Day 12(B, L, D) Saigon - Mekong River
Day 13(B, L, D) Mekong River - CanTho
Day 14(B, L,) CanTho - Saigon Airport
Detail Itinerary
This 14-day fully-supported mountain bike tour
is designed to capture the very best that
Vietnam offers the adventurous traveller –
challenging cycling and a diverse cultural
experience. Your journey takes in the charming
ancient cities of Hanoi and Saigon,the verdant
expanse of the Red River Delta and Cuu Long with
their fertile banks farmed by generations of
peasants. You cycle amongst massive
limestone mountains adorned with ancient forest,
jungle and steep rice terraces, cultivated by
hill tribes as they have been for thousands of
years. Places where a tourist is still a
stranger and a curiosity. Rest your weary legs
with a couple of days kayaking on the incredible
calm, emerald waters of Halong Bay, a geological
phenomenon and UNESCO World Heritage Site.The
slow unhurried pace of life will seem light
years away from the stresses of the modern
world. A rejuvenating and enriching adventure
into this beautiful, unspoiled corner of Asia
awaits you.
Day 1 Hanoi
Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport our guide who will accompany you to
your hotel will welcome you. There are no
activities planned for today but your guide will
be able to offer advice and assistance as
required including Ho Chi Ming Mausoleum, Temple
of literature and a Traditional Water puppet
show. Overnight Hanoi (3Star)
Day 2 (B, L, D) Hanoi - Nghia Lo
Meet your driver 7:30am at the HOTEL, Soon the bustling streets of Hanoi
give way to verdant rice paddies and farmland
along Hwy 32. By early afternoon you'll be
moving away from the Red River Delta and into
the mountains of Yen Bai province, on your way
to your destination of Nghia Lo. Nghia Lo is
situated along a beautiful mountain ridge
separating the Red and Black river. With lush
forests, tea plantations, rice terraces and gum
trees, the picturesque valleys are stunning. The
area is home to Thai, Nung, H'mong, La Ha and Ma
ethnic minority peoples. Overnight in hotel
.710m altitude gain, 810 m altitude
loss, 52km/4 hours riding time
Day 3 (B, L, D) Nghia Lo – Than Uyen
This day starts with a visit to the local market in Nghia Lo Town, a
chance to explore and shop for local
handicrafts. Today's drive will take you along
one of the most exciting stretches of road in
Vietnam and offers some of the most lush and
verdant scenery found anywhere. As you climb
over the mountain pass to Mu Cang Chai you'll
meet H'mong, La Ha and Dzao along the way. The
road, which is not sealed and can be muddy and
exiting at times, winds along the Nam Kim river
which descends the valley over some cascading
gorges. At the bottom of the valley you'll
arrive in the town of Than Uyen where you'll
spend the night in hotel.
315m altitude gain, 640m altitude loss,
50km/4 hours riding time
Day 4 (B, L, D) Than Uyen – Muong Bo - Sapa
Spectacular single trail riding in the morning
through small villages. As you get closer to the
Hoang Lien Son peak, you will cycle between
these1000m-3000m mountains, to finally reach the
highest pass in Vietnam (at 1900m). Then descend
to Sapa (at 1600m). The deeper into the
mountains you go, the more hill tribes you will
see, who wear amazingly elaborate and colourful
costumes - with huge earrings.These are people
who have been living in the hills for a thousand
years and their ways of life have hardly changed
from generation to generation.Overnight in Sapa
hotel (3 star)
1520m altitude gain, 590m altitude
loss, 63km/5.5 hours riding time .
Day 5 (B, L): Sapa - Ban Ho - Sapa.
Half day trip combining dirt roads, single
trails, and a steep down hill (1000m). You will
be walking and/or cycling from village to
village (meeting Hmong and Tay hill tribes),
with trails sometimes passing through a local’s
backyard. (Don't worry, the people don't mind!
However, if you are the first rider into a
village, their jaws just drop with amazement,
but as the last rider goes through, everyone
will be out of their houses and showing great
excitement.) Afternoon free (although the 2 hour
single trail ride can be extended to a 6 hour
ride). Overnight in same Sapa Hotel
500m altitude gain, 1100m altitude
loss, 37km/3.5 hours riding time
Day 6 (B, L, D): Sapa - Ban Khoang (high country
road) - Lao Cai(Chinese boarder) – Lao Cai.
