Guide to cycling trips and travel by bicycle, including cycling trip holiday advice, long bicycle trip tips and where to cycle on holiday
Cycling is quite simply one the best ways to travel. Bike touring is green, it’s healthy, it’s slow enough to take in the country you’re passing through, yet fast enough to cover plenty of ground – whether you have a week or a year to spare.
Cycling is also open to all. Novices may not want to tackle a trail through the Nepalese Himalayas, but there are plenty of paths perfect for pedalling first-timers. From a gentle roll through the lavender fields of Provence, France, to the redwood-dotted route along coastal California, USA, to the miles of fine trails waymarked through England, Scotland and Wales, there is something for every beginner bicycler.
You don’t need to be super-fit to go cycle touring. If your aim is to pootle between wineries in the flat French countryside, you need to be physically active but not expert; if your plan is to cycle 100km a day across hilly Patagonia or the towering Canadian Rockies, you’ll want to do some serious training.
You don’t even need to know much about bikes. There are plenty of excellent tour operators offering supported cycling trips worldwide, from the rice paddies of China to the winelands of South Africa. They provide most of the equipment, bike maintenance and even a support vehicle that you can rest in if the cycling gets too much.
Of course you can plan your own cycling adventure – in this case you’ll want to know a bit about fixing bikes, and you’ll need to look into regulations about transporting your bike on planes and trains. You’ll also want to get some gear: cycle helmet, padded cycling shorts and a comfortable saddle are essentials.
But however long you cycle for, wherever in the world you chose to cycle, you’ll find touring by bike is an eye-opening experience. The freedom to stop where you chose and talk to local people as you explore, the fact that you’re not in a flashy sealed vehicle – these will open up interactions and situations that, in a car or plane, just wouldn’t be possible.
It’s time to get in the saddle.
Some of the world's best places to explore by bike – whether you're a hill-loving athlete or a complete beginner
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Wanderlust subscribers now receive a free £50 voucher valid on trips from a great selection of top tour operators
And the best bit is, this isn't a one-off offer, you get one every time you renew as well!
The £50 discount can be redeemed against one trip booking with one of our tour operator partners, by the expiry date printed on the voucher. The £50 can even be redeemed on top of any discounts our partners are already offering, ensuring Wanderlust subscribers get the best deal possible.
Simply quote your unique voucher code when booking to claim the discount. This offer is only available to Wanderlust subscribers.
UK subscribers automatically receive the voucher each year. Overseas subscribers receive it upon request.
Peru Trip Advisors
From: £1990.00
This unique adventure will take you to Lares: the heart of the Andes, ending at Machu Picchu. The route offers the perfect combination of traditional adventure travel and cultural immersion.
World Expeditions
From: £1690.00
Cycling is the classic way to experience the diversity of Vietnam. This journey from Hanoi through the central highlands and along the coast to Ho Chi Minh City is one of our most popular tours
Journey Latin America
From: £3,858.12
Explore Chile's volcanic and glaciated wilderness landscapes on foot, by bike, or on the water. Chile hosts some of the most dramatic scenery in the world and has a good infrastructure for outdoor ...
Bamboo Travel
From: £3395.00
Combine the iconic sights of Beijing with the rural and ethnically-diverse provinces of Yunnan and Guangxi. After seeing the Forbidden City and trekking along the Great Wall, head to southern China...
Selective Asia
From: £1599.00
Why go south when there’s so much to experience at the top. Enjoy 14 days travelling through what many consider to be the ‘real Vietnam’.
Flight Centre
From: £2619.00
Jet off to New Zealand’s stunning South Island and discover its varied wildlife and beautiful coastline. Look out for whales and dolphins in Kaikoura and albatross in Dunedin, cycle the pretty coun...
Undiscovered Destinations
From: £1979.00
This tour really goes beyond the tourist trail! take a spiritual Shwedagon tour, to the Shan villages, local schools, and the grave of the first prince of Hsipaw
BSpoke Tours
From: £755.00
The clue is in the name with this brand new tour from BSpoke. Visit the stunning Lake Constance and take in Germanic, Swiss and Austrian beauty all in one cycle trip!
TravelLocal
From: £2090.00
This trip is designed for lovers of hiking and cycling. Experience Beijing and Guilin in a unique way. Whilst in Beijing hike along the Great Wall, and in Guangxi cycle among the iconic karst cliffs.
Nijhoom Tours
From: £2342.94**
Holiday package to experience the best sights and attractions of Bangladesh as recommended by popular guide books like BRADT and LonelyPlanet, with a local operator on a group of 6 travelers maximum.
Tropical Sky
From: £2499.00
15 day tour holiday from £2499 including flights and accommodation. Highlights: Explore Beijing and Hong Kong, Hike the world famous Great Wall, Visit Shaolin monastery, See te Terracotta Warriors.
