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Code: |
VNBKTD88 |
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Routes: |
Hanoi - Mai Chau - Song
Thao - Luc Yen - Vu Linh - Na Khan - Ba
Be - Quang Hoa - Ban Gioc - Lang Son -
Mau Son - Hanoi |
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Duration: |
09 Days |
Detail Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi - Mai Chau. ~150
km
Once out of the Red River Delta, which brims
with traditional farming activity, we pass
through limestone monoliths and into foothills
populated by Muong people. We head straight at
the main range before breaching a high and
beautiful forested pass, which descends into the
hidden valley of Mai Chau where we spend the
night with friends in a traditional Thai stilt
house. The valley of Mai Chau lies between two
rivers: the Da River and the Ma River, which
make it very fertile and rich in varied
landscapes, medium mountains, forest, lake,
rivers, and infinitude of small footpaths, which
offer many possibilities of trek. In the valley
of Mai Chau and its surroundings are Muong,
White Thai, H'mong (in the height), and the Dao
who we meet at the markets or in their villages
during trekking, boating or while driving.
Day 2: Mai Chau - Song Thao. ~180 km
Beautiful landscape. Valley of wax-tree, native
land of lacquer makers in Vietnam.
Song Thao is a very small village lost in the
hills on west bank of Black river. The
particular thing is that this is the place where
we grow lacquer trees to collect the precious
substance called lacquer.
We are welcome in the house of our friends. You
meet Kinh (ethnic Vietnamese). We propose to
stay in the house of the two "uncles", direct
descendant of the ancestor who discovered the
property of this tree and the way to use it,
about four hundreds years ago (quite recently
compared to China who knew about lacquer few
thousands years ago).
Day 3: Song Thao - Luc Yen - Vu Linh. ~150 km
Drive from Song Thao on the secondary road then
Highway 2 until Khanh Hoa; turn right into the
bumpy road that leads to Luc Yen. Lunch in Luc
Yen. After lunch, we drive to Xuan Long in 30
minutes; here a boat is waiting to take us and
our bikes to cross Thac Ba Lake to Vu Linh (3
hours). Vu Linh is a Dzao village and the
welcome is exceptional.
Day 4: Vu Linh - Na Khan. ~250 km
You ride from Vu Linh to Na Khan through Thai
Nguyen (over 200 km). The road is sealed all the
way until Bac Kan and the last part from Bac Kan
to Na Khan is wild and little bumpy. Na Khan is
a Tay village, lost in the middle of the
primitive forest. Mr. Lo, chef of the village
will welcome us in his house.
Day 5: Na Khan - Ba Be. 50 km, ~2 h +
Boating.
Short drive from Na Khan to Ba Be on bumpy road.
Lunch at our captain's house (Mr. Dang, we call
him Zi Dang). Easy boating on the lake and
river. Go to market (if it is the day you
arrive). Stop at waterfall, beautiful swim…Ong
pirate, the chef of Dau Dang waterfall where we
enjoy dinner. Down the waterfall, we could visit
the village and a small school (only few pupils
during the summer). We propose to stay in the
stilt house of forest guards.
Day 6: Ba Be - Quang Hoa. ~170 km
Cross Ba Be lake to come back to our captain's
house. Beautiful ride up to Cao Bang province.
Few passes from where you can dominate the area.
The road is easy but many curves. We can stop a
lot. All together, stop for drinks and food it
should be an 8-hour journey. Then ride 1 more
hour to reach the beautiful village of Quang
Hoa, in the middle of a mountain cirque. This is
the territory of Nung An people. Spend the night
in our friend's house.
Day 7: Quang Hoa - Ban Gioc - Quang Hoa. ~100
km
Having obtained permission from the border
police, we make our way through spectacular
scenery to Vietnam's most impressive waterfalls,
Ban Gioc waterfall. Weather permitting we can
swim right up to where the 50 m high falls hit
the river.
Day 8: Quang Hoa - Lang Son - Mau Son. ~160
km
Drive from Quang Hoa to Lang Son. Lunch in Lang
Son before driving toward Mau Son (~30 km). Mau
Son is 1.541 m above sea level and the climate
is quite cool. Sleep in Mau Son guesthouse.
Day 9: Mau Son - Hanoi. ~180 km
Promenade around Mau Son in the morning. Ride
down to Lang Son to have lunch. The road is
asphalted all the way, and it takes three and
half hours to drive back to Hanoi.
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
Note
This itinerary allows for 09 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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