Itinerary (day-by-day)

Day 1 - Arrive at Noi Bai airport, transfer to hotel; freshen up and relax after a long flight; historical orientation walk through the Old Quarter; coffee at a family-style art café; guided walk through a restored Old Quarter home; Bach Ma Pagoda (White Horse Temple), hidden away in the back alleys; welcome dinner in one of Hanoi’s top restaurants. Overnight in Hanoi's renowned Metropole Hotel, providing luxurious service and accommodation since the 1901.

Day 2 - Hanoi is an elegant city with tree-lined boulevards, graceful French colonial architecture, peaceful lakes and oriental temples. The city tour includes visits to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature (established in 1076) and the highly acclaimed Museum of Ethnology. Also visit the infamous Hoa Lo Prison, nicknamed Hanoi Hilton, Camp One, Camp Unity, Heartbreak, Little Vegas, New Guy Village, and West Court among others, completed by the French in 1901. Interesting fact: Hoa Lo Street is the only street in Hanoi with only one address on it...the prison.

In the afternoon, enjoy a guided walking tour through the bustling Old Quarter and sprawling Dong Xuan Market. This large, three-story bazaar north of city center offers uniquely Vietnamese goods of all sorts. Hundreds of stalls (and literally thousands of traders) hawk fresh produce, dried foods, household goods and more. The market itself endured fierce fighting between Vietnamese resistance units and the French. After Dong Xuan enjoy a cyclo tour in one of Hanoi's famous reclining three-wheeled 'chariots'. In the evening, you're off to the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre for a performance that captures the traditional life of Vietnam in a medium inspired by the abundance of water and rice paddy.

Day 3 - Depart Hanoi early for Mai Chau. Enjoy the spectacular scenery whist transfer. From the top of Cun Mountain, one can admire the superb panorama of Mai Chau surrounded by a green valley and stilt houses. Do not miss the opportunity to take a photo! At Cao Phong, we get off bus and pick up our bikes and start cycling on beautiful undulating road passing through cane plantation and rice paddies. Enjoy lunch en route. We finish our ride at the delightful Mai Chau Lodge. 34 mi / 54 km, *EM: H'mong, Thai

Day 4 - After a hearty breakfast we set off on a testing yet spectacular day, the majority of which is uphill! Transfer out of Mai Chau to Tong Dau crossroad, and start riding on the good winding paved roads ascending Mai Chau Pass we head into a region predominantly populated by Black Hmong minority cultures. Before getting to Moc Chau plateau, situated at 1000m, we pass through plum orchards and corn and tea plantations. Moc Chau is renowned for its banh sua (milk cake) and tea products. Along the way, we can contemplate the delightful countryside of Vietnam mountain region. Overnight in Moc Chau. 38 mi / 62 km, *EM: H'mong, Thai

Day 5 - We leave Moc Chau after breakfast, get on bicycle and we branch off right into HW43, and keep riding on good sealed roads passing through vast tea plantation to Phu Yen. Along the way, we can contemplate the delightful countryside of Vietnam mountain region. Overnight in Phu Yen. 59 mi / 95 km, *EM: H'mong, Thai, Dzao

Day 6 - We will ride south along quiet roads winding through lush jungle and verdant mountain scenery. We will have 2 small passes to tackle before hitting the main junction at Thu Cuc. We rest at this small town for lunch. Following lunch, we continue to cycle the through the charming villages. Along the way, we may stop to visit local ethnic minorities and interact with village life. We arrive at Nghia Lo later in the day. 63 mi / 102 km, *EM: Thai, Dzao, Mong Xanh (Blue H'mong)

Day 7 - Today the ride is mixture of ups and downs throughout the days, with some challenging passes to tackle. The trail winds its ways along the mountain ranges. Along the way, we’'ll be awarded with exceptional views of Chan Hung mountain. The route today offer not only excellent ride but also many points of interest and our guide will stop often at villages to show us the traditional hamlets of ethnic minority people such as La Ha, Hmong and Ma people. Our ride will finish at Tu Le village and from here we shuttle the rest way to Than Uyen . 54 mi / 87 km (bike into Than Uyen 85 mi / 137 km), *EM: Dzao, La Ha, H'mong, Tay, Ma

