14 Days Northern Vietnam Cycling Tour with Dalat and Mui Ne Beach
Tour Overview
This cycling journey is to the relatively unexplored northeast region of Vietnam, near the border with China where, until recently, you needed special permits to visit. Starting in Hanoi,...
Code of Tour: TAD0000028041
Length of Travel: 14 Day
Destinations of Tour:
Departure City: Hanoi
Price of Tour: Request
Type of Tour: Private
Features of Tour: Cycling
This cycling journey is to the relatively unexplored northeast region of Vietnam, near the border with China where, until recently, you needed special permits to visit. Starting in Hanoi, we take to Lao Cai and from there we head east into the province of Lai Chau and you’ll be riding through dramatic landscapes and colorful ethnic minorities who are still living as they have for hundreds of years. It will be as if every day you are riding through an open-air museum – as you cycle by villagers weaving in their homes and blacksmiths forging their tools. We end our tour on a unique beach in Mui Ne, so you can take advantage of the sandy beaches…
TOUR ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi ( D )
Welcome to Vietnam’s french-inspired capital city! We’ll transfer you from the airport to the city (45 minutes) and check you into the tour hotel. Depending on your arrival time today, a city tour is on offer this afternoon taking you past various places of interest including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed on Mondays) and the Temple of Literature. We have the opportunity to see a traditional water puppet show and this evening, we’ll meet each other over our first group dinner.
Summary
Accommodation: Thăng Long Espana Hotel
Meals: Dinner
Biking: No biking
Day 2 : Hanoi to Suoi Giang – Nghia Lo ( B , L , D )
After breakfast at the hotel, we drive north from Hanoi to Thu Cuc. At Thanh Son, we have a refreshment break before our first bike ride, which is a reasonably easy 40–50 km and a good warm-up. We stop for lunch back in ThuCuc, and in the afternoon we have the option of cycling up to another 60 km towards NghiaLo, a small town in a big valley inhabited by ethnic Thai people. There are no single trail options today, but your guide can take you on quiet dirt roads through some small villages. We overnight in a simple but comfortable guesthouse in the hills at Nghia Lo
Summary
Accommodation: Nghia Lo Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Biking: 85 km
Day 3: Nghia Lo – Mu Cang Chai – Than Uyen ( B , L , D )
There are several riding options today that your guide will discuss with you in advance. After breakfast, we suggest you cycle the winding dirt roads past several villages, before traveling in the backup vehicle to peaceful TuLe. From here, it is 80 km to ThanUyen, in Vietnam’s least populated province, LaiChau. You can choose to cycle or ride partway in the vehicle. This is one of the most beautiful stretches of road in North Vietnam, with imposing mountains and rice terraces. It is also home to the colorful Hmong, Dzao, and Tay hill tribes, who we’ll meet along the way.
Summary
Accommodation: Duc Huy Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Biking: 85km
Day 4: Than Uyen – Sapa ( B , L , D )
We warm up on a single trail around ThanUyen before driving through the mountainous countryside to ThanThuoc for lunch. As we approach HoangLienSon peak, Vietnam’s tallest, we cycle on the main road between 1000–3000 m mountains, finally reaching Vietnam’s highest pass (1900 m). You can, of course, choose to ride in the support vehicle. We then descend to the beautiful mountain town of Sapa (at 1600 m). The deeper into the mountains we go, the more hill tribes we will see, wearing amazingly elaborate and colorful costumes with huge earrings.
Summary
Accommodation : Sapa Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Biking: 65km
Day 5 : Sapa – Muong Bo – Sapa ( B , L )
Today offers a half-day trip on dirt roads and single trails, plus a steep downhill (1000 m). We will be walking and/or cycling from village to village, meeting Hmong and Tay hill tribes. Trails sometimes pass through locals’ backyards(don’t worry, they don’t mind!) and they will often gather excitedly to watch cyclists as they pass. After our picnic lunch at a waterfall, there’s time for a refreshing swim before we drive back uphill to Sapa. The rest of the day is free to explore this beautiful mountain town of about 140,000 people near the Chinese border. back to Sapa and explore dinner on your own.
Summary
Accommodation : Sapa Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Biking: 55km
Day 6 : Sapa – Ban Khoang – Lao Cai ( B , L , D )
We are normally surrounded by deep blue skies and fluffy white clouds as we leave SaPa, traveling through the beautiful village of BanKhoang. We’ll wind our way up to higher and higher into the mountains on a country road. We will be cycling at a high altitude for half a day at 1400–1600 m, followed by a long descent to the city of Lao Cai on the Chinese border. take cycling to visit the border before checking in hotel in Lao Cai border city and we’ll overnight at a hotel here.
