Trip validity: 01 Nov 2011 to 31 Oct 2013

Duration: 14 Days

Main Activity: Bicycling

Trip Type:  Small Group Holidays

Suitability: Good fitness

Location: Vietnam ( From the North to the South)

Best time to travel: September, October, Januarry to May

Supported: By Minivan/Truck

Product Code: IDT-VHCMB14

Guaranteed to depart: From 2 pax

TRIP INCLUSIVE:

• Experienced English speaking biking guide
• Private transportation by air-conditioned vehicle.
• Internal air ticket Saigon- Danang on coach class.
• Boat trip where mentioned.
• 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 drink for cycling days.
• Bottled drinking water for sightseeing.
• All sightseeing and entrance fees as stated in the itinerary.
• Accommodation in twin share room in hotels with daily breakfast.
• Simple First Aid Kit.
• International flight reconfirmation.

TRIP EXCLUSIVE:

• International flight to/from Vietnam
• Vietnam visa
• 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 4 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 and inclusions.

Day 1: Arrive Hanoi

Arrive at Noi Bai airport and be met by our guide and driver before being brought to your hotel. Dependant on your flight, we can take an optional guided stroll through Hanoi’s bustling old quarter. In the evening, enjoy some traditional Vietnamese cuisine at one of the city’s finest restaurants. Overnight in Hanoi.

Meal: Dinner

Accommodation: Maison D’Hanoi Hanova

www.hanovahotel.com

Day 2: Hanoi – Mai Chau

We depart Hanoi early for Mai Chau and the drive is just superb. Fromthe top of Cun Mountain, one can admire the panorama of Mai Chau’s green valley with stilt houses dotting the landscape. An early lunch will be served at Poom Coong village before we jump on our bikes and cycleon a mixture of good single-track paths and undulating rough jeep trails to the Thai village of Cun Pheo. The views are remarkable as we pass through villages, hot springs, suspension bridges and across rice paddies. Overnight in Mai Chau.

Cycling: approx. 25-30km

Difficulty: Moderate

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Homestay

Day 3: Mai Chau – Ngoc Lac – Yen Cat (Nhu Xuan)

An early morning start allows us to beat the heat of the day. Our journey takes us away from the river and through the range of mountains that stretch from Mai Chau to Cuc Phuong to Hoa Lu. There are great photo ops of the always present and looming Karst limestone cliffs and lush vegetation. Although we have tarmac all the way, the riding can get a bit tough due to the undulating terrain. At Ngoc Lac, we get on bus and transfer our weary legs to Nhu Xuan. Overnight in a local hotel in Nhu Xuan.

Cycling: approx. 60-70km

Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Local Guest HOUSE

Day 4: Nhu Xuan – Tan Ky –Do Luong – Kim Lien –Vinh

Today the ride will be on the newly built two-lane Ho Chi Minh Highway. There is not a lot of traffic however, and the road makes for smooth fast riding. For those who prefer it, there is always the older highway of dirt and gravel that weaves around the new one and allows for plenty of exploring possibilities. A must-see enroute is the birthplace of president Ho Chi Minh at Kim Lien village. This province has a reputation for producing charismatic revolutionary leaders; for not only Ho Chi Minh was born here but also Phan Boi Chau – another fervent anti-colonialist. From Kim Lien, we’ll most likely transfer by bus or car to Vinh city.

(Note due to the total distance some sections will be transfer by car, depending on the strength of the group and cycling conditions)

Cycling: approx. 70km

Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Saigon Kim Lien hotel

www.saigonkimlien.com.vn

Day 5: Vinh – Pho Chau –Huong Khe

After breakfast, the shuttle will bring us back to Ho Chi Minh Highway. We disembark at Pho Chau, where our cycling begins. The roads today wind their way through lush jungle and beautiful villages nestled under the shadow of the historic Truong Son Mountain range. We reach Huong Khe at the end of the day; a remote town in Nghe An province. Overnight in standard guesthouse.

Cycling: approx. 68 km

Difficulty:  Moderate/Challenging

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Duc Tai  Hotel

www.khachsanductai.com 

Day 6: Huong Khe – Phong Nha National Park

After a relaxing breakfast, we continue riding on the Ho Chi Minh Trail. From Huong Khe the mountains soar skyward and the road winds its way along the hillsides. The landscape is amazing, the road tranquil. We ride up to 80km and then transfer to Phong Nha National Park. The park contains one of the most spectacular caves in Vietnam, which was formed approximately 250 million years ago and was used as a hospital and ammunition depot during the war. The entrance still shows marks of aircraft attacks. There are community projects underway with Flora and Fauna International and it may be possible to visit village initiatives and learn more about the forests. Overnight in a standard National Park Guest House.

