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Code: |
VNBKTD05 |
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Routes: |
Hanoi - Son La - Tuan
Giao - Dien Bien Phu - Lai Chau - Tam
Duong - Sapa - Hanoi - Ha Long Bay
- Kayaking |
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Duration: |
14 Days |
Itinerary in brief
Day 1: Ha Noi
Day 2: Ha Noi - Son La
Day 3: Son La - Tuan Giao
Day 4: Tuan Giao - Dien Bien Phu
Day 5: Dien Bien Phu - Lai Chau
Day 6:
Lai Chau - Tam Duong
Day 7: Tam Duong - Sa Pa
Day 8: Sa Pa
Day 9: Sa Pa - Lao Cai
Day 10: Ha Noi
Day 11: Halong Bay
(Sea Kayaking)
Day 12: Halong Bay (Sea Kayaking)
Day 13: Halong Bay - Hanoi (Sea
Kayaking)
Day 14: Ha Noi - Departure
Detail Itinerary
Day 1: Ha Noi
You are met at Noi Bai airport for your first
night in Ha Noi. This bustling city will enchant
you with its fusion of European, Chinese and
Vietnamese cultures. After you check into hotel,
we stroll across the road to the 'Au Lac' cafe
for late night refreshments in the courtyard.
O/N in Ha Noi.
Day 2: Ha Noi - Son La
Morning coach departure to transport you to Son
La, your starting point for seven days of
cycling adventure. The scenery along the way
will whet your appetite for what's in store.
Plenty of stops are scheduled along the way and
a great opportunity to get to know your fellow
cyclists. O/N in Son La.(B,
L, D)
Day 3: Son La - Tuan Giao
Cycle Son La to Tuan Giao (90 km). A stunning
day of cycling through a region populated by the
Black Thai mountain people. An early climb in
wild rugged terrain gradually transforms into a
meander through cultivated crops and friendly
villages. A late afternoon climb will reward you
with mountain vistas that go on forever and a
final exhilarating descent to Tuan Giao. O/N in
Tuan Giao.(B,
L, D)
Day 4: Tuan Giao - Dien Bien Phu
Cycle Tuan Giao to Dien Bien Phu (81 km). Just
when you thought the cycling couldn't get better
it does. We cycle through picturesque gorges,
lush forest and farming communities with plenty
of chances to greet the locals. One word of
warning though, is wary of a challenge to 'drag
race'. This is where the barefooted young boys
and girls on their rickety single speed bikes
put us to shame. However their cheeky grins will
remain a treasured memory long after the pain of
defeat has subsided. O/N in Dien Bien Phu.(B,
L, D)
Day 5: Dien Bien Phu - Lai Chau
Cycle Dien Bien Phu to Lai Chau (100 km). In
1954 Vietnamese nationalists overran the French
Garrison stationed here and effectively drove
the French out of Vietnam. An early morning
excursion to the war museum is definitely
recommended, especially when the tour is given
from the personal perspective of our guide,
Tran. Day after day of fabulous cycling
continues with a late arrival into Lai Chau.
Dinner and drinks are served at local hotel. O/N
in Lai Chau.(B,
L, D)
Day 6:
Lai Chau - Tam Duong
Cycle Lai Chau to Tam Duong (106 km's). Today's
ride has some of the most spectacular scenery in
Vietnam as you follow the Nam Na River. A great
day to get lost in your thoughts and the rhythm
of cycling. We spend the night at the simple
Phuong Thanh Hotel with some of the most
charming and friendly staff we have been lucky
to meet in Vietnam. O/N in Tam Duong.(B,
L, D)
Day 7: Tam Duong - Sa Pa
Cycle Tam Duong to Sa Pa (73km). An amazing day
of touring is in front of you, with sections
that have been voted the 'best downhill' and the
'toughest climb' on tour. The final climb is
breathtaking in its grandeur, length and sense
of remoteness. It will take you over the highest
pass in South East Asia with glorious views of
Mt Fansipan, the tallest mountain in Vietnam. At
the top we take a short break and as you gaze
into the distant valley below you will be filled
with a sense of achievement that does not come
often or easily. O/N in Sa Pa.(B,
L, D)
Day 8: Sa Pa
Rest day in Sa Pa, truly unique and it would be
unforgivable to not spend a full day here. A
former French hill station, you will marvel at
the towering mist covered hills, terraced rice
paddies and alpine streams. Combine this with
the hill tribe people, particularly the
delightful H'mong girls selling handmade silver
jewellery, and bustling markets, and you will
understand why it is our favourite destination
in Vietnam. Explore, laze around the indoor pool
or hike to one of the minority villages, the
choice is yours. O/N in Sa Pa.(B,
L, D)
Day 9: Sa Pa - Lao Cai
Sa Pa to Lao Cai (35km). After all the mountains
you have climbed, this day of complete downhill
will almost (but not quite) make you feel
guilty. Once in Lao Cai we travel to the border
crossing with China where in 1979 the Chinese
invaded Vietnam before being driven out. We have
dinner in town before travelling overnight on
the train back to Ha Noi. Stay up late in the
dining car sipping on Sa Pa wine and swapping
stories and experiences with you new best
friends.(B,
L, D)
Day 10: Ha Noi
Saddle up for a cycle tour of Ha Noi (20 km)
exploring many of the small back streets and
merchants of the Old Quarter. Prepare to be
swept up in the sea of riders and motorcycles
circling Hoan Kiem Lake in the centre of Ha Noi,
and cycle respectfully past Ho Chi Minh's
mausoleum. This night a celebratory dinner is
held at 'Indochine' one of Ha Noi's finest
Vietnamese restaurants. O/N in Ha Noi.(B,
L, D)
Day 11: Halong Bay
(Sea Kayaking)
We depart at 8:30am this morning, driving 2
hours to the seaport of Hai Phong. We'll stop
for breakfast along the way, then board the
express boat to Cat Ba Island. From here we
board a small boat for a 20-minute ride to our
private base camp. We'll settle into our beachs
huts, take a refreshing dip in the sea, or a
walk along the whitesand beach while our guides
prepare a delicious spread of fresh local
seafood and vegetable dishes. Afterwards he'll
give a discussion on gear and safety,
demonstrate the basic paddle strokes and outline
our paddling route. Now it's time to slip into
our sleek kayaks and set out for an afternoon of
paddling. We'll return to base camp for a fresh
water shower and a great dinner before retiring
to our cozy huts for the night.
(B,
L, D)
Day 12: Halong Bay (Sea Kayaking)
Today is a full day of paddling, exploring the
bay at a leisurely pace, with time to take a
closer look at the amazing karsts. We'll explore
the labyrinth of caves that lead to stunning
lagoons, paddle to floating villages to see this
unique way of life, and stop to chill out at one
of the many beaches here. We'll be met by a
support boat, which we'll board for lunch, then
return to the sea and spend the remainder of the
afternoon paddling. The support boat will pick
us up late afternoon to motor us back to the
base camp for dinner. Overnight at our cozy base
camp.
(B,
L, D)
Day 13: Halong Bay - Hanoi (Sea
Kayaking)
Early risers can revitalize with a morning dip
in the ocean before breakfast. We can enjoy a
last paddle of the bay or merely hang on the
beach and chill in a hammock with a good book.
The paddlers return to base camp in time for
lunch, then we all cruise back to Cat Ba Island,
passing floating villages and markets along the
way. We take the express boat back to Hai Phong
then bus back to Hanoi, arriving in Hanoi at
7.30 pm. Overnight in a comfortable hotel.
(B,L)
Day 14: Ha Noi - Departure
Free time for shopping or at leisure until your
flight home.(B)
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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