Windows On The Wild
From: £2056.00
This energetic adventure is a fantastic way to see the 10,000 year old west coast of Newfoundland.
KE Adventure Travel
From: £2445.00
A cycling holiday in Madagascar, explore the highlights of the land of lemurs
World Expeditions
From: £2150.00
A crossing of Costa Rica from the Pacific coast to the Caribbean Sea under your own steam
Selective Asia
From: £1569.00
Northern Thailand is teeming with temples, oozes culture & boasts impressive scenery at every turn. Enjoy 12 days travelling through what many consider to be the ‘real Thailand’.
KE Adventure Travel
From: £1295.00
A sun-kissed road cycling holiday on the mountainous island of Gran Canaria
BSpoke Tours
From: £700.00
Known as the island of beauty Corsica is paradise, the crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches and magnificent mountains are amazing. And, with exciting activities on offer...
Journey Latin America
From: £3,472.49
Trekking, biking and river rafting deep in rural Peru. Includes trekking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, cycling in the Sacred Valley of the Incas and white-water rafting in Andean canyons descend...
Nijhoom Tours
From: £1749.40**
Holiday package to experience the best sights and attractions of Bangladesh as recommended by popular guide books like BRADT and LonelyPlanet, with a local operator on a group of 6 travelers maximum.
BSpoke Tours
From: £990.00
The Levante Beach Resort in Rhodes is an excellent holiday resort offering state of the art sports facilities including tennis, sailing and cycling.
World Expeditions
From: £1690.00
Visit the walled cities of Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and the Pink City of Jaipur before cycling the backroads to the spectacular Taj Mahal
Nijhoom Tours
From: £905.94**
Excursion to Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, overnight trip on Rocket paddle steamer, trekking and bird watching at tea capital Srimangal, visiting mosque city Bagerhat and Old Dhaka.
KE Adventure Travel
From: £995.00
Mountain biking highlights holiday in Macedonia, the `Pearl of the Balkans`
KE Adventure Travel
From: £1445.00
A superb Indian cycling holiday from Udaipur to the Taj Mahal
Nijhoom Tours
From: £1241.76**
Visit the most glorious sites in Bangladesh including 3 day excursion in Sundarbans, overnight Rocket trip, visit tea capital Srimangal, best archaeological sights of Rajshahi, life on river islands.
World Expeditions
From: £2390.00
Hike and bike through history on this epic journey to discover the natural and man made icons of China
BSpoke Tours
From: £1145.00
This e-bike tour takes you deep into the most enticing Chianti wine territory - with plenty of opportunities to sample the local, tasty goods.
KE Adventure Travel
From: £2395.00
A road cycling holiday, north to south across the exotic island of Sri Lanka
BSpoke Tours
From: £1289.00
Discover majestic Chateaux, famous vineyards, regional culinary specialities and UNESCO World Heritage landscapes in one of the most beloved parts of France.
World Expeditions
From: £1790.00
Discover the natural beauty of Myanmar; explore Yangon's colonial charm, Bagan's magical temples, the tranquil Lake Inle & step off the beaten path in Mon State.
KE Adventure Travel
From: £1745.00
A 'revolutionary' cycling holiday on the Caribbean island of Cuba, from Havana to Trinidad
World Expeditions
From: £1450.00
Cycle backroads through rural villages as we journey from bustling Ho Chi Minh City to the exquisite temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia
BSpoke Tours
From: £675.00
From the shimmering quiet of Lake Garda, to the maze of colourful streets and canals in Venice, through Shakespeare’s haunts and the winelands.
World Expeditions
From: £1760.00
A land of misty highlands, tea plantations, dense jungles, national parks and a wonderful coastline, Sri Lanka is ideally suited to cycling
KE Adventure Travel
From: £1295.00
A superb Himalayan off-road mountain biking holiday in Nepal
BSpoke Tours
From: £1149.00
The South Tyrol and Dolomites incredible natural beauty engulfs you on this tour, as you weave through deep valleys and apple orchards down to the Mediterranean-esque shores of Lake Garda.
BSpoke Tours
From: £500.00
Our single centre holidays in the Loire valley are set in Montsoreau and Candes-St-Martin, both villages make the list of ‘le plus belle villages de France’, or the most beautiful villages of France.
KE Adventure Travel
From: £1195.00
A road cycling holiday in the Costa Blanca, a part of Mediterranean Spain popular with the pro teams
KE Adventure Travel
From: £1895.00
A classic road cycling holiday from Hanoi in the north to Hue in central Vietnam
KE Adventure Travel
From: £2195.00
A cycling and cultural highlights holiday in Vietnam and Cambodia
BSpoke Tours
From: £965.00
From Muscat to Malvazija, this dreamy tour takes you from forests and rivers to ancient villages and colourful harbour towns - with wine sampling all the way.
