Real cycling adventure vietnam
16Days 15Nights
TRIP CODE :ADNOV16
DETAILED ITINERARY:
DAY1: ARRIVAL HANOI
Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to hotel. After bike fitting you will have free time to explore the city on your own. In the evening dine at one of Hanoi‘s top restaurants. Overnight in Hanoi (D)
DAY2: HANOI-MAICHAU VILLAGES
Early morning transfer to the Mai Chau Mountain, 150km far way from Hanoi, a beautiful valley surrounded by spectacular karst rock formations and picturesque rice paddies. At lunch time we arrive to the village of LAC, after a local lunch take to the bikes and ride along a mix of dirt tracks and tarmac trails through Tai villages and across rice paddies to Sam Khue village. The biking follows a river gradually upstream, though the ride appears flat! Return to Mai Chau via Xo village. Bike up into the mountain and follow the contours of the mountainside before descending back down into the Mai Chau Valley. After dinner we enjoy a music show by the village band. Overnight in a traditional family stilt house. (40km cycling) (B, L, D)
DAY3: MAICHAU-PULUONG NATURE RESERSE
Continue riding through Mai Chau alongside the stunning Ma River. The road is traffic free and historically was a weapons supply feeder road for the Ho Chi Minh Trails. Branch off onto an old French road into the valley of Pu Luong Nature Reserve. Overnight at a stunningly beautiful local Thai village homestay. Staying here contributes to the community based ecotourism initiative set up by Fauna & Flora International. The riding here is a mix of tarmac, hard gravel and single track. Suitable for all levels of ability. There will be the opportunity to explore the area by bike or trek up into the nature reserve proper, in the afternoon. Enjoy the welcome of this friendly village. There is plenty to see and do in the afternoon. This day is a cultural highlight of the trip. Overnight ecotourism homestay. (40km cycling) (B, L, D)
DAY4: PULUONG-CUCPHUONG NATIONAL PARK
Ride from the village back to the main trail. From here take our support vehicle for Cuc Phuong National Park. Cuc Phuong is one of Vietnam’s most important nature reserves and contains the country’s largest area of lowland primary forest. On arrival have lunch, after relaxing. take a short walk to visit the Primate Rescue Centre to learn about the plight of the Cat Ba Langur and other primate species and about the park’ preservation efforts from a local ranger, then ride 20km into the centre of the park through imposing primary and secondary forest. Enjoy evening campfire before turning in. Accommodation is simple and rustic, but clean. Overnight in a guesthouse in centre of the park. (30km cycling) (B, L, D)
DAY5: CUCPHUONG-HAIPHONG HARBOR CITY
An early morning ride downhill to the gates of the National Park. Leaving Cuc Phuong, continue riding downhill to Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th century. Set amidst stunning scenery this area is known as the ‘Halong Bay on land ’. After lunch over here, take the support vehicle for Haiphong harbour city. The third largest city of Viet Nam. Overnight Haiphong. (60km cycling) (B, L, D)
DAY6: HAIPHONG-CATBA ISLAND
Cycle from the hotel to the port. Board our private boat and cruise to Fulong 35km from cat Ba town. Lunch will be served on boat. After a seafood lunch spend the afternoon cycling across this beautiful, fragile island. Check in hotel, dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight on Cat Ba Island. (40km cycling) (B, L, D)
DAY7: CATBA-HALONG BAY-HANOI
A relaxing day at leisure. Board our private wooden boat for a cruise for sightseeing through LAN Ha bay, then Halong Bay. Halong bay is a UNESCO world heritage site with about 3,000 spectacular limestone islands rising dramatically from the emerald green waters of the bay. We will pass some fishing villages .There will be some opportunities for your swimming, lunch on board before arriving to ha long dock where driver and bus will be waiting to carry back to Hanoi, upon arrival transfer to hotel for check in .this evening attend a traditional water puppet, a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form especially designed for depicting from rural life and many episodes of national history. Overnight in Hanoi. (B, L, D)
DAY8: HANOI-HUE CITY
After breakfast in the hotel. Transfer to visit Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, the Temple of Literature, The Museum of Ethnology and other interesting spots. Check out mid morning. The rest of the afternoon is free to discover this fascinating city. After early dinner transfer to the railway station for the overnight train to Hue. Overnight on train.(B, L, D)
DAY9: HUE ANCIENT CITY
Hue was the capital of Vietnam for 143years under the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802-1945. There are many kings’ mausoleums to visit as well as the fascinating Dong Ba market, famous for selling the best conical hats in Vietnam. Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for check in. lunch is enjoying unique Hue cuisine at a local restaurant; visit the Imperial Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda and Mausoleums of former Emperors Khai Dinh and Tu Duc by bike on part dirt tracks, part country lanes. The evening is free to choose from one of the many good restaurants in the town centre. Overnight in Hue. (35km cycling) (B, L, D)
DAY10: HUE-HOIAN ANCIENT TOWN
A classic day’s cycling. Transfer the busy section out of town to Thuan An beach. 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 Pass 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. (80km cycling) (B, L, D)
DAY11: HOIAN
Day at Leisure to rest and relax, shop and swim or take to the bikes and explore the old section of town where in the 17th century was a major port in ASIA. Overnight in Hoi An. (B, L, D)
DAY12: HOIAN-NHATRANG BEACH
After a leisurely morning transfer to Danang for the early afternoon flight to Nha Trang, Arrive Nha Trang with plenty of time to potter round the city by bike or relax on the beach. Overnight in Nha Trang. (B)
DAY13: NHATRANG
Day at leisure to explore Nha Trang. There are optional boat trips and mud baths, Cham towers and island coves, fishing villages and scuba diving to be experienced! Overnight in Nha Trang (B)
DAY14: NHATRANG-DALAT HILL STATION
A fabulous ride to Dalat. Transfer a couple of hours along the busiest section of H1 to Phan Rang. Turning off the main highway stop to visit famous ancient Thap Cham Towers. The road is now 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! At very late afternoon will be arriving at Da lat town, check in hotel, dinner in downtown. (100km cycling) (B, L, D)
DAY15: DALAT-SAIGON
Ride part way or transfer the whole way to Saigon. A fast ride – downhill all the way, but with a little more traffic than usual. Time permitting arrive Saigon early afternoon and visit the War Museum, the former sagon’headquarter and explore the vibrant street life, a farewell dinner at one of Saigon’ top restaurant. Overnight in Saigon. (60km cycling) (B, L, D)
DAY16: DEPARTURE SAIGON
At leisure until transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for onward flight (B)
B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner
INCLUSION
