your host. This means we cannot guarantee safe transport of your personal bike. Your own bike may also require specialist parts for maintenance that are not available locally or cannot be repaired by the support vehicle mechanics. For these reasons, we recommend using the bikes provided by your host.

On some days, you'll cycle point to point; on others, there’ll be a transfer of around 60–90 minutes to move between locations. This helps keep you off busy roads and on the best cycling routes. The backroads of southern Vietnam and Cambodia take some planning to connect into a route that’s fun and stress-free, and the van gives you time to sit back, relax and take in the scenery.

The cycle guide ratio on this trip is 1 guide per 12 guests, meaning groups of 12 or more will have two cycle guides. Throughout the adventure, you’ll also be accompanied by a support vehicle and bike mechanic.

At Much Better Adventures, we work hard to accommodate dietary requirements and allergies so your trip is safe, inclusive and enjoyable. That said, options can vary by country, location and accommodation, and in some places choices may be limited or unavailable. The information below has been provided by your host so you’re fully informed about what’s possible on this adventure and can plan accordingly.

Once you’ve booked, please complete your passenger information form as soon as possible with any dietary requirements or allergies. This information is automatically shared with your host and guide, allowing them to prepare and make arrangements ahead of your arrival. Please also remind your guide when you arrive, as discussing your requirements in person helps them understand your needs from the start.

BACKGROUND

Vietnamese cuisine is shaped by the country's agricultural heritage, tropical climate and influences from China, France and its many ethnic groups. Meals are typically fresh and aromatic, centred around rice, noodles, herbs, vegetables and seafood, with strong regional differences between north, central and southern Vietnam. Vegetarian options are generally available, particularly in areas with a strong Buddhist influence. However, fish sauce and seafood-based stocks are widely used and may not always be obvious in vegetable dishes. If you have strict dietary requirements, communicating these clearly with your guide will be important.

Cambodian cuisine is rooted in the country’s farming and fishing traditions, with rice, freshwater fish, vegetables, coconut and aromatic herbs featuring heavily in everyday dishes. Compared with neighbouring cuisines, flavours are often milder, with influences from India, China and Thailand. Vegetarian options are available, but may be more limited than in other parts of South-East Asia. Fermented fish paste and dried shrimp are common flavour bases, including in dishes that may appear plant-based, so it’s important to communicate your requirements clearly. Your guide will help identify suitable options throughout the trip.

SPECIAL DIETS

Vegetarian Vegetarian diets can be catered for on this trip, provided your host is informed in advance. Options may include stir-fried seasonal vegetables, braised aubergine, vegetarian spring rolls, vegetable curries and fried tofu.

Meals are often served communally, with dedicated vegetarian dishes prepared alongside shared dishes. In more remote areas, choices may be more limited. Protein sources will mainly come from tofu and eggs, so we recommend bringing your own protein snacks if you have specific nutritional requirements, especially for longer riding days.

Vegan Vegan diets can be partially catered for on this trip, provided your host is informed in advance. Dedicated vegan dishes can be prepared, but options are more limited than vegetarian meals and may be simpler in some locations.

Traditional Vietnamese and Cambodian cooking relies heavily on fish sauce and shrimp paste, which will be omitted where possible. This may result in a simpler flavour profile, and protein sources will mainly come from tofu. We strongly recommend bringing vegan snacks, nuts, seeds or protein bars to help fuel your riding days.

Kosher Fully certified kosher kitchens and supervision are rare in Vietnam and Cambodia and cannot usually be guaranteed. Vegetarian or vegan options may be the most reliable alternative if suitable for your requirements. Please see the sections above.

Halal Certified halal food availability varies by location and cannot always be guaranteed. Vegetarian or vegan options may be the most reliable alternative if suitable for your requirements. Please see the sections above.

INTOLERANCES Gluten-free

Gluten-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided your host is informed in advance. Meals will focus on naturally gluten-free ingredients such as rice, rice noodles, vegetables and potatoes rather than substitute products. Many local dishes are naturally gluten-free, but we recommend bringing your own snacks to supplement longer cycling days.

For coeliac disease, please see the Allergies section below.

Lactose-free Lactose-free diets can be catered for on this trip, provided your host is informed in advance. Many traditional Vietnamese and Cambodian dishes are naturally lactose-free or can be prepared without dairy.

