Mekong Delta Biking
Day 1 Saigon – My Tho
Cycling from Saigon (city) to My Tho, with boat trip
Transfer to the outskirts of Saigon and begin cycling on beautiful countryside roads, passing rice paddies and fruit orchards before taking the local ferry to My Tho. In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing boat trip to the Mekong river islands near My Tho, stopping to visit a fruit orchard and to listen to traditional music in a farming household. Before returning to My Tho, explore the small canals and lush jungle scenery by hand-rowed sampan. Approximate distance cycled is 45-55 km over even terrain (actual distances will vary according to the itinerary and fitness levels of the participants) – Overnight in My Tho
Day 2 My Tho – Vinh Long (Breakfast: Hotel / Lunch: Mekong Lodge/ Restaurant )
Cycling from My Tho to Cai Be and boat trip from Cai Be to Vinh Long
Depart from My Tho by bicycle and continue along the Upper Mekong River along shaded back roads. Pass through small villages to observe daily life, and continue to Cai Be to take a boat trip along picturesque canals to Vinh Long. The approximate distance cycled is 45 – 55km – Overnight in Vinh Long
Day 3 Vinh Long – Can Tho (Breakfast: Hotel / Lunch: Meals at Local Restaurant (Vietnam) )
Cycling from Vinh Long to Can Tho
After breakfast, travel by vehicle from Vinh Long to Mang Thit Bridge to start the cycle tour. The route goes through Tra Met and Binh Minh, along country roads and past rice paddies, to finally arrive in Can Tho. Approximate cycling distance is 35 – 40km (biking route may be altered slightly depending on weather, construction or other events) – Overnight in Can Tho
Day 4 Can Tho (Breakfast: Hotel )
Mekong Delta
Cycling to Cocoa Garden
By boat and bicycle spend half a day discovering a floating market, a sacred tree, garden homes and a cocoa garden. Depart from the hotel at around 7.30am for the short drive to the Cai Rang River. Board a motor-sampan and cruise along the river into the heart of the largest floating market in the Mekong Delta. Photograph the colourful boats piled high with seasonal vegetables and tropical fruits, and mingle among the merchants as they trade from boat to boat. You can easily identify what each boat is selling by the sample of their goods hanging from a long pole. Leave the market and take a half-hour ride on the sampan to a local garden home. From here hop on a bicycle for a relaxed ride of approximately six kilometres and explore some of the nearby rural villages. Stop at a giant banyan tree believed to be sacred by the locals that come to worship there. Continue cycling along the winding tree-lined pathways to the riverside. Take a ferry to the opposite bank and then cycle to the cocoa garden of Muoi Cuong, a well know farmer turned entrepreneur. Meet Muoi Cuong and join him for a tour of his cocoa garden. He will explain how the garden was passed down to him from his father, and how he subsequently transformed it into a successful cocoa plantation. See how the cocoa fruit is made into different products such as chocolate and cocoa butter. Then refresh yourself with a cup of hot cocoa or a more unusual glass of cocoa wine. After a home cooked lunch in the garden, say goodbye and take the vehicle for the drive back.
By vehicle from Can Tho to Saigon (city)
