Day 1: Arrival In Hanoi (–,–,D)
The guide will meet your group at the hotel in the late afternoon. You will spend the evening exploring Vietnam‘s capital, enjoying the colonial era charm of the city. You will spend most of the evening exploring the city by walking around Vietnam’s capital, the colonial era charm of the city, and the surroundings of Hoan Kiem Lake: the heart of the capital city around which all aspects of life in Hanoi revolve. Hoan Kiem Lake is also a place which is associated with a fascinating legend: One day, the heavens entrusted to the Emperor, Le Thai To, a magic sword to chase the invading Chinese out of Vietnam. Once the task was accomplished, as he was walking around the lake, a giant tortoise arose from the waters, took the sword and returned it to his divine owners, hence the name “Lake of the Returned Sword”.
After the walk you will go to have dinner in a local restaurant.
Meals included: Dinner
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel
Notes: Rooms will be at guests’ disposal from 14:00
Recommended flight time should arrive in before 15:00 p.m
Note: Airport pick up can be provided as a supplement for travelers arriving on a different flight.
Day 2: Hanoi (B,L,–)
Today, the highlights of Hanoi, the Temple of Literature (Vietnam’s first, and thousand-year-old university), and the Old Quarter await you, featuring a unique mix of artisans and traders, scattered among the thirty-six streets, each named for the crafts that Vietnam (and perhaps even that street) boasts.
In the afternoon, you will not only choose your bike for the ride tomorrow, but the guide will also give you some helpful tips on how to ride Vietnam’s trails and roads, as well as an overview of your incredible journey ahead.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel
Day 3: Hanoi – Hoa Binh – Mai Chau – (B,L,D)
In the morning, you will leave Hanoi and take the highway for a transfer to the cycling starting point in Hoa Binh. There, you will start your cycling journey by exploring the hidden village roads running through many plantations of sugar cane, orange and corn. On the way, you will be passing by many villages inhabited by the Muong and White Thai ethnic groups located in My Hoa and Phu Vinh Communes.
For the lunch break you’ll ascend the main road to enjoy your lunch in a local restaurant.
After lunch, continue your cycling journey to Nam Cuong and Ba Khan area. From here, the ride will be on the road winding through the sharp and karstic mountains.
En route to a stunning waterfall situated 15 kilometers below the main road, be sure to take in all the spectacular views over Hoa Binh Lake (access to this point might be more challenging on rainy days). Once reached the waterfall, you can take a refreshing swim before heading to the pick-up point for the transfer to the beautiful green valley of Mai Chau.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch (on the way), dinner
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel
Easia Level: 3
Distance and duration of cycling: 50 to 60 kilometers – 5 to 6 hours
Difference in elevation: +420 meters / -210 meters
Terrain: Paved roads and village roads
Transportation: 100 kilometers – 2 hours – full-day vehicle support
Day 4: Mai Chau – Hidden Back Roads – Mai Chau (B,L,–)
Today, you will transfer from Mai Chau to Loong Luong intersection and leave the busy road behind to start your ride on a back road, winding along the imposing mountains.
Starting from the green tea plantations, the ride will continue through the villages of Black Dao and Flower H’Mong ethnic groups. Then, you will descend to the Chieng Yen village where you may have the chance to witness the peaceful scene of children riding on the one gear bicycles coming back from school. Arriving at the Tat Nang Waterfall, take a break to relax and enjoy your picnic lunch here.
After lunch, you will continue your journey cycling along the hidden road, through stunning mountains and overlooking the rice terraces.
At the end of the day, you will ascend to the main road and transfer back to your hotel in Mai Chau.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel
Easia Level: 3
Distance and duration of cycling: 60-70 kilometers – 5 to 6 hours
Possibility to shorten the cycling tour to 40 Km
Difference in elevation: +400 meters / -1100 meters
Terrain: mainly paved roads
Transportation: Full-day vehicle support
Duration of transfer to starting point/ Return transfer: from 1 to 1h 30min
Day 5: Mai Chau – Pu Luong (B,L,–)
Today you will spend the whole morning cycling around the Mai Chau Valley in order to fully discover and take in its beauty. Along the ride, you will have the chance to see a beautiful picture capturing the distinct and authentic traditional lifestyle of the Northern Vietnam ethnic minorities populating the area, their stilt houses, the local schools, and the beautiful rice fields.
