Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City Cycling Tour
On the Scenic Backroads of Vietnam
June 20 - July 4, 2011
January 31 - February 14, 2012

"Cycle the Roads Less Traveled"

Your cycling tour begins in the capital city of Hanoi, a city of lakes and shaded boulevards, sometimes called the "Paris of the Orient." Exploring Hanoi's intriguing museums, pagodas, the fascinating Temple of Literature and strolling through the historical streets of the Old Quarter will give you a leisurely exposure to this Vietnamese culture and history. While in Hanoi you will have two easy cycling days, visiting the Perfume Pagodas about 62 kilometers south of Hanoi and cycling along the Red River to the most ancient ancient village of Duong Lam. Leaving Hanoi, you will take the overnight train to one of Vietnam's most beautiful cities, Hue, the old imperial capital with its Forbidden Purple City, former residence of the royal family. From there,your cycling adventure takes you south along the coast of the South China Sea to Danang, Hoi An and Nha Trang. You will cycle along a coastline of quaint fishing villages, unspoiled beaches, stunning lagoons, and cross dramatic headlands with spectacular views. From Nha Trang, the beach capital of Vietnam, you will journey to the central highlands with cool plateaus, dotted with waterfalls, and the resort city of Da Lat. Leaving Dalat, at 5500 feet elevation, with two spectacular downhill rides you will cycle past sugar cane, tobacco, tea, and coffee plantations and return to the South China Sea coast and the town of Phan Thiet. Now comes the last cycling day that will bring you to the weekend get-a-way, for those living in Saigon, the beach resort of Vung Tau. The next day it will be a fast speed boat ride up the Saigon River to vibrant and bustling Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 1 ARRIVE IN HANOI
Meet your tour escort at Noi Bai airport and transfer to the charming Thang Loi Hotel on West Lake. Depending on your arrival time, take a short city tour in our minibus or relax at the hotels swimming pool. Our expert bicycle mechanic will help you assemble your bicycle. Evening: Welcome Reception and Dinner.

Arrive in Hanoi early and join us for a trip to Sapa and Halong Bay. See the tour extensions for details.

DAY 2 ANCIENT VILLAGE
After breakfast we have our first cycling experience by taking the Red River dike road past the Chem traditional communal house to Duong Lam ancient village dating back about one thousand years, still keeping much of the original architecture. After lunch we continue to the La Phu Mineral bath. The cycling distance is about 50 kilometers. We return to Hanoi by bus with a stop at the flower farm. Dinner at Sen Restaurant.

DAY 3 HANOI TO PERFUME PAGODAS
After breakfast we will cycle through the prettiest part of Hanoi, past the Citadel and through portions of the foreign embassy district in the south-west direction to the village of My Duc and take boats to the Perfume Pagodas. The cycling distance is about 62 kilometers. The Perfume Pagodas, a complex of Buddhist shrines and temples are built on the limestone cliffs of the Huong Tich Mountains. You can hike up the mountain to visit the shrines, or take the brand new cable car. Lunch is picnic style. You return to Hanoi by motor coach. Dinner is on your own.

DAY 4 HANOI
Morning: Hanoi City tour, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s home, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature and the infamous "Hanoi Hilton". In the afternoon there is time to see the renowned Hanoi Water Puppet Show at the Hoan Kim Lake Theater (there is an extra charge for the tickets to the show). Before dinner we will take you on a shopping tour through the Old Quarter of Hanoi. Dinner at Indochine Restaurant. Later we will board the train for your overnight trip to Hue in first class sleeper. Your bicycles will be transported on the train.

DAY 5 HUE,
Arriving in Hue you will be met by your tour escort and transferred to your hotel. On the way to the hotel we will stop for lunch at a good restaurant. Afternoon: Visit the Citadel, the imperial and forbidden purple city of the Nguyen emperors. Dinner at a Hue Restaurant.

