from 0 review
12 Days
Up to 1 day
15 people
English
This 12-day cycling journey through 26 ethnic communities in Northwest Vietnam offers breathtaking and vibrant scenery. Explore the historic route leading to the 1954 victory at Dien Bien Phu and traverse three stunning mountain passes: Pha Din, Long Pass, and O Quy Ho. The journey starts in Hoa Binh, the western gateway to Vietnam, and continues to Hanoi. After visiting Mai Chau, known for its lush rice paddies and welcoming Thai and Muong locals, you’ll head to Moc Chau, a pristine plateau in the Northwest highlands.
The road from Moc Chau to Son La is remarkable for its stunning landscapes and cultural diversity.
In Dien Bien Phu, the “Heroic City” of Vietnam, experience preserved memories of the 1954 Indo-Chinese War victory.
The trip concludes in Sapa, nestled in the isolated Northwest highlands at 1,500 meters above sea level. Renowned for its untamed beauty, ethnic diversity, and rice terraces, Sapa lies near the Chinese border in the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. The region, often called the “Tonkin Alps,” is also home to Fansipan, Vietnam’s highest peak.
You will be greeted at Noi Bai International Airport by your guide and driver, who will then bring you to the hotel located in the center of Hanoi. Vietnam's vibrant and ancient city, Hanoi, blends some of Asia's most remarkable colonial buildings with a distinct old world charm. After you check in and unwind, we'll have a briefing about the schedule and the forthcoming excursion. We will provide a quick tour of the Old Quarter's busy streets so you can take in both the city's current and historical splendor. We will enjoy a welcome reception and a typical Vietnamese supper at a well-known restaurant after the trip. Spend the night in Hanoi.
Distance: 80km We depart the bustling city of Hanoi after a filling breakfast at the hotel and make our way to Xuan Mai, the starting site. Before leaving for Cuc Phuong National Park, our first stop, we will adjust the Mountain Bike here. We will go via some charming towns and rice terraces to the southwest of Hanoi. You will see the stunning Red River Delta and breathtaking, towering mountain ranges. You will get the chance to converse with the perpetual grins and boisterous hellos of the local schoolchildren and townspeople.After lunch at a neighborhood eatery, we'll travel to Nho Quan by way of the riverbank and mountain ranges, stopping along the way to take in the gorgeous scenery. Our last stop is the Coc Phuong Resort, where you can unwind with a refreshing drink before supper and the night.
Distance: 85km Following breakfast, the shuttle bus will transport you to Cuc Phuong National Park, where you will have the opportunity to tour the Vietnam 8Endangered Promate Rescue Center and gain insight into the vital efforts being made to safeguard the park's endangered species. Discover more about the diverse range of plants and animals found in the National Park by exploring the Turtle Conservation Center. After our tour, we'll ride a bus into the park to see more of Vietnam's largest park before continuing on to the town of Kim Tan. We'll stop for lunch along the way and ride on single-track dirt roads until we reach the Phu Luong Nature Reserve. This is an intriguing, lush woodland with beautiful rice terraces and an amazing landscape. We will stay in a house with a local family in Nua Village and have dinner with them when we arrive.
Distance: 80km We get up early today to take in the unspoiled surroundings and clean air in the heart of the Phu Luong Nature Reserve. You will be able to stroll around the Thai village and take in the day-to-day activities as well as the customs and daily life of the locals. Before saying our goodbyes to our hosts, we shall have breakfast together. From the homestead, we continue riding through picturesque Thai villages and rice terraces until we reach Mai Chau. Take in lunch while exploring Mai Chau's and Phu Luong's hidden charms. We will proceed to Mai Chau town by traveling the fabled Ho Chi Minh trail after lunch. You will have time to check in and refuel once we get at the Ecolodge. After dinner, we're going to the local homestay to see a live music performance.
Distance: 50km You'll be served to a typical Thai Vietnamese breakfast consisting of cake, hot coffee, and tea as you awaken early to the sounds of birds and chickens. Following breakfast, we'll cycle through many communities along a variety of well-maintained single-track routes. As we go through the verdant rice terraces, the scenery is breathtaking. Fan palms, which are cultivated especially for use as roofing material, are exclusive to this region. Traversing the rice fields with terraces, we pass hot springs and cross suspension bridges. After stopping for a picnic lunch, we resume traveling on single tracks and buffalo trails until we reach Phom Coon village. After we get here, you have the afternoon to yourself to ride your bike and explore the hamlet and its trails. Spend the night at a Thai homestay.
