Experience The Real Vietnam
Experience The Real Vietnam
One Week cycling adventures in the Northwest of Vietnam would be a great experience for those who want to explore this untouched area. These adventures would be a great challenge for mountain riders as the terrains are a mixture of paved hilly roads, passes combining with dirt, and off the beaten path trails. This area is also a homeland of While Thai and Muong minorities who still keep their rich traditional cultures and cuisine.
Briefing activities: Day 1: Hanoi - Hoa Binh eco homestay(60KM) Day 2: Eco Homestay - Moc Chau(55KM) Day 3: Moc Chau - Mai Chau(85KM) Day 4: Mai Chau Discovery(55KM) Day 5: Mai Chau - Pu Luong Nature reserve(70KM) Day 6: Pu Luong - Cuc Phuong National Park(90KM) Day 7: Cuc Phuong - Tam Coc Caves(78KM) Day 8: Trang An - Hanoi ( 55KM)
Cycling to experience untouched region in the Northwest of Hanoi.
Experience local cultures and cuisine.
Enjoying great mountainous landscapes.
Amazing opportunity in craft rowing and swimming in the crystal water lake.
Visiting the World heritage of Trang An cave system.
Cycling to experience untouched region in the Northwest of Hanoi.
Experience local cultures and cuisine.
Enjoying great mountainous landscapes.
Amazing opportunity in craft rowing and swimming in the crystal water lake.
Visiting the World heritage of Trang An cave system.
Day 1 :Hanoi – Hoa Binh Eco Homestay (L/D)
Our adventure team and driver will meet you in Hotel and transfer out of the bustling city, you will spend over one hour transfer to Hoa Lac, upon arriving in cycling point, we commence riding on the tarmac road and paved road, passing lush rice paddy and stunning nature to the local ferry. We cross Da river to Hoa Binh Province. We continue cycling on the buffalo beaten path, enjoy the rural area and village’ life, brilliant scenic beauty.
After the lunch break, we ride leisurely 30km on a dirt road along the lake to Da Bia Eco homestay village. Upon arrival at a homestay, we arrange our luggage and enjoy a peaceful village life. Have dinner with a host family and enjoy traditional music performance with the local village. Total cycling distance. 65 km
Summary
Activity: Transferring and Cycling
Accommodation: Stay in Homestay or Ecolodge
Meals: L/D
Total Cycling Distance: 65 Km
Day 2:Eco Homestay – raft rowing and Boat trip to – Moc Chau ( B/L/D)
Get up early to enjoy pristine nature and peaceful atmosphere. Have breakfast with host family, spending one hour for raft rowing to discover the breathtaking scenery of the lake. Swimming in crystal water. Come back to homestay chek out and start our cycling to boat dock , loading up our bike on the boat to Bai Sang. We keep riding on scenic route to admire stunning nature from another side of the Lake. Cycling on good single track paths, undulating rough jeep trails to some climbs that are rewarded with Moc Chau scenery panopamas. Arriving in hotel do check in and relaxby yourself. Have dinner and stay over night in Moc Chau.. total cycling distance. 56 km
Summary
Activitiy: Cycling and Boat Trip
Accommodation: Stay in Homestay or Ecolodge
Meals: L/D
Total Cycling distance: 56 Km
Day 3: Moc Chau – Tea farms – Mai Chau ( B/L/D)
Located at 1340 meters compare sea level, Moc Chau is one of the most pristine beautiful plateaus in the North mountainous region that brings the amazing attraction for all classes of people even for hard-to-pleasure tourists. Our cycling tour will depart from hotel to green tea farms and tea workshop to learn the process of how to make green tea and then we ride on single track, dirt road, passing a vast green tea farms to colourful flowers gardens or tropical fruit gardens. Stopping en route for tasting fresh cow milk and and green tea herb. You have the opportunity in exploring sublime limestone mountain range and picturesque scenery dotted with Thai and Muong hill tribes in the hillside. Have lunch enroute. After lunch, we keep riding down to Bai Sang and turn right to Mai Chau Town. Upon arriving in Sol Bungalow, do check in and relax on swimming pool. Dinner and enjoy alive performance music of Thai people. Total cycling distance. 87 km