Day 8 - Today’'s activity is a fantastic bike ride from Than Uyen to Than Thuoc village. The trails take us up and down the hilly mountain. The first legs to Than Thuoc village passes through local hamlet of Tay, Hmong people. Whilst cycling, we can admire the stunning view of rugged mountains and terrace rice paddies. The second part of the day is a little more challenging as we climb over the 2147 m Heaven gate. From the peak of this pass, we can catch the scenic panoramic view over Lai Chau province. Our bus will pick up at the foot of the pass and transfer rest way to Sapa via Silver waterfall. Overnight in Sapa 62 mi / 100 km

Day 9 - Today we have a chance to relax, stroll to nearby villages, get some presents and soak up the atmosphere of Sapa. Late check out is included until 18.00. At 18.30, we meet again at hotel's lobby and transfer to Lao Cai station for boarding the overnight train to Hanoi. Relax onboard the luxurious Victoria Express train in comfort and style.

Day 10 - You are at your leisure, until it is time to transfer to airport for your outbound flight.

*EM - Ethnic Minorities that reside along each day's routing. The Northwestern Mountains are home to a number of Ethnic Minority Groups, most of whom still live their traditional ways relatively free from westernization. While we will be able to observe their day to day life, as we pedal through the area, we don't engage in numerous "village visits" as we don't want to turn their lives into a tourist attraction. The few visits we do make are spontaneous, not orchestrated and each departure visits different villages.

Prices:

Tour cost: $2195
Single supplement: $425
Tour deposit: $400

Bike rental: $160
Bike rental deposit: $25

Lodging:

Hotels & Resorts
... More about this trip's lodges.

What's Included:

• 9 nights Accommodation in the area's better hotels (double occupancy)
• All meals from Dinner on Day 1 until Breakfast on Day 10
• Water, sodas and beer included at dinner
• Deluxe train Sapa to Hanoi
• Service of bilingual Team Pedalers Guide(s)
• Full Van Support
• Daily route directions and maps
• Sightseeing and cultural activities
• Airport pick up & drop off

Meeting & Flights:

Meet at Hanoi Airport on Day 1

Fly into Hanoi (HAN) anytime on Day 1
Fly out of Hanoi (HAN) after 10 am on Day 10

Route Conditions

The entire ride is on paved roads, narrow but with little or no traffic. Pavement is a bit course and suitable for touring, sport road and also performance road bikes with wider tires (25 or wider). The terrain is fairly hilly, some some big alpine style climbs.

Visas & Travel Documents:

Passports are required for all guests. Your passport should have at least 6 months validity past your intended travel dates. Visas can be obtained from the Vietnam Embassy in your country.

Post Tour Options

We have a great extension to Halong Bay for some sea kayaking. Travel by deluxe junk, with elegant onboard accommodations through the karst islands of this designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the islands up close by kayak. Read more.

NOTE: To book this tour with the Halong Bay Option, please use the booking buttons
on the Halong Bay Option page.

Trip Starts

Trip Ends

Price

Sgl Sup

Deposit

Bike Rental

Sign Up

Dec 8, 2008

Dec 17, 2008

$ 2195

$ 425

$ 400

$ 160

Mar 9, 2009

Mar 18, 2009

$ 2195

$ 425

$ 400

$ 160

Dec 7, 2009

Dec 16, 2009

$ 2295

$ 425

$ 400

$ 160

Go When You Want
Private departures can be scheduled pretty much year round. Mid-October through May is a good time of year, with January and February being a bit cold at night. June through early October is the rainy season and roads will be muddy and perhaps impassible.

Get the wheels rolling and Request Your Personal Date today.