Distance: 85km Vietnam 7We depart Mai Chau after breakfast and make our way to Bai Sang. Along the Da River, we start our ride with an off-road segment. This is a strenuous day with some lengthy climbs and several potholes in the road, but the breathtaking scenery and welcoming locals make up for it. We will take a brief ride along National Route No. 6, which served as the Dien Bien Phu campaign's logistical and munitions supply route. After a lunch and refreshment break along the route, we will ride on to the Moc Chau Plateau. This area, which is among the most immaculate and stunning in the entire Northern Mountain region, draws a remarkable group of individuals from various backgrounds. We spend the night at the Sen Xanh Hotel after checking in and unwinding.
Distance: 115km We are traveling to the Son La Province, a stunning mountain scenery of the Northwest region, today after breakfast. There are 26 distinct ethnic communities in the province of Son La, with Thai and Black Thai constituting the majority. One of the finest ways to discover these places and their people and cultures is by bicycle. We spend the night in a 3-star hotel in Hanoi.
Distance: 87km We cross the Pa Din Pass between Son La and Tuan Giao today, which is one of the hardest rides of the tour. The elevation gain is 18 km, and the descent is 14 km. Magnificent local scenery, featuring limestone mountains rising from the valley floor, rewards one's journey. We'll pause for refreshments and a picture opportunity when we get to the top. Before beginning the descent into Tuan Giao town, we will inspect the equipment here. We'll pause here for lunch before continuing on to Dien Dien. You can choose to go to the Dien Bien hotel and unwind there. When we arrive in Dien Bien we will check into the hotel and have a cool beverage and a chance to relax and refresh. Overnight Him Lam Eco Tour Resort.
Distance: 114km After breakfast today, we make our way back to Tuan Giao, where we start our journey to Thanh Uyen by stopping at the major market of Hoi An, Vietnam, to buy colorful veggies. There are two long passes to complete on this lengthy ride—one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Along the route, you'll pass through verdant forests, limestone mountains, stunning rice terraces, and stunning vistas. The tribes of Dao and Thai will extend a warm welcome to you along the trip. The trip along the Da River and the Electric Power dam is the tour's high point. We will go down the Nam Mit River's bank, which leads to the Ban Trat Electric Power company, after stopping for lunch in Muong Ang. You will have time to unwind and have a shower before dinner when we get to Than Uyen in the late afternoon. We're having dinner at a well-liked local eatery. Spend the night at the Hotel Phuong Nhung.
Distance: 98km We conquer the 38-kilometer-long pass in Northwest Vietnam on this difficult trip. O Quy Ho is the name of this pass, which connects the Lai Chau and Lao Cai provences. 2120 meters above sea level is the summit. We begin our trip today by traveling through some of Panxiphang's breathtakingly beautiful limestone mountains. The ethnic tribes that have lived here together for hundreds of years are the Ha Mong, Dao, Day, Tay, Nung, and Dao Pho. We will pause for lunch when we get to the Binh Lu T intersection. We begin our climb to Tram Ton Summit after lunch. We will stop when we get to the summit so that we may have a look around. We will next make our way down to Sapa, where we will have time for a well-earned relaxation. You can benefit from a dry herbal medicinal massage when we get to Sapa. We're having dinner at Grill Nature Bar tonight. Spend the night at the Sunny Hotel.
Distance: 40km Today is a day to unwind and recuperate by taking a leisurely bike trip to the Vietnamese villages of Lao Chai, 17 Tavan, Supan, and Ban Ho. This is a chance to get to know the residents, snap some pictures, and meet them. We're going to have lunch at a local homestay when we get to Ban Ho. We will proceed to the town of Sapa after lunch. After arriving in Sapa, we have the remainder of the day to ourselves to unwind, wonder, and visit the Sapa Tourist Market. We are spending the night at the three-star Sunny Hotel and having dinner at the Red Dao restaurant tonight.
Distance: 45km On this final day of our vacation across Northwest Vietnam, we leave the hotel after breakfast and make our way to Hanoi. We will pause for lunch throughout the four-hour journey. On the way back, we'll see magnificent natural settings and sleepy settlements. You will have some alone time when we get to the hotel before our last farewell meal at a nearby oriental restaurant. Make your way to the airport in time for your intended departure.
To help you understand the difficulty of our cycling tours, we’ve categorized them into three levels: Easy, Moderate, and Challenging. These levels are determined by key factors such as distance, terrain, altitude, and the availability of vehicle support.
Easy:
This category involves cycling for two to three hours a day at a relaxed pace, usually over no more than three days. The daily cycling distance ranges from 15 to 30 km on mostly flat roads. There are no steep or sustained climbs, and technical riding is not required. These tours are suitable for cyclists who enjoy occasional weekend rides on trails at home. Push bikes may sometimes be used for these itineraries.
