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Code: |
VNLABK001 |
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Routes: |
Hanoi - Yen Bai - Nghia Lo - Tu Le -
Than Uyen - Sa Pa - Tam Duong - Lai Chau
- Dien Bien Phu -
Tay
Trang -
Nam Ou river - Nong Khiao
-
Luang Prabang - Kiu
Kachan - Kasi - Vang Vieng - Na Nam
- Vientiane |
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Duration: |
22 Days |
Itinerary in brief
This is an adventurous, moving on tour through
the mountainous north-west provinces of Vietnam
and Laos. Luggage transfer and vehicle support
will be provided. The tour is suitable for fit,
experienced cycling enthusiasts. Vietnam's far
North West is undoubtedly the best place to
cycle in the country as the roads see virtually
no tourists and avoid Vietnam's notorious
highways. It wasn’t until the late 1990’s that
travel restrictions were lifted. Starting in
Hanoi, we’ll pass through stunning landscapes,
amazing karst rock formations, stilted houses
with thatched roofs, mountains nestled between
limestone outcrops and the highest concentration
of hill-tribe people in the country. We'll
cross into a remote area of Laos via the newly
opened border crossing at Tay Trang. From
the small market town of Muang Khua, we’ll take
a slow boat down the beautiful Nam Ou river
before cycling on to World Heritage Luang
Prabang, with its beautiful temples and
colourful night market. Our route south to
Vientiane, the sleepy capital of Laos, is on
virtually traffic-free roads. Great
cycling and some of the friendliest people in
Asia.
Detail Itinerary
Day1: Hanoi - Arrival
Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport our guide who will
accompany you to your hotel will welcome you,
Vietnam's capital, is a stylish and gracious
city that retains an unique old world charm and
some Asia ‘s most striking colonial
architecture. The many lakes and parks make for
relaxing atmosphere. If time permits we
embark on a cyclo for a short excursion through
the bustling old quarter streets named after the
specific goods once offered for sale at these
places. O/N in Ha Noi.
Day2: Hanoi Leisure [B]
A day to explore Vietnam’s beautiful and
tranquil capital, Hanoi.
Day3: Hanoi - Yen Bai [B, L, D]
After an early breakfast, transfer by vehicle to
Yen Bai. Arrive late afternoon. Stay 1
night.
Day4: Yen Bai - Nhia Lo [B, L, D]
Cycle on a spectacular road through undulating
terrain of tea plantations, lush forests, rice
fields and gum trees to
Nghai Lo, positioned on a mountain ridge
overlooking the Red and Black River and home to
the Thai, Nung, H’mong, La Ha and Ma peoples. Stay 1 night.
Day5: Nhia Lo - Tu Le [B, L, D]
Cycling through the “real Vietnam” the route
undulates past large limestone mountains before
reaching Tu Le. Distance 85kms. Stay
1 night.
Day6: Tu Le - Than Uyen [B, L, D]
Our route takes us through rugged terrain of
dense vegetation, home of the Black Hmong and
the mysterious White Tay people, famed for their
folk music, poems and songs before descending
for 20kms to Than Uyen. Distance 85kms. Stay 1
night.
Day7: Than Uyen - Sapa [B, L, D]
A demanding, hilly, day along the Hoang Lien Son
mountain range culminating with the ascent of
the spectacular Tram Ton pass to Sapa, visiting
the silver waterfalls on route time permitting.
Stay 2 nights.
Day8: Sapa Explore [B, L, D]
A day off the bikes to explore Sa Pa an old
French hill-station, in a spectacular location
close to the Chinese border.
Day9: Sapa - Tam Duong [B, L, D]
Retrace our route back over the Tram Ton pass to
Binh Lu junction and follow the road 4D north
west to Tam Duong. Stay 1 night
Day10: Tam Duong - Lai Chau [B, L, D]
Cycle to Lai Chau via the Hang Tom suspension
bridge, following the Nam Na through spectacular
gorges and Black Dao villages. A long day
with some climbs. Stay 1 night.
Day11: Lai Chau - Dien Ben Phu - Muang Khoua
[B, L, D]
Our last full day in Vietnam. Cycle to
Dien Bien Phu – 104 kms. Dien Bien Phu was
the scene of the historic French defeat in 1954.
Stay 1 night.
Day12: Dien Bien Phu - Tay Trang Border
[B, L, D]
This is a very long demanding day – 134kms. After an early
start, we will cross the newly opened border
post into Laos at Tay Trang and continue for a
further 100kms to our first location in Laos at
the small market town of Muang Khoua. Stay
1 night.
Day13:
Muang Khoua - Nam Ou river
[B, L, D]
A spectacular river trip down the peaceful Nam
Ou river. Disembarking at Nong Khiao, we
will cycle the remaining 28 kms to our primitive
guesthouse accommodation at the road junction at
Pak Mong. Stay 1 night.
Day14:
Nam Ou river - Luang Prabang
[B, L, D]
Cycle to Luang Prabang. Another long day
(112 kms) but fairly easy terrain. (Stay 2
nights)
Day15:
Luang Prabang
[B, L, D]
Day at leisure in Luang Prabang to explore the
beautiful temples and markets in this UNESCO
World Heritage town.
Day16:
Luang Prabang - Kiu Kachan
[B, L, D]
Cycle to Kiu Kachan. A tough 72kms passing
through spectacular limestone peaks. Two
demanding climbs. (Stay 1 night)
Day17:
Kiu Kachan - Kasi
[B, L, D]
An undulating 50kms followed by a 38kms descent
off the mountains to Kasi. (Stay 1 night).
Day18:
Kasi - Vang Vieng
[B, L, D]
Cycle to Vang Vieng, a popular stopover for
back-packers. (60kms) The location is quite
spectacular, surrounded by mountains and
lime-stone peaks. (Stay 1 night)
Day19:
Vang Vieng - Na Nam
[B, L, D]
Cycle all the way to Na Nam (84kms) or cycle
24kms then complete the rest of the journey by
boat (Cost not included for boat journey). (Stay
1 night).
Day20:
Na Nam - Vientiane
[B, L, D]
Cycle to Vientiane, Laos’s sleepy capital.
100kms (Stay 2 nights)
Day21:
Vientiane
[B]
Vientiane at leisure. Time to explore the town,
pack up the bikes or do some last minute
shopping for souvenirs.
Day22: Vientiane
- Departure
[B]
At leisure until transfer to Tan Son Nhat
Airport for onward flight.
Included
*
English Speaking tour leader (other languages
upon requests)
* All accommodations base on twin-share
at hotel, guesthouse and Home stay.etc…
* Meals detailed in the itinerary (B =
Breakfast , L = Lunches ,D = Dinners)
* A/C transfers and transportation.
* Boat trip mention in itinerary
* Mountain bicycle 24 or 27Speed (LA bike
or Trek bike. etc…)
* Sightseeing excursions as outlined in
itinerary
* Pump, bike tools, spares tubes.
* Spare bike
* Cold water box, small fresh towel.
* Mineral water drinking.
* Seasonal fruits.
* Snacks
Excluded:
* International airfares
* Travel insurance and bike helmet
(compulsory)
* Items of a personal nature
* Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
* Mineral water beyond that supplied
* Optional excursions
* Additional transport required due to
any emergency situation
* Personal expenses such as telephone and
laundry bills
* Visa fees
* Departure taxes
* Tipping for guiding
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