Cycling along the mighty Mekong Delta

Day 1: Arrive In Ho Chi Minh City (–,–,D)

Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City – transfer to the hotel by own arrangement. At 13:30, the guide will meet your group in the hotel lobby for a trip briefing. After that, you will visit the historic landmarks of the colonial city once known as Saigon: the old Saigon Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Chinatown of Cho Lon and Ben Thanh Market. You will have a group dinner in a local restaurant where the guide will talk more about your cycling tour in Vietnam. Meals included: Dinner Accommodation: Overnight at hotel Note: - Hotel room is at disposal from 14:00 - Notre Dame Cathedral is closed for renovations until further notice – see exterior only

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City – Cai Be (B,L, )

Meeting with the guide at the lobby and get ready for your Cycling Adventure. Before starting the tour the guide will brief the group about all cycling rules and details and we will do a bike fitting to chose your bike. Then start driving to reach the starting point. You will first set out to reach Cai Lay, where you will begin cycling and crossing over creeks lined by beautiful orchards. Today, you will have the chance to observe and learn about the different artisanal skills from the region, like paper making, coconut candy making, and popped rice making. Crossing the stream by local ferry during the day, you will have the chance to observe the richness of the Mekong Delta and its sprawling plantations of exotic fruits, from durian and jackfruit, to mangos, coconuts and pomelos. You will arrive to the hotel in around mid-afternoon. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch in a local restaurant Accommodation: Overnight in hotel Easia Level: 2 Distance and duration of cycling: 50 kilometers– 5 hours (including breaks) Difference in elevation: None Terrain: Off road, concrete canal paths Transportation: Full-day vehicle support - 75 kilometers – 1hr 30min to 2 hours

Day 3: Cai Be – Vinh Long – Can Tho (B,L,–)

Begin the day by embarking on a local boat ride to reach your vehicle, which will take you to Vinh Long, a famous fruit town on the Mekong. From here, begin cycling through the countryside's narrow lanes and lush orchards. The local life, vibrant and perched right on the riverbanks, will charm you as you pedal around the picturesque Delta homes and villages. Make a stop for lunch, before continuing through a coconut plantation. Then, catch a ferry to cross the main arm of the Mekong and head to Can Tho where you will spend the night. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch Accommodation: Hotel in Can Tho Easia Level: 2 Distance and duration of cycling: 60 to 70 kilometers – 7 hours (including breaks) Difference in elevation: None Terrain: Concrete canal paths, narrow countryside lanes Transportation: Full-day vehicle support – 26 kilometers – 30 minutes + ferry crossing 5-10 minutes

Day 4: Can Tho – Long Xuyen (B,L,D)

The day will begin with a boat trip to the Cai Rang Market. Once you arrive, you can cycle or ride in the vehicle around the market along the river. Then, set off for the day on your bicycle, crossing through several more charming villages as you head to Stork Sanctuary. You will soak up incredible sights of seemingly-endless cottage industries, timber merchants, coconut shredders, small docks loading and unloading rice, and tiny, yet vibrant markets. Depending on how you feel, you can take the support vehicle or keep on cycling directly to a local restaurant for lunch. In the afternoon, continue riding through the picturesque countryside, before catching your vehicle back to your hotel in Long Xuyen. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner Accommodation: Overnight at hotel Easia Level: 3 Distance and duration of cycling: 50 to 90 kilometers – 5 to 8 hours (including breaks) Difference in elevation: None Terrain: Concrete canal paths, countryside narrow lanes Transportation: Full-day vehicle support – shorter cycling tour – 40 kilometers – 1h 30min (3 short transfers)

Day 5: Long Xuyen – Chau Doc (B,L,–)

After a short trip to the starting point, begin the day by riding along the busy river channels and traditional brick factories on the way to Chau Doc. Along the way, make a stop to explore the Tra Su Nature Reserve, before arriving in Chau Doc and settling into the night's accommodations. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch Accommodation: Overnight at hotel Easia Level: 2 or 3 Distance and duration of cycling: 60 to 100 kilometers Difference in elevation: None Terrain: Concrete canal paths, narrow countryside lanes Duration of transportation: Shorter cycling tour – 37 kilometers – 1 hour Transportation: Full-day vehicle support Note: Possible to add a visit to the Killing Fields of Vietnam Bachuc, where Pol Pot’s regime massacred over 3,000 Vietnamese in 1978, before reaching Chau Doc.

Day 6: Chau Doc – Ho Chi Minh (B,L,–)

After breakfast at your hotel you will return to Ho Chi Minh in your vehicle. Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh you will have the rest of the afternoon at leisure for sightseeing. Meals: breakfast, lunch Accommodation: overnight in hotel in Ho Chi Minh city Transportation: 240 kilometers - 6 hours

Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City – Departure (B,–,–)

You will travel to the airport at your own for the departure flight. Meals: Breakfast Note: Hotel room is at disposal until 12:00 only