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Code: |
VNBKTD06 |
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Routes: |
Hanoi - Hue
- HoiAn - Quy Nhon - Pleiku - Buon
MaThuot - Nha Trang - Dalat - HoChiMinh
city - CuChi |
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Duration: |
15 Days |
Itinerary in brief
Day 1: Arrive Hanoi
Day 2: Depart Hanoi to Hue
Day 3: Hue
Day 4: Hue - Hoi An
Day 5: Hoi An
Day 6: Hoi An -
Quy Nhon
Day 7: Quy Nhon to Pleiku (via An Khe)
Day 8: Pleiku - Buon Ma Thuot
Day 9: Buon Ma Thuot - Nha Trang
Day 10: Nha Trang
Day 11: Nha Trang - Dalat
Day 12: Dalat
Day 13: Dalat to Ho Chi Minh City by support
vehicle
Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels
Day 15: Depart Ho Chi Minh City
Detail Itinerary
Traveling by bicycle through the length of the
country really immerses you into local daily
life. This itinerary takes you from north to
south and covers several major attractions along
the way, including the picturesque fishing town
of Hoi An, the former Imperial capital of Hue
and the vibrant metropolis of Ho Chi Minh city.
Road conditions will vary but for the most part,
they are of decent standards. The scenery is
particularly breathtaking and the local
communities are very warm and friendly.
Activities:
Cycling and cultural experience
Day
1: Arrive Hanoi
You will be met on arrival and transfered to the
hotel. There is no itinerary planned for today
but we will meet at night for a quick briefing
before heading out for an evening dinner at one
of Hanoi's fine Vietnamese restaurants.
Day
2: Depart Hanoi to Hue
Today we have the entire day to relax and see
the sights of Hanoi. In the evening we catch the
Reunification Express train to Hue.
Day
3: Hue
We arrive in Hue in the morning and meet
with our crew. Here we fitted to our bicycles
and equipment. In the afternoon we take a short
ride to Tu Duc's tomb.
Day
4: Hue - Hoi An
The morning is spent sightseeing on our bikes
around Hue. Time permitting, we will visit the
Citadel and the Thien Mu Pagoda. We then bus to
Da Nang before cycling on to the World Heritage
town of Hoi An.
Day
5: Hoi An
A free day to explore this fascinating
riverside town. Hoi An is a charming, quaint
fishing town that can easily be explored on foot
(or bicycle!). Some of its many attractions
include the Chinese Assembly Halls, built
between the 17th & 19th centuries for the large
Chinese merchant population. Also worth visiting
are the ancient ancestral homes, some of which
have been occupied by the same family for 15
generations. Hoi An is also famed for its tailor
shops. This stems from the time when the town
was a major stop along the Silk Road. The
beautiful Cua Dai beach is 4km from town and
makes for a great cycle destination.
Day
6: Hoi An -
Quy Nhon
We bus to Quang Ngai before cycling 10 kms into
the district of Song My (or the better known
hamlet of My Lai). Here we will visit a memorial
for the villagers who died in during the War.
The My Lai site is in a small rural settlement,
surrounded by simple thatched huts, quilted rice
paddies and farmers with conical hats going
about their day to day routines. After visiting
the memorial and museum we ride back to our bus
and then drive to Qui Nhon
Day
7: Quy Nhon to Pleiku (via An Khe)
A more challenging day as we head inland off
Highway 1 and tackle the uphill road on Highway
19. We will part-cycle this, over a distance of
186 kms before reaching Pleiku (alt. 785m).
Pleiku is located in the Truong Son mountain
range (running through the length of the
country) which is home to some of Vietnam's 54
hill-tribe minority groups, known as Montagnards
(French collective name for "mountain people").
The town has a distinctive Russian architectural
influence from Russian aid workers after the
war.
Day
8: Pleiku - Buon Ma Thuot
Today's part- cycle is on an excellent road,
Highway 14, taking in 197kms of undulating and
scenic uplands. We pass by coffee plantations
and national parks on our way to the largest
town in the Western Highlands, and the capital
of Dac Lac Province.
Day
9: Buon Ma Thuot - Nha Trang
Today part-cycle covers 194kms on Highway 28 and
whilst undulating is mostly downhill towards the
coast and Nha Trang. We may see wild elephants
as we pass through more minority hamlets on our
way to the kilometres of untouched beaches,
great climate and islands to explore which have
made Nha Trang a popular Vietnamese resort. The
accommodation for the next 2 nights is situated
high on the headland overlooking the islands and
equipped with its own private beach. The
atmosphere almost resembles that of a palatial
villa in Tuscany it is no wonder that it
was a preferred summer respite for Bao Dai ,
Vietnam's last ruling monarch.
Day
10: Nha Trang
A cycle-free day to enjoy the clear blue waters
and relaxed ambience of Nha Trang. We take a
local boat to one of the nearby islands to visit
a beautiful beach where you may relax, swim,
enjoy a cool beer or indulge in a massage. Then
after returning to Nha Trang, the afternoon is
free to enjoy at your leisure.
Day
11: Nha Trang - Dalat
We begin today driving a short distance before
continuing on bike for the next 95kms to Phan
Rang. The cycling is excellent, made easier by
the strong tail winds and well maintained roads.
After lunch we then start the bus ride to Dalat
where you will be rewarded with superb views
over the delta and the South China Sea. Dalat is
situated at a height of 1500 metres and has a
pleasant cool climate.
Day
12: Dalat
Dalat is set in the mountain region north of Ho
Chi Minh City and is a renowned retreat for
poets and artists. The town features French
provincial villas and lush green hills. This
morning we'll visit King Bao Dai's Summer Palace
and experience some of the spectacular vantage
points around Dalat's hilly countryside. Close
to our hotel there are a number of small French
style cafes which boast the best coffee in
Vietnam and are a good place to relax and watch
the passing parade. This afternoon can be spent
relaxing, exploring the lake area or seeking out
some of the impressive French architecture
throughout the town.
Day
13: Dalat to Ho Chi Minh City by support vehicle
After breakfast we drive south east for 7
hours (approx 350kms) to Ho Chi Minh City. On
the way we pass small hamlets as well as tea,
coffee cashew nut, rubber and tobacco
plantations.
Day
14: Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels
This morning, we travel to the remarkable Cu Chi
tunnels, home to 5,000 VC troops during the War.
In the afternoon, we walk through the heart of
the city pass some of Ho Chi Minh's famous
sites; the French colonial Town Hall, the Rex
Hotel, Notre Dame Cathedral, the former U.S.
embassy, the President's Palace (also known as
the Reunification Palace) and make an optional
visit to the War Crimes Museum. Tonight we join
our Vietnamese guide for a farewell dinner at a
local restaurant.
Day
15: Depart Ho Chi Minh City
Trip will conclude after breakfast.
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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