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Cycle The Remote North Vietnam!

Cycle the Remote North Vietnam
Hanoi – Hoa Binh – Mai Chau – Moc Chau – Son La – Dien Bien Phu – Muong Lay – Tam Duong - Sapa – Hanoi 
TRIP PROFILE
One of the most popular parts of Vietnam is the North, with several hill tribes inhabiting in the mountains and valleys such as White Thai, Kho Mu, and Red and White Hmong tribal people. This eco biking tour will lead you, with your bike, through these different ethnic groups to discover a unique culture in the middle of the mountain. The road flows through wonderful mountainous sceneries and landscapes of Mai Chau, Tam Duong, Lai Chau and Sapa. You will also have some time to have an insight information of Dien Bien Phu Wa rat the Dien Bien Phu Museum.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive/ meet in Hanoi, afternoon enjoy a tour around the dynamic Hanoi city, to the legendary Lake of Sword, Ngoc Son Pagoda, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature and the local shopping center and market at the Old Quarter. (D)
Day 2
Off the beaten track bike to Mai Chau, along the beautiful valleys, to meet locals and enjoy local dancing and try the country’s finest rice wine (66 km cycling) (B,L,D)
Day 3
Cycle uphill on a narrow, quiet back road, heading to a region predominantly populated by Black Thai minority cultures in Moc Chau (67 km cycling) (B,L,D)
Day 4
Cycle on a less hilly track, gradually downhill, overshadowed by karst cliffs to Son La (121 km cycling) (B,L,D)
Day 5
Ride on a fascinating day passing some awesome scenery to Tuan Giao, en route visiting White Hmong village where you will be fascinated by women dressed with bright pink tassels and pompoms on their headdresses (90 km cycling) (B,L,D)
Day 6
Ride on the undulate route through quiet back roads to Dien Bien Phu (81 km cycling) (B,L,D)
Day 7
Visit Dien Bien Phu Museum that will give you an insight history of the Dien Bien Phu War, before you cycle along the Nam Na River and tackle the gradual climb and descend until reaching Lai Chau (100 km cycling) (B,L,D)
Day 8
Ride through a spectacular Nam Na river valley to Tam Duong, en route meeting with the passing White Thai, Kho Mu and Red and White Hmong tribal people (105 km cycling) (B,L,D)
Day 9
Experience the most breathtaking ride of the trip today, on excellently smooth surface into Sapa (16 km cycling) (B,L,D)
Day 10
Let soak up the pleasant atmosphere of Sapa!, before taking an overnight train to Hanoi (no cycling) (B,D)
Day 11
Spend your free time in Hanoi before catching your onward flight (no cycling) (B)
 
 
 
Tour Facts and Figures
Number of Days
 
11 Days / 10 Nights
Number of Cycling Days
 
8 full days
Total Cycling Distance
 
646 kilometers
Road Surface
 
On quiet undulate back roads, gradually downhill and descend/ along mountains and valleys with karst cliffs backdrop/ along Nam Na River/ through local plantations and rice fields
Support
 
Private air-conditioned vehicle for transfer. Private back up vehicle. Vehicle to carry bikes, spare bike parts and baggage.
Staff
 
English speaking guide/ biking guide(s) who knows basic first aid
Accommodation
 
Hotels range from standard to superior classes, including simple guesthouse and local homestay (big room with partition off) in some remote areas
Meals
 
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are included as the itinerary
Tour Price (per person)
 
Contact us to get the best offer
Bike Rental
 
US$15/ bike/ cycling day
 
Detailed Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi (D)
Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to hotel.After a light lunch the afternoon is spent exploring this dynamic city. A city tour includes the Lake of the Restored Sword, Ngoc Son Pagoda, the famous Old Quarter, the one Pillar Pagoda and the 11th century Temple of Literature. Meanwhile the bikes are put together and we will all gather for dinner and a pre-trip briefing before getting a good night’s sleep. Welcome dinner in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi – Hoa Binh – Mai Chau (66 km cycling) (B,L,D)
Leaving Hanoi we have a 2.5 hour transfer into the countryside before taking to our bikes and cycling the 66km to Mai Chau. We encounter our first climbs of the trip as we ascend up to the 800m before cruising down and into the beautiful valley where the village of Proom Con Village sits. This is our home for the night, where the locals will entertain us with local dancing and a taste of the country’s finest rice wine. Overnight in friendly local home stay of Thai Lady Note: The road has been improved and evidence of this is visible on the hillsides.

