Cycle Mekong Delta (4 days / 3 nights)
Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) – Vinh Long – An Binh Island – Chau Doc – Can Tho
Highlights
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Cycle to Vietnamese/Cambodian border
-
Sunset on Sam Mountain in Chau Doc
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Floating markets + fish farms
-
Home stay on An Binh Island
Overview
For cycling enthusiasts, this adventure heads to the Vietnamese/Cambodian border. Cycle along quiet waterways, shady back lanes and rickety foot bridges to negotiate ferry crossings across large fast flowing rivers. The scenery is spectacular and diverse! From coconut canopy lane ways to immense planes of rice fields, you bike past fish farming villages, Khmer and Buddhist Temples. Visit the bustling Cai Rang Floating Markets and boat along peaceful canals. When in Chau Doc, a culturally diverse town on the border, drive to the summit of Sam Mountain for magnificent sunset views over the Mekong Delta and flood plains. This trip combines a home stay experience with two nights in hotels.
Itinerary at a glance
Day 1 |
Ho Chi Minh City to An Binh Island |
Day 2 |
Cycle Vinh Long to Chau Doc |
Day 3 |
Chau Doc to Can Tho |
Day 4 |
Can Tho to Ho Chi Minh City |
Prices
Private tour |
$AUD price per person |
$AUD price per person 4**** Deluxe hotels |
3 - 4 people |
450 |
575 |
2 people |
610 |
760 |
Single Supplement |
60 |
100 |
Validity |
31 December 2010 |
31 December 2010 |
Prices are in Australian dollars based upon the number of people travelling together. Price is land content only + subject to currency fluctuations. Prices beyond the validity available on request. Credit card payments incur a 3% surcharge. See Booking Conditions for more details. Email us or call 1300 43 10 69 for bookings.
Includes
- Hotel accommodation based on twin share. If a single room is required a single supplement will apply.
- An Binh Island Home Stay
- Return transfers to HCMC
- English speaking adventure guide
- Support crew + support vehicle
- Drinking water for cycling activity
- All boat trips, entrance + sightseeing fees
- Mountain bike or hybrid bike - see equipment as listed in 'Trip notes'
- Bank, government and service fees
Excludes
- Airfares and departure taxes
- Travel insurance
- Visa, passport or vaccination costs
- Other meals and beverages not specified in the itinerary
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, alcohol, tips, optional activities
Trip grade
MODERATE: If you are seeking fun and adventure and you like active travel, this is for you. A mixture of long and shorter activity days of four to seven hours duration. A good level of fitness is required.
Trip notes
Hotels & guesthouse
The hotels you stay in are centrally located and comfortable with private facilities. Standard hotels have a three star rating.
The deluxe hotel option stays at 4 star Victoria Hotel & Resorts. It is possible to leave some luggage in a secure storage room in your hotel in HCMC while you are on your cycling adventure. The guesthouse on An Binh Island is basic but comfortable with shared amenities.
Inner Journey Expeditions can arrange accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City pre and post your adventure. Ask us for prices.
Food
All meals, indicated in the detailed itinerary, are included in the price. You eat in local restaurants and feast on delicious local Vietnamese specialties. Western food is available in some restaurants.
Local guides
English speaking guides support your sightseeing and cycling activities. These guides love their job and are on hand to ensure you have a great trip. They have extensive experience in guiding outdoor tours in Vietnam and it is their role to ensure you relax and have a great holiday. If you feel your guide and support crew provided you with excellent service, a tip at the end of the tour would be truly appreciated… a little bit goes a long way in Vietnam.
Support crew
A support vehicle and driver transports your luggage during the day while you are cycling except for day 1, you take your day pack to An Binh Island with your essentials, toiletries and change of clothes for the evening as you will not meet with the support vehicle until the following day.
The biking day
A typical cycling day starts at around 8.30am. We aim to reach the next overnight stop between 4.30pm and 5.00pm. During the day you have short breaks for rests, snacks and there’s plenty of opportunity for photographs. Depending upon the distance, terrain and weather, the day can be mixed with riding and driving sections of the trail.