Summary
Activitiy: Cycling
Accommodation: Stay in Homestay or Ecolodge
Meals: L/D
Total Cycling distance: 75 Km
Day 4: Mai Chau Trail ( B/L/D)
Waking up early in the morning by birds and chicken sounding, you will be treated by Thai traditional cake for breakfast with hot coffee and tea. After hearty breakfast, we cycle through different villages on a mix of good single track paths link from villages to anothers, the view are stunning as the ride passes and cross lush rice paddies./ Unique to this area are fan palms, grown specifically to use for roofing.We pass hot springs, cycle cross suspension bridges and follow the contours around beautiful terraced rice fields. We stop for lunch en route in local family. After lunch, we cycle back road, single tracks, buffalo trails through rice terraced fields and bamboo forest and Bamboo chopstick production workshop and cycle back road to Mai Chau town. Upon arriving. Relax by your self. Have dinner and stayover night in Hotel / Eco homestay.. Total cycling dictance 56 km
Summary
Activitiy: Cycling
Accommodation: Stay in Homestay or Ecolodge
Meals: L/D
Total Cycling distance: 56 Km
Day 5: Mai Chau – Phu Luong Nature Reserve ( B/L/D)
We commence a cycling trip in the outstanding natural beauty of Mai Chau Valley dotted with Thai and Muong villages between rice terraces paddies. We start early to ride from Homestay on the mix single track paths links one village to another, you may observe how peaceful villages are in the morning! And How they living here for hundred years? You can find out your answer while we ride further in center of Villages, meet and talk with some local people on the way.We have lunch enroute in Sam Khoe village before riding back road to Hang Village . we ride ascendingly through Phu Luong Nature Reserve to admire breathtaking scenery, outcrops limestone mountains and Phu Luong panoramic beauty. We stop for refreshment on summit before descending to Pho Doan Market for lunch. After lunch, we take easy ride on mix tarmac road, buffalo trails, undershade of bamboo forest led lo Nua village. Upon arrival, we take shower and enjoying with cold beers and and soft drinks. Have dinner and sleep in Thai Hometay. Total Cycling distance. 70 km
Summary
Activitiy:Cycling
Accommodation: Stay in Homestay or Ecolodge
Meals: L/D
Total Cycling distance: 70 Km
Day 6: Nature Reseve – Cuc Phuong National Park ( B/L/D)
After breakfast with the Host, Say good bye them, we start early to ride back road to Pho Doan, the township of Phu Luong Narture Reserver, if lucky, we can visit and take photo at colourful tribal market before crossing the bridge , we ride on corridor path of Nature Reserver , through sugarcane fields, corn farm dotted with Thai and Muong Tribes villages led to Cam Luong, we are rewarded by spectacular scenery, meeting friendly local villagers. We reach to Ho Chi Minh Trail at noon. Lunchmeal at local restaurant in Kim Tan town, Afterlunch, we continue to ride 45 km more on a mix of good single track and undulating paths . The view are stunning as the rider passes through villages and across rice paddies, sugerccane and cassava farms . Arriving in Cuc Phuong National Park at late afternoon, check in and take a rest until dinner times. Accommodation at Cuc Phuong Guest houses or Bangalow. Total cycling distance. 90 km
Summary
Activitiy: Cycling and Transferring
Accommodation: Stay in Homestay or Ecolodge
Meals: L/D
Total Cycling distance: 90 Km
Day 7: Cuc Phuong – Trang An World Cultural & Natural Heritage ( B/L/D)
