Trip valid: 01 Jan 2012 - 31 Oct  2013

Duration: 9 Days

Main Activity: Bicycling

Trip Type: Small Group Holidays ( Min 2- Max 16)

Suitability: All Levels 

Location: Southern Vietnam

Best time to travel: September to May

Supported: By minivan/ truck

Product Code: IDT-VNBMS009

Guaranteed to depart: From 2 pax

TRIP INCLUSIVE:

• Experienced English speaking guide
• Private transportation by air-conditioned vehicle.
• Internal air ticket Saigon – Dalat & Qui Nhon –Saigon on coach class
• Bicycle rental and helmet for cycling days. (TREK 4300/4500 Mountain bike)
• Meals as mentioned in the itinerary.
• Healthy snacks, fresh local fruits and soft drinks for cycling days.
• Bottled drinking water for sightseeing.
• All sightseeing entrance fees as stated in the itinerary.
• Accommodation in twin shared room in hotel with daily breakfast.
• Simple First Aid Kit.
• International flight reconfirmation.

TRIP EXCLUSIVE:

• International flight to/from Vietnam
• Vietnamvisa
• Travel Insurance. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance before departure.
• Personal expenditure (telephone, laundry, shopping and so on…)
• Tips for guide, driver, porters. We recommend 3 USD/person/day for guide, 2 USD/person/day for driver and 2       USD/person/hotel when you check in/out.
• Beverages and alcoholic drinks.
• Any other services not clearly mentioned in the itinerary or trip inclusions.

Day 1: Saigon- Dalat 

Meet at your hotel and transfer to the airport for the flight to Dalat in the Central Highlands. On arrival in Dalat transfer to hotel. We leave our belongings at the hotel as we start our cycle ride.  Our morning ride takes us alongside the Xuan Huong Lake before it veers off into the shadow of Langbian Mountain. We journey beside 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 mainly smooth with some broken sections and some gravel. Total riding distance is up to 40/50km; time variable, 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. We spend the evening in Dalat.

Cycled distance: Approx 30km

Difficulty: Moderate

Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: 4* Dalat hotel du park- Superior Room

www.hotelduparc.vn

Day 2: Dalat- Lak Lake          

We leave Dalat after breakfast, and enjoy our full day in the saddle exploring the regions hilly beauty. The first 17 km is downhill to Tanung, we then continue to ride on flat or rolling hills to Thanh Binh where we hit larger roads and a couple of passes to tackle. The road between Dalat and Lak Lake winds over two mountain passes, the first of which we reach on our second day after leaving Dalat. The riding is quite challenging, but worth the effort. The road may seem almost vertical but the views over the coffee plantations are spectacular. After a slow uphill of less than 10km we reach the peak and coast down the other side. The second Chuoi (Banana) pass begins soon after but seems to consist of mostly downhill. We ride past loads of beautiful wooden houses with piles of coffee beans drying in the sun and as we ride down towards Lak we have a great view of the town and the lake. Take the opportunity to rest and admire the view and then jump into our support van to transfer to Lak Lake where we spend our night in traditional long house.

Total distance: 150km

Bike: 80-90

Grade: Moderate/Challenging

Meals: Breakfast,  Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Lak Lake Resort- Lake view Villa

www.daklaktourist.com.vn

Day 3: Lak Lake- Buon Ma Thuot      

After breakfast, we head out to visit one of the old summer retreats of Emperor Bao Dai. Then take a boat to a remote village on the far side of Lak Lake. Some light trekking is possible from this village. We return to the long house at Lak Lake for lunch and a rest before the 50 km bike ride to Buon Me Thuot. (The road is mostly flat). The ride from Lak Lake to BMT City is pretty easy, with more spectacular scenery and dramatic views. We pass the ruins of a church, which was bombed by the Americans in the war and has been left as a memorial. Overnight in Buon Ma Thuot.

Total distance: 60km

Bike: Approx 60km

Grade: Moderate.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: 4* Darukco hotel- Deluxe room

www.dakrucohotels.com

Day 4 : Buon Ma Thuot- Nha Trang  

Following breakfast, we begin to cycle from our hotel, we head out on road 26 to the coastal town of Nha Trang. The ride is a mixture of ups and downs throughout the day. Along the way, there is some stunning scenery, we will stop regularly to absorb the beauty of coffee plantations, Earkrong Buk River and mountains. A stop for lunch at Ea Knop will give us a quick break before we descend to the coast. We hit HW1 at Ninh Hoa, where the shuttle will take us the last 30km to Nha Trang.  Driving this scenic coastal stretch past turquoise waters and scarlet fishing boats, we arrive in the bright lights of Nha Trang with its relaxing holiday options. Overnight in Nha Trang.

