| Mekong River Delta Cycling Tour
February 19 - March 3, 2009"Explore the Mekong River Delta by Bicycle"
February 19 - March 3, 2009
Our cycling trip begins in vibrant and hectic Ho Chi Minh City. Soon we leave the hustle and bustle of the largest and greatest commercial center of Vietnam behind, as we cycle toward the lusciously green and beautiful Mekong Delta region. You will be overwhelmed by the sublime beauty of Vietnams natural setting. This region is renowned for its richness of cultivation and is known as the "breadbasket" of Vietnam. Our first stop is the city of My Tho where you will meet one of the mightiest rivers in the world, the Mekong River, 4500 km long, also known as the "River of Nine Dragons." The following morning we cycle to Dong Tam Snake Farm about 10 km from My Tho. At the snake farm have your picture taken with a python wrapped around you. From Dong Tam we cross three arms of the Mekong River, by ferry, and by private boat on our way to Ben Tre and Tra Vinh. Tra Vinh is somewhat isolated and home of a large Khmer minority population and many pagodas. The next morning we cycle to Vinh Long situated on the banks of the Mekong River and from there to Can Tho, the economic and cultural center of the Mekong Delta region. During our restday in Can Tho you will have the chance to visit the floating market of Cai Rang, a fruit orchard where you can sample fresh tropical fruits, a rice processing plant, and the Thot Not bird sanctuary. Or you can just relax at the beautiful pool of the Victoria Can Tho Hotel. From Can Tho our cycling adventure takes us to the city of Long Xuyen, known for its rich groves of exotic fruit trees. We continue the following day to Chau Doc, crossing the Mekong River to Anh Hoa from were we cycle through the small villages of Cho Moi, Cho Vam and Tan Chau, in a serene setting of rich farm land. During our restday in Chau Doc we will visit Sam Mountain, with its spectacular views, and explore some of the ancient pagodas and temples, visit the floating village where fish are raised underneath the houses and observe a Cham Village where most of the houses are built on stilts. Our last cycling day takes us from An Chau to Tri Ton along the the banks of a canal. After Tri Ton we will encounter the only hills in our cycling tour as we cycle to Nha Bang, near the Cambodian border. For those who have the energy for some extra kilometers, the Cambodian border crossing is 7 km from Nha Bang. We return to Chau Doc by cycling around Sam Mountain. The following morning we will return to Ho Chi Minh City by speed boat for the Farewell Dinner.
DAY 1 - Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City
Meet your tour escort at Tan Son Nhat airport and transfer to the elegant Duxton Hotel. Depending on your arrival time,take a stroll to the river or relax at the hotel’s swimming pool in the courtyard. Our expert bicycle mechanic will assemble your bicycle for you. Evening: Welcome Reception and Dinner.
DAY 2 - Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast you have the choice to participate in the city tour, which includes the Reunification Palace, the Revolutionary Museum, Cholon (China Town), and the Lacquer Ware Factory. The afternoon is your own. Dinner at Ngoc Suong Restaurant.
DAY 3 - Ho Chi Minh City to My Tho
After breakfast our bicycling adventure begins. You will leave the hustle and bustle of Vietnam’s largest city behind you as you cycle through the lush, fertile country side, on a secondary road, on our way to the city of My Tho. There you will meet one of the mightiest rivers of the world, the “River of Nine Dragons.” My Tho is on the northern arm of the Mekong River. You will stay in the new, beautiful traditional Chuong Duong hotel on the river, and have dinner in one of the famous seafood restaurants Trung Luong, which specializes in serving elephant fish. Cycling distance: 101 km/63 miles
DAY 4- My Tho to Tra Vinh
From My Tho you proceed 10 km to the Dong Tam Snake Farm, and from there to Ben Tre, and Tra Vinh crossing various arms of the Mekong River by ferry. This is one very scenic cycling day and the chance to visit on the many pagodas in the area. Tra Vinh has a large Khmer minority population and their most famous pagodas and spiritual sites are Chua An and Ao Ba Om. You stay overnight and have dinner at the Cuu Long hotel. Cycling distance: 63 km/39 miles
DAY 5 - Tra Vinh to Can Tho
On the way out of Tra Vinh visit Ba Om Pond. In Vinh Long after lunch you will meet Highway 1. This is the only time you will cycle on this busy highway. However, it is an easy 30 km ride to the ferry that takes you to Can Tho, the economic and cultural center of the Mekong River Delta. In Can Tho you will stay at the spectacular Victoria Can Tho resort hotel, located on a peninsula across from Can Tho city. Cycling distance: 100 km/62 miles
DAY 6- Can Tho
During your rest day at this beautiful place you have the chance to visit the floating market of Cai Rang, a fruit orchard tugged in the many canals of the region, and visit a rice processing plant. Or you can just relax by the inviting swimming pool at the Victoria Hotel, or take their complimentary water taxi into Can Tho city.