After breakfast, our minibus take us into the depth of forest. From the center of the Park, we will cycle along canopied forest trails and through primitive jungle – an exclusive, tourist – free route, all the way to the gate of National park. Stop for refreshment, then we visit the Endangered primate Rescure Center. The day’s cycling continues onto Dong Giao – pineapple plantation where you can enjoy fresh pineapple from local farmers selling on sideroad. We ride out of plantation to Tamdiep Township, transfer to Tam Coc for Lunch. After lunch, we ride through magnificient limestone mountains rise up majestically from the green rice paddies, streams to Tram Chim Nature Reserve. Upon arrival, we take relax or wander around to encounter different birds in here. Dinner and stay overnight in Resort. Total cycling dictance 78 km
Summary
Activitiy: Transferring and Cycling
Accommodation: Stay in Hotel or Ecolodge
Meals: L/D
Total Cycling distance: 78 Km
Day 8: Ninh Binh – Van Long Wetland Reserve – Hanoi. ( B/L/D)
Breakfast in Resort, we start riding back road to Tam Coc from where we take two hours boat trip for exploring three grotto the first, the second and the third grotto links together with breaktaking scenery in open air. Then we ride through breaktaking natural beauty of Trang AN, Bai Dinh Temple, Kenh Ga Floating Villages.Having lunch in Kenh Ga before the van transfers three hours back to Hanoi. Upon arrival in Hanoi, Say good bye. End of our trips
Summary
Activitiy: Transferring and Cycling
Accommodation: Stay in Hotel in Hanoi
Meals: L/D
Total Cycling distance: 55 Km
Countryside Adventures
Day 1 :Hanoi – Hoa Binh Eco Homestay (L/D)
Our adventure team and driver will meet you in Hotel and transfer out of the bustling city, you will spend over one hour transfer to Hoa Lac, upon arriving in cycling point, we commence riding on the tarmac road and paved road, passing lush rice paddy and stunning nature to the local ferry. We cross Da river to Hoa Binh Province. We continue cycling on the buffalo beaten path, enjoy the rural area and village’ life, brilliant scenic beauty.
After the lunch break, we ride leisurely 30km on a dirt road along the lake to Da Bia Eco homestay village. Upon arrival at a homestay, we arrange our luggage and enjoy a peaceful village life. Have dinner with a host family and enjoy traditional music performance with the local village. Total cycling distance. 65 km
Summary
Activity: Transferring and Cycling
Accommodation: Stay in Homestay or Ecolodge
Meals: L/D
Total Cycling Distance: 65 Km
Day 2:Eco Homestay – raft rowing and Boat trip to – Moc Chau ( B/L/D)
Get up early to enjoy pristine nature and peaceful atmosphere. Have breakfast with host family, spending one hour for raft rowing to discover the breathtaking scenery of the lake. Swimming in crystal water. Come back to homestay chek out and start our cycling to boat dock , loading up our bike on the boat to Bai Sang. We keep riding on scenic route to admire stunning nature from another side of the Lake. Cycling on good single track paths, undulating rough jeep trails to some climbs that are rewarded with Moc Chau scenery panopamas. Arriving in hotel do check in and relaxby yourself. Have dinner and stay over night in Moc Chau.. total cycling distance. 56 km
Summary
Activitiy: Cycling and Boat Trip
Accommodation: Stay in Homestay or Ecolodge
Meals: L/D
Total Cycling distance: 56 Km
Day 3: Moc Chau – Tea farms – Mai Chau ( B/L/D)
Located at 1340 meters compare sea level, Moc Chau is one of the most pristine beautiful plateaus in the North mountainous region that brings the amazing attraction for all classes of people even for hard-to-pleasure tourists. Our cycling tour will depart from hotel to green tea farms and tea workshop to learn the process of how to make green tea and then we ride on single track, dirt road, passing a vast green tea farms to colourful flowers gardens or tropical fruit gardens. Stopping en route for tasting fresh cow milk and and green tea herb. You have the opportunity in exploring sublime limestone mountain range and picturesque scenery dotted with Thai and Muong hill tribes in the hillside. Have lunch enroute. After lunch, we keep riding down to Bai Sang and turn right to Mai Chau Town. Upon arriving in Sol Bungalow, do check in and relax on swimming pool. Dinner and enjoy alive performance music of Thai people. Total cycling distance. 87 km
