Social Cycles

The Mongolian wilderness boasts spectacular countryside, lush green valleys, remote arid desert, vast steppes, rocky mountain ranges and clear blue rivers. There’s good reason Mongolia is known as the land of the eternal blue sky.

In our adventure, we learn from three to four different NGOs that are all connected with the reality of life, faced by Mongolia’s herders in the 21st century. In tourism, Mongolia is frequently sold as a stereotype (nomads and a way of life untouched since Ghengis Khan). This idealised, or even romanticised view is far from the harsh reality and challenges faced by local herders.

Social Cycles will take you on a journey to interact and connect with local Non Government Organisations (NGOs) to find out more about this lifestyle, the opportunities they have and the challenges they must overcome. Research what really happens on the ground and out in the rural communities with Social Cycles in a holiday that carefully balances ethical research and local impact with cycling and sightseeing.

Avoiding all the major highways and getting way off the beaten track, this cycling adventure will take you through national parks, rivers and rainforests.

Along the way you’ll engage with and learn from local NGOs (small charities) in regards to the effect of unexploded land mines across the region, enjoy delicious local food and visit multiple UNESCO heritage sites. A landlocked paradise, Laos truly delivers the best of South East Asia in one modest, yet impressive package.

Social Cycles will take you on a journey to interact and connect with local grassroot Non Government Organizations (NGOs) and the beneficiaries of a funded project of your choosing. Research what really happens on the ground and out in the villages with Social Cycles in a tour that carefully balances ethical research and local impact with cycling and sightseeing.

Starting in Vientiane, this epic journey comes to a rest in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Cycle majestic mountains, take boats through national parks, stay in local homes, learn from NGOs in regards to the effect of unexploded land mines and enjoy incredible food. This is arguably our most rewarding Social Cycles adventure!

Social Cycles will take you on a journey to interact and connect with local grassroot Non Government Organisations (NGOs) and the beneficiaries of a funded project of your choosing. Research what really happens on the ground and out in the villages with Social Cycles in a holiday that carefully balances ethical research and local impact with cycling and sightseeing.

The cycling is considered ‘moderate’, meaning that there is one day in there that is challenging, amongst some easier days. All rides are fully supported with a van that tails us, which you can get into whenever you like. There is no rush, plenty of time to take photos along the way and we have plenty of breaks. The average moving speed is about 15km per hour. All our rides are designed to be open and available for the beginner to average recreational cyclist.

Social Cycles' full-length option begins in Siem Reap with sunrise cycling around the temples of Angkor, a bucket-list ride followed by a visit to This Life Cambodia. The route then crosses the wetlands of Tonle Sap by boat before continuing on single-track roads into rural Cambodia, reaching Battambang and its colonial-era streets.

From Battambang, riders visit Banan Temple and the NGO Sustainable Cambodia before cycling on to Phnom Penh via remote lakeside villages. In the capital, a visit to Friends International precedes a stop at the S-21 Genocide Museum, one of the trip's more confronting experiences.

Heading south, the route takes in Chisaur Mountain Temple and the coastal town of Kampot, with an optional climb up Bokor Mountain and a visit to the Chumkriel Language School before crossing into Vietnam via Kep's pepper farms and salt lakes.

The Vietnam leg threads through the Mekong Delta via Rach Gia and Can Tho, taking in floating markets, a noodle factory and cocoa farm, plus a homestay night in Ben Tre, before finishing with a ride into Saigon and a final NGO visit to Mekong Plus.

At least three NGO visits are included, with a AU$200 donation built into the price. Small groups (2 to 10 riders at any one time) are guided throughout by local Cambodian and Vietnamese teams..

Highlights:

• Sunrise cycling around the temples of Angkor Wat
• Boat crossing of the Tonle Sap wetlands into rural Cambodia
• Battambang, Banan Temple and Sustainable Cambodia NGO visit
• S-21 Genocide Museum and optional Bokor Mountain climb
• Mekong Delta cycling with floating markets and a Ben Tre homestay
• At least three NGO visits, with a AU$200 donation included

Surface and terrain:
Mostly flat with off-road and compact gravel sections (Tonle Sap, salt fields, Kep) and one significant climb (Bokor Mountain, optional, with van support). 24-speed mountain bikes used throughout. Average pace 15-20km/h.

Suitable for:
Riders of most fitness levels wanting cultural and NGO immersion over a high-mileage challenge; described as needing to be "positive" rather than "super fit."

