Day 1 - Arrive Hanoi
Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to hotel. After bike fitting,
take to a 3-wheel cyclo for an orientation tour of the
Old Quarter. Visit the Temple of Literature, Hoan Kiem
Lake, Fine Arts Museum and other interesting spots.
In the evening dine at one of Hanoi’s top restaurants.
Overnight
in Hanoi. (D)
Day 2 - Hanoi-Mai Chau-Van village (22 km)
Early morning transfer to Mai Chau – a beautiful
valley surrounded by spectacular karst rock formations
and picturesque rice paddies. After a local lunch take
to the bikes and ride along a mix of dirt tracks and
tarmac trails through Tai village and across rice paddies
to Van village. The biking follows a river gradually
upstream, though the ride appears flat! Overnight with
a retired Tai Teacher and her family in a traditional
house. (B,L,D)
Day 3 - Van village-Xo village-Proom Coc village (24km)
A more challenging ride today. Pedal from Van village
to Xo for lunch. Bike up into the mountain and follow
the contours of the mountainside before dropping down
into the Mai Chau Valley and Proom Coc village. Overnight
in a traditional House on stilts. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - Proom Coc village-Cuc Phuong (92km)
Early morning transfer with some biking to Cuc Phuong
National Park on country lanes and backroads. The scenery
is timeless, and photo opportunities bountiful as you
pedal through a working landscape of people and crops.
Cuc Phuong is one of Vietnam’s most important nature
reserves and contains the country’s largest area
of primary forest. Visit the Primate Rescue Centre and
learn about the plight of endangered species such as
the Cat Ba Langur. Overnight at Cuc Phuong Park Guest
House. (B,L,D)
Day 5 - Cuc Phuong-Hoa Lu-Ninh Binh (60km)
After listening to the dawn chorus of Gibbon song, spend
part of the morning exploring the flora and fauna of
this unique national park. Leaving Cuc Phuong ride downhill
to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam. Set amidst
stunning scenery this area is known as the ‘Halong
Bay of Rice Paddies’. Transfer the last few km
on Highway 1 to the hotel. Overnight in Ninh Binh. (B,L,D)
Day 6 - Ninh Binh-Haiphong-Cat Ba (43km)
An early morning transfer to Haiphong to board a private
boat and cruise to Fu Long. After a seafood lunch on
board spend the afternoon cycling across this beautiful,
fragile island. In the evening take a local fishing
boat to explore the floating homes in the bay. Overnight
in Cat
Ba.(B,L)
Day 7 - Cat Ba-Halong-Hanoi
A relaxing day off the bikes. Board our private boat
for a cruise through Halong Bay. There will be lunch
on board and plenty of swimming opportunities. In the
afternoon arrive in Halong city and transfer directly
to Hanoi by road. Overnight in Hanoi. (B,L)
Day 8 - Hanoi-Hue (25km)
The morning is at leisure in Hanoi before transferring
to the airport for the mid afternoon flight to Hue,
once the capital of the Nguyen Dynasty of Emperors from
1802-1945. After checking in to the hotel, explore the
Imperial Citadel and the mausoleum of former emperor
Khai Dinh by bike on part dirt tracks, part country
lanes. In the evening enjoy unique Hue cuisine at a
local Hue restaurant. Overnight in Hue. (B,D)
Day 9 - Hue-Hoi An (100km)
A classic day’s cycling. Ride 40km along a picturesque,
narrow peninsular road from Thuan An beach to Vinh Loc.
Hop on a local ferry to cross the estuary of the Perfume
River before joining Highway 1 at the base of today’s
3 hill climbs! Stop at Lang Co Beach for a rest/ swim
and lunch before tackling the final hill of the day
– the Hai Van or Pass of Ocean Clouds. Time permitting,
ride to Danang along a new coastal road. Transfer the
rest of the way to Hoi An, a delightful old trading
town and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Overnight in Hoi
An. (B,L,D)
Day 10 - Hoi An
Free day to rest and relax, shop and swim or take to
the bikes and explore at your own leisure. An optional
visit to My Son Cham Towers
is possible. Overnight in Hoi An. (B)
Day 11 - Hoi An-Nha Trang
After a leisurely morning transfer to Danang for the
mid morning train to Nha Trang. The railway follows
the coast and meanders unexpectedly inland from time
to time. It is a fascinating journey that is best experienced
by train, as the road south on the main highway is too
busy for enjoyable biking. Overnight in Nha Trang. (B,L,D)
Day 12 - Nha Trang-Dalat (100km)
Another fabulous ride to Dalat. The road is quiet and
shady for the most part as you pedal steadily upwards,
past the roar of crickets and fluttering butterflies.
Feel the air temperature get cooler! The climb rises
to over 1000m, but is possible to conquer with a steady
pace and plenty of gears! Overnight in luxury at the
Dalat Palace Hotel. (B,L,D)
Day 13 - Dalat (40-50km)
Three options – ride an off road loop through pine
forests and local vegetable farms on exciting hard pack
clay tracks or ride on-road in the shadow of Langbian
Mountain, stopping en route to visit flower and organic
farms. Alternatively spend the day relaxing in the colonial
surrounds of the Palace Hotel. Overnight at the Dalat
Palace Hotel. (B,L)
Day 14 - Dalat-Ho Chi Minh City (60km)
Ride part way or transfer the whole way to Ho Chi Minh
City. A fast ride – downhill all the way, but with
a little more traffic than usual. Time permitting arrive
Ho Chi Minh City early afternoon and visit the War Museum
and explore the vibrant street life. Overnight in Ho
Chi Minh City.
(B,L,D)
Day 15 - Depart Ho Chi Minh City
At leisure until transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for
onward flight. (B)
Note: Some accommodation on this tour is basic.
|
| 
| 
