Depart UK

Depart UK for your overnight flight to Ho Chi Minh City

Arrival in Hanoi

The guide will meet your group at the hotel in the late afternoon. You will spend the evening exploring Vietnam‘s capital, enjoying the colonial era charm of the city. You will spend most of the evening discovering the surroundings of Hoan Kiem Lake, the heart of the capital where all sorts of exciting activities and sights can be experienced. The lake is associated with a fascinating legend. Once upon a time, the heavens entrusted the Vietnamese Emperor, Le Thai To, with a magical sword to chase the invading Chinese out of Vietnam. Once the task was accomplished, he walked around the lake, and a giant turtle arose from the waters, taking the sword and returning it to its divine owners - and hence its name, "Lake of the Returned Sword".

Meals included: Dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel

Notes: Rooms will be at guests’ disposal from 14:00

Hanoi

The highlight of the second day is a visit to the Temple of Literature (Vietnam's first, and thousand-year-old university). Afterwards, the Old Quarter awaits you, featuring a unique mix of artisans and traders, scattered among the thirty-six streets each named for the crafts that Vietnam (and perhaps even that street) boasts.

In the afternoon, you will choose your bike for the next day’s ride, and the guide will give you some helpful tips on how to ride Vietnam's trails and roads, as well as an overview of your incredible journey ahead.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel

Hanoi - Hoa Binh - Thung Khe - Mai Chau

In order to avoid the highway, you will head by car to the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Hoa Binh, your cycling starting point. You will cycle through villages and get a glimpse of the local life of people in Northern Vietnam.

After lunch, you will travel to Thung Khe, the afternoon's starting point. Beginning from Thung Khe, the wonderful pass will dazzle you with incredible views as you continue pedaling through sharp, karst mountains. En route, be sure to gaze at the spectacular views over Hoa Binh Lake until you reach a stunning waterfall, situated 15 kilometers below the main road (access to which might be more challenging on rainy days). A refreshing swim is a great idea before heading to the pick-up point, where you will be taken to the lush, green valley of Mai Chau, located in traditionally Thai minority territory. The Vietnamese Thai minority people are originally related to the Thai people of Thailand, and their community now consists of over a million people in Vietnam. A local family will warmly welcome you into their traditional stilt house. You can explore the village, meet its inhabitants, and discover their lifestyle - still authentic, with traditions having been passed down from generation to generation.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel

Easia Level: 2-3 (Difficult/Challenging)

Distance and duration of cycling: 40 to 70 kilometers – 4 to 6 hours

Difference in elevation: +320 meters / -560 meters

Terrain: Paved roads and village roads

Transportation: 125 kilometers – 2hr 45min – full-day vehicle support

Mai Chau

An entire day devoted to cycling and the discovery of Mai Chau Valley is the only way to do this area justice. Along the way, the ethnic minorities who populate the peaceful villages, their stilt houses, local schools, and rice fields will paint a distinct and beautiful picture of authentic life in Northern Vietnam. Passing the villages of Chieng Sai, Ban Nhot, Ban Ha, Na Loc, and Mai Hich, you will catch glimpses of the customs, people, and traditions that showcase the intrinsic beauty of this region - aside from its obvious natural splendor. Finally, you will reach the village of Buoc and enjoy a break.

After lunch in the village, hop on your bike and cycle to explore other villages in Mai Chau, before arriving at the hotel where you will spend the night.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel

Easia Level: 3 (Challenging)

Distance and duration of cycling: 50 kilometers – 5 hours

Difference in elevation: More than 550 meters

Terrain: Easy to cycle, mainly paved roads

Transportation: Full-day vehicle support

Mai Chau - Pu Luong

Day 6’s cycling journey has you diving deeper into the Mai Chau Valley to experience more of the local, rural life. Your day consists of 40, easy-going kilometers, that will have you crossing rice fields and passing wooden stilt houses, before hitting the road again in the direction to another one of Northern Vietnam's highlights: the enchanting Pu Luong National Park. Here, the incredible limestone landscapes – quintessential Vietnamese views - and peaceful rural life are your reward for the physical work you put in! Riding around the park is also a great opportunity to spot birds hidden among the diverse flora (almost 1000 listed plant species in total). The route takes you through beautiful villages, rice fields framed by karstic mountains, as well as the primeval jungle, a region and part of Northern Vietnam untouched by most travellers.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at Pu Luong Retreat (non-private traditional house on stilts)

