Vietnam Mountain Biking Extended

Mountains and beaches plus culture

Vietnam is one of the most delightful places in south-east Asia, a land of idyllic beaches, tranquil bays, coral islands, spectacular mountains, valleys and primal forests, and is home to a warm-hearted and hospitable people. The striking and varied landscapes, from high rolling hills to undeveloped beaches, are a traveler's paradise and cover a wide range of climates. There is plenty to see from a long, varied history, and the French colonial inheritance is visible in many ways, not least in a serious interest in food.

Vietnam consists of two river deltas, the Red River in the north (Tonking) and the Mekong in the south, and these are connected by a narrow, hilly coastal strip (Annam) about 800 km long. Much of the country is very fertile, and it has attracted a succession of invaders, including the Chinese, Japanese and French. Over the last few years Vietnam has opened its doors voluntarily to outsiders. Private initiatives and businesses are being encouraged (although still often drowned in red tape), and tourism is high on the agenda for development. Almost all travel restrictions have been dropped, and we can now visit the whole length of the country.

Whether you are mountain biking or hiking, Vietnam offers a variety of colours, cultures and scenery to ensure you get a different scene for everyday.

This 14-day fully supported mountain bike tour is designed to capture the very best that Vietnam offers the adventurous traveler - challenging cycling and a diverse cultural experience.

Your journey takes you to the charming ancient cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, 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. These are places where a tourist is still a stranger and a curiosity.

This is one tour with a difference, from the quiet mountain villages stuck in a time warp to the hustle and bustle of the heaving cities the extremes are never more apparent. A superb mixture of the old and the new this tour has it all, great accommodation, over night train rides, sea kayaking, diverse culture, good food and amazingly friendly locals.

ITINERARY:

(subject to change without prior notice)

Crossing the bridge

Day 1: Hanoi

Arrive Hanoi Airport before 12pm. Transfer to the city (45 min.) and check-in at Majestic Salute Hotel. In the afternoon go on a tour of the City which takes us past the Ho Chi Ming Mausoleum (closed on Mondays), visit the Temple of Literature, and after dinner enjoy a traditional water puppet show.

Accommodation: Hanoi Hotel, No cycling, Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Hanoi - Lai Chau

This morning we fly to Dien Bien leaving the city far behind and stepping straight back in time as we enter the world of rural Vietnam. We assemble our bikes and after lunch cycle on a narrow tar road, seldom used by vehicles, through rolling countryside filled with tropical trees, plantations and dotted with small villages. After 60 km we board our back up vehicles and drive to the village of Lai Chau, on the fringes of the Hmong tribal region.

Accommodation: Lai Chau Hotel, Elevation/cycling: 900 m up, 56 km / 4 hrs riding, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Lai Chau - Tam Duong

This morning we cycle from the door of the hotel straight onto single track routes which wind along through the fields and hillsides. After the single trail ride we load up for 40 km and start cycling again along the Nam Na River to Pan Tan where our restaurant for lunch has a great scenic view. A gutsy climb of 17 km awaits us after lunch followed by an awesome downhill enjoying the views of mountain ranges, lakes, rivers, jungle, and tiered paddy fields rising and falling as far as the eye can see. We'll see Tay, Hmong and Tsao tribespeople in their villages and tending their crops.

Accommodation: Tam Duong Hotel, Elevation/Cycling: 915 m up, 640 m down, 65km / 4 hrs riding, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Young women at a market

Day 4: Tam Duong - Sapa

Today we enjoy spectacular single trail riding in the morning through small villages. As you get closer to the Hoang Lien Son peak, you will cycle between these 1,000-3,000 m high mountains, to finally reach the highest pass in Vietnam (at 1,900 m). Then descend to Sapa (at 1,600 m).

The deeper into the mountains you go, the more hill tribes you will see, wearing amazingly elaborate and colourful costumes with huge earrings. These people have been living in the hills for a thousand years and their way of life has hardly changed from generation to generation.

Accommodation: Sapa Hotel (3 star), Elevation/Cycling: 1,520 m up, 590 m down, 87 km / 5.5 hrs riding, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Sapa - Muong Bo - Sapa

A half day trip combining dirt roads, single trails, and a steep downhill (1,000 m). You will be walking and/or cycling from village to village, (meeting Hmong and Tay hill tribes) trails sometimes passing through a local's backyard. (Don't worry, they don't mind! If you are the first rider into a village their jaws just drop with amazement, but as the last rider passes, everyone will be outside and showing great excitement). The afternoon is free (although the 2 hour single trail ride can be extended to a 6 hour ride).

Accommodation: Sapa Hotel, Elevation/Cycling: 500 m up, 1,100 m down, 37 km / 3.5 hours riding, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Over the hills and far away...

Day 6: Sapa - Ban Khoang - Lao Cai - Bac Ha

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 a day at 1,400-1,600 m, followed by the big descent to Lao Cai on the Chinese border. Then we drive to Bac Ha (1,400 m) which takes 2 hours.

Accommodation: Bac Ha Hotel (2-3 star), Elevation/Cycling: 900 m up, 2,250 m down, 79 km / 5.5 hours riding, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Bac Ha

The Sunday market is a great opportunity to view local life-styles, just make sure you bring enough film! From 10am, cycle for 4 hrs on trails through villages, admiring stunning scenery of mountains and forest. 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.

Accommodation: Bac Ha Hotel (2-3 star), Elevation/Cycling: 370 m up, 560 m down, 25 km / 2.5 hours riding, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Bac Ha - Lao Cai - Hanoi

Today is the " Single trail day" - A fantastic ride along the hill ridges through evergreen forests and ancient hill tribes. Picnic lunch along the way and we can have snacks and a cold beer at the end of the ride. We then pack up the bikes and drive to Lao Cai in time for the night train back to Hanoi. Bikes will be sent to Ho Chi Minh City.

Accommodation: Overnight train (1st Class sleepers), Elevation/Cycling: 600 m up, 1,600 m down, 54 km / 5.5 hours riding, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Halong Bay

Day 9: Hanoi - Halong Bay

Leave Hanoi (at 5.00am) by van for Hai Phong where we stop for breakfast before boarding the 10 cabin dhow (sailing boat). After lunch try some sea kayaking.

Accommodation: Sailing boat, No Cycling, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Halong Bay

A whole day paddling and exploring the Bay at your own pace, having a closer look at the amazing karsts. There are heaps of deserted beaches out there just for you.

Accommodation: Sailing boat, No Cycling, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Halong Bay - Ho Chi Minh City

We take the bus to Hanoi airport (3 hrs) in time to catch the mid afternoon flight to Ho Chi Minh City. On arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, we transfer to the Hotel and assemble the bikes, before embarking on a City tour.

Accommodation: Grand Hotel, Cycling: City Tour, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City - Island in Mekong River

We drive to My Tho (2.5 hours) and cycle 45 km - mostly on single trails. Departing My Tho we cycle beside the Mekong River to CaiBe, with a lunch break along 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 home stay.

Accommodation: Guesthouse, Cycling: Flat 45 km, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13: Mekong River Island - CanTho

Enjoy an early morning Island sunrise. View river life and the bustling local market by the Church. Then we cycle for 1 hour under the natural green canopy to the ferry, before crossing to Vinh Long and riding through BaKe, TamBinh, TraOn and on to Can Tho.

Accommodation: Victoria Hotel (4 star), Cycling: 70 km, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14: Can Tho - Ho Chi Minh City Airport

We take an early morning boat trip to the Cai Rang 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 Ho Chi Minh City Airport (4 hours)

Depart from Ho Chi Minh City airport

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch