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Cycling on the rise in Asia

8th April 2015 Print

Far East specialists Bamboo Travel have noticed a rise in demand for cycling day trips on their bespoke tours of Asia. Their intrepid clients are increasingly keen on exploring rural areas in a more intimate, personal and relaxed way – and keep fit at the same time.

Director of Bamboo Travel, Robin Ball, comments “In our opinion no trip to Asia would be complete without spending some time on two wheels, moving at the same pace as the locals, meeting new friends along the way and enjoying the sights, smells and smiles you are likely to miss through the window of an air-conditioned car”.

Many of Bamboo Travel’s itineraries include private guided cycling experiences in China, Cambodia, Myanmar, Indonesia and Taiwan to name just a few. There is no need to worry about being Victoria Pembleton – these cycling trips are all on flat terrain and are suitable for anyone who is reasonably fit and able to ride a bike.

Here are just two examples of trips that include some time enjoying Asia’s favourite form of transport…

Yunnan & Guangxi Explorer: 13 nights from £3395 pp

Yangshuo, a small rural town in southern China is a haven for cyclists of all abilities thanks to the flat terrain and network of established trails. The karst, limestone mountains form a beautiful backdrop to the cycle friendly paths which criss-cross the paddy fields and traditional villages. The itinerary includes a cycling tour & cormorant fishing.

The trip combines the iconic sights of Beijing with the rural and ethnically-diverse provinces of Yunnan and Guangxi. After seeing the Forbidden City and trekking along the Great Wall, you head to southern China for an alluring mix of Himalayan panoramas, colourful minority villages, ancient rice terraces and the spellbinding scenery of the Li River. The tour also includes an overnight trek in Tiger Leaping Gorge – one of the highlights of a visit to Yunnan province.

The holiday costs from £3395 pp (two sharing) which includes international flights, 13 nights’ B&B (plus eight lunches and two dinners), road transfers and tours on a private basis, bus journey from Kunming to Dali and a private English-speaking guide.

Cambodia Explorer & Koh Kood: 16 nights from £2895 pp

Explore the best of Cambodia on this epic overland journey from Siem Reap to the idyllic island of Koh Kood in the Gulf of Thailand. The adventure includes a guided cycling tour of Battambang and the surrounding countryside that will offer an insight into the traditional livelihoods of rural Cambodians.

Other highlights include the majestic temples of Angkor, a private boat trip across the waterways of Lake Tonle Sap to Battambang, a drive south to Phnom Penh via the ancient temple of Udong, a stay in a traditional Khmer house in the peaceful surroundings of Kampot and two nights in a luxurious tented villa on the Tatai River. The holiday ends on the idyllic island of Koh Kood across the border in Thailand, a nature lover’s paradise.

The holiday costs from £2895 pp (two sharing a room) which includes flights, all transportation, 16 nights' B&B, road transfers and tours on a private basis and a private English speaking guide.

For more information, visit bambootravel.co.uk.