Summary
Accommodation: Lao Cai Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Biking: 75km
Day 7 : Lao Cai – Yen Bai ( B , L , D )
Visit local market here is a great opportunity to view local lifestyles and meet the people. Make sure you bring your camera! The scenery and the ornate clothing are amazing. Around midday we’ll cycle on trails through villages for up to 4 hours, admiring beautiful mountains, rivers, and forests. The main tribe we will see today is the Flower Hmong, one of the most colorful and richly dressed in Vietnam. We’ll be a major focus of attention wherever we go. Even seemingly in the middle of nowhere, people will suddenly appear from the hills.
Summary
Accommodation: Hoa Mai Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Biking: 75km
Day 8: Yen Bai – Hanoi ( B , L )
Breakfast and last day cycling in northern Vietnam with an amazing single trail riding is the order of the day along Red river dykes. You’ll travel along ridges through evergreen forests and past ancient hill tribes. Lunch is likely to be at a small local restaurant in Phu Tho. At the end of the ride, we’ll have earned a snack and a cold beer. After packing up our bikes we drive to Hanoi for a refreshing shower in Hanoi.
Summary
Accommodation: Mayde Villa Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Biking: 75km
Day 9: Hanoi flight to Da Lat ( B )
One morning we will take a flight from Hanoi to Dalat, Da Lat, home of flowers, coffee plantations, and mountain lakes. We will be met at Lien Khuong Airport by our new guide, who will transfer us to the hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free for exploring this attractive mountain city
Summary
Accommodation: Dai Loi Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Biking: No biking
Day 10: Da Lat Cycling Tour ( B, L )
Today’s ‘Skid Tracks’ ride starts from the hotel and follows single trails through farmland and pine-forested hills — a great challenge for most. This agricultural highland has some of Vietnam’s best mountain biking trails. After a picnic lunch, we can visit one of the many flower farms, and ride back to DaLat. We can stop at Golden Valley (a 10-ha public park) and the unique and beautiful Railway Station building. There may be time for a visit to the XQ Embroidery village, housing some of the country’s finest embroidery. Tonight: a hard-earned and lovely meal at a local restaurant.
Summary
Accommodation: Dai Loi Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Biking: 45km
Day 11: Da Lat cycling tour ( B, L )
Again we have another day of great riding in this beautiful area as we start from the Hotel and bike the ‘northern 8’ tracks. Today is all about fantastic scenery and a good mixture of terrain in this region of lakes, forests, and farmland. On the way, we can stop to visit the beautiful Domaine De Marie Church, the gothic-style DaLat Church, and the Crazy House, built by DaLat’s Crazy Lady (you’ll have to see it to believe it!). There are options for shorter or longer rides before returning to DaLat, Explore dinner tonight on your own.
Summary
Accommodation: Dai Loi Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Biking: 35 km
Day 12: Da Lat – Di Linh – Mui Ne Beach ( B, L )
An early start today sees us descending from DaLat to TaNung village, and then to NamBan on 15 km of single trail. Next, a 1.5-hour transfer to DiLinh town passing numerous coffee, tea, banana, and rubber plantations. The Central Highlands produces some of the world’s finest tea and coffee, so we take time out for a taste. After a short 10 km transfer, we bike to a picnic spot (at 1224 m). Our undulating ride continues through the villages of GiaBac before a fast 10 km downhill on a steep track to Malam Town. An easy flat road (or a ride in the support vehicle) takes us to Mui Ne Beach.
Summary
Accommodation: Hon Rom 1 resort
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Biking: options up to 100km
Day 13: Mui Ne Rest Day On Beach ( B )
A free day to explore the popular coastal resort area of Mui Ne. Take time out to relax by the hotel pool, or at the sandy surfing beach. Rest those weary cycling legs or perhaps explore the shops and many restaurants.
Summary
Accommodation: Hon Rom 1 resort
Meals: Breakfast
Biking: No biking
Day 14: Mui Ne – Sai Gon ( B, L )
This morning last day cycle from your hotel through the beach to reach Phan Thien city and then cycle along a long beach with a beautiful coastline, passing to see Dragon fruits garden and reach highway one we’ll drive 3 hours to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) where it is time to say goodbye to your fellow group members. End The Tour
Summary
Accommodation: Liberty Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Biking: 65 biking
