Cycle Indochina & Angkor Wat - Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

Average Review Rating: from 67 reviews.

Anne Sinclair

CYCLE INDOCHINA & ANGKOR

Written May 2011
Cycling was easier than I thought it might have been, at 50 I feel I have time to notch up a few more trips like this one.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Optional tour to the floating village- almost didn't go after a day spent sight -seeing but this was better than Angor Watt!!
What did you think of your group leader?
Group leader was fantastic, dedicated to getting the best out of the trip for everyone.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
There were a few on our trip who hadn't really cycled much before and they got on great.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Already asked for the cycling brochures to be sent !!
Dorota Michalec

CYCLE INDOCHINA & ANGKOR

Written April 2011
A fantastic trip. Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam have such differernt way of life from the West, I had to immerse myself in their culture from the moment I landed. This helped me get out of my usuall day to day routine in Ireland. Cycling makes it easier to notice small details of visited countries, gets you closer to people and allows to see, smell and taste the places
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The day when we were on the boat on Mekong delta, it was fascinating witnessing life happening on the river.
Making my own spring rolls while staying in traditional house on one of islands in Mekong delta.
and many more

What did you think of your group leader?
very friendly, very helpfull, great leader
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
cycling is suprisingly easy, lot of stops, even on long days, what made cycling 70-90km most days an easy trip
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I choose this trip on base of good reviews it got and I found them to be very accurate.
It was my first trip to Asia and surely not the last one! My boyfriend still regrets not comming with me!
David Jordorson

CYCLE INDOCHINA & ANGKOR

Written March 2011
A great way to see three countries in South-East Asia at ground level! A nice sized group, not too many hills and terrific local support meant you could sit back and enjoy the ride and the scenery.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
While all the Angkor temples were impressive, it has to be the day we went to Angkor Wat and finished off with the late afternoon / evening trip to the Tonle Sap lake and its floating villages and shops. Awe-inspiring ancient monuments plus river people, wildlife and a marine diversion as a pleasant change from pedalling.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader 'Joe' was not only very friendly but impressively well-organised, telling us in advance about the day's itinerary, when the stops involved and the details of restaurants and laundry facilities, for example.
He was always mindful of the differing fitness and abilities of our diverse group.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
1 - consider investing in a gel saddle and/or padded shorts, particularly if you're not a regular cyclist.
2 - make sure you take on board enough fluids and snacks at the rest stops. And reapply sunscreen.
3 - get the support team to help you adjust your saddle height and other details bike before starting out.
4 - take it at your own pace - the group will naturally spread out and there are plenty of stops.
5 - make sure you have a capacious memory card (or plenty of film), there are numerous photo opps.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
For most people this is a once-in-a lifetime trip, so enjoy it! Having said that, it can be a little demanding on occasion (depending on the time of year), so try to do some training in preparation to better do so.
And take care on Vietnam's slightly more interesting road surfaces....
Katy Wolstencroft

CYCLE INDOCHINA & ANGKOR

Written March 2011
This was my first cycling trip with Exodus and I had a fab time. Great mix of exercise, culture, people, food and socialising. I'm only just back but already about to book my next trip!
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I really enjoyed the cycling on the quieter roads in Vietnam and Thailand. Plenty of time to chat to your companions, as well as shout a thousandth Hallo! or give a high five to the incredibly friendly and welcoming local people. It was also very moving to learn more about the atrocities of Cambodia and Vietnam's fairly recent past.
What did you think of your group leader?
We had a great leader who was chilled, funny and very well organised. Wasan and his team kept us safe, well fuelled with Beng Beng bars and always knew where the nearest Happy room (loo!) was to be found.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Think about trying your antimalarials in advance to find which one suits you - a few of our group had problems with side effects.
I'm glad I took my Camelback to keep me drinking plenty.
Don't be afraid to look round some of the cultural sites at your own pace - I found it more enjoyable to nosey round independently than sticking in a big group where we were all struggling to hear/understand the guide.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This is a great way to see these countries - I think I'll be going back to do the rest of Vietnam by bike but Cycle Cuba first!!
Thomas Hitchner

