The ultimate guide to Asia by bike

Written by: Gina Lawrence - Digital Content Executive at Explore Worldwide
Published: 11 June 2025

Whether you're a pro in the saddle or a first-timer looking for an incredible cycling adventure, a cycling holiday in Asia ticks all the boxes.

Read on to discover everything you need to know about exploring Asia on two wheels with our ultimate guide.

1. Best cycling routes in Asia
2. Is cycling in Asia good for first time cycling holidays?
3. Is cycling in Asia good for solo female travellers?
4. What are the best cultural highlights by bike?
5. How hard is it to do a cycling holiday in Asia?
6. E-bike tours in Asia
7. What’s the best time to go cycling in Asia?
8. Why should I go cycling in Asia?
9. Top tips and advice

Asia is a huge continent, home to some of the most diverse and awe-inspiring landscapes on earth with breathtaking scenic routes and the chance to meet local people. Cycling provides a front-row seat to Asia’s natural beauty, and an active cycling holiday is a great way to enjoy a unique perspective on your travels that you simply can’t get from a car or bus.

1. Lush rice paddies in Vietnam: The famous Mekong Delta is a haven for cyclists, with interlaced waterways and fertile green landscapes where farmers and fishermen live.
2. Hilltop tea and spice plantations in India: Cooler climate and carefully planned routes make cycling between tea, rubber and spice plantations a breeze in Kerala.
3. Coastal roads and island life in Japan: Cycling by the sea is always a joy, and there’s no finer way to see rural Japanese life than from the saddle.

The short answer is yes! Asia is hugely popular for first time cycling holidays, especially Vietnam. Regions like the Mekong Delta feel specifically geared towards cyclists (pun intended) – often with narrow roads and bridges where four wheels cannot cross, the Mekong is ideal for the two wheeled traveller.

It’s not only set up well for cyclists, but it also keeps the routes traffic free for a safer and more relaxed experience. You’ll see so much more than your standard tourist will.

All our cycling tours are designed to follow the quieter backroads, so by default you end up off the beaten track and seeing more of the country than you ever would through the window of a huge coach.

But you’ll cover more ground than you would when walking, so if you’re interested in an active holiday in Asia with the chance to take in as much as possible, then this could be the sweet spot you’re looking for.

Asia has a wealth of varied terrain to appeal to cyclists of all levels. Our Asia cycling tours are all graded and list the daily distances, so you can make an informed choice about the trip you’re choosing.

It doesn’t have to be arduous; many tours are graded leisurely or leisurely moderate, following predominantly flat routes with approximately 2-4 hours in the saddle each day. This is certainly no sweaty bootcamp.

“People sometimes worry that a cycling holiday means you spend the whole day head down, desperately pedalling to keep up, but that’s really not what it’s like at all,” explains James Adkin, Explore Asia Programme Manager and keen cyclist.

“The whole point is for you to have your head up, taking it all in!” Cycling gives you a great insight and a unique perspective to your travels – you wouldn’t want to miss it.

Warm, local hospitality and authentic interactions

Rocking up by bike is an easy way to find the slipstream of ordinary life. “Cycling was a brilliant way to see how the country changed even within small pockets of countryside,” says Sarah of her first cycling holiday in Vietnam.

“On one of our first rides in the Mekong Delta, we stopped to watch as coconuts were harvested, buying them to crack open so we could drink the water before eating the delicious meat… and while cycling, people were swinging on hammocks at the front of their houses, waving hello as we passed by.”

Explore groups average 11 travellers – enough for camaraderie in the group, but not enough to feel like a hoard of locusts descending upon rural communities. Whilst you may not exactly be mistaken for a resident, you’ll be able to move through the landscape in a much less intrusive way for a more authentic experience.

 
You’ll work up a healthy appetite

Let’s face it, food is a huge draw for many travellers, and the flavours of Asia are unparalleled. It’s important to fuel your ride, and what better excuse could you need to dive headfirst into the culinary delights on offer?

Whether you’re slurping pho and crunching on spring rolls in Vietnam, inhaling fresh fruit from market stalls in Kerala, or getting stuck into an aromatic curry wrapped in banana leaf on a Sri Lankan beach, you’ll have plenty of excuses to let your tastebuds lead you to adventure.

Sustainable Travel

We often make use of Asia’s best railways – whether that’s a sleeper train in Vietnam instead of an internal flight or a chance to travel on the iconic Japanese shinkansen or bullet train, it’s woven seamlessly into your experience. Explore is devoted to responsible and low-impact travel, allowing you to enjoy a more ethical holiday experience.

What to Pack

Most important of all, you’ll need to bring your own cycling helmet. This is the one piece of safety equipment we don’t provide, as helmets are so personal to the individual and not easy for our local crew to maintain.
Everything else is provided, including our local crew who are trained roadside mechanics in case of anything amiss with your bike. Read our blog on how to pack for your cycling holiday.

However, if you’d like to bring your own accessories such as bike seats, pedals, or gel seat covers you’re most welcome to do so. During many tours, you’ll visit several temples, for which you'll need to dress appropriately. Make sure to bring clothing that covers your shoulders and trousers or skirts that go past your knees. A light scarf is also useful for covering your shoulders and arms, especially in hot weather. In many destinations, the tap water is not safe to drink, so we strongly encourage using a Water-to-Go bottle (get 15% off yours here) and discourage single use plastic bottles.

 
Accommodation

We use a range of accommodation across our tours, and each one will have detailed information about what’s in store. A quintessential Asia experience for many travellers is the sleeper trains. We use basic but comfortable second-class cabins. Some of our trips include homestays, such as in Kerala where you’ll stay in a rural property surrounded by spice gardens. For a more comfortable standard of accommodation, check out our Upgraded Cycling in Vietnam tour where you’ll have the same authentic experience with a premium level of accommodation to help you relax and unwind after your day exploring by bike.