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 .
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