Nexus International School Malaysia: Mekong Delta Cycling Challenge 2020

Cycling quieter back streets in Vietnam | Lachlan Gardiner

A bear at Phnom Tamao Centre in Phnom Penh, Cambodia | Julie Miller

Bustling market views as we cycle Ho Chi Minh City | Lachlan Gardiner

Passing locals near Chau Doc in the Mekong Delta | Lachlan Gardiner

LachlanGardiner_HCMCtoAnkor_Jan2019_Day_08_HIGHRES-6467 | Lachlan Gardiner

Bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City | Lachlan Gardiner

Busy day on the river at Mekong Delta, Vietnam

Code: SOG6252

Overview

Highlights

Safe and comfortable hotel and guesthouse accommodation
Cycle along trails in the Mekong Delta
Use ferries to cross tributaries of the Mekong River
Contribute to the good work of the Free The Bears Sanctuary
Experience the cuisine and culture of Vietnam

This is a unique opportunity for young travelers to experience one of the highlights of Vietnam while ensuring their travel is a horizon broadening experience in as many ways as possible. Your adventure takes place in the stunning Mekong Delta, where this mighty river empties into the sea over an area of 45,000 square kilometers. It's a "biological treasure trove" with over 1,000 animal species recorded in the area. We will incorporate an element of environmental education and conservation into the trip with a visit to the Tree The Bears Sanctuary at Cat Tien National Park.

Countries:

Start and Finishing Point:

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Activities:

Grading:Introductory

Addressing:

Itinerary

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Day 1
Sunday, 14 June 2020: Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Xin chao! Welcome to Saigon, Vietnam. You are greeted by your driver at Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your transfer to the hotel. Please look for the World Youth Adventures welcome sign in the arrivals hall. You will have time to relax at your hotel and adjust to the pace of Saigon. It is the largest city of Vietnam. It is the bustling and dynamic economic capital and the cultural trendsetter of the country, yet within the teeming metropolis you will find the timeless traditions and beauty of an ancient culture. In the late afternoon meet our guide at the hotel lobby for a trip briefing before a welcome dinner. Overnight: Saigon Le Duy Grand Hotel or similar

Meals: D

Day 2
Monday, 15 June 2020: Free the Bears Sanctuary Visit

After having breakfast at hotel. You will be transferred to Cat Tien National Park where the Free the Bears Vietnamese operation is based. We will tour the facility and learn of the challenges these bears face. Challenges that threaten the survival of the species. Depending on what is happening at the sanctuary that day we may well be able to get involved in some of the "behind the scenes" operations of the sanctuary like assembling bear hammocks and toys that stimulate natural behaviors. You will be back to Saigon in the late afternoon. Check in your hotel for refreshment before getting out for dinner. Overnight: Saigon Le Duy Grand Hotel or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Day 3
Tuesday, 16 June 2020: Saigon – Vinh Long

We depart in the morning with a car transfer to the doorstep of the Mekong delta in the region of My Tho. About 75-kilometer drive, approximately 2 hours. Once at our starting point, bikes ready, we start our 60-kilometer ride on the less traveled roads to the Mekong delta. This region is rural, locals are friendly, and just riding around allows to unveil so much about the daily life. A simple life made of agriculture and craftsmanship. After about 20 kilometers, we stop for a light picnic lunch in a garden café. In the afternoon, we head south for about 40 kilometers, passing from one island of the mighty river to another one on ferryboat; and reach a local guesthouse, where we will get set up for the night. Total driving distance: 70km Total cycling distance: 60km / sealed road / 60km flat Overnight: Local Homestay

Meals: B,L,D

Day 4
Wednesday, 17 June 2020: Vinh Long – Tra On – Can Tho

After breakfast, we get on wheels and begin our ride of today. We head south to a region where very few go called Tam Binh. We ride on the back roads of the delta and immerse fully into that tranquil atmosphere. Many chances to stop en route, whether to enjoy a tea with locals or simply to break and contemplate. We will have lunch in a local house on the way. The riding distance can stretch from 50 to 70 kilometers to reach Tra On. We embark in Tra On on a boat to cruise the Hau River upstream to Can Tho. It is a nice and relaxing 1.5-hour cruise to the biggest metropolis of the delta. We disembark in Can Tho and transfer to our hotel. Check-in and refresh. Total driving distance: 0km Total cycling distance: +/- 60km / sealed road / 60km flat Overnight: Iris Hotel or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Day 5
Thursday 18 June 2020: Can Tho – Long Xuyen