Moderate:
Moderate tours involve cycling for up to six hours a day at a steady pace, typically lasting three to five days. The daily cycling distance is approximately 35–55 km. These routes may include longer flat stretches, moderate climbs, and some uphill or downhill sections. The support vehicle may not always be available. A good level of fitness is required for these tours, which use either mountain bikes or road bikes.
Challenging:
Challenging tours are designed for experienced cyclists and include biking in mountainous areas with significant climbs, lasting up to seven or eight hours a day for more than a week. The daily cycling distance is around 60–80 km and involves steep, sustained ascents and descents. The support vehicle may not always be available. These trips provide a demanding workout and are ideal for fit, experienced mountain bikers.
When cycling, we typically stay in small hotels, guesthouses, or homestays. Some accommodations may be more basic than others, so please note that not all of the places we stay are along the standard tourist routes. In larger cities and towns, we generally stay in more Western-style accommodations, usually three- or four-star hotels, depending on the selected price option.
Camping is not typically included in our cycling tours in Vietnam unless specifically requested. If you would like to camp, it should be arranged several months in advance. Camping is available in a limited number of locations, such as Cat Ba Island beach and Cuc Phuong National Park. Please refer to the quote for further details.
Most of our tour guides speak English, while some are also fluent in French. A few of our guides are able to communicate in other languages, such as German, Russian, and Spanish. All of our guides are professionally trained, fully licensed, and possess in-depth knowledge of the history, local culture, and religions of the areas you will be cycling through. They are dedicated to providing a rich and informative experience throughout your journey.
Bike Mechanic: We provide a bike mechanic for large groups or when needed (subject to a surcharge). If a mechanic is not available, our guide will handle any issues that may arise during the bike ride.
Bicycles Available for Tours:
These options are designed to accommodate various riding preferences and ensure a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all participants.
A basic spare parts and tools kit is generally carried by our guide, bike mechanic, or the support vehicle. However, please note that we cannot guarantee having spares for every conceivable issue that may arise during the ride. We recommend ensuring your bike is in good condition before the tour, and if you have any specific concerns, please feel free to reach out to us in advance.
All meals mentioned in the itinerary (B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner) are included in the tour price. Most of the meals feature traditional Vietnamese cuisine. We can easily accommodate vegetarians, and any other dietary concerns should be communicated at the time of booking. Please note that beverages and alcoholic drinks are not included with meals or at restaurants.
When we transfer by minibus (on non-cycling days), bottled water will always be available in the vehicle. On cycling days, we will provide cold water (in summer), along with fresh tropical fruits. Soft drinks will also be available in the vehicle. Please refer to the "Inclusions" section of our service proposal to confirm whether these services are included in the price. Kindly note that drinks are not included with meals or at restaurants.
Comfortable, lightweight clothing made from natural fabrics, such as cotton, is most suitable for traveling in Vietnam. The dress code is generally casual, as in most tropical regions, but it is advisable to cover your arms and legs in the evenings to protect against biting insects. A lightweight raincoat is recommended during the rainy season. In the winter months, warm clothing is necessary for visiting northern Vietnam.
Visitors should avoid wearing shorts, short skirts, or other revealing clothing when visiting religious sites such as pagodas and temples. Shoes should also be removed before entering a private home.
What you pack will naturally depend on where you're traveling and the type of journey you're undertaking, which can make it challenging to decide what to bring. However, the following checklist offers a guide to essential items worth considering.
Here’s a more organized and polished version of your packing list:
This list will help you stay organized and prepared for your journey.
Tipping for Good Service
Tipping for good service is always appreciated, though it is not compulsory. It is customary to tip tour guides and drivers at the end of the tour. Hotel and station porters should also receive a small tip.
We recommend tipping around $4–6 USD per traveler per day for the tour guide, and $2–3 USD per traveler per day for the driver (or mechanic). However, you are welcome to adjust the tip amount based on the quality of service, as well as the length and difficulty of your trip.
Sustainable Travel and Community Engagement
Before embarking on our tours, we collaborate closely with local community leaders to ensure we are welcomed and that our presence has minimal social or cultural impact. We actively visit community development projects specific to the region, encouraging our customers to contribute and assist these initiatives in a sustainable and respectful manner. Our goal is to ensure that, whenever possible, our tours provide tangible benefits to the local community.
We prioritize staying at locally owned accommodations and visiting cottage industries that offer local handicrafts, helping generate income for small businesses. Additionally, we employ local staff, such as guides, motor-taxi drivers, and cooking assistants, on all of our trips. This approach not only benefits the community in the short term but also contributes to long-term employment opportunities and economic growth.
Member Since 2024
Penida Island, Klungkung, Bali 80771, Indonesia
Leave a review