Cycling: approx. 84 km

Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Saigon Phong Nha

www.sgquangbinhtourist.com.vn 

Day 7: Phong Nha National Park – Dong Hoi

After breakfast we’ll visit the spectacular Phong Nha cave by boat and then wander through the cavern, past ancient foundations of Cham ruins. The stalactites and stalagmites here are breathtaking. Exploring the cave generally takes a few hours and then we return to the hotel. Here we hop back on the bikes and travel toward the small town of Dong Hoi.

Cycling: approx. 48km

Difficulty: Moderate

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Saigon Quang Binh Hotel

www.sgquangbinhtourist.com.vn 

Day 8: Dong Hoi – Khe Sanh

Branching temporarily from the HCM highway, we drive approx 100km along a flat stretch of Highway 1 to visit the Vinh Moc Tunnels; a 2.8km labyrinth where the Vietnamese hid from American troops during the Vietnam War. The villagers of Vinh Moc built the tunnels in 1966 when they were being heavily bombarded. 30km from Dong Ha we pick up cycling again across the DMZ, (better known as the 17^th Parallel). The road is quite flat and makes for good cruising! Enroute we will pass relics left over from the war and end up in the Vietnam/Laos border town of Khe Sanh, where some of the bloodiest battles took place. Overnight in a hotel in Khe Sanh.

Cycling: approx. 85 km

Rating: Moderate

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Thai Ninh Hotel

Day 9: Khe Sanh –A Luoi

After completing our exploration of Khe Sanh, we start to pedal along H9 to Dakrong Bridge and then turn off onto the Southern section of the HCM Trail. We begin our ascent back into the mountains along an extraordinary remote road to the tiny town of A Luoi. The route passes through dense forests and some wild landscapes. A Luoi is home to a multitude of ethnic minorities and the infamous Hamburger Hill.

Cycling: approx. 85km

Difficulty: Moderate/Challenging

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Aliha Guest House

Day 10: A Luoi – Hue

After breakfast, we leave the HCM Trail for good and pedal 60km for Hue. The ride is relatively easy as the terrain is flat. The landscape is dotted with quaint villages, jungles and rivers. We finish our ride at the Bach Ho Bride and hop on a bus to transfer the last 12km to Hue.

Cycling: approx. 60km

Difficulty: Moderate

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Romance hotel

www.romancehotel.com.vn

Day 11: Hue - Lang Co – Hai Van Pass – Hoi An

Today we turn south again to go to Hoi An (The route passes over the insane Hai Van pass (‘Pass of the Ocean Clouds’), one of the most famous stretches of road in all of Vietnam. Cycle via Lang Co beach and conquer a couple of 2km passes before hitting beautiful coastal roads. Despite the passing of 200 years and the ravages of weather and war, the centre of Hoi An remains much the same as it was in its heyday. A walking tour is the best way to see the wooden-fronted houses that once belonged to the town’s prosperous merchants, the Japanese-covered Bridge and the wonderful market. Hoi An is one of the best places in Vietnam to shop for souvenirs at bargain prices including silk, handicrafts, antiques and paintings. Five kilometers from the centre of town is Cua Dai Beach, popular with both locals and visitors alike for its warm sea and seafood stalls.

Cycling: approx. 70km

Difficulty: Moderate

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Hoian Ancient House Resort- Supeior Room

www.ancienthouseresort.com

Day 12: Hoian at leisure

Enjoy a full day free at leisure or you can take optional ride to Hoian’s countryside.

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Hoian Ancient House Resort- Superior Room

www.ancienthouseresort.com

Day 13: Hoi An – Saigon

Spend a relaxing morning at your leisure before driving 30km to Da Nang for a flight to Saigon. On arrival in Saigon check into the hotel and freshen up before taking a city tour to discover this dynamic city. We will show you the former Presidential Palace as well as the Notre Dame Cathedral. In the evening enjoy a scrumptious farewell meal at one of Saigon’s top restaurants.

Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Northern hotel- Superior

www.northernhotel.com.vn 

Day 14: Depart Saigon

At your leisure until transfer to the airport for onward flights.

Meal: Breakfast