Overview

For those serious adventure-seekers, PEPY Tours has introduced its most adventurous journey yet. The Cycle the Mekong Trip will explore the remote corners of the Mekong region in Laos and Cambodia.  This trip is not for people looking to visit the tourist sites and then just relax on a beach. It is a cycling adventure made for those who are willing to go off the main road, people looking to explore areas rarely visited by tourists, and those who do not mind getting a little bit muddy.  It offers a unique opportunity to learn about local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and their projects along the way.

This trip is a real adventure and is not for everyone. The ideal participant will be flexible, open to new experiences, and possess a strong sense of adventure. If you are the type of person who is comfortable with not knowing the exact distances and routes you will have to cover each day and visiting places that are unaccustomed to foreign visitors, then you will enjoy this trip. If this excursion sounds like something right up your alley, drop us a line—we are organizing an exclusive team of inspiring and audacious individuals like yourself.

As with all itineraries from PEPY Tours, this trip was created with community support in mind, providing substantial funding for educational programs in rural Cambodia and inspiring life changes in the travelers who join us.

Description

This journey will commence in the southern Lao city of Pakse, where fellow explorers will have a chance to get acquainted both with each other and the bikes that will take them on their upcoming adventure.

The following day we will begin our trailblazing two-week bike and boat journey to the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, following the twists and currents of the mighty Mekong River, exploring dusty backroads, lodging in rural communities, and visiting local development projects.

The 1^st week we will spend on the Laos side exploring a remote Angkorian temple site by bicycle, navigating the Mekong currents on kayaks, and giving our legs a break with some well-deserved hammock-swinging on the serene islands.

As we cycle across the border into Cambodia we will visit one of the most remote and undeveloped regions in South East Asia. The few tourists that pass through here usually take cars and buses, so don’t be surprised if you are the first foreigner those you meet will have encountered. Expect to be greeted along the way by cheerful “hellos” and waves coming from the houses you pass as there is bound to be some fascination with new visitors.

We will make our way towards Phnom Penh closely following the riverbank, hopping on and off local boats to visit different island communities. In one such community, on the biggest and most biodiverse island in the Mekong, we will be hosted by our partner nonprofit CRDT (Community Rural Development Team), a rural development organization supporting many programs along the river. We will have a chance to learn about CRDT’s exciting development programs involving aquaculture, animal husbandry and bio-digesters, among other things. If there is a need at the time of our visit, we’ll get the chance to assist in these projects. The specific details of every project are determined in close cooperation with local residents based on their valuable input. The CRDT crew will arrange our stay on the island.

Once we reach the vibrant capital of Phnom Penh, we will ride to significant historical sites including S-21 prison and the ‘Killing Fields’ to learn about the Khmer Rouge atrocities that overshadow Cambodia's history. This difficult day will be followed by a glimpse into the optimistic future of Cambodia by visiting one of PEPY’s partner organizations.

Cambodia’s best NGOs to learn about the life-changing aid work that they do. This educational aspect of PEPY Tours is highly valued amongst our past participants. Another highlight is the fascinating people PEPY tends to attract and the camaraderie that develops among the team members as the trip progresses. This PEPY adventure will be our most challenging yet and you get to pioneer this route.

Responsible Tourism

Throughout the trip, PEPY staff and tour leaders will provide insight into the work of development agencies, current issues, and lessons learned about responsible tourism. The required fundraising contribution will be channeled to programs visited on the tour, thus allowing participants to help to continue the work they visit far after they leave. The dollars spent within the tours themselves will also be bringing support to Cambodia and Laos since all PEPY Tours are built around locally owned restaurants and guest houses as well as groups working with and funding sustainable development programs. This translates into delicious dining and comfortable sleeping, and all for a good cause! Join us on this tour and experience Cambodia the PEPY way.

Highlights:

• The fundraising component required for each of our tours provides schools with vital educational support and funds our other educational projects as well as select projects of several partner NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations).
• Tour profits help cover the operating expenses of PEPY Ride, our sister NGO.
• Each PEPY Tour offers a first-hand educational experience where participants learn about the work and role of local and international development agencies in Cambodia, while familiarizing themselves with issues involving contemporary Cambodia and the importance of responsible tourism.
• PEPY Tours supports locally owned restaurants and guest houses as well as many other responsibly managed businesses in the tourism industry.
• Homestay and other initiatives offer direct benefits to the local populations and provide an opportunity for them to teach visitors about their culture and livelihood.

Trip Facts

Group Size: 5-15 people

Grade: Moderate – basic level of fitness required. The ride is challenging, but our pace is not that of a race. We will have meeting points for each day and you will be encouraged to go at your own pace to reach these destinations. Cyclists who are in shape, however, will enjoy the ride much more. We will ride a few 100km days with an average day of about 70km. The heat of Cambodia can be strong during mid-day, so we encourage participants to  prepare for this trip not only by fundraising and learning about Cambodia, but also by getting on a bike to prepare your body!

Accommodation: As this itinerary transverses areas away from major tourist and urban centers the accommodation will be predominantly basic including rural home and Wat stays (often just a mattress and mosquito net). 

Transport: mountain bike, boat, bus, tuk-tuk, pick-up truck

Length: 16 days

Date: Custom dates available.  Contact teamleader@pepyride.org for booking information.

*The above date is flexible, if the option is not convinient for you, drop us a line specifying your desired date and we'll be happy to try and accommodate your request.

Start/End Location: The tour starts in Pakse, Laos and ends in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Additional Options: This tour offers an optional 3-day extension for those looking to visit the magestic Angkor temples in Siem Reap. The extension will pick up in Phom Penh on the day of departures and continue instead to Siem Reap. For all interested, please, contact us.

Pricing

Tour Price: $1,900 (+$200 bike rental fee if you are not bringing your own)

Fundraising Fee: $700

Inclusions: The trip includes all transportation while in Laos and Cambodia, accommodation, tour and entrance fees for listed attractions, and most meals. 

Exclusions: The trip does not include international flights to/from the start and end points. Visas are available upon arrival and cost $20 for most foreign nationals for Cambodia and around $35 for Laos depending on the nationality. Also excluded is an international airport departure tax of $25 from Cambodia. Additionally, participants are responsible for purchasing their own international travel insurance.

Cancellation Policy: If six people have not signed up for the trip four weeks before the start date, PEPY staff may cancel the tour and any deposits will be refunded in full. If a participant cancels for any reason, their $200 deposit is non-refundable. Refunds will be made for the remainder of the tour fees (excluding deposit and fundraised money) on this schedule:

· Full – more than 3 weeks before trip’s start

· 50% - more than 2 weeks before trip’s start

· 25% - more than 3 days before trip’s start

· 0% - less than 3 days before trip’s start