| Without a doubt cycling is one of the finest ways to discover a country where hospitality comes as second nature. Travelling by the same mode as the locals enables you to interact and gain a mutual respect and a sense of the warmth and hospitality of the many Vietnamese people you will meet on this adventure.
Our complete service includes comfortable geared cycles, a support crew and backup vehicle, and nights spent in simply appointed hotels where the local cuisine will be sure to delight. Pedalling at a steady pace you explore an ever-changing landscape of tranquil highlands, palm fringed beaches and country roads that lead through mango and coconut groves. Stopping at wayside tea stalls the villagers curiosity often translates into invitations to visit their homes.
Before and after our cycling you visit the museums and markets of Hanoi, savour the French styled town of Dalat and the bustling, cosmopolitan café culture of Ho Chi Minh City on this classic adventure.
Along our route you will be in contact with the real Vietnam - an experience you will find hard to forget.
On arrival in Hanoi you will receive a transfer to the hotel. Your tour leader will meet you at 5pm when a trip briefing will be held. In the evening you have tickets for a performance of Hanoi's famous water puppet theatre, a series of 17 stories presented by 11 puppeteers whom traditionally performed during the monsoonal period when rice farming in the Red River Delta was not possible. You will have dinner in a local restaurant and an opportunity to sample specialty dishes of the north.
This morning you visit the Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, the father of modern Vietnam. You will walk through the grounds of the magnificent Presidential Palace, visiting the humble wooden cottage of Ho Chi Minh and a museum dedicated to the life of Vietnam's first President plus the One Pillar Pagoda. This is followed by a visit to the impressive Temple of Literature. The remainder of the afternoon is free to explore the many interesting streets of the Old Quarter, an area that is little changed over the centuries. Each is named (in Vietnamese of course!) after the goods that they trade in eg Silk St, Iron St, Biscuit St, Shoe St etc. and it is interesting to make your own discoveries. After a late check out from your hotel and an early dinner, you transfer to the train station for your overnight train journey on the Reunification Express southwards to Hue. The overnight accommodation aboard the train is four person cabins where you sleep in comfortable berths swaying to the timeless rhythm of the railroad.
(cycling distance approx. 20km)
You will arrive early morning into Hue and transfer to your centrally located hotel. After a shower and some breakfast you will gear up for our first day of riding. You will meet your additional crew who will be driving the support vehicles. One vehicle is your bus, which will act as a support vehicle and carry your luggage whilst the other is a truck for carrying the bikes. You are also introduced to your bicycles, each designated bike being then adjusted and fitted with your own equipment as required. You will receive a briefing on how to ride the bikes and how to handle the traffic in Vietnam before setting out for your first ride in Vietnam through the ancient capital of Hue. Hue is known for the magnificent architecture of its Royal Tombs, pagodas and temples built by the Nguyen Dynasty along the picturesque setting of the Perfume River. The royal relics of the Nguyen Emperors on the outskirts of the city are an easy ride from your hotel. You visit the old Imperial Citadel, the Forbidden Purple City, and the Imperial Museum before lunch. In the afternoon You will visit some ancient tombs of Emperors past. You cycle approximately 12 km to the eccentric Tu Duc’s tomb located in a serene setting on the outskirts of town. Time permitting You will cycle to Thien Mu Pagoda, which is considered the unofficial symbol of Hue, before returning to the hotel.
(cycling distance approx. 80-100km)
You will set out early from out hotel and drive about 30 km out of town before getting on the bikes. Today will be our first experience of cycling on a highway outside of the towns. Traffic can be heavy in some parts but it is a fantastic way to see the surrounding countryside, past endless rice paddy fields and children screaming out ‘hello’. The support vehicles will travel at the back of the group and you will stop every 15 km to regroup and share experiences. This morning you will cycle approximately 30 km before lunch through gently undulating countryside. In the afternoon you may have the opportunity to tackle the imposing Hai Van Pass before heading to Da Nang, stopping briefly at Marble Mountain before cycling on to the World Heritage town of Hoi An. In the evening you will take a short walking tour through the old streets of Hoi An. The streets are charming at night with lanterns hanging from shop fronts and café patrons spilling onto the streets. Amongst other things, Hoi An is famous for a particular noodle dish (Cao Lau) which you endeavour to sample during our time here.
Hoi An, probably the most delightful town in Vietnam, was a once a major sea port. Untouched in any of the wars, Hoi An retains influences from Chinese, Japanese, French and even Portuguese and British traders who stopped here between China and India. Adding to Hoi An's beauty is the Thu Bon River which winds its way through the city and out to the South China Sea. A boat ride can be taken to explore nearby islands or you can cycle the back alleys and lanes to the nearby beach. The high quality silk found in Hoi An can be made into clothes by local tailors within a couple of hours. You may even like to try your hand at a local cooking class to learn some of the sumptuous Vietnamese dishes. There are plenty of distractions to keep you busy for a full day in Hoi An.