ALLERGIES

Our host has advised that managing mild and severe food allergies on this trip may be challenging. Please contact our Customer Experience team before booking to discuss your requirements.

Meals on this adventure are often prepared by small local restaurants and family-run kitchens — an important part of the cultural experience, but one where ingredient control and preparation processes may differ from what you’re used to at home. Severe or life-threatening allergies can be particularly difficult to accommodate due to shared cooking environments, limited ingredient availability and varying labelling practices.

Please be aware that fish sauce and shrimp paste are common ingredients in Vietnamese and Cambodian cooking and may appear in sauces, dressings and marinades. Your guide will help communicate your requirements wherever possible, but you remain responsible for managing your own allergies throughout the trip.

The support vehicle carries large water containers so you can refill your bottles throughout the day.

In the event of poor weather, such as heavy rain, strong winds or storms, conditions may become unsafe for the planned rides. Your guide will assess the weather and forecasts before making a decision with your safety as the priority. If changes to the itinerary are needed, an alternative route or activity will be arranged.

E-bike upgrades are not available for this trip; you’ll be riding hybrid bikes as listed in the trip inclusions. Keeping everyone on the same bike type helps maintain a comfortable group pace, simplifies logistics and ensures a more inclusive experience. We do, however, have a growing collection of e-bike adventures which you can explore.

Yes, you need to bring your own cycle helmet on this adventure. It should meet recognised safety standards, display a relevant certification mark, and be in good condition. It is mandatory for all riders to wear a helmet whenever cycling.

Please make sure your helmet is:

• A purpose-built cycling helmet that meets a recognised safety standard and displays a relevant certification mark, including (but not limited to):

  • CE/EN 1078 (UK & Europe)
  • CPSC or Snell B90/B95 (USA)
  • AS/NZS 2063 (Australia & New Zealand)

• In good condition:

  • ideally no more than five years old
  • not involved in a crash
  • no visible cracks/dents, compressed foam, or damaged straps

• A good fit:

  • sits level (not tipped back)
  • snug, secure and stable when fastened (doesn't rock or slide)
  • retention system and straps work properly

If your helmet isn’t suitable on arrival:

• you may need to rent or buy a suitable helmet locally (availability varies by destination)
• if a suitable helmet can't be sourced, you may be unable to join some or all cycling activities on safety grounds, in line with your booking conditions

Need help choosing or fitting a helmet?
For advice see British Cycling’s guidance.

Cycle Safety Please see our cycling safety guidance for further information.

You are responsible for obtaining any required visas for this trip.

Vietnam British and many European passport holders can visit Vietnam visa-free for up to 45 days. US citizens must obtain a visa prior to travel; the most common option is the 90-day e-visa, costing $25 for single entry or $50 for multiple entries.

All passports must have at least six months' validity remaining from your arrival date and US passport holders must also have a minimum of two blank pages. For all other nationalities, please check current requirements with the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate in your country of origin, or on the UK government website for general guidance.

Cambodia A visa is required to enter Cambodia and is not included in the trip price. There is an important detail to be aware of for this trip: the Cambodia e-Visa is not valid at the speedboat border crossing from Chau Doc. Even if you already hold a valid e-Visa, you will need to purchase a visa on arrival (VOA) on the day of crossing. Your guide will collect passports and fees on the boat and manage the process for you. The visa fee is USD 37 per person, payable in cash. USD is strongly recommended - payment in EUR or VND is accepted, but exchange rates at the border may not be favourable.

For your passport, you will need:

At least six months' validity from your date of entry into Cambodia A minimum of three blank pages for entry stamps

Please double-check both before you travel. Passengers who do not meet these requirements may be denied boarding on the boat.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.

Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).

For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.

We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way. Check out our Community Values – a shared code to make sure that everyone's experience is safe, inclusive and brilliantly unforgettable.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

The Mekong Delta and Cambodia are warm year-round, but the best time for cycling is from November to February, when temperatures are cooler and more comfortable, typically ranging from 20–28°C (68–82°F). From March to June, temperatures climb to 35–38°C (95–100°F). Travel is still enjoyable at this time of year, but you'll need to be prepared for the heat on the bike. The March departure falls at the start of this warmer period.

From July to October, the landscape becomes lush and green during the rainy season. Showers are typically short and heavy, falling in the early morning or late afternoon rather than lasting all day. The October departure sits at the tail end of the rainy season, when conditions are generally beginning to improve.