SpiceRoads Cycling

Let the idiosyncrasies of Japan reveal themselves as our bicycle tour takes us from crowded urban Tokyo to rustic Noto Peninsula in the Sea of Japan. On this bicycle tour in Japan we cycle along coastal roads where we pass sand dunes, caves and fantastic rock formations, terraced rice paddies as well as ancient temples and shrines. From Kanazawa, the city of castles, to the UNESCO site of Shirakawago to the old town of Takayama you'll be transported from times of old to the culturally rich city of Kyoto, and staying in Japanese-style lodging and experiencing authentic onsens.

An early departure by vehicle from Ho Chi Minh City takes us out of chaotic Saigon to the Cu Chi countryside where we begin cycling. Once on our bikes, we pedal through peaceful villages, fertile farmlands and quiet canals. We pay a visit to a pagoda to learn about Buddhism and spend time riding on backroads before we arrive at the Cu Chi, a complex of tunnels more than 250 km long and three levels deep. They played a vital role for the VC (Viet Cong troops) as communication and supply routes, hospitals, food and weapon caches and living quarters for numerous North Vietnamese fighters. The tunnel systems were of great importance to the Viet Cong in their resistance to American forces, and helped to counter the growing American military effort. While U.S. forces relied on artillery support from fixed 'Fire Bases' the VC would used their tunnel system to move around, making it difficult for U.S. troops to locate them. A section of the tunnels are a popular tourist attraction and visitors are invited to crawl around in the safer parts for a unique experience of what underground life in the war was like. There are also displays of the different types of booby traps that were used. After lunch we have a short transfer to our afternoon riding staring point. We cycle along the river, on flat dirt roads and enjoy the fresh countryside air. We end our cycling journey with a ferry across the Saigon river and then transfer you back to your hotel.

Kanchanaburi has a rugged, beautiful landscape of mountains, waterfalls, caves and tranquil riverside settings thatis a treat for nature-lovers and cyclists. We start our tour by visiting the Bridge Over the River Kwai, the Railway Museum, the Death Railway and the Kraset Caves. We cycle on country back roads to Wat Prasat Muang Singh, a 12th-century Khmer temple and to the memorable and historic Hellfire Pass. We visit the famous sites, but we also see some places off the beaten path to expose you to true Thailand.

What do we see? Our trip begins at the Golden Mount, have a top view of the old city and cycle down to Bangkok's main attractions. And when it's time for the sunset, we enter a peaceful park by the Chao Phraya to watch as the sun goes down over the Temple of Dawn, with the golden spires of the Grand Palace illuminated behind you. We continue to cycle trough the biggest amulet market at its closing time, and see more buildings that are in both Thai and European styles, including the iconic Wat Benchamabophit which is the temple of the "Five-Baht" coins.

Dubbed the 'eighth continent', Madagascar is one of the very few places on earth where plants and animals have evolved in isolation. With a variety of flora and fauna endemic only to its territory, this fourth largest island in the world has been recognised as a biodiversity hotspot by Conservation International. Apart from its natural treasures, the island nation is also rich in culture with charming ethnic groups who have settled and made up the nation for more than two millennia.

This bike and hike tour takes you to appreciate the friendly Malagasy people along with their proud traditions before it's time to venture away from civilisation into the wilderness and marvel at the country's vast biodiversity. Spot unique plants and animals and explore stunning landscape with countless sharp cliffs and bizarre rock formations resulting from volcanic activities and wind. Get in the saddle and tackle dirt roads for an adventure and hike through the prairies and hills of Madagascar's massifs to discover a whole new world this country has hidden from the rest of the planet - truly an experience unlike any other.

Just across the Chao Phraya River, a short hop from busy Sukhumvit, is an extraordinary place known to the locals as Bang Kra Jao. This amazing wilderness in Bangkok can only be reached by boat as no bridges span this part of the river, and incredibly it has been left untouched by developers.

A short drive east of Bangkok takes us to Minburi, one of the city's oldest and most interesting suburbs.

Minburi is where the city and countryside collide to create a world of canals, ricefields and cottage industries. It is a place where Muslims and Buddhists live as they have for centuries alongside klongs. The San Saeb Canal, or Klong San Saeb, is one of Bangkok's most important waterways as it connects Bangkok's two main rivers, the Bangprakong and Chao Phyraya. Our ride starts at the hub of the local Muslim community, where the local people are direct descendants of the Southern Thai Muslims invited by King Rama III two centuries ago to defend the capital from Khmer invaders to the east seeking to invade Bangkok using the canals.

On the banks of the scenic Ping river, just five kilometers downstream of modern-day Chiang Mai, are the historic ruins of Wiang Khum Kham, the first Mon settlement dating back to the 11th century. Constructed as part of the Haripunchai kingdom this satellite town was ruined by floods and abandoned, but the ruins have recently been excavated and this historical marker is the perfect place for the start of our ride through the Lanna countryside.

There are few biking experiences that compare with cycling beneath towering fig trees among a thousand years of Khmer history at Angkor. Let our trusted Cambodian cycle and temple guides give you an interesting and a totally different way to visit Angkor. The added benefit of being on bicycle is that you will see more than the incredible legacy of the Khmer empire and get to glimpse into rural Cambodian life.

The pristine beaches and stunning limestone scenery of southern Thailand have made it a favorite backdrop for Hollywood movies, such as 'The Beach' and of course James Bond's 'Man with the Golden Gun' and you'll feel like you are on a movie set riding through this gorgeous landscape. We stay in local accommodation on this tour.