(cycling distance approx. 50km)
You join the main link between Vietnam’s north and south, Highway 1 cycling to the town of Tam Ly where you will stop for a picnic lunch. You continue on to the district of Song My, to the better known hamlet of My Lai. Here is found an evocative memorial for those villagers who died in the horrific massacre during the American War. The My Lai site is in a small rural settlement, surrounded by simple thatched huts, quilted rice paddies and farmers with conical hats going about their day to day routines. The mood set by these surroundings is one of peace and tranquility despite the deep scars of the past. After visiting the simple memorial and museum you continue riding to Quang Ngai where you stay overnight.
(cycling distance approx. 85km)
Today is a more challenging day as you leave the main traffic route of Highway 1 and head inland towards Quang Nam and the Central Highlands of Vietnam. You will cycle only part of today, along quiet but scenic undulating roads with stunning photo opportunities of remote villages, tropical forests and friendly locals.
(cycling distance approx. 100km)
Today's cycling journey is on an excellent section road, Highway 14, through scenic uplands. You pass by coffee plantations and national parks on our way to the largest town in the western highlands, Buon Me Thuot which is also the capital of Dac Lac Province. The fresh coffee of this province is famous so it is a perfect opportunity to taste and sample the many varieties that are produced here, including the oddly but appropriately named “Weasel Coffee”
(cycling distance approx. 100km)
Today you have another exciting cycling day. You enjoy the first 50kms riding along the valley floors before turning onto Route 27 which takes us up towards Dalat. The scenery and the terrain along the way is just simply breathtaking! You will arrive to the former hill station of Dalat in the late afternoon.
(cycling distance approx. 50km)
Dalat is set in the hills north of Ho Chi Minh City and is a renowned retreat for poets and artists. The atmosphere typifies this patronage with typical French provincial villas and lush undulating hills. This morning you'll visit King Bao Dai's Summer Palace and try to imagine this period of opulence and extravagance. You also visit a most unusual guest house (the Crazy House needs to be seen to be believed). The markets of the town are fascinating - an amazing variety of fresh produce is brought here to sell: fruits of all kinds (the dried mulberries and strawberries are not to be missed) plus vegetables, meats, grains and fresh breads. Locally woven ethnic clothing and handcrafted goods are also readily available. Fresh cut flowers are in abundance and colour the streets and laneways. Close to our hotel there are a number of small French style cafes, which boast the best coffee in Vietnam and are a good place to relax and watch daily life in this charming town. This afternoon can be spent relaxing, exploring the lake area or seeking out some of the impressive French architecture throughout the town.
(cycling distance approx. 100km)
Our final cycling day is mostly downhill towards the coast and the town of Nha Trang. If you aren’t travelling too fast you may even spot wild elephants as our trail passes through several minority villages on our way to the lengths of untouched beaches, great climate and islands to explore which have made Nha Trang a popular Vietnamese destination. The accommodation for the next two nights is ideally situated right near the main beach in the centre of town.
Today is a cycle free day to enjoy the clear blue waters and relaxed ambience of Nha Trang. You make an excursion by local boat on the harbour exploring nearby islands for a beach sojourn in the shade of coconut palms or snorkelling from the boat. You can also enjoy a relaxing massage, a cooling swim in the pristine waters, a pedicure or cool beer by the sea. A fresh seafood lunch is also available on the boat if you wish. On our return to Nha Trang you can plan a visit to a local fishing village or nearby mud baths. There are also a number of sights of historical and spiritual significance, such as Cham ruins, which can be explored at your leisure in the afternoon after our return.
After breakfast you will transfer to the airport for our flight to Ho Chi Minh City. In the afternoon, you walk through the heart of the city past some of Ho Chi Minh's famous sites; the French colonial Town Hall, the Rex Hotel, Notre Dame Cathedral, the former U.S. embassy, the President's Palace (also known as the Reunification Palace) and make an optional visit to the War Crimes Museum.
This morning, you travel to the remarkable Cu Chi tunnels, home to 5,000 VC troops during the Vietnam/US War. They are situated w two hour drive from the city. You will leave early this morning to be back in Ho Chi Minh in the early afternoon. Tonight you join our Vietnamese guides for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
The trip will conclude after breakfast. If you are departing Vietnam today you will receive a transfer to the airport.
- 14 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 8 dinners
- 21 Speed steel framed Mountain Bikes
- airport transfers on Day 1 and Day 15
- expert bilingual guide
- medical kit
- comfortable well located hotels
- private air conditioned transportation
- comfortable train travel in 4 berth sleeper carriages
- sightseeing as listed in itinerary
- national park & site entry fees
| 22 September 2007 |
06 October 2007 |
| 13 October 2007 |
27 October 2007 |
| 03 November 2007 |
17 November 2007 |
| 01 December 2007 |
15 December 2007 |
| 05 January 2008 |
19 January 2008 |
| 23 February 2008 |
08 March 2008 |
| 22 March 2008 |
05 April 2008 |
| 26 April 2008 |
10 May 2008 |
| 21 June 2008 |
05 July 2008 |
| 28 June 2008 |
12 July 2008 |
| 09 August 2008 |
23 August 2008 |
| 20 September 2008 |
04 October 2008 |
| 11 October 2008 |
25 October 2008 |
| 01 November 2008 |
15 November 2008 |
| 29 November 2008 |
13 December 2008 |
| 12 December 2008 |
26 December 2008 |
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