Summary
Activitiy: Cycling
Accommodation: Stay in Homestay or Ecolodge
Meals: L/D
Total Cycling distance: 75 Km
Day 4: Mai Chau Trail ( B/L/D)
Waking up early in the morning by birds and chicken sounding, you will be treated by Thai traditional cake for breakfast with hot coffee and tea. After hearty breakfast, we cycle through different villages on a mix of good single track paths link from villages to anothers, the view are stunning as the ride passes and cross lush rice paddies./ Unique to this area are fan palms, grown specifically to use for roofing.We pass hot springs, cycle cross suspension bridges and follow the contours around beautiful terraced rice fields. We stop for lunch en route in local family. After lunch, we cycle back road, single tracks, buffalo trails through rice terraced fields and bamboo forest and Bamboo chopstick production workshop and cycle back road to Mai Chau town. Upon arriving. Relax by your self. Have dinner and stayover night in Hotel / Eco homestay.. Total cycling dictance 56 km
Summary
Activitiy: Cycling
Accommodation: Stay in Homestay or Ecolodge
Meals: L/D
Total Cycling distance: 56 Km
Day 5: Mai Chau – Phu Luong Nature Reserve ( B/L/D)
We commence a cycling trip in the outstanding natural beauty of Mai Chau Valley dotted with Thai and Muong villages between rice terraces paddies. We start early to ride from Homestay on the mix single track paths links one village to another, you may observe how peaceful villages are in the morning! And How they living here for hundred years? You can find out your answer while we ride further in center of Villages, meet and talk with some local people on the way.We have lunch enroute in Sam Khoe village before riding back road to Hang Village . we ride ascendingly through Phu Luong Nature Reserve to admire breathtaking scenery, outcrops limestone mountains and Phu Luong panoramic beauty. We stop for refreshment on summit before descending to Pho Doan Market for lunch. After lunch, we take easy ride on mix tarmac road, buffalo trails, undershade of bamboo forest led lo Nua village. Upon arrival, we take shower and enjoying with cold beers and and soft drinks. Have dinner and sleep in Thai Hometay. Total Cycling distance. 70 km
Summary
Activitiy:Cycling
Accommodation: Stay in Homestay or Ecolodge
Meals: L/D
Total Cycling distance: 70 Km
Day 6: Nature Reseve – Cuc Phuong National Park ( B/L/D)
After breakfast with the Host, Say good bye them, we start early to ride back road to Pho Doan, the township of Phu Luong Narture Reserver, if lucky, we can visit and take photo at colourful tribal market before crossing the bridge , we ride on corridor path of Nature Reserver , through sugarcane fields, corn farm dotted with Thai and Muong Tribes villages led to Cam Luong, we are rewarded by spectacular scenery, meeting friendly local villagers. We reach to Ho Chi Minh Trail at noon. Lunchmeal at local restaurant in Kim Tan town, Afterlunch, we continue to ride 45 km more on a mix of good single track and undulating paths . The view are stunning as the rider passes through villages and across rice paddies, sugerccane and cassava farms . Arriving in Cuc Phuong National Park at late afternoon, check in and take a rest until dinner times. Accommodation at Cuc Phuong Guest houses or Bangalow. Total cycling distance. 90 km
Summary
Activitiy: Cycling and Transferring
Accommodation: Stay in Homestay or Ecolodge
Meals: L/D
Total Cycling distance: 90 Km
Day 7: Cuc Phuong – Trang An World Cultural & Natural Heritage ( B/L/D)
After breakfast, our minibus take us into the depth of forest. From the center of the Park, we will cycle along canopied forest trails and through primitive jungle – an exclusive, tourist – free route, all the way to the gate of National park. Stop for refreshment, then we visit the Endangered primate Rescure Center. The day’s cycling continues onto Dong Giao – pineapple plantation where you can enjoy fresh pineapple from local farmers selling on sideroad. We ride out of plantation to Tamdiep Township, transfer to Tam Coc for Lunch. After lunch, we ride through magnificient limestone mountains rise up majestically from the green rice paddies, streams to Tram Chim Nature Reserve. Upon arrival, we take relax or wander around to encounter different birds in here. Dinner and stay overnight in Resort. Total cycling dictance 78 km
