Mekong Bike & Boat – Pedal, Paddle and Picnic
If you like variety, this one’s for you. Mekong Bike & Boat combines cycling with a long‑tail boat ride. We start on two wheels, meandering through coconut groves and over narrow bridges. When we hit a wide channel, we load bikes onto a wooden boat and glide past stilt houses and fishing nets. Your guide points out Khmer temples and explains why the river is everything to the people who live along it.
After a picnic lunch on an island, we hop back on the bikes and plunge into more backroads. There’s usually time for a quick dip in a river or a coffee at a roadside shack. The whole thing feels like a mini‑expedition without the hassle of packing panniers.
Bikes, Boats, & Beer – Craft Brews and Coconut Groves
Hear us out: beer and bikes aren’t mutually exclusive if you plan it right! Our Beer & Bike loop starts in the Mekong lowlands, where gravel tracks snake through coconut plantations and dragonfruit farms. We stop to watch rice paper being made by hand and snack on sticky rice cooked in bamboo tubes.
The payoff comes at the end: a visit to a craft brewery where you can sample a few glasses of cold, small‑batch beer. This isn’t some tourist watering hole; it’s run by locals who care about quality and community. We use our support vehicle to shuttle you back to Saigon so you can enjoy the brews responsibly. It’s a great way to combine exercise, culture and a bit of a treat.
What Makes These Rides Different?
For us, “touristy” is a four‑letter word. We limit group sizes so you aren’t cycling in a convoy, and we pick routes that other tour operators won’t touch because they require extra scouting. Safety is not just marketing talk; it’s our guiding principle. You’ll always have a helmet that fits, a bike that’s properly tuned and a support vehicle ready in the wings. Our guides are locals who understand the language, culture and unwritten rules of the road.
Equally important: we’re not just zipping through these villages and extracting selfies. We contribute to the rural economies we visit by using local homestays, eateries and artisans. Our trips can also be tailored for families, corporate groups or fundraising events, so if you fall in love with the Mekong and want to bring your whole clan, talk to us.
Logistics & Tips
- Timing: The Mekong is beautiful year‑round, but December to February offers cooler temperatures and May to September gives you lush green scenery (and the occasional warm shower).
- What to bring: Lightweight clothing, sunscreen, insect repellent and a sense of humour. We handle bikes, helmets and support.
- Fitness level: These are moderate rides – expect 40–70 km on mostly flat terrain with stops. If you can ride a bike confidently, you’re good.
- Safety: We provide helmets, first‑aid kits and a support vehicle. Your guide is trained in roadside bike fixes and first aid.
- Responsible travel: Respect local customs (ask before photographing people), don’t litter, and consider buying snacks or crafts directly from villagers rather than souvenir shops.
Final Thoughts
Whether you choose the backroads of the Cycling Escape, the variety of the Bike & Boat or the indulgence of the Beer & Bike, you’ll see a Mekong Delta that most travellers miss. We’ve built our reputation on delivering fun, adventurous trips that also do right by the communities we visit. One day is all you need to fall for the Delta’s charms – and you don’t have to surrender your wallet or your soul to bus tour hell. Get in touch if you want to ride, and we’ll handle the rest.