All transportation and transfers
Train tickets from Hanoi-Hue (4berth cabin, soft sleeper)
Flight tickets from Danang-Nha Trang (eco class)
Private boat trip Haiphong-Catba island-Halong bay
English speaking guide and group medical kit
All accommodation based on twin share basis with daily breakfast
Professional Mountain bicycles
Sightseeing excursions as outlined in itinerary
Spare bikes & equipments.jpg)
Reasonable supply of drinking water, small fresh towel
Seasonal fruits while cycling
Snacks while cycling
Meals as indicated in the tour itinerary
Relevant permits and fees.
EXCLUSION
International airfares & International departure tax
Visas and visa fees
Meals & beverages not mentioned in the itinerary
Personal travel insurance (compulsory)
Other meals not indicated in the tour
Personal expenses
Tips and gratuities
Tour Cost
1650 USD/ per person
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Facts and Information
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Style
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fully supported cycling
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Group Size
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minimum 4, maximum 16
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Days Cycling
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From 30 to 60km
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Kilometres Cycled
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600- 700km
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Biking Grade
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customer rating: 3.2 out of 5 - the hardest being 5
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Road Conditions
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We cycle on well made main highway most of the time. This is a generally flat ride apart from Hai Van Pass and some undulating coastal roads.
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Bike Conditions
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Our professional bicycles designed with 24 speeds for all kinds of terrain. The bicycles are available in a number of sizes.
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Support
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Air-con support vehicles and where required motorbike support.
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Tour Guide
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The biking guides are very well-trained by VietnamPathfinder and licensed by the government of VN, as well as drivers and assistants. For groups of 8 or more, an additional 1 more local guide to support the tour
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Food
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All meals are included on trip at best local restaurants
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Accommodation
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All hotels are well inspected and good tourist class ranging from 2-3 star. Hotels have a/c and private facilities as a minimum and we always choose hotels with charm and character whenever possible.
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Trip Schedules 2008
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From
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To
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22nd March 2009
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7th April 2009 ( Available)
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Hotel List:
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City
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Superior
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Hanoi
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Flower
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Mai Chau
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Stilt house
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Cuc Phuong
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Park’s guest house
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Hue
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Pilgrimage
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Hoi an
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Van loi
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Catba
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sunrise
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Hai phong
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Huu Nghi
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Nha Trang
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Asia paradise
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Dalat
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Hoang Anh
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HCM City
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Bongsen
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Note: The terrain in Vietnam can be hilly so a regular conditioning program beginning at least two months prior to departure is strongly recommended. Cycling, walking/running and a daily stretching regimen are all great ways to prepare for this adventure. Some of the most important qualifications for any trip without standard tourist facilities are a spirit of adventure and a positive attitude.
Please click here to view the activity level !
++ Travel insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for all tours. All clients MUST be insured to cover personal accident, medical expenses, cancellation, curtailment and repatriation. It is also very important that your insurance policy is relevant to the Vietnam Pathfinder style of travel. Vietnam Pathfinder offers a specially negotiated insurance policy specifically tailored to adventure travel. As well as providing substantial cover for medical emergency, cancellation and curtailment, personal luggage, money and valuables and legal expenses, this insurance will also provide cover for the adventure activities you may choose to undertake whilst on tour.
No client will be allowed on tours without suitable insurance. If you have already arranged insurance elsewhere, please ensure that you are covered on your policy for any optional activities you may wish to join. If you plan on doing any activities which may not be covered, please purchase additional insurance.
At the start of your tour you will be asked to present your original policy document and complete an insurance information form. We recommend that you have a photocopy of this document, which you keep separate from the original.
Please note: you will not be permitted to join a Vietnam Pathfinder Tour without travel insurance.
++ Personal First Aid Kit
We advise that all passengers bring along their own personal first aid kit. Below is a list of some recommended items:
Band Aids/Bandages, Laxatives, Upset stomach remedy, Anti-diarrhoea remedy, Panadol/Aspirin, Rehydration remedy, Antiseptic cream/powder, Sterile dressing, Any relevant course of medication such as contraceptive pills.
A complete Travellers Medical Pack can be purchased for approximately US$25 at most Vaccination Centres, Chemists and outdoor travel shops.
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