Overview
Our 12-day tour will bring you to the unique discovery of two mystical nations: Vietnam and Laos. Vietnam, where our journey starts, is a place that is known for striking landscapes- shining paddy fields, mysterious wildernesses, and brilliant shorelines - make Vietnam's postcards, yet the northwestern area is home to fabulous mountains and valleys. In the midst of the peaks rests Indochina's most noteworthy peak, Mount Fansipan, as well as the captivating hill station of Sapa, a pilgrim retreat made by the French.
This 12 days biking tour has spectacular changing scenery as you bike. Being mostly downhill, one can concentrate on the views, far more than the pedaling. This tour includes a support vehicle, all meals and a professional guide.
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- Duration: 12 days / 11 nights
- Tour Type: Private Tour
- Departure: Hanoi
- Theme: Cycling Tours
Highlights
- A bike lets you see Vietnam and Laos like never before – you’ll go from road to beaten track to something way beyond. Peaceful cycling through minority villages, with friendly locals unused to the presence of tourists.
- Cycling lover can feel the wind in your (helmet-covered) hair and a tropical breeze on your face
- Experience scenic cycling with mountain views and valleys made of terraced rice fields and unique cultural experiences
- Historical sites of Dien Bien Phu and Hanoi
- Laos Biking along the Nam Ou river to experience the rural lives at its most authentic.
- Final destination is Luang Prabang, the World Heritage town
Tour itinerary
Arrive/ meet in Hanoi, we go to bike store and our tour guide briefing about bike and you will choose a suitable bike for yourself.
Start the tour by cycling to Ho Chi Minh complex including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his house-on-stilts, the One-Pillar pagoda and continue on to the Temple of Literature – the first university of Vietnam and the place dedicating to Confucian. Tour ends after a cup of coffee or tea at an authentic Hanoi corner cafe where you can have talks with local people, exchange cultural way of life.
Then after an early evening meal, we go to the train station to board the overnight train to Lao Cai. The train is a very civilized affair with compartments sleeping 4 and a refreshment carriage serving food and drink. Lao Cai is on the gateways to China, Lao Cai lies at the end of the train line on the Chinese border. The border crossing slammed shut during the 1979 war between China and Vietnam and remained closed until 1993. Lao Cai is now a major hub for travellers journey between Haoi, Sapa (38km away) and Kunming.
Accommodation: Overnight on 4-berth soft sleeper (sharing cabin train)
On arrival in Lao Cai in the early morning, we meet our vehicle and make the short 50-min transfer up to the former hill station of Sapa (1,450 m), where we have breakfast at our hotel.
Later in the morning, we ride to get those legs moving. You cycle downhill on a windy road, which goes along Muong Hoa valley. The valley is home to Black Hmong, Giay and Red Dao minorities. From the road you will have many opportunities to enjoy amazing scenery of mountains and rice paddy terraces as far as the eyes can see. After a short break in Su Pan, you will cycle downhill until you reach Thanh Phu village of Tay minority. Here you stop for lunch in a traditional Tay house.
After lunch, your ride will be mostly uphill; you head toward Sin Chai village of Red Dao minority. Where you will cook with local, have dinner with host and stay overnight in in a local house in the village.
- Activities: Cycling Approx: 30KM ~ 18 Miles
- Accommodation: Homestay
Biking in Sapa
Homestay in Sapa
Today’s ride will be a little softer. You will pass by some remote villages. You can stop by a local school and give children some small gifts such as pens or books. You will also be able to meet Xa Pho minority, one of the smallest ethnic group, which cannot be found in other areas. You will pass by Thanh Phu and continue to Ban Ho.
In Ban Ho you will enjoy lunch in a local house. After lunch, you will take a short walk to the nearby river, where you will be able to have a swim. You can take a break and have a cup of tea in a Tay house before you get on a car for a journey back to Sapa.
Activities:
- Cycling 25KM / 15 Miles
- Riding 1.5-hour driving/ 1 hour walking/ 3 hours cycling
Overnight: Hotel in Sapa
You will start out from Sapa by cycling up the Vietnam's highest pass to "Heavens Gate". A break at the top of the pass will give you the opportunity to enjoy the picturesque view of the Sapa valley and the long snake-shaped road, which you will pass by later.
You will then continue the cycle through the fantastic mountainous landscape to Binh Lu, home to a number of ethnic villages such as the Black Dao, The Giay... You will then probably need the help of the supply jeep to go up another high pass, before enjoying the easy ride downhill all the way left to Tam Duong, where you stay overnight in a small hotel.
Activities:
- Cycling 40KM / 24 Miles
- Riding 40 minutes driving
Overnight: Hotel in Tam Duong
Cycling Binh Lu - Tam Duong
If today falls on Thursday or Sunday, you will be able to visit the Tam Duong market, which always delivers a very photogenic display of White Hmong, Flower Hmong, Nhang and Pu Na ethnic costumes.
You will start out from Tam Duong by taking the minivan to the pass between Tam Duong and Phong Tho. From there you have a 15 kilometers downhill ride on a dirt road before turning right towards the market town of Phong Tho, situated on a picturesque tributary of the Na River. A small road then leads you through the unexplored area of a number of ethnic villages and acres of lush riverside banana plantation to the small town of Paso.
Activities:
- Cycling 40KM / 24 Miles
- Riding 1 hours minutes driving
Overnight: Hotel in Paso town
The road today weaves its way through the picturesque Na river valley, past many small villages of Red and White Hmong, Kho Mu and White Thai ethnic minorities. The sound of the river running below follows you all along the ride until you reach to Lai Chau early afternoon. Then you will have the opportunity of having a walk around in the small town, soft trekking in the mountains, floating downstream the river...or just taking a shower and relax over a cup of coffee or a beer.