KE Adventure Travel
From: £2495.00
A cycling holiday amongst the cultural highlights of Burma
BSpoke Tours
From: £1295.00
Discover a landscape rich with flavour, from the finest olive oil and wine, to the freshest fruit and fish. From coastal paths to sunny vineyards, via perfectly preserved medieval villages.
BSpoke Tours
From: £1125.00
Explore the Alentejo Western Atlantic Coast of Portugal, one of the most tranquil, wildly beautiful and most stunning coastlines in Europe.
KE Adventure Travel
From: £1695.00
Cycling and sightseeing holiday on the tropical islands of Bali and Java
BSpoke Tours
From: £1265.00
Follow the river Loire and the picturesque riverside cycle route as it wends westwards from Blois to Saumur.
KE Adventure Travel
From: £2995.00
A south to north adventure cycling journey through Iran, formerly ancient Persia
KE Adventure Travel
From: £890.00
Pedal your way along the famous Loire Valley, from Blois to Saumur and discover the many magnificent Chateaux en route.
KE Adventure Travel
From: £2295.00
A challenging mountain biking journey from north-west Vietnam into Laos
KE Adventure Travel
From: £995.00
Cycling and sightseeing holiday amongst the UNESCO-listed highlights of this unspoiled and little-known Balkan country
KE Adventure Travel
From: £1495.00
Europe's finest road cycling holiday - the Route des Grandes Alpes
KE Adventure Travel
From: £1645.00
A mountain and desert cycling holiday in the Central Asian state of Kazakhstan
KE Adventure Travel
From: £3195.00
A mountain biking holiday across the Shangri La kingdom of Bhutan
KE Adventure Travel
From: £1495.00
A road cycling holiday in the Pyrenees via classic Tour de France cols
KE Adventure Travel
From: £1095.00
A road cycling holiday in Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Montenegro
KE Adventure Travel
From: £1295.00
A leisurely cycling holiday at the tropical tip of southern India
KE Adventure Travel
From: £945.00
A chilled cycling holiday on the sun-kissed Greek island of Kefalonia
KE Adventure Travel
From: £1495.00
Backroads Indian cycling holiday, from Dharamsala to Shimla
KE Adventure Travel
From: £895.00
A sun-kissed week of leisure cycling along the southern coastline of Cyprus, an island known for its fascinating history and traditional hospitality
KE Adventure Travel
From: £745.00
Classic road biking holiday from the Atlas to the Sahara in Morocco
KE Adventure Travel
From: £1895.00
A varied and challenging week of road cycling from Alesund in the most beautiful part of Fjord Norway
KE Adventure Travel
From: £2395.00
A cycling holiday in the Chilean Lake District and in northern Patagonia
KE Adventure Travel
From: £1345.00
A superb one-week road cycling holiday on Corsica, the most beautiful island in the Mediterranean
KE Adventure Travel
From: £1795.00
Tropical road cycling holiday in Thailand on the Thai-Malay Peninsula
KE Adventure Travel
From: £2795.00
Experience Vietnam in all its glory on this cycling holiday from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi
KE Adventure Travel
From: £700.00
Cycle through Germany, Switzerland and Austria and explore beautiful Lake Constance & the dramatic Rhine Falls at your own pace
KE Adventure Travel
From: £1095.00
Coastal trails, wine roads and cultural cycling on this charming holiday in the pretty region of Istria in northern Croatia
KE Adventure Travel
From: £605.00
Discover the beauty of the famous Danube cycle path from Passau to Vienna at your own pace on this self-guided biking holiday
KE Adventure Travel
From: £2595.00
An epic bike mountain bike holiday in Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa
KE Adventure Travel
From: £1695.00
South Africa, Cape Town and the Western Cape cycling holiday
KE Adventure Travel
From: £845.00
Cycle Turkey, a unique off-road mountain biking holiday in Cappadocia
KE Adventure Travel
From: £2195.00
Traverse the Sacred Valley from Cusco to Machu Picchu via raft, mountain bike and stunning treks
KE Adventure Travel
From: £825.00
A laid-back Algarve cycling holiday from a charming eco-lodge base at the southern tip of Portugal
KE Adventure Travel
From: £1195.00
A challenging and fantastic cycling holiday in Jordan from the Dead Sea to the Red Sea
KE Adventure Travel
From: £995.00
A classic easy-paced cycling holiday beside the River Danube in Austria
KE Adventure Travel
From: £840.00
Cycle from the Italian Alps to Venice, sail across Lake Garda and explore Verona all at your own pace
KE Adventure Travel
From: £1375.00
A cycling holiday in Cambodia from Angkor Wat to the Cardamom Mountains
KE Adventure Travel
From: £945.00
Family friendly cycling holiday along coastal tracks, through olive groves and vineyards
KE Adventure Travel
From: £1645.00
A mountain bike adventure holiday across the Indian Himalaya
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