Total distance: 190km

Bike: Approx 80-90km

Grade: Moderate.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Hon Tam Sea & Sun Hotel- Deluxe room

www.bestwesternseasun.com

Day 5: Nha Trang      

Enjoy a half day, cycling into the countryside on a 30km loop. Starting with a short drive and a boat trip we then cycle through villages on tiny roads and quiet lanes, stopping off at points of interest en route, there’s plenty of sights, sounds and smells to absorb. Lunch will be a picnic and there will be options to sample local restaurant food if your wish. Afternoon is at your leisure to enjoy the beaches of Nha Trang. Tonight we sleep in Nha Trang

Bike: Approx 80-90km

Grade: Moderate.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hon Tam Sea & Sun Deluxe room

www.bestwesternseasun.com

Day 6: Nha Trang- Tuy Hoa  

An early start takes us on a wonderfully scenic drive to the beautiful fishing village of Dai Lanh. Relax by the beach before we pick up our bikes and ride along the coastal road to Tuy Hoa. Along the way we ride through picturesque countryside, fish farms and a salt farm. Great photo opportunities of farmers and fisherman working in their fields.  Tonight is spent in Tuy Hoa.

Total distance: 150km

Bike: Approx 50-60km

Grade: Moderate.

Accommodation: Cen Deluxe- Premium Room

www.cendeluxehotel.com

 Day 7: Tuy Hoa- Quy Nhon   

We start riding along a remote but well surfaced road running alongside the railway. The terrain is gently rolling, with beautiful views of the foothills of the highlands. We pass a mix of tribal and Viet villages. Ubiquitous potbellied pigs and bare foot children trot across your trail. Eventually we loop back to the main highway and transfer up the highway to Quy Nhon. Overnight in Quy Nhon.

Total distance: 130km

Bike: Approx 60-70km

Grade: Moderate.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Royal Quy Nhon- Deluxe Room

www.royalquynhon.com

Day 8: Qui Nhon

After breakfast, we cycle to explore the countryside of Qui Nhon. Your free afternoon to enjoy the beach.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Royal Quy Nhon- Deluxe Room

www.royalquynhon.com

Day 9: Qui Nhon- Saigon 

At your leisure until transfer to airport for return flight to Saigon.

Should I purchase insurance?

Yes! This must cover medical care and emergency evacuation/repatriation. Also keep hardcopy of emergency contact numbers as well as insurance policy number.

What are the main vaccination and health procedures?

Before travel please consult a general practitioner for up to date advice on recommended vaccines and malaria prophylaxis.

Is there anything I can do to better prepare for a situation requiring first aid?

 All guides have basic first aid training and carry a small first aid kit. But each client should also bring personal first aid supplies including antiseptic wipes, antiseptic liquid/cream, steristrips, sterile gauze and bandage as well as oral rehydration sachets.

What gear do I need for biking?

Helmet, gloves and shorts; stiff soled cycling shoes or trainers; water bottles, eye protection; lightweight waterproof jacket; insect repellent; sun hat; strong sunscreen, puncture repair kit.

What can I do to have a safe trip?

Wear a helmet! We can provide them, but you should also participate in this process and look out for yourself. This will contribute to the overall safety of the tour and allow you to have more fun knowing that you’re on your own adventure. It is customary to sign a disclaimer before hiring a bike. Traffic rules in Vietnam are not strict! It is advisable to ask the TITC guide about safe riding on the roads.

What are the bikes like?

Lightweight Trek 4300 & Trek 4500 mountain bikes with components from Shimano, Bontrager, and RockShox. Give your height when booking to guarantee the right one. (Note: the support vehicle will carry tools and spares and the guide will oversee repairs.)

What is the food like?

All or most meals are included on our trips. You will be treated to an extensive variety of traditional Vietnamese  cuisine. We choose the finest restaurants in the cities to give you the opportunity to taste a great variety of local delicacies and flavors. In camps our cooks are experts in preparing nourishing wholesome and delicious meals. We will accommodate any special diet requests you may have including vegetarian, please request prior to the trip.

Do these tours support responsible travel?

Yes! We try to make sure that these holidays are as socially, economically and environmentally sound as possible. We are affiliate members of the Environmental Certification Green Globe 21 Scheme. Our goal is to deliver biking tours that do not contribute to the destruction of Vietnam’s unique cultural and natural environment.