A high country road with just deep blue skies
and fluffy white clouds all around, as we wind
our way up higher and higher into the mountains.
You will be cycling HIGH for half the day at
1400-1600m,followed by the big descend to Lao
Cai. Overnight at Lao Cai (2-3star).
900m altitude gain, 2250m altitude
loss, 79 km/5.5 hours riding time
Day 7 (B, L, D) Lao Cai - Bac Ha
The 45 minute transfer then we have a great
opportunity to view local life-style - just make
sure you bring enough film. From 10am, cycle for
4 hrs on trails through villages, admiring
stunning scenery of mountain and bush. Wherever
you stop you will become a major focus of
attention. Stopping to admire the view seemingly
in the middle of nowhere,people will suddenly
appear from the hills. The main tribe you will
see today is Flower HMong, the most colourful
one in Vietnam. Overnight at same Bac-Ha
hotel.(2 star)
370m altitude gain, 560m altitude loss,
25km/2.5 hours riding time
Day 8 (B, L, D) Bac-Ha – Lao Cai
Today is the " Single trail day" - 1.5 hours in
the morning and after lunch a fantastic ride
along the hill ridges through evergreen forest
and ancient hill tribes. We then pack up bikes
and drive to Lao Cai in time for the night train
back to Hanoi. Overnight in Train (First Class
sleepers) Bikes will be sent to Saigon (Ho Chi
Minh City)
900m altitude gain, 1600m altitude
loss, 54km/5.5 hours riding time
Day 9 (B, L, D) Hanoi - Halong Bay
Leave Hanoi (at 5.00am) by van for Ha Long bay. On arrival in Halong we
embark on a boat for an exploration of the
legendary Halong Bay. Along the trip we learn
some kayak orientation and instruction in
paddling technique. We begin our first kayaking
experience to discover the limestone karst
formations which are littered with beaches,
grottoes and beautiful caves, and visit one of
the many hidden grottoes beneath towering
cliffs. At the end of afternoon we return to our
escorted boat for relaxation and dinner. The
night paddle is available for kayaking fervor.
O/N on board
Day 10 (B, L, D) Halong Bay Kayaking
The views of sailing junks navigating past over 3,000 limestone islands
and outcrops jutting out of the clear and
emerald water of the bay are nothing short of
spectacular. After breakfast on board we
continue cruising and make stop for second
paddle. We circumnavigate the island, observing
some secluded lagoons and enjoying last swimming
opportunity. In late morning we regroup at our
escorted boat for two hour cruise to Halong
Pier. Here we meet up with out waiting for
vehicle for return journey. Overnight in Ha Long
bay ( 3 Star)
Day 11 (B, L,) Halong Bay – Saigon (Ho Chi Minh
City)
Bus transfer to Noi Bai airport (3hrs)
in time for the flight to Saigon at 2.20pm.On
arrival in Saigon, transfer to your Hotel and
assemble bikes before your City tour. Overnight
in Saigon
(3Star)
Day 12 (B, L, D)
Saigon – Mekong River
Drive to Mytho (2.5 hrs) and cycle 45 km - mostly on single
trails.Departing MyTho, we cycle beside the
Mekong river to CaiBe, with a lunch break on the
way. In the afternoon, ride to CaiBe, take a
ferry across the Mekong River to an island, and
ride along the canals to our homestay.Overnight
in a Guesthouse
Day 13 (B, L, D) Mekong River - CanTho
Cycle to Cantho 70 km Enjoy an early morning Island sunrise. View river
life and the bustling local market by the
Church. Then cycling for 1 hour under the
natural green canopy to the ferry, we cross to
VinhLong before riding through BaKe,
TamBinh, TraOn and on to CanTho Overnight in
CanTho
(3Star)
Day 14 (B, L,) CanTho – Saigon Airport
Early morning boat trip to the CaiRang floating
market, before taking a ‘xe loi’, (the local
colonial-era cab pulled by motorbike) back to
CanTho for another ferry crossing. Lunch is en
route and in the afternoon we transfer by bus to
Saigon Airport (4 hours)Depart Saigon .
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