Equipment provided
We use 21 speed quality mountain bikes, available in different sizes. Please advise your size before departure so we can ensure you are fitted with the right bike. Kids bikes are available. Good quality helmets, handle bar bag for your camera and a first-aid kit are also provided.
What to bring
Shoes for cycling (runners), thongs or comfortable slip-on shoes for the evening, light weight shorts, shirt & t-shirt, raincoat, hat, sunglasses, sun block, insect repellent, toiletries, flashlight, water bottle, camera & spare batteries/charger, pen & paper, original passport, small amount of money for shopping in markets and meals not included, toilet paper, zip lock bags, barley sugar or lollies for sustenance and personal medication. Bring a day pack to carry your essentials and a change of clothing for your night on An Binh Island.
Note on client safety
We reserve the right to deviate from this itinerary for any reason, including road and weather conditions, frequency of visits to a village or for any other factor that may impact client safety.
Your group + share accommodation
Prices are based upon twin share accommodation. A single traveller pays the single supplement price for sole use of a room. If you are travelling in a group of three and are happy to share a triple room and a triple room is available, you will not be charged the single supplement price. For groups of five or seven people, the single traveller pays the single supplement price if a triple room is not available or you do not want to share. The number of single rooms and triple rooms available may be limited – so book early to avoid disappointment.
Tipping guidelines
It is customary to express a personal thank you to your guide and driver at the end of your trip, especially if he or she has provided you with excellent service. As a guideline only, we suggest tipping around AUD$4-$5 per day for the guide and AUD$2-$3 per day for the driver. You can pay this in local currency or US dollars. Of course whether you tip and how much is always at your discretion.
Vietnam visa
Most visitors to Vietnam need a visa to enter the country. Inner Journey Expeditions offers a Vietnam visa on arrival service where you obtain an entry visa stamp on arrival at HCMC, Hanoi or Danang International Airports. We arrange a Vietnam visa approval letter which you present with a valid passport, passport photo and your visa stamp fee to the Personnel of Vietnamese Immigration. This service is inexpensive, easy to arrange, only takes four working days and is all done on email - no need to mail your passport!
For more details, CLICK HERE.
Climate
Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta in the South are hot all year round with average day time temperatures at 30 degrees Celsius. The hottest period is from March to May with average temperatures of 35 degree Celsius. The wet season runs from May to November where it down pours for an hour or so in the afternoon, but this rarely interferes with travel arrangements. Hanoi and Northern Vietnam experience four seasons. Summer from May to October can be hot and wet with regular downpours and occasional typhoons. July to August is the hottest months with temperatures reaching 33 degrees Celsius. Winter runs from November to April with cold and humid conditions. December and January can be particularly cold with temperatures ranging between 10 – 20 degrees Celsius.
Health issues
Good medical advice usually recommends vaccinations in advance of travel to Vietnam. We suggest you consult with your doctor to discuss health care needs specific to your holiday.
Insurance
You must have comprehensive travel insurance to travel with us. Insurance should include cover for personal accident and medical expenses, evacuation and repatriation, baggage loss and cancellation or curtailment of your holiday. Your trip notes + vouchers will not be issued until you confirm possession of appropriate insurance. Better be safe than sorry!
Pre and post tour arrangements
We can arrange additional hotel nights at the beginning or the end of your tour or if you are interested in doing additional touring we can organise a private tour to cater to your interests and time frame. Check out the IJE website for more details. |
Handy travel tips + travelling responsibly
For more information on how you can participate in sustainable tourism go to Handy Travel Tips. To help plan your trip go to Vietnam Visa + Travel Guide .
What next
To reserve a place on this trip, contact us now and we will send you a booking form. To guarantee your booking you must email the first section of the booking form to us and pay your non-refundable deposit of 30% of total tour cost. The balance of payment is due 50 days prior to departure. Once your booking is confirmed and you have paid in full, you will receive your tour voucher and detailed itinerary for this tour.BOOK NOW!
> CLICK HERE + request a booking form
> Get in touch with us via EMAIL
> Live in Australia call 1300 43 10 69
> Find out more about our other trips at www.IJE.com.au
> About Inner Journey Expeditions