Easia Level: 2 (Difficult)

Distance and duration of cycling: 50 kilometers – 5 to 6 hours

Difference in elevation: +170 meters / -750 meters

Terrain: Paved roads and dirt roads

Transportation: Full-day vehicle support

Pu Luong - Ninh Binh

During the morning, you will travel from Pu Luong to Cau Tram, your starting point of the day. From here, you will cycle along back roads through pineapple and tea plantations. At lunchtime you will enjoy a break and enjoy a meal in a local house.

In the afternoon, cycle along the country dyke to Van Long Nature Reserve, another tranquil and visually stunning nature reserve in Ninh Binh Province, also nicknamed the "Halong Bay on Land". Upon arriving at the shallow lake waters, wild grass and water lilies gently caress the traditional wooden sampan you will embark on. Your craft will glide effortlessly over the waters of the lake. While you take a well-deserved break and soak in the scenery, the boat will take you around to enjoy this almost otherworldly environment. After the pleasantly relaxing sampan tour, you will finally make the trip to the hotel in Ninh Binh.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel

Easia Level: 2 (Difficult)

Distance and duration of cycling: 50 kilometers – 5 hours

Difference in elevation: None

Terrain: Mainly paved road

Transportation: Full-day vehicle support

Ninh Binh - Cuc Phuong National Park - Ninh Binh

Start your day with a short transfer from the hotel to the starting point and cycle to visit Dinh Le Temple. From here, continue to cycle through the beautiful landscapes of Trang An and to Tam Coc.

After lunch in Tam Coc, travel to and cycle through Cuc Phuong National Park. It is a peaceful place, 100 kilometers south of Hanoi, and is an ideal destination for people looking to immerse themselves in nature. The park is located between two limestone mountain ranges, and is home to the Muong minority people who still live in the few villages scattered around the park’s periphery, working to preserve their traditions and culture.

End the day with a transfer back to the hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at the hotel

Easia Level: 3 (Challenging)

Distance and duration of cycling: 60 kilometers – 6 hours

Difference in elevation: +218 meters / -225 meters

Terrain: Mainly flat roads, easy to ride

Transportation: Full-day vehicle support

Ninh Binh - Halong

In the morning, you will head towards the famous Halong Bay. On the way, you will pass through the Thai Binh province and the large port city of Haiphong. You will arrive at Halong at around noon and embark on a cruise around the bay. This world-famous bay is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Vietnam, with giant rock islets covered in lush vegetation overlooking the waters. Halong Bay includes some 1,900 islands and islets of rocky peaks, often uninhabited and untouched by humans. These scenes create a spectacular marine landscape, which earned it UNESCO World Heritage status in 1994. You will be served lunch and dinner aboard the cruise, which consists of excellent, freshly caught seafood from the bay. Don’t miss the sunset on the top deck for some beautiful photo opportunities. At the end of the day, you will also have the chance to enjoy an evening fishing session on the boat.

Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Accommodation: Overnight on the boat

Distance: 180 kilometers – 3 hours

Halong - Hanoi

Early in the morning (the time depending on the season), wake up to enjoy the stunning sunrise over the aquamarine waters of the bay. Enjoy a morning cruise around the bay until you disembark and return to Hanoi on a road lined with rice fields typical of the Red River Delta.

Arrive in Hanoi at about mid-afternoon, and enjoy some leisure time before a fare-well dinner.

Meals included: Breakfast, dinner

Accommodation: Overnight at hotel

Departure Hanoi

Take the final day at leisure and check out by 12:00. Then transfer to the airport for your onward flight to UK.

Arrive UK