Summary
Activitiy: Transferring and Cycling
Accommodation: Stay in Hotel or Ecolodge
Meals: L/D
Total Cycling distance: 78 Km
Day 8: Ninh Binh – Van Long Wetland Reserve – Hanoi. ( B/L/D)
Breakfast in Resort, we start riding back road to Tam Coc from where we take two hours boat trip for exploring three grotto the first, the second and the third grotto links together with breaktaking scenery in open air. Then we ride through breaktaking natural beauty of Trang AN, Bai Dinh Temple, Kenh Ga Floating Villages.Having lunch in Kenh Ga before the van transfers three hours back to Hanoi. Upon arrival in Hanoi, Say good bye. End of our trips
Summary
Activitiy: Transferring and Cycling
Accommodation: Stay in Hotel in Hanoi
Meals: L/D
Total Cycling distance: 55 Km
Countryside Adventures
Tour included:
Support vehicle ( 1 – 4 pax) we use Van to support and carry out bikes)
( 5 – 8 pax) we use one Van and one truck to supports)
Trek 4300 mountain bikes with 27 speed gearing, disc- brake with Shimano components and Suntour front suspension
Helmets and water bottles
English speaking cycling guide
Meals as indicated in the itinerary ( B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
Homestay ( two nights stay inThai Homestay in Pu Luong Nature Reserver, one night in Mai Chau Thai Homestay)
(First aid kit
Water/ snack for cycling days
Entrance fees & homestay permission
Hotel ( two share with occupancy)
Team support for 2 days in Pu Luong Nature Reserve
Bikes hire include in a cycling tour.
Tour excluded
International air tickets to/ from Vietnam and international airport departure tax
travel insurance
visa to Vietnam
personal expense – tips, gratitudes
alcoholic drinks
transfer to/ from Airport
Any other services not clearly stated in the itinerary and trip including
Road conditions: Most of the roads in the Northwest starting from Hoa Binh to Moc Chau, then Cuc Phuong National park is a mixture of paved roads, tarmac roads, Dirt, and Single tracks. Total cycling distance for 08 days is around 550 km, as a group size from 02 -05 riders, we will arrange 01 experienced cycle guides setting an even pace and stop often to visit points of interest and sample some of the local food. Our support vehicle follows close behind with plenty of refreshments. For a group size from 06 -12 riders, we will arrange 02 Cycling guides or 01 mechanics.
BIKING GRADE
Moderate Grade means these tours involve active, physically required activities up to 04 – 06 hours per day, under variable weather conditions or quick attitude changes. You should be at a good level of fitness.
Who suits: Recommended for fit and active travelers
Activity: 4-6 hours most days
Distances per day: cycle 40 – 55 miles (or 65 – 88km) most days.
The bikes you will be riding are well-known such as Trek/ Giant or Cannondale makes of hybrid or mountain bikes (depending on the tour) with lightweight alloy frames, 27- 29 speed gearing, Disc-brakes, and Shimano components, and front suspension.
Basic spares and tools are carried by the guide and on the support vehicle, though we cannot guarantee to have spares for every conceivable problem. Carrying a basic tool kit, a spare tube, and a pump while riding is recommended.
Wearing a helmet is required on all our biking adventures and is nonnegotiable. If you do not wear a helmet you will not be allowed to cycle. Your tour leader is trained in first aid and emergency rescue, but to a large degree, you must be responsible for your own safety while riding. It is therefore compulsory that you take out travel insurance that will cover you for a mountain biking tour.
