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Code: |
VNBKTD16 |
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Routes: |
Hanoi-Mai Chau-Pu Luong
and Phong Nha National Parks-Hue Ancient
City |
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Duration: |
07 Days |
Itinerary in brief
Day 1:Ha noi-Mai chau
Day2:Pu luong nature reserve-Ngoc lac
Day 3:Ngoc lac-Thai hoa
Day 4:Thai hoa-Nghe an
Day 5:Nghe an-Huong khe
Day 6:Huong khe-Phong nha national park
Day 7:Phong nha-Hue city
Detail Itinerary
Day 1:Ha Noi-Mai Chau
Depart from ha noi early this morning ,transfer
by our support vehicle to mai chau. Arriving at
lunchtime, enjoy a cooked lunch at a local Tai
village house before setting off along a
spectacularly beautiful river valley towards Hoi
Xuan along an undulating tarmac road. (Old
highway 15A) The road follows the flow of River
Song Ma. This is an old supply route of the HCM
Trail that fed the main trail with ammunitions
during the American War with Vietnam. Overnight
at the edge of Pu Luong Nature Reserve in a
traditional Thai village homestay, part of an
ecotourist community project set up by Fauna and
Flora International in 2003. Overnight village
house on stilts.(25km cycling)
Day2:Pu Luong Nature Reserve-Ngoc Lac
An early morning start to beat the heat of the
day. The route takes us away from the river and
appears to contour through the same range of
mountains that stretch from Mai Chau to Cuc
Phuong to Hoa Lu. The road gets more beautiful
the closer you ride to Ngoc Lac with looming
karst limestone cliffs and lush vegetation. The
route is tarmac all the way, but quite hard
riding due to the undulating terrain. Overnight
in local hotel Ngoc Lac. (70km cycling)
Day 3:Ngoc Lac-Thai Hoa
Ride for the first time on the newly built two
lane Ho Chi Minh Highway. It hardly warrants two
lanes as there is no traffic! The road makes for
smooth fast riding, and for those who prefer
there is always the old highway dirt and gravel
- that weaves around the new highway allowing
for plenty of exploring possibilities along the
way.
Ride to Muc Son, on the banks of River Song Chu.
On the outskirts of this small town are the
famous Kan Linh historical relics - a pagoda
where the first king of the Ly dynasty, Le Thai
To, ruled, in 1428. Continue riding on the trail
to Yen Cat. The distance covered today is quite
long and there will be the chance to transfer
some sections by the back-up vehicle to rest
weary legs.There are fewer villages today as the
route cuts through forests and jungle. Picnic
lunch en route. Overnight Thai Hoa guesthouse.
(80km cycling)
Day 4:Thai Hoa-Nghe An
Continue riding the incredible Ho Chi Minh
Trail. Have lunch in Lat town. In Kim Lien visit
the famous
museum and birthplace of Ho Chi Minh in
1890. This province has a reputation for
producing charismatic revolutionary leaders; not
only Ho Chi Minh but also Phan Boi Chau –
another fervent anti colonialist -was born here.
Overnight in Nghe An Town.(100km cycling)
Day 5:Nghe An-Huong Khe
After a relaxing breakfast continue riding on
the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The trail is still a
dream to ride on. Again there is virtually no
traffic. Transfer if tired in the afternoon to
Huong Khe for overnight in a local
guesthouse.(80km cycling)
Day 6:Huong Khe-Phong Nha National Park
From Huong Khe the mountains rise and the road
winds up, down and along the hillsides. The
scenery is spectacular, the road tranquil. Ride
up to 80km then transfer the last few km to
Phong Nha National Park. The park contains one
of the most spectacular caves in Vietnam, It is
a true speleological wonder. Visit the cave by
boat then wander through the cavern, past the
foundations of ancient Cham ruins. Pause to
admire the incredible formation of stalactites
and stalagmites. Formed approximately 250
million years ago and during the American war
,the north Vietnam army had used Phong Nha cave
as a hospital and ammunition depot . the
entrance still showing evidence of fighter
aircraft attacks. There are community projects
underway with Flora and Fauna International and
it may be possible to visit village initiatives
and learn more about the forests of the National
Park. Overnight at the National Park.(80km
cycling)
Day 7:Phong Nha-Hue City
Explore Phong Nha Cave in the early morning.
Continue riding on the Ho Chi Minh Trail across
the DMZ (better known as the 17th
Parallel,) to Cam Lo. The road is now quite flat
and makes for good cruising! Stop en route to
visit Truong Son Cemetery, a memorial to the
tens of thousands of North Vietnamese soldiers
who were killed in the Truong Son Mountains
along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Fourteen
miles further on is the town of Cam Lo – the
Trail here intersects a strategic feeder road
(H9) from Dong Ha and at this junction part of
the Ho Chi Minh Trail heads across country into
Laos. We finish our exploration of the Ho Chi
Minh trail here. This is where we end the
cycling section of the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
Transfer to Hue visiting war relics en route.
Overnight Hotel in Hue. End of services (60km
cycling)
Note
This itinerary allows for 07 field days on the
cycling section. You will be able to decide for
yourself at any time during each of these days
how far you want to cycle. Average daily cycling
distances are approximately 60 -100 km. These
distances may vary according to weather, road
conditions and group fitness and preferences.
This is a sightseeing cycle tour, not a marathon
or time trial.
What to bring:
1. Bike Helmet
2. Small backpack
3. Shoes and shorts for cycling
4. Sunglasses
5. Gloves
6. Professional Pedal
7. Sun block
8. Camera + Film
9. Insect repellent
10. Original Passport
11. Wide brim hat
12. Bike water bottle (if you don't want to use
Green Trail Tours bottle)
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