Flowers of the Mekong
Introduction
This is the most comprehensive challenge!
The focus is on the discovery of our projects and on the solidarity gesture you make: you meet our teams while sharing the daily life of the villagers.
You enjoy the biking without the constraints (a minibus follows the group and ensures your comfort and logistics).
The tour takes you on the edge of great historical sites where we ensure knowledgeable guides are available.
- Price : from 1300 €
- Duration : 10 Days
Itinerary from Saigon to Angkor Wat
Day 1 : Arrival in Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)
Reception and transfer to the hotel. Depending on arrival time, visit of Saigon.
- Lunch : Local Restaurant
- Dinner : Belgo
- Hotel : Alios ***
Day 2 : Saïgon — Long My
After breakfast at the hotel, departure by bus to Long My.
Afternoon: you are welcomed by the Mekong Plus team of social workers. Together, you cycle through the countryside around Long Mi to discover sustainable agriculture projects led by Mekong Plus.
- Distance : 40km
- Lunch : Local Restaurant
- Dinner : Local Restaurant
- Hotel : Guesthouse à Long My
Day 3 : Long My
Biogas as a solution to pig manure pollution: you always visit a few farms by bike where ecological solutions (always with the means at hand) are implemented with the help of Mekong Plus. You participate in village life through a supportive and fun activity.
- Distance : 50km
- Lunch : Local Restaurant
- Dinner : Local Restaurant
- Hotel : Guesthouse à Long My
Day 4 : Long My – Chau Doc
Still on your bike, you go to a school where you attend an oral hygiene course. You plant a tree with a child.
– Transfer to Chau Doc
- Distance : 50km
- Lunch : Local Restaurant
- Dinner : Local Restaurant
- Hotel : Chau Pho Hotel
Day 5 : Chau Doc – Svay Rieng
Today, you take the boat to cross the border between Vietnam and Cambodia. You will be dropped off in Neak Leoung, then transferred by bus to Romdoul: it is by bike that you will meet the Khmer farmers and their incredible “cow bank”.
- Distance : 55km
- Lunch : Local Restaurant
- Dinner : Local Restaurant
- Hotel : Redcross Hotel
Day 6 : Svay Rieng — Kompong Cham
Great hike in rice fields, small lost villages and rubber plantations.
After 85 km, we will be transferred by van to Kompong Cham.
- Distance : 85km
- Lunch : Local Restaurant
- Dinner : Local Restaurant
- Hotel : Mekong Hotel
Day 7 : Kompong Cham-Kompong Thom
We go up the Mekong to visit the Han Chey temple, then cross the rubber plantations to Kompong Thom.
- Distance : 85km
- Lunch : Local Restaurant
- Dinner : Local Restaurant
- Hotel : Damrey Chhorn Kla
Day 8 : Kompong Thom — Siem Réap
The back road will take you to the Sambo Prey Kok temple, built in the 7th century as the former capital of the Khmer empire. Visit Sombo Prey Kok — transfer after 80 km to Siem Réap by bus.
- Distance : 85km
- Lunch : Local Restaurant
- Dinner : Local Restaurant
- Hotel : Jardin d’Angkor
Day 9 : Angkor Temples
No need to introduce the temples of Angkor, you will end your wonderful journey with this visit, accompanied by a French-speaking guide.
- Distance : 30km
- Lunch : Local Restaurant
- Dinner : Local Restaurant
- Hotel : Jardin d’Angkor
Day 10 : Siem Réap — Departure
Shopping and transfer to the airport.
Their Testimonial
Papillons du Mékong, a successful cyclist challenge for an opening of the eyes, heart and mind.
“This challenge started in Belgium, with the crowd funding platform.
From the outset, we felt mobilized to move forward, to talk about our cycling adventure and educate our friends to support this great human adventure and solidarity.
What a joy to feel supported by our friends! The clock started ticking: 21000 euros already raised,thank you friends! This trip allowed us to realize how our donations were needed and well used. They are sometimes vital for the sustainability of projects.
An experience of humanitarian work, a sporty challenge but fit for each of us; an unforgettable tourist discovery, and a hike to the heart of the Mekong Plus projects.
We biked through two endearing countries. At times we had to cross the river on a small ferry, often we were among the children, or at the foot of a temple.
During these 10 days, we knew each pedal stroke was a boost to help these villagers. 380 kilometers to the heart of the villages and the rhythm of the villagers taught us the merits of going to meet the poorest, cycling on paths and tracks which are not always easy; but it allowed us to take us where the extremely poor villagers live, in Vietnam and Cambodia.
Their living conditions are often unimaginable from Belgium: houses made of a few iron sheets, often a tiny habitat, poor hygiene, and sometimes an improbable kitchen … What a lesson for us!
We were extremely touched by the dignity of these people, Mekong Plus respects and encourages this spirit of dignity in never falling into easy charity. Here the villagers with the Mekong Plus teams, build the projects, actively participating to carry them out and in a sustainable manner. We admire the incredible involvement of Bernard and his teams with the poorest people, and the quality of human relationships that are created around the projects. When aid is no longer needed, lasting bonds have been formed and persist, so that the villagers do not relapse into poverty.
Ambassadors Mekong Plus There was a “before” – a “during” and there will also be an “after” challenge! How to fulfill our role as ambassadors and encourage other donors to support the actions of Mekong Plus? A great experience of humanitarian work, a sports challenge and this unforgettable tourist discovery are shared with others. Nobody returns the same from this trip!”
Fabienne, Jean-Marie, Claire, Michel, Brigitte, Corentin and Jacques.
