MEKONG WAYS: LIFE BY THE RIVER

Ride through the heart of the riverlands — where serenity meets discovery.

After breakfast, set out from Khemmarat and follow the scenic road hugging the Mekong River toward Khong Chiam, the easternmost point of Thailand. Today’s ride is a blend of smooth riverside stretches and gentle rolling hills 🚴‍♂️, offering stunning views of the river separating Thailand and Laos.

Along the way, you’ll pass through charming local villages, Buddhist temples, and shaded rice fields, catching glimpses of daily life that define the Mekong region 🌾. Enjoy a local lunch 🍜 en route and take short breaks to capture photos of the peaceful riverscapes and friendly faces you encounter.

Arrive in Khong Chiam by late afternoon and check in at your riverside resort. Relax by the water as the sun sets over the confluence of the Mekong and Mun Rivers 🌅, where two mighty currents meet — a fitting symbol of the journeys and cultures united along your path.

Cross borders, cross cultures — let the Mekong guide you into Laos.

After breakfast, take a short morning ride 🚴‍♂️ to the nearby border crossing at Chong Mek, where you’ll complete immigration formalities and enter Laos, the second country on your Mekong journey 🇱🇦. Once across, continue cycling through peaceful Lao countryside — a landscape of palm trees, wooden houses, and friendly smiles that reflect the river’s calm spirit.

Stop for a traditional Lao lunch 🍲 along the way before pedaling toward Pakse, the capital of southern Laos. The route is smooth and lightly trafficked, offering a gentle transition from rural riverbanks to the small city’s laid-back atmosphere.

Arrive in Pakse by late afternoon and check in to your hotel overlooking the Mekong. This evening, enjoy a group dinner 🍛 featuring local Lao cuisine and perhaps a taste of the region’s famous Beerlao 🍺 as you watch the sunset over the river — a perfect end to a day of new borders and shared smiles.

Ride deeper into Cambodia — where the wild Mekong meets timeless village life.

After breakfast, start your longest and most rewarding ride yet 🚴‍♂️ as you journey south from Stung Treng toward Kratie, a peaceful riverside town famed for its rare Irrawaddy dolphins 🐬. The route follows quiet provincial roads, winding through endless rice fields, tropical forests, and small wooden stilt-house villages where children wave as you pass.

Stop along the way for refreshments ☕ and a local-style lunch 🍜, soaking in the authentic charm of rural Cambodia. The cycling today is adventurous but deeply fulfilling — every kilometer offers a new glimpse into daily life along the river.

By late afternoon, arrive in Kratie and check into your hotel overlooking the Mekong. Relax and enjoy the tranquil atmosphere before joining your group for a Khmer dinner 🍛. As night falls, the river glows softly in the starlight — a reminder of the enduring beauty and spirit of the Mekong.

Cycle through the heart of Cambodia — where river life unfolds at its purest.

After breakfast, leave Kratie behind and continue your southward journey along the Mekong River, pedaling through some of Cambodia’s most authentic and unspoiled landscapes 🚴‍♂️. The road is lined with sugar palms, bamboo houses, and smiling villagers who wave as you ride by.

Stop for coffee and local snacks ☕🍌 in small roadside markets before continuing to a traditional eatery for lunch 🍜. The route remains mostly flat and easygoing, with frequent views of the river shimmering in the sunlight 🌞.

In the afternoon, you’ll reach Kampong Cham, one of Cambodia’s oldest trading towns, known for its colonial architecture and relaxed riverside vibe. After checking in at your hotel, take time to wander the promenade or simply rest and enjoy the view.

Dinner this evening is served at a local restaurant 🍛, where you can unwind with your fellow riders and enjoy the soft evening breeze over the Mekong 🌅.

From quiet riverbanks to the vibrant capital — the Mekong carries you to Cambodia’s beating heart.

After breakfast, begin your ride 🚴‍♂️ from Kampong Cham, following a scenic route along the western bank of the Mekong River toward Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s bustling capital. The first part of the journey winds through peaceful countryside, where you’ll pass floating villages, pagodas, and smiling children waving from the roadside.

Stop for a refreshing coffee ☕ and later enjoy a local lunch 🍜 in a small riverside town. As you approach Phnom Penh, the scenery gradually shifts from tranquil farmland to lively streets filled with tuk-tuks and market vendors — a vibrant contrast that marks your arrival in the city 🌆.

Arrive in Phnom Penh by late afternoon and check into your comfortable hotel. After some rest, gather with your group for a Khmer dinner 🍛 and perhaps a short evening walk along the riverfront 🌅, where the city’s lights dance across the water — blending modern energy with timeless Mekong charm.

Pause and breathe — a day to explore, unwind, and connect with the soul of Cambodia’s capital.

After several days on the saddle 🚴‍♂️, enjoy a well-deserved rest day in the fascinating city of Phnom Penh, where the Mekong, Tonle Sap, and Bassac rivers meet. Take this opportunity to explore at your own pace — wander through vibrant markets, visit ornate temples, or relax at a riverside café ☕ watching boats drift by.

For those interested in history, optional visits include the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, and the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, offering deeper insight into Cambodia’s complex past and resilient spirit 🇰🇭.

The evening is free to enjoy a dinner of your choice 🍛, perhaps along the lively Sisowath Quay or at a quiet restaurant overlooking the Mekong 🌅. Rest well tonight — tomorrow, your journey continues along the river toward Vietnam.

The river never rests — and neither does your spirit for discovery.

After breakfast, leave behind the lively streets of Phnom Penh and begin your ride 🚴‍♂️ along the southern stretch of the Mekong River, heading toward Neak Luong. The journey today offers a refreshing return to the countryside — open rice fields, quiet village lanes, and glimpses of everyday life along the riverbanks 🌾.

Stop for coffee breaks ☕ and enjoy a local lunch 🍜 en route, taking in the gentle rhythm of rural Cambodia. The terrain is mostly flat, making for an easy and relaxing day of cycling after your city rest.

Arrive in Neak Luong by late afternoon and check into your hotel. Take a short walk along the waterfront to watch ferries crossing the Mekong as the sun sets 🌅, painting the river gold. Enjoy a group dinner 🍛 and unwind — tomorrow, you’ll cross into Vietnam, the final chapter of your Mekong journey.

New borders, familiar waters — the Mekong welcomes you home to Vietnam.

After an early breakfast, begin your final international ride 🚴‍♂️ as you cycle toward the Cambodia–Vietnam border. The day starts with peaceful stretches through rural farmland, passing small wooden homes, local markets, and friendly villagers waving you along.

Upon arrival at the border checkpoint, complete immigration formalities and cross into Vietnam 🇻🇳, the fourth and final country on your Mekong journey. From here, continue riding through the lush landscapes of the Mekong Delta, where canals, rice paddies, and fruit orchards fill the horizon 🌾.

Stop for a local lunch 🍜 en route, then pedal the final distance to Long Xuyen, a lively riverside city known for its floating markets and authentic Delta culture.

Check in to your comfortable hotel and enjoy a Vietnamese dinner 🍛, savoring the flavors of the country that will host the final days of your incredible adventure. As night falls, the soft hum of riverboats reminds you — the Mekong still flows, connecting every place and every story you’ve seen along the way 🌅.