Vietnam - Glimpse Of Vietnam (13 days)

The history of an entire country, the old-world charm of ancient cities and the vibrant colours of hill tribes are just some of the things you'll experience on this bicycle and sightseeing tour through beautiful Vietnam. You will explore Hanoi, meet the locals of Sapa, relax in Halong Bay and much more.

Enjoy great leisurely cycling while experiencing camaraderie and fun with like-minded people. All participants should have a basic level of fitness and a keen sense of adventure. We'll provide accommodation, ground transport and most meals - all you need to do is turn up with your luggage. This tour is well suited to people who like to combine activity and relaxation in an exciting and vibrant destination.

Itinerary:

Day 1 - Arrival in Hanoi

On arrival in Hanoi, you will be met by our local tour guide and transferred to your city hotel followed by a group meeting ad then a welcome dinner.

Day 2 - Hanoi to Muong Lay (formally Lai Chau)

This morning we fly to Dien Bien, leaving the city far behind as we step back in time and enter the world of rural Vietnam. We will be fitted to our bikes before having lunch in a local restaurant. The cycling starts on a tar sealed road seldom used by vehicles, through rolling countryside filled with tropical tree plantations and dotted with small villages.

After approximately 30kms, the bikes are loaded into our vehicles and we drive to our destination, the village of Muong Lay, on the fringes of the Hmong tribal region. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Cycling: approximately 30-40kms

Day 3 - Muong Lay to Sapa

We drive the first 12kms to the top of a small hill and then have an easy ride for 30-50kms on a tar seal road through the valleys, before stopping for a picnic lunch.

This afternoon most of us are thankful to be riding in the bus as we drive over a high pass, before descending to Sapa (at 1600m), although a gutsy climb is there for those who like a challenge. There are awesome views of mountain ranges, lakes, rivers, jungle, and tiered paddy fields rising and falling as far as the eye can see. We're also getting deeper into tribal lands and we'll see Tay, Hmong and Dzao tribal people in their villages and tending their crops. The deeper into the mountains you go, the more hill tribes we'll see, wearing amazingly elaborate and colourful costumes with huge earrings. These people have been living in the hills for a thousand years and their way of life has hardly changed from generation to generation. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Cycling: approximately 30-50kms

Day 4 - Sapa to Lao Cai to Hanoi

After breakfast, we'll have a great downhill ride on a bitumen road into the valley below, where we'll possibly meet people from the H'mong and Tay hill tribes. For those that prefer, there is a mixture of dirt road, single trails, trekking with the bikes and steep down hills where you will be walking and cycling from one village to another. We'll stop for lunch before being driven back up the hill to our hotel to change our clothes and pack our luggage. Sapa is a delightful colonial style town, so we allow a few hours free time in the afternoon for sightseeing and shopping before driving to Lau Cai for dinner. Around 8pm we board the night train to Hanoi arriving around 5am. Accommodation: Overnight Train Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Cycling: approximately 30-50kms

Day 5 - Hanoi

On arrival in Hanoi at approx 5am, we will be transferred from the train station to the our hotel. Breakfast is at your own arrangements (maybe try some local 'Pho'- noodle soup with beef or chicken). This morning, we'll walk to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the President Palace, followed by a visit to a most interesting 'Ethnology' museum, which tells us more about the various ethnic groups that we will meet on our travels. Lunch will be at a local restaurant, and in the afternoon we'll enjoy a traditional water puppet show. Dinner this evening is at your own leisure and expense. Meals: None. Cycling: none

Day 6 - Hanoi to Van Don Island

We have an early departure at 7.30am as we drove to Van Don Island, arriving around 1pm after a mid morning stop for coffee and to stretch our legs. After lunch, we cycle on Van Don Island before being transferred to our boat at Cai Rong harbour. Accommodation: Overnight Boat Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Cycling: approximately 30km

Day 7 - Van Don Island to Tra Ban Island to Quan Lan Island

This morning the boat will take us to Tra Ban Island, where we cycle on narrow tracks amongst the rice fields to see many water buffalo at work. The boat will pick us up at the harbour and we'll cruise to Quan Lan Island, which is famous for its beautiful white sand beaches. There's time for a cycle before boarding the boat for dinner and overnight. Accommodation: Overnight Boat Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Cycling: approximately 10 - 30km

Day 8 - Quan Lan Island to Halong Bay

On our morning cruise, we will enjoy the beauty of Bai Tu Long Bay and Halong Bay. After lunch there is plenty of time for kayaking to a small lagoon, Luon Cave, Human Face Island and an unforgettable stop at the lookout on Titop Island. Accommodation: Overnight Boat Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner . Cycling: none

Day 9 - Halong Bay to Hue

Before breakfast, we'll have a quick visit to the so-called Amazing Cave, before enjoying a final cruise back to Bai Chay Harbour. Lunch will be served on board before disembarking and then we'll drive to the airport for our flight to Hue, departing at 7.30pm and arriving 8.40pm. We'll be met and transferred to our hotel for the night. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch. Cycling: none

Day 10 - Hue to Hoi An

Our guide will meet us at the hotel this morning for a half day city tour around Hue. We'll board our Dragon Boat for a cruise upstream on the legendary Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, the Citadel, including Flag Tower, Ngo Mon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace and the Forbidden Purple City (Tu Cam Thanh). After lunch, we drive to Hoi An via Hai Van Pass before checking into our Hoi An Hotel in time for some rest and relaxation. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch. Cycling: none

Day 11 - Hoi An

Today is a free day to relax on the beach or shop in the Hoi An Old Quarter. Meals: Breakfast. Cycling: none

Day 12 - Hoi An

Free day. Meals: Breakfast . Cycling: none

Day 13 - Hoi An to Saigon & departure

Today we will be transferred from the hotel to Danang airport for our flight to Saigon. For those with more time we can arrange post tour extensions, but for everyone else it is time to connect with your international flight home. Meals: Breakfast. Cycling: none

Inclusions:

Accommodation (twin share)
Meals as per itinerary
Drinking water for tour
Support vehicle(s)
Domestic flights (economy class)
1. Hanoi- Dien Bien
2. Hanoi - Hue
3. Danang Ð Saigon
Train from Sapa to Hanoi
Bike Hire (Day 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 only, see information below)
Boat trip in Halong Bay (private deluxe boat for 3 nights)
Kayaking in Halong Bay
Experienced English speaking Tour guide
Entrance fees and sightseeing tours (as per itinerary)

Exclusions

International flights
Airport departure taxes (where applicable)
Single Room Supplement (when applicable)
Drinks & favourite snack bars (except bottled water provided while riding)
Travel Insurance
Guide and local tips
Vietnam visa (to be obtained in advance)

Bike Information:

The rental bikes available in Vietnam are Trek 4500 Mountain Bikes. The bikes are have been imported into Vietnam to be used on these trips specifically. We have mostly 2008/2009 models available, but still have some older bikes in use as well.

The bikes come with an aluminium frame, are equipped with a 24-gear Shimano drive chain (crank set: 22/32/42; rear cog: 11-32), a 100mm travel front suspension fork, and V-brakes. The bikes come with a standard MTB saddle and standard flat pedals. You are welcome to bring your own saddle and pedals and our guides will mount these on your hire bike.

Operated by Global Adventure

Departures: almost every month - excludes June & December