CYCLE INDOCHINA & ANGKOR

Written March 2011
Not a classic scenic holiday, often passing through mundane rural areas in Thailand and Cambodia rather than through eye candy landscape, but an excellent introduction to the mood and pulse of these hardworking people. The Vietnam segment, in the Mekong Delta, was more lush, varied and picturesque, offering a contrast. In all countries, riding a bike makes you a participant in the daily life of the land, much more welcomed by the residents than a bus tourist, whom they may see as staring down from behind an antisceptic barrier with arrogance, disapproval or even disgust. PS, the Thai and Khmer countryside might look very different in other than the dry season we experienced.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Seeing the poverty of Cambodia but feeling the country's resilience and sense of hope as it improves from the decades of horror and misrule. The youthful population is looking forward, not back.
In Phnom Penh's Genocide Museum are photos of many victims. In their eyes you see fear but also defiance, innocence and, occasionally, hope. Those people are gone but the strength of their spirit lives in the new generation. May it find the leadership and community spirit to accelerate the current progress.
What did you think of your group leader?
Wasan was a very capable and upbeat leader, always smiling and always on top of the details. He had to handle several traveler emergencies and illnesses and always did so with poise. A good source of information, particularly about Thailand (his home country). His English is good. One suggestion: replace the small electronic megaphone (used by Wasan and the local guides) with something more robust! Or just speak up! That megphone, unless used well, distorts rather than clarifies.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Be ready for some fairly demanding first days of cycling, several covering 70 to 90 kilometers. Though flat, it is a lot of time in the saddle, and our group was often battling a strong wind. Retiring to the "sag wagon" is no dishonor and can be a smart move to avoid stressed muscles or joints.
I second Katy's wise advice to test your anti-malarial before you go -- if it is a bad fit for you, the side effects can be disabling.
Be prepared with plenty of sunscreen. This is the tropics, after all! I was surpised to see my fair-skinned British companions exposing themselves, unprotected. Admittedly, as a redhead, I am a bit paranoid about melanoma.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The local guides are all enthusiastic and helpful but vary in level of English proficiency and ability to be heard. All could be more useful by giving a more organized overview of their country and culture. Some are too repetitive, lacking sufficient prepared content. With some focus by the leadership, this can all be fixed.
Ian Cooper

CYCLE INDOCHINA & ANGKOR

Written January 2011
There is no better way to see a country than to ride it. This average daily distance is ideal for anyone. Even the most unfit one in our group who struggled a little, (just a little), on day one, coped admirably overall. Book it, you will not be disappointed.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The first 1k of the first warm up ride on day one. I knew then I was in for a very special holiday.
What did you think of your group leader?
Al was a star. A small problem maybe, and he was there for you, he just appeared from nowhere.
All three country guides were also very good, although I did struggle to understand our Cambodian guide a bit more.
I really couldn't fault any of the support staff at all.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
As with all Exodus trips, carefully read the, "Is this trip for you", section on the trip notes. If there is nothing major that puts you off, then book it, you will not be disappointed.
I rode with open toed sandles, (Merrells), they were great, but dont forget the sunscreen on your toes. Padded undershorts are a must, without pants or knickers, (they will be the most likely cause of irritation), over-shorts, cycling shirt with rear pockets to hold your camera, tissues, and anti-bacterial gel. Girls, sports bra is recommended. A full length zip for the shirt is good to allow for max ventilation. Four sets of shirts and undershorts, two pairs of over shorts, (knee length as this will get you in to temples etc), is more than enough. Take a one litre water bottle for the rides, and aim to drink most if not all between stops when you can re-fill. Personally I wouldn't bother with a back pack or hydration pack as these will just weigh you down and make you sweaty. Don't bother to bring your own snacks, (unless you have special dietry needs of course), as the tip/snack kitty will cover everything you need.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
A map of each days ride would be really nice.
The communial snacks, nuts/dried fruit that are in a big jar or packet, it would be nice to encourage from bag into hand rather than your hand into the bag/jar for hygene reasons.
Clair Rogers

CYCLE INDOCHINA & ANGKOR

Written December 2010
A holiday packed with great experiences. Suitable for a wide range of people. Fantastic trip support.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The people in the three countries are amazing. The kids really make this trip. Cambodia especially was such a stunning country.
What did you think of your group leader?
The group leader and guides REALLY MADE THIS TRIP. They could not have been more knowledgeable or helpful. These are the people that keep your travellers returning. Make sure you treat them well Exodus :-))
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Protect yourself but don't be too paranoid about getting every single vaccination under the sun. Don't be afraid to eat street food, esp. in Thailand. If you don't you'll miss out on some incredible gastronomic experiences.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Go for it! Discover everything these wonderful countries have to offer.