Activities:
- Cycling 45KM / 27 Miles
- Soft trekking in the mountain
Overnight: Hotel in Muong Lay
On the way to Muong Lay
Today is the easiest day on the trip. You will start out by minivan for the first 30 km before cycling downhill to Muong Lay village. The road from Muong Lay to Dien Bien Phu is sealed, making your ride more enjoyable. Again today you will pass more ethnic villages of White Thai, Red and White Hmong and Kho Mu minorities.
In the afternoon you will reach historic town Dien Bien Phu.
Activities:
- Cycling 80KM / 49 Miles
- Riding: 30KM/ 18 Miles
Overnight: Hotel in Dien Bien Phu
Cycling to Dien Bien Phu
Early morning explore the historical sites of Dien Bien Phu. It used to be the big battle field between the French and Vietnamese when Vietnam fought again the French to get independence. Then we cycle 70km to Muang Khau by crossing Laos North-East border at Tay Tran. You have to get Laos visa in advance in order to cross Laos land border. Laos visa on arrival can be obtained only arrival at the airport. This northeast area has the least population of Laos. In the afternoon, we continue cycling to Muang Khua along Nam Ou river. Overnight in Muang Khua.
- Activities: Cycling Approx. 70KM / 49 Miles
- Overnight: Hotel in Muang Khua
A Small local boat will take you from Muang Khua to the peaceful haven of Muang Ngoi, here will have time to explore the surrounding visit the local temple and have a relaxing lunch. before we get back on the boat to continue to the Backpacker paradise of Nong Khiaw.
- Activities: Cycling Approx. 98KM / 60 Miles
- Overnight: Hotel in Nong Khiaw (Paxang Resort or similar)
We begin the ride today with a 30km ride to the cross town of Pakong where we can stop for coffee and snacks, before continuing along the road passing Teak forests small rural villages and banana plantations. We will then transfer the final 60km into the Ancient City of Luang Prabang to arrive at approximately 3pm.
Dinner will be served at Khaiphaen a restaurant and training school for disadvantaged youth.
- Activities: Cycling Approx. 70KM / 43 Miles
- Overnight: Hotel in Luang Prabang (Saya River view guesthouse or similar)
On the way to Luang Prabang
Luang Prabang is best seen on two wheels! This morn we will explore the city on bike Luang Prabang remains one of Asia's most beautiful historic towns, earning it the status of a World Heritage Site in 1995. Rising from the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan Rivers, it is popular for its many temples and preserved French colonial architecture. There are also ancient monasteries and a Royal Palace Museum and the bustling morning market. Wat Vieng Thong and Mount Phousi are also key attraction you will visit on this day.
- Activities: Cycling Approx. 30KM / 18 Miles
- Overnight: Hotel in Luang Prabang (Saya River view guesthouse or similar)
Luang Prabang City
A easy warm up ride to a one and half hour trip to Kuang Si falls for a dip in the brilliant blue ice-cold waters is a must see in Laos. On the way we get our first glimpse of village life spectacular scenery.
Lunch will be picnic at the water buffalo dairy a short tour will explain how this amazing project help provide stability and education to the local communities.
Cycling back to your hotel in Luang Prabang. End the amazing cycling odyssey here. If you would like to extend the trip, please contact our travel consultant. We are more than ready to help.
- Activities: Cycling Approx. 60KM / 37 Miles - well paved roads
- Overnight: Hotel in Luang Prabang (Saynamkhan riverside (Standard Room) or similar)
Kuang Si Waterfall
Meals
11 Breakfasts, 11 Lunches, 11 Dinners
Vegetarian Meals are available, please request at the booking time
Transportation
Air-conditioning back up car
Mountain Bikes
Price Includes
- Mountain Bike (TREK or GIANT), helmet
- 1 Cycling English Speaking Guide
- 1 assistant guide for 8-16 cyclist, 2 assistant guides for 17+ cyclists
- 1 first aid kit per guide
- Each guide will have a full set of travel bike tools
- 16-seater van for two to three pax
- 16-seater van and luggage truck for three to four pax
- 29-seater van, luggage truck and backup bike for eight to nine pax
- Plenty of water provided throughout the day when cycling
- Snacks and local fruits
- Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B – Breakfast, L – Lunch, D – Dinner)
- Sightseeing tickets where mentioned in the itinerary.
- Accommodation as listed above
Price Excludes
- International flights and Visa arrangement
- Others meals not mentioned above
- Alcoholic, and other beverages beyond water – we can add this into costs at your request
- Personal expenses, tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- Laos Visa (Laos visa has to be obtained in advance in order to cross the land border. Laos visa on arrival can be obtained only for arrival at the airport. We can assist to arrange the visa).
- Any other services not clearly mentioned in the itinerary and in the inclusive portion.
Tour Information
| Type of Bike |
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| Total Cycling KM | ~ |
| Total Cycling days | 12 days |
| Road Surface |
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| Support | Fully supported van including spare part, back up service |
| Group Size | Minimum 2 pax |
| Staff |
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| Cycling pace |
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| Climate |
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Cancellation Policy
Cancellation by Customer
- Cancellation received before 60 days: FREE of charge
- Cancellation received from 30 days to 59 days prior arrival date: 10% of total rate
- Cancellation received from 15 days to 29 days prior arrival date: 30% of total rate
- Cancellation received from 7 days to 14 days prior arrival date: 50% of total rate
- Cancellation received less than 7 days prior arrival date or No show: 100% of total rate
