SpiceRoads Launches Five New Bike Tours to Highlight Asian Heritage

SpiceRoads Cycle Tours has launched five bicycle tours that highlight some of the best scenery, historic sites, art and culture that distinguish Burma, Bhutan, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam.

By cycling short distances at a relaxed pace over seven days there is time to leisurely take in UNESCO World Heritage sites, meet the locals, enjoy excellent food and soak up the atmosphere.

Bhutan - Paro to Punakha: The Bhutanese are proud of their heritage and work hard to maintain it, and this bicycle tour introduces an isolated country where Tibetan Buddhism is integral to the culture. The stunning mountains with dense forests teeming with birds compete with the historic dzongs (fortresses), monasteries and temples and the charming locals vie for our attention on this tour. The 22 April 2012 tour is set to go. Also scheduled are departures in June, August, September and October. Cost is US$2,100.

Burma - Mandalay to Bagan: Burma's legacy of a proud and powerful former kingdom dates back 1,000 years and the temples that remain throughout the country are a testament to that era. From Kipling’s Mandalay we travel via the Irrawaddy River, to the temples at Bagan and end with a visit to the Shwedagon Paya in Yangon. The 25 March 2012 tour is guaranteed to depart, and scheduled tours are set for July, October and November. Tour cost is US$1,950.

Cambodia - Phnom Penh to Siem Reap: Cycling is the perfect way to absorb the rich history left behind by the Khmers of Cambodia between the 9th and 14th century. From SpiceRoad's base in the capital of Phnom Penh, a modern city that has retained its colonial charm, we visit the ancient capital of Oudong and a complex of temples that are the oldest in Cambodia. In Siem Reap you will explore 500 years of history at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Angkor Wat while also taking the in local lifestyles. Tours depart in March, May. July, September, October, November and December. Tour cost is US$1,250.

Thailand - Bangkok to Chiang Mai: This tour takes you to three UNESCO World Heritage sites, starting at the former kingdom of Ayutthaya, once one of the wealthiest cities in the East during its heyday. Continuing riding through the rice basket of Sukhothai to the northern kingdom of Lanna with its unique style of architecture before arriving in the northern capital of Chiang Mai. The next departure is on 19 March 2012 and tours are scheduled for every month thereafter. Tour cost is US$1,250.

Vietnam - Hue to Hanoi: This heritage tour starts in Hue exploring the citadels and tombs left behind by 13 emperors who ruled for more than 100 years during the golden era of dynasties. After learning about royalty the cycling continues to a village where the the tradition of feng shui is reflected in the architecture. Riding south along the beautiful coast, the route passes numerous mausoleums, pagodas and war memorials. From the quaint town of Hoi An, once the largest harbour in Southeast Asia, the riding is out to the Hindu temples of My Son that were built during the 4th and the 14th century by the kings of Champas. This tour takes in three UNESCO World Heritage sites and is witness to traditional rural life of villagers and indulges in the delicious local specialties. The next departure is on 25 March 2012 and there are five more tours scheduled for 2012. Tour cost is US$1,100.

SpiceRoads is offering a US$150 discount off any of the Heritage Tours that depart between now and 1 October 2012 if booked by 15 March 2012. To receive the discount when booking just enter HERITAGE on the SpiceRoads website. Terms and conditions apply.

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