Starting in Luang Prabang (12 days), this epic journey comes to a rest in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Cycle majestic mountains, take boats through national parks, stay in local homes, learn from NGOs in regards to the effect of unexploded land mines and enjoy incredible food. This is arguably our most rewarding Social Cycles adventure!

Social Cycles will take you on a journey to interact and connect with local grassroot Non Government Organisations (NGOs) and the beneficiaries of a funded project of your choosing. Research what really happens on the ground and out in the villages with Social Cycles in a holiday that carefully balances ethical research and local impact with cycling and sightseeing.

The cycling is considered ‘moderate’, meaning that there is one day in there that is challenging, amongst some easier days. All rides are fully supported with a van that tails us, which you can get into whenever you like. There is no rush, plenty of time to take photos along the way and we have plenty of breaks. The average moving speed is about 15km per hour. All our rides are designed to be open and available for the beginner to average recreational cyclist.

From the chaos of the Phnom Penh to the calm of the countryside, Cambodia is easy to fall in love with. The days are long, the country is hot and the people are super friendly. From the constant and random “HELLO!!” from the children on the side of the road, to the Community Development programs set up by the truly selfless and unsung heroes of this world.

Travelling Cambodia by bike is an incredible adventure! We cycle from Siem Reap and finish in Kampot (eleven days). The pace of all our tours is relaxed and casual. There’s always time to stop for a photo and we rarely cycle more than 2 days in a row. When the journey is just as good as the destination, there’s no need to rush!

Social Cycles will take you on a journey to interact and connect with local grassroot Non Government Organisations (NGOs) and the beneficiaries of a funded project of your choosing. Research what really happens on the ground and out in the villages with Social Cycles in a holiday that carefully balances ethical research and local impact with cycling and sightseeing.

From the chaos of the Phnom Penh to the calm of the countryside, Cambodia is easy to fall in love with. The days are long, the country is hot and the people are super friendly. From the constant and random “HELLO!!” from the children on the side of the road, to the Community Development programs set up by the truly selfless and unsung heroes of this world.

Travelling Cambodia by bike is an incredible adventure! We cycle from Siem Reap and finish in Phnom Penh (seven days). The pace of all our tours is relaxed and casual. There’s always time to stop for a photo and we rarely cycle more than 2 days in a row. When the journey is just as good as the destination, there’s no need to rush!

Social Cycles will take you on a journey to interact and connect with local grassroot Non Government Organisations (NGOs) and the beneficiaries of a funded project of your choosing. Research what really happens on the ground and out in the villages with Social Cycles in a holiday that carefully balances ethical research and local impact with cycling and sightseeing.

This shorter Social Cycles option starts in Phnom Penh and finishes in Saigon, taking in the Cambodian coast and the Mekong Delta along the way. After an arrival day meeting local guides Hoem and So, riders visit Friends International to learn about the "ChildSafe" movement before a confronting but worthwhile stop at the S-21 Genocide Museum.

From Phnom Penh, the route heads south to Chisaur Mountain Temple, ruins older than Angkor Wat, then on to the coastal town of Kampot. Here riders can tackle an optional climb up Bokor Mountain, visit the Chumkriel Language School, and finish with a Khmer cooking class.

Crossing into Vietnam via Kep, famous for its fresh crab, the route passes salt lakes and pepper farms before reaching Rach Gia for a seafood feast. From there, the ride threads through the back roads of the Mekong Delta to Can Tho, taking in floating markets, a noodle factory and cocoa farm, before a homestay night with a local family in Ben Tre.

The final stretch cycles into Saigon itself, described as "what the world would look like if cars weren't invented," with a last NGO visit to Mekong Plus before departure. A AU$200 donation to an NGO of the rider's choice is built into the price, with at least three NGO visits included throughout.

Highlights:

• S-21 Genocide Museum and Friends International NGO visit in Phnom Penh
• Chisaur Mountain Temple, older than Angkor Wat
• Optional Bokor Mountain cycle challenge from Kampot
• Crossing into Vietnam via Kep's pepper farms and salt lakes
• Mekong Delta cycling through Can Tho, with floating markets and a Ben Tre homestay
• Minimum three NGO visits, with a AU$200 donation included

Surface and terrain:
Mostly flat sealed rural roads with some off-road/single-track sections (Kep, salt fields) and one significant climb (Bokor Mountain, optional, with van support). 24-speed mountain bikes used throughout. Average pace 15-20km/h.

**Suitable for: **
Riders of most fitness levels wanting cultural and NGO immersion over a high-mileage challenge; described as needing to be "positive" rather than "super fit."