Cycle Northern Vietnam

Trip Type: Cycling
Vietnam | 8 Days | 1 - 16 People
Starts From:

NZD 1,674.00 /Person

* Sale Price Available

More than 30 million Vietnamese can't be wrong – handle-bar height gives you the best view of Vietnam! On this seven-day cycling trip through the n...

Cycle Northern Vietnam

More than 30 million Vietnamese can't be wrong – handle-bar height gives you the best view of Vietnam! On this seven-day cycling trip through the north, you’ll meet locals and experience their culture in a way that otherwise wouldn't be possible. Get started in bustling Hanoi, where you can discover the Old Quarter’s ‘36 Streets’ and fuel up on multiple banh mis, then make your way to UNESCO World Heritage site Ha Long Bay, down country lanes and through spectacular mountain scenery. You’ll stay in a traditional homestay with friendly hosts, ride through the gorgeous landscapes of Pu Luong and Cuc Phuong National Park and spend a night on serene waters under the stars.

Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins in capital city Hanoi, with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, you might like to stretch your legs with a walk around the shaded boulevards or a squat on a street-corner stool and tuck into a bia hoi (freshly brewed draught beer) in the Old Quarter – in these ancient ’36 Streets’, you can discover an amazing selection of shops that sell everything from souvenirs to silk clothing, jewellery, embroidered tablecloths, wood carvings and lacquerware. If you are bringing your own bicycle with you, you’ll need to assemble it today to check for any damage. After your meeting, maybe head out with your local leader and group for a welcome dinner and try some of Vietnam’s famed cuisine.

This morning, you’ll get the chance to explore the Vietnamese capital by bike on a guided ride through the city. Hanoi is the perfect city to explore on two wheels, so this is the perfect place to get to grips with Vietnamese street life and traffic. You’ll ride through parks, around lakes and down tree-lined boulevards to iconic sights. Explore the vibrant colours of the Old Quarter then make the most of your free afternoon. You could walk around Hoan Kiem Lake or dive into local culture at the Vietnam Fine Art Museum. Top off the day with a steaming bowl of fresh Pho from a hole-the-wall eatery – the street food in Hanoi is not to be missed!

Leave Hanoi behind and travel by bus to Hoa Binh. When you arrive, you’ll jump on your bike and cycle to Cao Phong, through small ethnic Thai villages and paddy fields. Limestone peaks climb in the background and banks of green line the road, so you’ll take regular stops to admire the view across the valleys. When you arrive in Cao Phone, take a short bus ride, stopping for lunch at Man Duc. After you fuel up, the bus will take you to the Da River Reservoir. Cycle along the Da River, past the karst cliffs, beside green paddy fields and into the panorama of the Mai Chau valley. The town of Mai Chau is surrounded by green mountains and is famed for its breathtaking scenery and friendly hilltribe peoples. Tonight, you’ll enjoy local hospitality in a simple stilt-house homestay in the village of Poom Coong. Your amicable hosts will cook up a traditional meal, and there may even be a chance to sample some of the local rice wine that’s produced in the region.

This morning, say farewell to your homestay hosts and cycle from Mai Chau to Mai Hai, then on to Pu Luong National Park. Ride through more paddy fields and test your skills (or suspension) with the shallow potholes on the road. Pass pineapple farms and the farmers riding atop their load drawn by water buffalo. Cycle through small towns, green fields, limestone mountains, tranquil waterways and many historic sites. See everyday rural life in action and take in the beautiful countryside as you wave to the locals.

Over two rides today, you’ll cycle from Pu Luong to Cuc Phuong National Park – Vietnam’s first and largest national park, opened by Ho Chi Minh himself. This is one of the most important conservation sites in the country and home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. You’ll cycle through some of Vietnam’s most spectacular views, riding in between limestone peaks that emerge from the rice paddies. If the weather permits, there will be an option to visit the famed Hang Mua caves/viewpoint. After a while of riding, you’ll then board the support vehicle to miss the busy traffic, before it's back on the bikes for another leg. After lunch with a view, reboard the support vehicle and cruise all the way to Tam Coc.

