On one of my trips to Cambodia I rented a bike and just started cycling into the great unknown. I was in Siem Reap, gateway to the famous temples of Angkor. After a hard day of sightseeing I wanted to get out of town, so I headed for the Roluos group of temples. I enjoyed a beautiful late afternoon accompanied by the chanting of monks from a nearby monastery. On the return I biked in the rapidly diminishing daylight to the chorus of school children who were on their way home and were keen on trying out their English. It made for a great afternoon.
Experiences like this can be had in many countries. But Asia is particularly well-suited for cycling as it is the preferred more of transport for many locals. It means that getting on a bike you get down to their level, increasing the opportunities for chance encounters.
So what are the best cycling trips in India, Vietnam, Cambodia and other countries in Asia?
Cycle Indochina & Angkor 14 days from $2845
Rated moderate, 3 out of 10
Arguably our most popular cycling tour, this journey takes you through three very different countries. From glitzy Bangkok to metropolitan Saigon you cycle past serene rice paddies, visit the incredible temples of Angkor and make your way through the Mekong Delta with its villages linked by a network of rivers and creeks. View trip
Vietnam by bike
15 days from $3090
Rated moderate, 5 out of 10
Vying with the Bangkok to Saigon trip for most popular cycling trip in Asia, Vietnam by Bike travels the lenght of Vietnam from colonial Hanoi to bustling Saigon. In between you sail a junk on Halong Bay, visit the imperial city of Hué, enjoy laid-back Hoi An, discover the Central Highlands and relax on the beacjes of Nha Trang. View trip
Cycle Kerala & Tropical India
15 days from $2905
Rated moderate to challenging, 4 out of 10
Mina just returned from this bike trip to southern India. She reports: "Incredible journey and I feel such a sense of accomplishment. It was really hot but I survived and saw so many beautiful places I wouldn't have otherwise." Beautiful landscapes, fascinating towns, stunning beaches and superb food, southern India has all that and more. View trip
Cycle China
16 days from $3995
Rated moderate, 5 out of 10
On this trip you go as a traveller, only to find that you become the main attraction, as local people are delighted to see that we travel as they do - on bicycles! Cycle the backroads through rural China with stunning green rice fields, mud brick huts, buffaloes and farmers attending their fields as your daily backdrop. View trip
Cycle the Backroads of Sri Lanka
14 days from $3425
Rated moderate to challenging, 4 out of 10
Allan just returned from cycling in Colombia but is already eyeing this trip. The highlands of Sri Lanka offer a lush, cool retreat from the tropical plains whilst the coastline boasts some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The national parks and wildlife sanctuaries are home to a huge variety of bird life and animals including elephant and leopard. This is all yours to discover! View trip
Cycle Myanmar
11 days from $3790
Rated Introductory to Moderate, 4 out of 10
Traditional ways live strong in Myanmar. Witness the leg-rowers of Inle Lake, the ethnic villages of the north and trishaw and carts in the streets, all watched over by betel-chewing grandmothers.Take a boat ride down the Irrawaddy, contemplate the 4000 stupas scattered across the plains at Bagan, see Shwedagon Paya and Mandalay Hill at sunset and stare in disbelief at the Golden Rock, as it balances precariously on the edge of a cliff. View trip
Cycling through Rajasthan
15 days from $2815
Rated moderate, 3 out of 10
Travelling by bike you will see the timelessness of rural India. From the captivating Mehrangarh Fort at Jodhpur, the lakeside palace of Udaipur, the holy town of Pushkar to the superb 'pink city' of Jaipur, each place has its own story to tell. A fitting way to finish the trip is at the magnificent Taj Mahal. View trip
Wild Mongolia Cycle and Naadam Festival
16 days from $4360
Rated moderate, 5 out of 10 Take in the country’s national games, the biggest celebration on the Mongolian calendar, the Naadam Festival, as well a mountain bike adventure across the Arkhangai Mountains. If you are lucky enough to meet some of Mongolia's nomads you will fall in love with these welcoming people. View trip
Laos by Bike
14 days from $3560
Rated moderate, 5 out of 10
Few can argue that Laos is a gem of a destination with a heady blend of stunning natural beauty and a way of life whose charms and relaxed pace are impossible to resist. From temple-rich Luang Prabang to the deep south with its sleepy Mekong and timeless villages, this is one country you will always remember. View trip
Related posts: What are the things to see and do in Sri Lanka? Why you should go to Myanmar (Burma) now Where should I go on my first trip to India? When is the best time to visit Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar or Borneo?