Passing the villages of Chieng Sai, Mai Ha, Ban Cum, and Mai Hich, you will catch glimpses of the customs, people, and traditions that showcase the intrinsic beauty of this region – aside from its obvious natural splendor. Finally, you will reach the village of Buoc and enjoy your lunch break.
After lunch in the village, hop on your bike and cycle to explore other villages in Mai Chau before heading to one of Northern Vietnam’s highlights: the enchanting Pu Luong National Park. Here, the incredible limestone landscapes – quintessential Vietnamese views – and peaceful rural life are your reward for the physical work you have put in!
Riding around the park is also a great opportunity to spot birds hidden among the diverse flora (almost 1000 listed plant species in total). The route takes you through beautiful villages, rice fields framed by karst mountains, as well as the primeval jungle, a region and part of Northern Vietnam untouched by most travelers. The cycling road will lead you directly to your accommodation in Pu Luong or you may need a pick-up along the way.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Overnight in Pu Luong (non-private traditional house on stilts)
Easia Level: 4
Distance and duration of cycling: 60-80 kilometers – 6 to 8 hours
Difference in elevation: +1100 meters / -250 meters
Terrain: mainly paved roads
Transportation: Full-day vehicle support
Day 6: Pu Luong – Ninh Binh (B,L,D)
Starting from your accommodation in Pu Luong, you will cycle along the concrete village roads, enjoy the fresh air and admire the verdant landscaping while passing by the beautiful rice terraces spilling over the area.
Along the ride, you will have the opportunity to visit the water wheels and learn about this traditional irrigation system of the area. You will finish your ride today in the late morning, and have a transfer to Ninh Binh. On the way, you will stop for lunch in a local restaurant.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Overnight at hotel
Easia Level: 2
Distance and duration of cycling: 40-50 kilometers – 4 hours
Difference in elevation: +200 meters / -900 meters
Terrain: Mainly paved road
Transportation: Full-day vehicle support
Transfer time and duration: 140 kilometers – 3 hours
Day 7: Ninh Binh – Cuc Phuong National Park – Ninh Binh (B,L,–)
Today, you will ride between the beautiful rice paddy fields and surrounded by the karst formations, which has been named as “Halong Bay on Land”.
On the way, you can stop and pay a visit to the Dinh and Le Temples. Then, continue cycling through the beautiful landscapes of Trang An, before heading to a peaceful place and an ideal destination for people looking to immerse themselves in nature, the Cuc Phuong National Park. Cycling on the single road built in the middle of the park, you will get to witness how a tropical rain forest feels and looks like.
End your cycling trip for the day by getting a transfer back to the hotel.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch
Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel
Easia Level: 3
Distance and duration of cycling: 60-70 kilometers – 6 hours
Difference in elevation: +218 meters / -225 meters
Terrain: Mainly flat roads, easy to ride
Transportation: Full-day vehicle support
Day 8: Ninh Binh – Halong (B,L,D)
In the morning, you will head towards the famous Halong Bay. You will arrive at Halong at around noon and embark on a cruise around the bay. This world-famous bay is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Vietnam, with giant rock islets covered in lush vegetation overlooking the waters. Halong Bay includes some 1,900 islands and islets of rocky peaks, often uninhabited and untouched by humans. These scenes create a spectacular marine landscape, which earned it UNESCO World Heritage status in 1994. You will be served lunch and dinner aboard the cruise, which consists of excellent, freshly caught seafood from the bay. Don’t miss the sunset on the top deck for some beautiful photo opportunities. At the end of the day, you will also have the chance to enjoy an evening fishing session on the boat.
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Accommodation: Overnight on the boat
Distance: 180 kilometers – 3 hours
Day 9: Halong – Hanoi – Departure (B,–,–)
Early in the morning (the time depending on the season), wake up to enjoy the stunning sunrise over the aquamarine waters of the bay. Enjoy a morning cruise around the bay until you disembark and return to Hanoi on a road lined with rice fields typical of the Red River Delta.
Arrive in Hanoi at about mid-afternoon, and transfer to Noi Bai airport for your onward flight.
Meals included: Breakfast
Please book your flight to depart out of Hanoi after 19:00 PM.