Day 3: Mai Chau – Moc Chau (67 km cycling) (B,L,D)
After a hearty breakfast we set off on a testing yet spectacular day, the majority of which is uphill! Cycling on a narrow, quiet back road we head in to a region predominantly populated by Black Thai minority cultures. As we near Moc Chau, situated at 1000m, we pass through plum orchards and corn and tea plantations. We overnight in Moc Chau, renowned for its banh sua (milk cake) and tea products. Overnight in simple local guest house. Note: Since time of writing this, road has been widened. There will be some parts still under construction.

Day 4: Moc Chau – Son La (121 km cycling) (B,L,D)
A less hilly day in store but no less spectacular as we head off gradually downhill, our roads overshadowed by karst cliffs. We have lunch at Yen Chau before continuing on to Son La through lush, terraced rice paddies against the jagged cliff backdrop. Overnight in hotel in town.

Day 5: Son La – Tuan Giao (90 km cycling) (B,L,D)
A fantastic day’s riding through some awesome scenery. We pass the town of Thuan Chau and on through an area inhabited by mainly white Hmong, where the women are dressed with bright pink tassels and pompoms on their black headdresses. After a steep climb of 14km we end the day with a spectacular down hill to Tuan Giao. Overnight in hotel Note: Some transfers will be necessary.

Day 6: Tuan Giao – Dien Bien (81 km cycling) (B,L,D)
After a hearty breakfast we set off through picturesque gorges on a slightly more gentle day. The route undulates through quiet back roads gradually downhill towards Dien Bien Phu. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 7: Dien Bien Phu – Muong Lay (100 km cycling) (B,L,D)
Before leaving we stop to visit the DBP war museum. Dien Bien Phu is where the Vietnamese overcame the occupying French Forces and celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2004. The museum gives a fascinating insight into the history of this remarkable event. Our cycle route follows the Nam Na River through a lush, undulating landscape of ferns, bananas and bamboo to Muong Lay. After lunch we tackle the gradual climb of 400m, and then descend to Lai Chau, our home for the night. Overnight in Hotel.

Day 8: Muong Lay- Tam Duong (105 km cycling) (B,L,D)
Leaving our hotel, we cross a Chinese-built suspension bridge over the river and weave our way through the spectacular Nam Na river valley. We will probably see White Thai, Kho Mu and Red and White Hmong hill tribes as we pass. We may have time to stop to visit a small village of Mang people. The road continues through spectacular gorges before the inevitable uphill climb. This is a tough haul, but the reward is a wonderful 10km descent through banana plantations into Tam Duong. Overnight in hotel

Day 9: Tam Duong – Sapa (16 km cycling) (B,L,D)
Our final day is possibly the most breathtaking ride of the trip. Today is a long day, so we plan to leave as early as possible. An excellent smooth surface makes riding a joy through some of the most spectacular scenery we’ve seen as we head up towards Heaven’s Gate, before enjoying the awesome 16km downhill into Sapa. You will have a chance to relax before our celebration meal at Nature Bar and Grill restaurant. Overnight in hotel

Day 10: Sapa – Lao Cai. Overnight Train to Hanoi (B,D)
Today we have a chance to relax, get some last minute presents, and soak up the atmosphere of Sapa. Lunch is free to discover by yourself. In the early evening meeting up at hotel for a dinner in Sapa before taking the overnight train from Lao Cai to Hanoi. Overnight on board the train

Day 11: Depart Hanoi (B)
Arrival Hanoi, transfer to hotel for day use room and breakfast. Spend your free time to explore Hanoi before catching our onward flight.
Notes:
We strongly recommend clients to purchase travel insurance covering emergency helicopter evacuation.
This itinerary may alter due to local conditions, the strength of the group and other unexpected circumstances. We will do our very best to adhere to the set itinerary, however we cannot be held responsible for any last minute changes that might occur. In all such circumstances, your biking or trekking guide will have the final say.
Note: We can arrange additional customized trips for you if the above itinerary does not match your expectations.

About the Author

PanViet Travel ~ A Warm, Sunny Welcome to ! As a local tour operator, PanViet Travel can take you on a custom-made tour to destinations throughout Vietnam. From small group tours of historical Vietnam; to eco-adventures in Halong Bay; to cultural community-based tourism products in Ha Giang, we have been a Vietnam ambassador to thousands of travelers Worldwide.
Vietnam is rich in culture and tradition. There is a warmth to the people and the layers of culture are diverse. Inspiring landscapes are around every corner. With passion, we pride ourselves as being your guide to experiencing the unspoiled Vietnam at your own pace and style.
Unique, Educational, Responsible, Inspiring, Cherished…The way travel should be!

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