We will wake up early this morning to go on a boat trip to visit the Cai Rang floating market. The market is no longer what it used to be years ago with less merchants than in past years, a sign of the changing times though still very much worth the excursion. We return to the hotel, have breakfast and get ready to ride. Today, we go for about 60 kilometers on the roads winding along the Hau River. We head Northwest to Long Xuyen. A well developed town of the delta, largely off the tourist trail, the town is a hub in the trade of fish, rice and cashew nuts. En route, we stop at a stork sanctuary. A 1.3-hectare bird sanctuary with astonishing views of thousands of resident storks and snowy egrets. There is a tall viewing platform to see the birds filling the branches. We then end our ride with an arrival in Long Xuyen in the afternoon, where we get settled in a comfortable but very “local style” hotel. Total driving distance: 0km Total cycling distance: +/- 60km / sealed road / 60km flat Overnight: Hoa Binh 1 Hotel or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Day 6
Friday, 19 June 2020: Long Xuyen – Chau Doc

After breakfast, we hop in the car to transfer 60 kilometers to the west and our starting point for the day. We then start a 50-kilometer ride to Chau Doc. En route we stop by the Ba Chuc memorial that stands as a reminder to the massacre perpetrated here by the Khmer Rouge in 1978. We keep rolling along the Cambodian border to the Tra Su Cajuput Forest. We take the time to explore the nature reserve and bird sanctuary, before we end up our ride to Chau Doc. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel. Total driving distance: 60km Total cycling distance: +/- 50km / sealed road / 60km flat Overnight: Hung Cuong Hotel or similar

Meals: B,L,D

Day 7
Saturday, 20 June 2020: Chau Doc – Saigon

After breakfast, drive back to Ho Chi Minh city, a long drive but with a stop en route at the charming Sadec town and its ancient Cochin-chine atmosphere. We have lunch there and can visit the flower fields nearby before continuing to Saigon airport for your departure flight. Total driving distance: +/-240km to Saigon Total cycling distance: 0km

Meals: B,L

Addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Good health and well-being: This active adventure encourages a healthy lifestyle through the joy an active approach to travel can bring. This helps to encourage healthy lives and promote the well-being at all ages. An essential key to sustainable development.

Quality Education: As a result of the mind broadening effect travel can have through exposure to new cultures and experiences this trip will help to ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development. This is including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development

Life On Land: It is hopes that by visiting the Free The Bears facility, students will be inspired to take urgent action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna and address both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products. This can be done by enhancing global support for efforts to combat poaching and trafficking of protected species, including by increasing the capacity of local communities to pursue sustainable livelihood opportunities

Learning outcomes for students

A World Expeditions Schools adventure is a unique learning experience. Our journeys are designed to encourage thriving and positive youth development along with leaving the communities and environments where we travel in a better condition than when we arrived.
The programs are designed to enhance the following life skills that will help you grow as an individual:
• the confidence to lead a group and make decisions
• the value of working together as a cohesive team to achieve a common objective
• the ability to face mental and physical challenges
• the ability to adapt to new environments outside of their 'comfort zone'
• to appreciate and care for the natural environment. The environments we trek through are beautiful and often pristine, invariably the students will gain a deeper appreciation and understanding about how their individual actions impact on the environment
• build strong friendships and bonds with their peers and also the local peoples
• basic outdoor skills obtained on trek such as personal hygiene, pitching a tent, helping to prepare meals
Importantly our adventures help increase general well-being and build resilience in young men and women to help them deal with adverse situations in life.
CARBON NEUTRAL
World Expeditions Schools absorbs the cost of credits mitigating 100% of the unavoidable carbon emissions. This is our commitment to being part of the solution to climate crises.

Inclusions

What's included

6 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 6 dinners
airport transfers (day 1 & 7)
5 nights in comfortable hotels on a twin share basis
1 night in comfortable guesthouse on a twin share basis
private air conditioned vehicles and support vehicles for cycling
daily drinking water
sightseeing and entry fees as listed in itinerary
expert bilingual local guide in Vietnam with medical kit

What's not included

meals not indicated in the itinerary
visa fees
personal travel insurance (compulsory)
bicycle helmets (compulsory)
expenditure of a personal nature such as drinks, souvenirs and laundry
tips and gratuities
international airfares

Grading

Introductory

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