VIETNAM TO CAMBODIA CYCLE

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Trip Details

Full details & information about what you can expect in the lead up & during the challenge.

Costs & Fundraising

The balance for your trip cost, will be due to us 10 weeks before your departure. You will be sent a reminder & an invoice 12 weeks before, giving you 2 weeks to make the payment. 

80% of your fundraising target is due to be with your charity 12 weeks before the challenge, meaning that it either needs to be banked with them, or sat against a Just Giving page. We will then invoice your charity for the remaining cost of your place on the challenge, it is important you make that 80% target otherwise your charity will not pay for your place, and your trip could be cancelled.

The remaining 20% of your balance will be due to be with your charity 4 weeks after your trip ends. 

Our base cost is on a twin share room basis, if you are signing up as a couple of two friends – you can tell us when you register onto the challenge, so we ensure that you will be sharing a room.

If you are signing up to the challenge as an individual, we will match you with someone of the same gender and roughly the same age. 

You can choose to pay an additional supplement to have your own room (and/or tent) on the challenge. 

All of our groups are an average size of approximately 20 participants. We welcome individuals, couples and groups of friends on to our challenges, and many who join us literally have a mountain to climb in terms of the scale of the challenge they are taking on. We advocate camaraderie and team bonding, and really believe that this enhances your experience.

Yes as long as we know in advance of the trip, we can cater for all dietary requirements & requests. 

Signing Up to the Challenge

Once you pay your deposit & have signed up to the challenge, you will receive a confirmation email welcoming you into the challenge. 

You will also receive instructions on how to download our challenge app which has in it all the information you need to start preparing for your challenge – from kit lists to training guides. 

We will keep you updated with regular emails & newsletters in the lead-up to the challenge, as well as information on training days & weekends.

If you need to cancel your challenge, your deposit is non-refundable – therefore we recommend you speak to our team to see what alternative options you may have.

Yes, if for whatever reason you need to push your departure back to a later one or change your trip altogether you can do so for a date change fee of £175, subject to availability.

Country entry requirements can change because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it’s something our team constantly keep their eyes on. If we must cancel the trip – you will be offered a transfer to a future date/ departure or a full refund. However, if you need to cancel your trip – e.g. you test positive, then you will need to seek reimbursement from your travel insurance. 

Currently, we do not have the accounting facility to take instalments, we can only take your payment in full at least 12 weeks before your departure.

Preparation

Yes – in our challenge app, which you can download once you are fully registered for the challenge we have a host of training materials, guides & advice for you to use. We also have training weekends and days which you can sign up to meet others & test out not just your fitness, but your mental readiness for the challenge and your all-important kit! 

Closer to the challenge we will set up a WhatsApp group so that you can meet others online who are going to be on your trip. We also have a lively & dynamic Facebook group you can join at any time to meet other fellow challengers – past & present to share and swap training tips, advice & stories. 

You will need specific travel insurance, which covers the duration of your trip, along with full cover for any activities you will be doing (i.e. trekking, cycling) and to cover you up to any altitude you may be trekking to. Once you are signed up for the challenge, we will send you full details of our recommended providers of appropriate cover.

Life on the Challenge

  •  International flights
  • Action Challenge cycle guide
  • Full support team, including local guides
  • UK medic
  • High quality bike hire
  • All accommodation
  • All meals, except in free time
  • Airline taxes
  • All transfers in local vehicles
  • Celebration dinner
  • Fitness and training guide
  • Discounts from UK retailers
  • Reduced rates at Nomad Travel Clinics and Masta Health
  • Insurance
  • Vaccinations – up to date on boosters
  • Tips for local staff
  • Airline fuel surcharge
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Personal kit / equipment

This is a very achievable challenge to complete but you will need a reasonable level of strength and stamina as well as being prepared for cycling in very warm weather. Your training should incorporate aerobic and anaerobic exercises as well as ensuring that you get a chance to get some decent cycles in before we leave!

The Cycle Vietnam to Cambodia challenge is a flights included package. Upon signing up you will be included in the group flight booking that we make.

Yes, this becomes our land only package and reduces your final balance or minimum sponsorship balance – please contact us for more information if you are looking to book your own flights. 

You will be required to arrange all flights and transfers in order to meet the group at the starting hotel on day 2 of your challenge and Action Challenge will require details of your travel arrangements before departure. 

Please note you are unable to change your package once final balance invoicing has been completed and tickets have been issued by the airline.

Yes – why not stay on and explore more of what South East Asia has to offer! We can request with to change your return date with the airline. Places are limited and all arrangements are subject to availability.

We will be using all terrain mountain bikes for the challenge. You must bring a helmet with you and it is imperative that it is worn at all times. If you wish to bring your own saddle / peddles with you, you may do so. However, standard ones are provided. There will be a water bottle holder on your bike, but you will need to bring a water bottle with you – more details will be provided on your kit list once you have registered.

Each day will start with breakfast at our accommodation. We will then get in the saddle and hit the quiet back roads. While cycling, there will be regular breaks to take on water and rest in the shade, with a longer break for lunch. On arrival to our accommodation, there will be time to relax before dinner – with more downtime in the evening for conversation and socialising.

The route you will be cycling is relatively flat but there are periods that will involve prolonged climbs, which is why this has been classed as a moderate challenge.

There will be three varied and nutritious meals a day and plentiful safe drinking water. A typical meal will consist of a choice of Asian and Western style food. Lunch and dinners usually comprise rice, stir fried and steamed vegetables, dumplings and a selection of meat. Cuisines vary throughout the region and you may find it quite different to Asian restaurants at home and courses may be served simultaneously. Local beer and drinks can be purchased at reasonable prices.

Your main luggage is transported via a support vehicle, leaving you with only the absolute essentials during your days cycling.

Yes, and plenty of it! Your challenge will be led by an experienced Action Challenge cycle guide. Our leaders are selected for their experience, knowledge, enthusiasm and sense of humour, and will ensure that your trip runs smoothly.

You will also be accompanied by an Action Challenge doctor, who will be carrying a fully stocked medical kit in case of any emergency. They will carry out daily health checks, and the re-assurance of their presence should allow you to focus on, and enjoy your challenge!

We have a full support team in country with two-way radio contact between the Action Challenge Head Quarters in London and local staff and satellite phone for emergencies. If for any reason you need to leave the group early local staff will assist you and will arrange transfers, accommodation and medical care if necessary.

October through to February are the best times to cycle in South East Asia as the conditions are fairly dry and the weather is hot and sunny. Days will be hot with temperatures reaching up to 30º whilst evening temperatures drop to around 12-15º which is still warm and pleasant. Weather in monsoon regions is always unpredictable and can change very quickly so we recommend that you always come prepared for all weather conditions.

Our Brochure

The Challenge brochure details the full itinerary, inclusions, and more – download for a full run down of the challenge details. 

Dates & Prices