Biking in Northern Vietnam

Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your flight time, there will be some free time to explore the city.

You will spend today discovering Hanoi. Begin by visiting the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum followed by the Temple of Literature where you will hear a music performance. At lunch, you will have the chance to try Pho, one of Vietnam's iconic dishes. In the afternoon, see more of Hanoi, visiting museums, temples, Hoan Kiem Lake, and the Old Quarter. There is time to have dinner in the city before boarding the night train to Lao Cai.

You will wake up this morning in the mountains of Northern Vietnam. First things first – sit down to a hearty breakfast! The first ride of the trip is a straightforward one, along paved and dirt roads for around 50 km. En route, you will pedal through scenery of rice terraces and high mountains and see local people going about their daily life. The ride finishes at Coc Ly. Have a look around the colorful market where the hill tribes of this region meet to sell livestock, produce, textiles and handicrafts. You will continuer along a single-track trail to the village of Bac Ha.

Today, you will begin to see why people come to Northern Vietnam for bicycle touring – the steep rice terraces that create beautiful swirling patterns in the landscape. After breakfast, there is a short transfer to Lung Phinh. From there you will ride to Xin Man, around 40 km along winding roads through rice and cornfields. Many hill tribes live in this area including the Flower H’mong, the Tay and the Ha Nhi people. In the afternoon, you will follow a quiet road to Hoang Su Phi. Arrive and settle into your accommodation in an eco-lodge hidden among lush gardens.

Today the scenery becomes more and more spectacular as you follow winding roads through the mountains to Ha Giang. In the morning, you will cycle over Heaven’s Gate, the highest mountain pass in Vietnam. Follow roads that seem to ascend and descend through the clouds, with otherworldly views of limestone mountains and forests. In the afternoon you will cycle along the Lo River through countryside and tea plantations to Ha Giang.

You are deep in the mountains of North Vietnam now, and the views are simply spectacular. Today's ride from Lung Tam to Yenh Minh is the most challenging so far. You will ride along roads cut into the sides of the limestone hills and tackle plenty of ascents and descents, winding turns and hairpin bends. There is a tough climb to an elevation of 1000 m before the final descent into Yen Minh. In the village, you will be able to see inside the homes of local tribes, who are known for beautiful textiles, handicrafts, and folk music.

You are well off the tourist trail now, in the heart of rural Vietnam and if you thought the scenery couldn’t get any more spectacular, well – it does! Cycling to Lung Ho, you will stop for a picnic lunch at a viewpoint with dramatic views of the forest-covered limestone peaks. Then, you will descend to the village of Du Gia, and finally to the village of Bac Me in the afternoon.

Today you ride to Ba Be National Park, 23,000 hectares of protected lakes, rivers and limestone peaks covered in lush vegetation. The journey takes you through remote tribal villages which are home to the Dao and Hmong tribes. You will arrive in the late afternoon. Ba Be is home to many different ethnic groups, as well as Vietnam’s largest lake. Your accommodation this evening is in a traditional homestay. Dinner will be prepared by your hosts.

Make sure to get up early this morning to take some photos in this beautiful national park. After breakfast, you cycle to a nearby tea plantation, learn how the local tea is picked and grown and try some for yourself. The rest of the day is spent on the road as you head back to Hanoi. In the evening there will be free time to rest, have dinner, and to see more of the city if you wish.

This morning you transfer to UNESCO-protected Ha Long Bay for your cruise. En route, you will stop to watch a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show in a local village. At around 1.30 PM your boat will head out into the bay, sailing among the famed limestone islands. Bai Tu Long Bay is some distance from the port and therefore sees fewer tourists.

One of the best parts is exploring a local floating fishing village by kayak. The boat will moor in the bay overnight.

Wake up early to see the sunrise over the bay. This morning, you cruise to one of the most unspoiled parts of the bay, Cong Dam, and learn about its unique geology. A BBQ lunch will be served on the boat or a nearby beach. Depending on the water level you may be able to explore nearby caves. The rest of the day is yours to spend enjoying this amazing location. Swim, kayak or simply relax onboard the boat with a drink in hand and take in the view!

This morning, you can explore the bay by sampan (traditional bamboo rowing boat). Visit the floating village of Vung Vieng and see how the residents manage to go about all their daily activities on the water. Lunch will be served on board as you head back to the port. In the afternoon you will be driven back to Hanoi, in time for one final special evening in the city.

After breakfast, there may be time to squeeze in some shopping in Hanoi depending on the time of your flight. Then, it is time to say your farewells as the tour ends.