DAY 7 - Can Tho to Long Xuyen
From Can Tho you cycle to Long Xuyen, a prosperous town, and the capital of An Giang province. The first half of the cycling day with take you along backroads, along canals, through charming little villages. After meeting the main highway, it is a smooth ride to Long Xuyen where we will have lunch. After lunch we will take the bus to Thot Not bird sanctuary. Overnight at the Dung Xuyen Hotel. Cycling distance: 78 km/48 miles
DAY 8 - Long Xuyen to Chau Doc
On this day we take the backroad to Chau Doc. We cross the Mekong River to Anh Hoa and cycle through quaint, tranquil villages of Cho Moi, Cho Vam and Tan Chau, in a serene setting of rich farm land. Tan Chau is also known for its traditional silk making. From Tan Chau it is an easy ride past Cham type houses, and another ferry crossing to Chau Doc, where you will stay in the gorgeous riverside Victoria Chau Doc Hotel. Cycling distance: 102 km/63 miles
DAY 9- Chau Doc
On this rest day you can join us for sightseeing, visiting famous Nui Sam (Sam Mountain), which has dozens of pagodas and temples, and a magnificent view of Cambodia, just a few kilometers away. We also visit the Tay An Pagoda which aspects reflect some Hindu and Islamic influences and much history of this region. By boat we will visit the Floating Village, where the livelihood of the residents is raising fish underneath their houses, in suspended metal nets. We finish our sightseeing day by talking a walk through a Cham Village and a view of their Mosque. Enjoy the rest of the day by the swimming pool at the Victoria Hotel or exploring the town of Chau Doc.
DAY 10 - An Chau to Chau Doc
Our last cycling day starts at An Chau, from where we take the backroad to Tri Ton, along one of the many canals that dissect the delta region. We have lunch in Tri Ton. After Tri Ton on the way to Chi Lang and Nha Bang you will encounter the only hills on this cycling tour. From the top of those hills you have a magnificent view of the surrounding area. For those that have some extra energy you can take a short excursion to the Cambodian border crossing, about 14 km, round trip, from Nha Bang. From there it is a short 19 km to Chau Doc, and chance to cycling around Sam Mountain, on the way back to the hotel. Cycling distance: 79 km/49 miles
DAY 11 - Chau Doc to Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast, and another quick dip in the pool if you like, you will return to Ho Chi Minh City. We take the Victoria Hotel speed boat, to Can Tho, about a 3 hour trip. From Can Tho we take our motor coach and we will stop for lunch at some scenic location along the way. In Ho Chi Minh City the elegant Duxton Hotel awaits us.
DAY 12 - Ho Chi Minh City
This is your day to pack up your bicycle. Our mechanic will help you. You also have time to do some last minute souvenir shopping , sightseeing and relaxing at the Duxton Hotel swimming pool. Evening: Farewell Dinner.
DAY 13- Depart Ho Chi Minh City
Say goodbye to Vietnam. We will take you to Tan Son Nhat airport for your flight home.
EXTEND YOUR STAY AND CELEBRATE THE NEW LUNAR YEAR (TET) IN SAIGON. CALL US FOR DETAILS.
CYCLING DISTANCES: 523 km/324 miles, average per day: 87 km/54 miles. Please be advised that you can cycle the entire distance each day, or as much as you decide to do. Our sweeper bus will be behind the last and slowest cyclist at all times. Or you can stop cycling at one of our water/snack stops. If you decide to resume cycling later in the day, you are welcome to do so.
HOTELS
Ho Chi Minh City - Duxton Hotel
My Tho - Chuong Duong Hotel
Tra Vinh - Cuu Long Hotel
Can Tho - Victoria Can Tho Resort Hotel
Long Xuyen - Dung Xuyen Hotel
Chau Doc - Victoria Chau Doc Resort Hotel
Tour Duration: 13 Days/12 Nights
LAND PACKAGE TOUR COST: $2695 per person, double occupancy, based on a minimum of 6 paying participants.
SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT: $655 (if you request a room by yourself).
DISCOUNTS TO: Past tour participants, Vietnam Veterans, groups, traveling partners, and for early registration by September 30, 2009.
PLEASE NOTE: In 2010 this tour is tentatively scheduled for February 19 - March 3. The tour price will be determined in early 2009.
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