Cambodia – trip now full

If you already have a place booked – you are one of the lucky ones! There’s no better way to explore South East Asia than by bike. Cycle through Vietnam and Cambodia and you’ll encounter both unforgettable scenery and the unforgettable warmth of the local people – not to mention a landscape with satisfyingly few hills to contend with!

Use the tabs above to find support materials that will help you get the most out of your trip.

Open challenges

Cycle Cambodia is the last trip Oxfam will offer as a bespoke Global Challenge. If you love the idea of supporting Oxfam through overseas travel, then we’d encourage you to sign up to an Open Challenge.

Day one

Depart London

Overnight flight from London to Ho Chi Minh City via Kuala Lumpur.

Day two

Arrive Ho Chi Min City

Mid morning arrival in Ho Chi Min City.  We transfer to our hotel where we fit your bikes before exploring this fascinating city.  Ho Chi Min City is the heart and soul of Vietnam.  The streets, where much of the city’s life takes place, are a myriad of shops, stalls, stands on wheels and vendors selling their wares. After dinner we hear more about the challenge ahead from our guides.

Day three

Ho Chi Min City – Tay Ninh

We start with a 45 minute lift to the outskirts of Ho Chi Min City before setting off towards the Cu Chi Tunnels.  The Cu Chi Tunnels is an incredible underground network which was excavated by the Vietnamese and used by the Viet Cong during both the French-Indochina War (1946-1954) and the War in Vietnam (1955-1975).  At its height there were 250 km of tunnels in the Cu Chi area alone.

After a visit to the Tunnels we continue on to Tay Ninh.  Today’s route is on tarmaced roads with some undulations.  Traffic should be very light as we cycle in a rural area though villages of simple wooden houses and past emerald green paddy fields.  Overnight in Tay Ninh.

Cycle distance: 81km

Day four

Tay Ninh - Svay Rieng

Tay Ninh is the headquarters of one of Vietnam’s most interesting religions – Caodaism.  The Caodai Great Temple is one of the most striking structures in the whole of South East Asia.  This morning we visit the temple before setting off towards the Vietnam / Cambodia border at Moc Bai.  Border formalities could take some time but once into Cambodia we continue for a further 40 km on flat terrain to Svay Rieng, a quiet provincial town where we’ll stay for the night.

Day five

Svay Rieng – Phnom Penh

The longest day sees us cycling through arid countryside on flat terrain.  This afternoon we encounter the mighty Mekong River for the first time at Neak Loung.  It is the lifeblood of South East Asia with more that 50 million people depending on it and its tributaries for food, water, transport and other important aspects of daily life. We cross the river by ferry and head north from Neak Loung along the Mekong River to finish cycling in Phnom Penh, the capital city of the country, where we stay for the night.

Cycle distance: 123km

Day six

Phnom Penh – Kiriom National Park

Leaving the city behind us, today’s scenery is far more rural.  We cycle through paddy fields and rubber plantations and there will be little traffic on this flat terrain. We cycle through Kompong Speu, a region famous for its palm sugar. We finish the day in Kiriom and stay at the Kiriom Hill Resort.

Cycle distance: 103km

Day seven

Kirirom National Park and project visit

A fantastic day today! We cycle today in the Kirirom National Park, home to pine forests and orchid flowers. We have time in the morning to explore the stunning waterfall and the Cham Bok Pagoda.  Then we visit an Oxfam project, stopping at the community centre where we hear more about the work they do, have chance to see a traditional dancing show and enjoy lunch. We then get back on the bikes to return to Kirirom Hill Resort to finish this amazing challenge. From here we take a bus to Phnom Penh where we stay for the night.

Day eight

Phnom Penh – Siem Reap

We take a ferry along the Tonlé Sap River, then across the Tonlé Sap Lake to Siem Reap.  En-route we’ll meet local people going about their everyday lives along the water’s edge.  We stay the night in Siem Reap close to Angkor Wat.

Day nine

Angkor Wat

Free day to explore Angkor Wat, which along with its surrounding temples are justifiably regarded as one of the wonders of the world.  Built between the 10th and 13th centuries, they were left abandoned to the jungle until their "discovery" by a French explorer in the late 19th century.  Mass tourism hasn’t reached here yet and the temples retain an incredible sense of power and mystery.  This evening we have a meal to celebrate our success!

Day ten

Siem Reap – London

Afternoon flight from Siem Reap to London via Kuala Lumpur.

Day eleven

Arrive UK

Early morning arrival in London.

Download the itinerary (PDF)

This is a complex itinerary and may be subject to change.

This is a complex itinerary and may be subject to change
© Copyright of Classic Tours

Suggested Kit List

Clothing

• Cycling shorts – 2-3 pairs – one pair of padded cycling shorts is recommended
• Cycling shoes – or suitable footwear e.g. sports sandals (which dry quickly) or trainers
• Cycling gloves – one pair
• T-shirts – one per day
• Socks – one pair per day plus spares and extra for evenings
• Scarf to cover back of neck
• Cap hat to cover head when not wearing helmet
• Sunglasses
• Spare trainers / sandals for general walking on the free days and in evenings
• Waterproof jacket / bicycle poncho
• Casual wear for when not cycling i.e. sweatshirt, tracksuit, fleeces
• Women should dress conservatively when not cycling (long sleeved shirts and long trousers or skirts are suggested).
• Something slightly smarter for dinner on last night
• Swimwear.

Equipment

• Cycle helmet – essential and should be packed in hand luggage
• 1 – 2 water bottles for bike, ideally with a cover on top to prevent mud from getting into the drinking nozzle. A more hygienic alternative is a “camel pack” which is worn on the back
• Saddle – your own saddle or a gel seat cover (optional)
• Bum bag for carrying small items while cycling e.g. camera, sun cream, tissues etc.
• Small ‘day’ bag which can be used for extra items and transported on support vehicle e.g. extra jumper, spare film etc
• Towels – 2
• Torch and spare batteries
• Ear plugs (sharing with noisy room mates can prevent sleep!)
• Travel alarm clock
• Carrier bags/bin bags - useful for dirty washing or wet clothing
• Tissues
• Wet wipes
• Toilet paper
• Camera and film
• Photocopy of insurance policy / passport

Small personal medical kit and personal effects

Antiseptic ointment, plasters, knee support, bandage, pain killers, sting relief, Diareze, Dioralyte, Malaria tablets (as prescribed by GP), isotonic powders, insect repellent. Lip salve and sun block (minimum factor 30), energy bars, Vaseline or anti nappy rash cream – to prevent rash when riding in wet clothes. Contact lens wearers should bring glasses and / or prescription sunglasses. Ladies are advised to take tampons

Guidelines for packing

Pack as lightly as possible, preferably in a soft, robust bag as all luggage is transported together each day in a truck and needs to be durable.  We strongly recommend against hard suitcases.  Take a lock for added security.

This list is not exhaustive and also some items may not be required during the trip but it is better to have them than not.

Contact us

Need to get in touch with the team?

For all general enquiries about Global Challenges

Email:events@oxfam.org.uk
Call: 0870 410 5035
Write to: Trailwalker, Oxfam House, John Smith Drive, Oxford, OX4 2JY.

Open challenges

Cycle Cambodia is the last trip Oxfam will offer as a bespoke Global Challenge. If you love the idea of supporting Oxfam through overseas travel, then we’d encourage you to sign up to an Open Challenge.