DAY 1 – HO CHI MINH ARRIVAL
Upon arrival your guide will greet you and transfer by private car through the city to your hotel for check-in.
In the afternoon visit the War Remnants or History Museum (choose which one you would most like to see) and the former Presidential Palace, from there stroll (your vehicle will be available at all times) to the major sights of colonial Ho Chi Minh City: the Old Ho Chi Minh City Post Office, Dong Khoi Street (formerly Rue Catinat), Continental Hotel, Opera House and City Hall. At the end of the afternoon head back to your hotel.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Note: History Museum is closed on Mondays.
Day 2: Saigon- Dalat
Meet at your hotel and transfer to the airport for the flight to Dalat in the Central Highlands. On arrival transfer to hotel. Your morning ride takes you alongside the Xuan Huong Lake before it veers off into the shadow of Langbian Mountain. Ride alongside flower farms and vegetable gardens, through small villages with picturesque churches, ornate cemeteries, old colonial buildings and cobblestone streets. The terrain is undulating and the road is a little rough in areas. Total riding distance is 40 to 50km at a leisurely pace as the group may want to stop to visit a flower farm en route or have the chance to explore coffee plantations. The trail leads out to an area where the founder of Dalat, Alexander Yersin, first wanted to build the city. It’s a beautiful spot overlooking a magnificent lake surrounded by pine trees. The evening is spent in Dalat.
Cycled distance: Approx 40 to 50km/ Difficulty: Moderate
Day 3: Dalat- Nha Trang
After breakfast, transfer 45 minutes to the north east of Dalat along a new road and through the newest national park in Vietnam (Bidoup Nui Ba). It offers fantastic cycling in the highlands with the first section of the ride starting in pine forest, it rolls through the hills with beautiful views of farms, countryside and Nui Ba Mountain. There is one final 3 kilometer climb to the top of the pass before some serious downhill. The 28 kilometer, uninterrupted downhill section is the longest section of downhill we offer.
After reaching the bottom of the pass have a picnic style lunch at the riverside. After lunch the ride offers a great example of country living in Vietnam. It passes through small villages and farms, although pleasant, this section can be challenging as the hills roll continuously. Remember there is always the support vehicle if you need a rest.
Overnight in Nha Trang.
Cycled distance: Approx 75km/Difficulty: Moderate
Day 4: Nha Trang- Tuy Hoa – Qui Nhon
The gentle ride today takes you to the coastal resort of Doc Let. There will be time to relax on the beach before transferring away from HW 1 to Dai Lanh Beach. From here the ride is along the coastal road passing rice fields, shrimp farms, salt farms, and coconut palms. Few tourists stop on this stretch of road, so you will be a novelty to the local people, it is a great experience. Vietnamese are some of the friendliest people imaginable, choosing to see their country by cycle, will delight them. On arrival at Tuy Hoa, take the air-conditioned bus to Qui Nhon.
Overnight in Quy Nhon.
Cycling distance: Approx 65km/Difficulty: Moderate.
Day 5: Quy Nhon – Quang Ngai
Cycling the back-road through several little villages and a range of scenery you will find the road is mostly flat with just two small climbs. On reaching Highway One we will drive to Quang Ngai, passing the small town of Sa Huynh, a pleasant fishing backwater perched on a broad curve of palm fringed, golden sand. Speckled with blue fishing boats, this sleepy villages is a convenient and relaxing place to rest en-route to points north. Overnight in Quang Ngai.
Cycling distance: Approx 60 km/ Difficulty: Moderate.
Day 6: Quang Ngai – Hoi An
An early breakfast and then a short, steady 2km climb to the top of Thien An Mountain which gives panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Here we can visit an ancient working Pagoda. Continue the ride to the site of the My Lai massacre. The My Lai site is in a small rural settlement, surrounded by simple thatched huts, quilted rice paddies and farmers with conical hats going about their day-to-day routines. The mood set by these surroundings is one of peace and tranquility despite the deep scars of the past. After a guided tour of the museum, we continue cycling on quiet roads passing My Khe Beach, local villages, a school and a lively local market. After cycling a further 35km to Chau O, transfer to Tam Ky. Continue cycling from Dan Ha, along Tam Ky River to Thang Binh, and transfer to Hoi An.
Cycling distance: Approx 70 km/ Difficulty: Moderate.
Day 7 Hoian Countryside
Cycle through the quiet countryside surrounding Hoi An to Tra Que village, which is a charming little village located on the edge of the town. The village is named after the sweet scented vegetables that spice up the everyday meals of the Hoi An people. Here traditional Hoi An dishes like Cao Lau, Quang noodles, the local ‘Tam huu’ spring roll (made from Tra Que vegetables) and cake with meat (Banh xeo) has been enlivened. Experience a day of living and working with the local people in the village and enjoy a cookery class and lunch with your host. Return to Hoi An after lunch. The rest of the day is at leisure. You can relax by Cua Dai Beach or shop in the ancient town of Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An.
