Itinerary (day-by-day)

Day 1 - We will assemble at Saigon's airport first thing in the morning after the arrival of the flight from Bangkok. A short flight will take us to the beautiful city of Hue. We will relax with some sightseeing by van to the cities various historic sites. After preparing our bikes we will enjoy our first delicious Vietnamese dinner.

Day 2 - After breakfast we are off on our tour of Vietnam. Heading south from Hue, we will be pedaling quiet backroads that parallel the infamous Highway 1. After a seafood lunch in quiet Lang Co we will rejoin Hwy 1 for the climb over Hai Van Pass. There are picturesque views galore during both the climb and descent. Evening will find us in Danang city. 112 kms, Hai Van Pass 496m

Day 3 - Leisure is the keyword today, as you pedal the short 31 kms to Hoi An. We'll check out the unique rockscapes of the Marble Mountains en route to this well preserved historic village. You have the balance of the day free to wander the narrow streets, explore the ancient buildings and shop for local handicrafts. We'll enjoy dinner at a delightful restaurant overlooking the river. 31 kms

Day 4 - A morning shuttle allows us to bypass the heavy traffic between Hoi An and Hwy 1 and enjoy the quiet of the countryside all day. Our morning ride winds its way up through the hill country, past farms and through pine forests. After lunch we will join the brand new Ho Chi Minh Highway. This newly built two lane road (hard to call it a highway) follows the approximate route of the notorious Ho Chi Minh Trail used during the Vietnam War to supply troops by foot. 130 kms

Day 5 - Continuing along the Ho Chi Minh Highway, we are en route to Kon Tum, a small town tucked away in the picturesque central highlands. Our ride is rolling through forested hills and new farms, but because the highway is relatively new, not much traffic or development exists, allowing us to enjoy quiet country cycling. We will head out to a small local restaurant to try some local delicacies that you won't find in the average Vietnamese restaurant tonight. 130 kms

Day 6 - The day is free for you to do as you please. We will head out by van to visit some Montagnard villages in the area. A chance to learn more about their lives and lifestyles. Or you can relax in town, shopping or visiting the famed wooden church.

Day 7 - From Kon Tum to Buon Ma Thuot is a whopping 230 kms, but we won't make you ride the entire distance. We will roll out of Kon Tum by bike, pedaling first to Pleiku for lunch and then continuing along the highway into the coffee growing region of the highlands. In the afternoon, when we have around 100 kms under our belts, we will load up and shuttle into BMT for the evening. 100+ kms

Day 8 - Another leisurely day of riding is in store as we roll further through coffee country, enroute to Lak Lake and our most unique overnight stop. We will be staying in a traditional longhouse in Jun Village, a M'nong community. The accommodation is simple and everyone sleeps in the communal hall (so you best bring some pj's). But it is a unique opportunity to experience life in the villages of Vietnam. 55 kms

Day 9 - Today is a bit of a workout, as we slowly climb up to Dalat, a mountain top community, long favored as a destination of travelers. We leave the warmer temperature behind as we pedal into the coolness of Dalat. At the town of Duc Trong, we intercept the highway coming from Saigon with its traffic and we will shuttle the last 30 kms to Dalat (you are welcome to pedal if you so desire). 130 kms (160 km without shuttle)

Day 10 - Well you know what they say about what goes up . . . . Today we say goodbye to the highlands and return to the coast. We will roll over a couple of small passes, before starting some 36 kms of winding descent through the forests. Once we reach the coastal plains we will be rolling through acres of thanh long or dragon fruit, a unique regional fruit that you have enjoyed at breakfast everyday on the trip. We'll be bedding down in a small beach side lodge outside Phan Rang tonight. 108 kms Dran Pass 1495m, Ngoan Muc Pass 1460m

Day 11 - We will be pedaling the infamous Hwy 1 today as we head north along the coast. Traffic can occasionally be busy, but everyone should be used to Vietnamese drivers by now. Whenever the opportunity exists we will pick up quiet side roads paralleling Hwy 1, as well. We will explore some ancient Cham Towers en route otherwise it is level coastal cycling to Nha Trang, the Miami Beach of Vietnam. Our hotel is right on the beautiful beach. 110 kms

Day 12 - Our last day in Vietnam offers a few options. For folks wanting a bit more pedaling, we will be riding north from Nha Trang, enjoying some spectacular views as the highway climbs atop high cliffs dropping into the sea. Or you can relax in Nha Trang, visiting the beach or shopping. Or catch a boat to Whale Island and enjoy a day of snorkeling and lounging around the island resort. 80 kms

Day 13 - After breakfast we will board our flight to Saigon Airport and the end of our Southern Explorer. Folks leaving on the evening flight to Bangkok can enjoy an optional sightseeing tour of Saigon.

Prices:

Tour cost: $2950
Single supplement: $570
Tour deposit: $400

Bike rental: $160
Bike rental deposit: $25

Lodging:

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

What's Included:

• 12 nights Accommodation in the area's better hotels (double occupancy)
• All meals from Dinner on Day 1 until Breakfast on Day 13
• Water, sodas and beer included at dinner
• Water, sodas and beer included at dinner
• 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 Ho Chi Minh Airport 8 am on Day 1

Fly into Ho Chi Minh (SGN) before 11 am on Day 1
Fly out of Ho Chi MInh (SGN) after 12 noon on Day 13

NOTE: While officially the city (and airport) are now Ho Chi Minh, most folks still refer to it as Saigon. And the airport code is still SGN (Saigon).

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.

Route Conditions

The entire ride is on paved roads. Traffic ranges from moderate to heavy in spots. The route is suitable for performance road, sport road and touring bikes. The terrain varies from easy, flat coastal roads to rolling moderate hills & climbs.

Pre/Post Tour Options

A variety of stopover programs are available for Bangkok, with hotels, airport shuttles and some sightseeing. We also have several delightful tour packages that could be enjoyed before or after your ride in Bhutan. Perhaps a visit to fabled Angkor Wat on our 4 day package, that includes cycling through the ruins and a boat trip to visit remote inaccessible temples. You might want to enjoy a cruise along the Mekhong River as it travels from Chang Khong, Thailand to Luang Prabang, Laos, then enjoy a couple of days exploring the UNESCO Heritage City of Luang Prabang. For complete details visit our Asia Stopovers Page.

Go When You Want
This trip is offered upon request for groups of 4 or more riders. Personal departures can be scheduled pretty much year round, but we recommend November thru March as being the best with warm temperatures and little rain. April & May are very hot and sunny. June until October is the rainy season, cooler temperatures but a chance of several days of rain.

Get the wheels rolling and Request Your Personal Date today.

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