You will be led by a local English-speaking guide and if the group is 9 people or more we will add another guide to the tour. All our guides are well informed in the history, culture, and religions of the area where you are biking and are skilled at passing that knowledge on to you. Your guide is also medically trained and an experienced cyclist, able to handle most minor repairs en route.
THE BIKING DAYS
A typical biking day starts at about 7.30 am after breakfast. Lunchtimes can vary depending on the distance. We aim to reach the next overnight stop by 4.30 or 5:00 pm. During the biking, we will have short breaks for rest, snack,s and photographs.
Depending on the distance and the terrain the biking day can be part-drive part-ride or riding the whole way.
WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING WITH?
We recommend that you visit a travel medical doctor and ask about the following vaccinations: typhoid, polio, tetanus, and hepatitis A. A certificate for Yellow Fever is required when arriving from an infected area within six days.
The weather in Vietnam is split into two distinct weather patterns Tropical and temperate zone. The average temperature ranges from 22 to 27 degrees all year round but in the South, temperatures can stay almost the same. The Southern part of Vietname has 2 distincted seasons. The cold season is from November to April and the hot season from May to October. Whilst in the North there are 4 season with distinct difference between them. It can get cool in the winter but very warm in the summer.
Most meals are included in your trip price apart from on non-cycling days and some other exclusions. Please check the itinerary for full details. If you have a special dietary request, please advise us at the time of booking. Most diets can be catered for, but it is always important to advise us in advance.
Rice is the staple food in Vietnam. Soup with rice noodles is a national dish. Recipes for main meals make use of vegetables, meat, and fish. Herbs and spices used in food preparation include basil, coriander, lemon grass, mint and black pepper. Other ingredients are garlic, onions, ginger and lime juice. There are a numerous types of noodles eaten at all times of the day and noodle and rice based snacks wrapped in rice paper or leaves are available. Desserts include a variety of cakes and fresh fruit (bananas, durians, guavas, jackfruit, mangoes, oranges, persimmons and pineapples). Popular drinks are tea, coffee and beer. The local spirit is rice wine.
Keeping you completely hydrated is a job we take very seriously. Coldwater, some energy-restoring local fruit, and soft drinks are included in the tour price while riding. Soft drinks and other beverages during meals are not included. Beer is freely available everywhere but is NOT included in the price.
Countryside Adventures does not require you to pay a surcharge for traveling alone. We will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveler of the same gender and if we can not match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room. The cost of the single supplement is listed above.
HOTELS AND HOMESTAY
In big towns, we use the finest 3-star with center location. Please contact us if you prefer higher hotel category. In remote areas we use the best hotels or guest houses available.
Homestay in villages is basic in term of bedding condition and amenities. We will sleep on bed or floor with mattress, clean sheet, pillows and mosquito nets. Toilet is usually western style.
If this is the tour for you here’s what you need to do to confirm your place: Read our Booking Conditions.
When booking your tour, you’ll be required to pay a deposit to guarantee your place. For tours less than 7 days, the deposit amount is 100% of the tour price, per rider. For tours 7 days or longer, the deposit amount is 30% of the tour price, per rider.
Day tours and tours shorter than 7 days require full payment at the time of booking. For tours 7 days or longer, full payment must be paid 45 days before the departure date with fees for any bicycle rental(s), single supplement(s) and extra hotel nights. Our confirmation will include personal details you provided us (including your flight information), visa application advice, a packing suggestion list, and a detailed tour itinerary. It will also include a checklist to ensure you get everything ready for your holiday.
On the rare occasions when we, Countryside Adventures, must cancel a trip, all payments received to date will be 100% refunded, which constitutes full settlement. There will be absolutely no deductions. If you, the client, must cancel your reservation, your cancellation fee will be determined according to when you cancel. For full details, please read our cancellation policy.
Countryside Adventures Team