Cycling distance: Approx 25 km/ Difficulty: Easy
Day 8: Hoi An – Hue
Today you travel north again for the drive/cycle to Hue. In the morning visit a marble factory and view their exquisite workmanship. Also visit the famous China Beach where the American servicemen went for their R&R during the Vietnam/American War. Leaving Danang, commence cycling on a flat road by the beach before tackling the Hai Van Pass (also known as the ‘Pass of the Ocean Clouds’). The views here are stunning and worth the 580 metre climb. If you prefer to avoid this you can always take a lift in the support vehicle. Once at the top, it will have been worth every moment as you effortlessly glide back toward the coast. Lunch break is at Lang Co Beach, then after a short transfer continue cycling along coastal the road passing through small villages and timeless rural scenes to Thuan An. Here you transfer to our city centre hotel, and overnight in Hue.
Cycling distance: Approx 60 km/ Difficulty: Easy/Moderate
Day 9: Hue- Hanoi
Hue served as Vietnam’s political capital from 1802 to 1945 under the rule of the 13 emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty. Traditionally, the city has been one of Vietnam’s cultural, religious and educational centers and recently it was listed as a World Heritage Site. Visit Imperial Citadel and Tu Duc tomb.
Transfer to Hue airport for late afternoon flight to Hanoi.
Day 10: Hanoi
Sightseeing tour of Hanoi, the modern capital city of Vietnam. Hanoi is a unique city with tree-lined boulevards, French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and oriental temples. The city tour includes such sights as Ho Chi Minh Cottage, Museum and Mausoleum. At Ba Dinh Square walk through the marble and granite Mausoleum with throngs of locals who come to pay respect to Uncle Ho. See the simple cottage in which he lived and worked, and experience the Ho Chi Minh Museum, an extraordinary tribute in abstract form to his life and, the evolution of Vietnamese independence. You will also see the One Pillar Pagoda, visit the Temple of Literature- the first National University of Vietnam since the 10th century. After lunch, we visit the Museum of Ethnology – Vietnam’s finest and the best place to learn about Vietnam’s 52 ethnic minorities. Perhaps receive a lecture by a museum curator. There are outdoor exhibits and examples of many of the different types of houses used by Vietnam’s 52 ethnic groups.
In the afternoon, visit Ngoc Son and Ba Kieu temple then enjoy a guided walking tour through the bustling Old Quarter and sprawling Dong Xuan Market. The Old Quarter, home to more than 1000 traditional houses, dates from 1010, when King Ly Thai To moved his capital from Hoa Lu in northern Ninh Binh Province to Hanoi. The Old Quarter became the trading centre of the metropolis and its 36 streets are named after the merchants’ crafts and trades. For example Hang Gai Street is full of silk shops, Hang Giay overflowing with shoes and Hang Bac with small silversmiths. It is fascinating to walk around the labyrinthine streets. Alternatively, taking a cyclo (motorcycle rickshaw) is a great way to get a sense of the city.
In the evening, we’re off to the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre for a performance that captures the traditional life of Vietnam in a medium inspired by the abundance of water and rice paddy.
Day 11: Hanoi- Halong Bay
Depart for Halong Bay 160km to the east of Hanoi. An enjoyable journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life. Halong Bay is one of the natural wonders of the world and one of Vietnam’s five UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Over three thousand jagged limestone islands emerge from the emerald green, most of the islands are clothed in thick green vegetation and ring with the sound of bird song in the early morning. Secluded sandy coves are everywhere and in the summer months the warm waters of the bay are ideal for swimming.
Board a shared traditional wooden junk for a 2 day cruise among the islands, seafood lunch on board. Visit Dinh Huong Island and wander around the impressive Sung Sot Cave, famed for its remarkable stalactites and stalagmites. Continue the cruise stopping at Titov beach for the night. Enjoy a couple of hours kayaking to a lagoon and watch the sunset over the bay. Dine and overnight on board.
Kayaking: 1,5-2 hrs/ Difficulty: Easy
Day 12: Halong Bay- Hanoi
The sound of the ocean wakes you for breakfast and a morning swim if you wish. Continue the cruise past rock formations named after their shape. Enjoy a short trip by sampan Luon cave (tunnel cave) Paddle through the tunnel and emerge into a crater lake, surrounded by impenetrable cliffs and gliding kites. The trip to this cave is dependent upon tidal conditions. Cruise out to Bai Tu Long Bay around Bai Tho Mountain and head back to dry land. Brunch is served on board. Transfer by private air conditioned vehicle to Hanoi
Day 13: Departure:
At leisure until transfer to airport for your onward flight.
GRADING DEFINITION
To give you an indication of the difficulty of our trips, we’ve graded our adventures into three categories: easy, moderate and challenging. We take many factors into consideration in this grading, including distances covered, terrain, altitude, weather conditions and vehicle support.
- Easy: Suitable for most people in good health. These trips generally include short days on good paths and at low altitudes.
- Moderate: A reasonable level of fitness is required, as these trips can require sustained endurance levels, hills, longer days and altitude. All of our moderate trips have a support vehicle following closely, so weary travelers can hitch a ride and take a rest for a while.
- Challenging: These trips are physically demanding and best suited to fit people with a high endurance level. Days can be long, often at altitude, in remote regions and sometimes without a support vehicle nearby. Travelers may be required to carry a backpack.