Enjoy one final early morning ride through the beautiful green scenery of the Ninh Binh Province, along the banks of the duck-filled Hoang Long River to the Bai Ding Buddhist Temple. Here, you’ll bid farewell to the cycling support team and transfer by minivan to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay. Climb aboard a traditional junk-style boat and venture out into the emerald waters of the bay. The boat will glide through the often misty waters, past limestone peaks that jut dramatically out of the water. The area was created over thousands of years by waves and wind, and you’ll explore the best of it, both by boat and on your own two feet. Visit the caverns of Surprise Cave and get the blood pumping up and down the many staircases, then sail past the enigmatic Ga Choi Islet to your kayaking excursion straight into Luon Cave. In the warmer months, you’ll make a stop at either Ti Top Island or Soi Sim Island before spending the night aboard the boat beneath the starry night sky.

After a night beneath the stars on the still waters of Ha Long Bay, you’ll cruise back to the mainland, taking in all the amazing scenery one last time. Then, head back to Hanoi, arriving in the early evening. When you arrive back in the bustling capital, maybe head down to the markets for some last-minute souvenir shopping or visit to one of the city's many fascinating museums, like the Fine Art Museum, Women's Museum or Museum of Ethnology. Toast the end of this active adventure with an optional farewell group dinner.

There are no activities planned after breakfast today and your adventure comes to an end. You're free to leave at any time after check out. If you'd like to extend your stay in Hanoi, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

Meals
7 Breakfast(s), 4 Lunch(s), 3 Dinner(s)

Transport
Bicycle (e-bike option available) , Support vehicle , Boat , Kayak , Taxi

Accommodation
Hotel (4 nights), homestay (2 nights), overnight boat (1 night)

Included Activities
  • Guided Hanoi city bike ride
  • Hanoi - Hoa Lo 'Hanoi Hilton' Prison
  • Guided & vehicle-supported cycling in Mai Chau
  • Guided & vehicle-supported cycling in Pu Luong National Park
  • Guided & vehicle-supported cycling in Cuc Phuong National Park
  • Guided & vehicle-supported cycling near Ninh Binh
  • Halong Bay - Overnight Boat Cruise
  • Cycle through Vietnam’s wildlife-filled natural landscapes, small villages and ancient ruins – the best way to see the country is on a bike!
  • Ride through the spectacularly lush landscapes of Pu Luong and on to Cuc Phuong National Park (one of the most important conservation sites in the country) – cycling alongside the rice paddies, you’ll pass local farmers, limestone karsts and diverse flora and fauna.
  • Work up an appetite cycling around Vietnam’s capital city of Hanoi – after wandering the Old Quarter on two legs and two wheels, you can spend the evening indulging in the delicious local and regional food (think banh mi, bun cha and pho).
  • Spend a night aboard a small boat at the UNESCO World Heritage site Ha Long Bay – a must-do on any visit to Vietnam! Sail among the limestone peaks, stop off at one of the remote islands and wander the staircases of Surprise Cave.
  • Get to know the locals better on a homestay visit in the village of Poom Coong. In a traditional stilt-house, your hosts will cook you dinner and you might even be treated to some of the local rice wine.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, World Bicycle Relief. Donations provide school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas with bicycles that provide access to education, healthcare, and income.
  • To complete this trip, it’s important that you’re both confident and competent in riding a bicycle. This trip covers quite some distance – you’ll be cycling for up to 70 km a day on varied terrain, so a good level of fitness is required. You'll be spending one night in a homestay. While the accommodation is shared and basic, this is a great opportunity to interact with the locals, and get a real sense of Vietnamese daily life. The weather in this region can be varied. Be prepared to get sweaty and for the occasional rainstorm, which may require a change of plans. If you feel like doing all the riding but with less effort we have the option of hiring an electric bike (e-bike) on this trip.

Departing

Finishing

Availability

Price:
NZD 1,970.00 NZD 1,674.00

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Provided by
Intrepid Travel
Reference Code:
TVXS
Trip Location
Trip Starts:
Hanoi, Vietnam
Trip Finishes:
Hanoi, Vietnam
Countries Visited:
Vietnam
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Destination Details
Vietnam | 8 Days | 1 - 16 People

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