complex in Siem Reap, Cambodia PRIYANKA DALALExpress News Service
Quaint beach towns, lush mountains, limestone caves, night markets, historic sites, and intriguing culture —Southeast Asia presents a diverse landscape of choices for the Indian traveler. Add easy visa facilities and low-cost differential to the mix. This has led to a surge of tourists in the region. But, we went on a less path with our bicycle and freewheeled through Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia to find that a holiday on the pedals has much more to offer.
Cycle tours tend to be slower but are a lot more immersive inexperience. Traveling out of the urban limits into the countryside gives one access to local food, unknown spots, and serenity. One doesn’t simply whiz from one town to another on a bicycle. Cycling allows you to stop, ponder, and mingle with the locals, maintaining fitness goals and keeping the environment safe. South East Asia has a high influx of international cycle tourists; hence, it is a perfect place for those attempting cycling to cycloid for the first time. Locals are usually adept at helping and providing various services.
Thailand has become synonymous with shopping, beaches, and bachelor parties. But it is also a great starting point for cycle touring. It has a good network of repair shops and commendable road infrastructure. Airlines like Thai Smile and Bangkok Airways offer free cycle transport. Larger cities like Bangkok or Chiang Mai have adequate shops offering any gear for the trip.
The neighboring countries of Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam have easy e-visa and visa-on-arrival facilities for Indians, making it possible to pedal them with minimal effort. On many routes, accommodations are easy to find within every few kilometers.
This eases the pressure of cycling a minimum number of km every day. A cycling adventure could be unfettered, going where the wind and wheels take you. Either self-plan the cycle vacation or keep it uncharted. However, some research about the gear and other logistical matters is required. Cycling is perhaps one of the best options for solo travelers exploring the land.
For those who detest planning, several travel groups offer cycling tours in all shapes and sizes. These tours can range from day trips around a tourist spot to over a week-long adventure. They can also be luxury, bespoke, family, or even self-guided.
Popular groups like Grasshopper Adventures and Spice Roads specialise in cycle tours in these countries. Other groups combine cycling with adventure activities, such as kayaking and trekking.
One of the most interesting yet smaller routes starts from Bangkok to Phuket in Thailand. Those cycling through these points would pass myriad smaller beach towns. Another offbeat path in Thailand is Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang, which includes steep mountain climbs, border crossings, tribal regions, and even boat rides. Choosing an area that fits your interests. An excellent day tour on the bicycle can be done around the temple complex of Angkor Wat in Cambodia. For a four-day ride, start from the beach town of Kampot and go to Can Tho in the Mekong Delta.
If you are self-planning the trip, bring your cycle with you on the flight. It’s also possible to rent or buy a second-hand cycle in cities like Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam. Those still wary about cycling can take comfort in that with a travel group, all logistics are taken care of along with the cycle and the gear. Moreover, these groups have a support vehicle at all times. So, if one feels tired or unwell, one can hop onto the traveling vehicle for the rest of the day. there a WhatsApp