DAY 6 HUE to HOI AN,
After breakfast our bicycling adventure continues. We stay mostly on backroads. Experience the lush, fertile countryside on our way to the village of Lang Co where we have lunch overlooking a palm-shaded beach. Lang Co is one of the most scenic spots in Vietnam. From there we cycle across our first headland, the Hai Van Pass, an incredible mountainous stretch of highway with spectacular views of the city of Danang and its famous bay. We finish our cycling day 30 km south of Danang at the picturesque and historical riverside town of Hoi An where we stay at the Hoi An Hotel in the center of town. Dinner will be at the Cargo Restaurant.

DAY 7 HOI AN TO MY SON
Leaving our hotel in Hoi An you cycle west to one of Vietnam's Heritage sites, the ancient kingdom of Cham, My Son, which centuries ago was considered the most important Cham intellectual and religious center. It is a smaller counterpart to the other Indian influenced grand ancient cities of Southeast Asia, such as Angkor Wat in Cambodia. After viewing the monuments and ruins of My Son, you will have lunch at a restaurant in My Son. You can cycle back to Hoi An or take the bus. The cycling distance to My Son is 45 kilometers. Dinner will be at the White Lantern Restaurant.

DAY 8 HOI AN to QUI NHON
On this day it is easy backroad cycling through a rich agricultural area. After lunch at the town of Tam Key, we take the motor coach to Qui Nhon and the Hai Au beach front hotel. Dinner will be at the hotel.

DAY 9 QUI NHON to NHA TRANG
From Qui Nhon we have about 25 km of new highway along the coast, with spectacular scenery, until we join Highway 1 again. From there absolutely beautiful coastal terrain all the way to Tuy Hoa, where we will have lunch. From Tuy Hoa we have a flat and fast ride and the last coastal headland, Ca Pass, 4 km to the top and 10 km down, to the picturesque fishing village of Dai Lanh. From there we will take the motor coach to Nha Trang, to the Light Hotel and resort, across the street from one of Vietnam's longest beaches. Dinner is at the Nha Trang Seafood Restaurant.

DAY 10 NHA TRANG to DALAT
After breakfast we leave the South China Sea coast behind and we cycle west on the brand new road to Dalat. This will be the most challenging cycling day of the tour. After 40 kilometers of flat terrain we encounter the mountains and a 45 kilometer moderate climb to the top of the pass, with the most spectacular scenery you have on the tour. From the top of the pass it is rolling hills through small villages and pine forests to the resort city of Dalat at 5500 feet elevation. Lunch will be picnic style along the route. Overnight at the Blue Moon Hotel and Spa. Dinner at Long Hoa Restaurant.

DAY 11 DALAT TO PHAN THIET
We begin the day with a 10 km downhill and at the bottom of the hill, stop and visit Prenn Falls, the largest and loveliest water fall in the Dalat area. From there we will take a smooth toll road to the town of Lien Nghia about 25 kilometers. This road hugs the side of the mountain and gives you a wonderful view of the valley. We take the bus past sugar cane processing plants, and tea and coffee plantations to the town of Di Linh and lunch. After lunch we will take you up the mountain separating the highlands from the South China Sea coastline and you will have a great 75 kilometer downhill ride, through tropical forests to Phan Thiet and the Palms Hotel.

DAY 12 PHAN THIET TO VUNG TAU
Leaving your hotel and cycling through Phan Thiet you should take a minute to stop at the bridge at the harbor and take a photo of the hundreds of colorful finishing boats. You will have a short ride on Highway 1 before taking the backroad to Vung Tau, the weekend getaway, for the people living in Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight and dinner will be at the My Le Hotel.

DAY 13 VUNG TAU TO HO CHI MINH CITY
After breakfast relax at the hotel pool or take a swim in the South China Sea. Or visit the famous Jesus statue or the lighthouse, which goes back to the French colonial times. Early afternoon you bill board the hydrofoil speed boat for the little more than one hour trip up the Saigon River to the vibrant and bustling Ho Chi Minh City. Your bicycle and luggage will be transported by vehicle to the hotel. From the docks we will take you to the May Boutique Hotel. Lunch and dinner is on your own.

DAY 14 HO CHI MINH CITY
After breakfast you will be taken on a city tour, with visits to the Reunification Palace, the Lacquer Ware Factory and China Town. Lunch is on your own. During the afternoon, you have the option for sightseeing and shopping, or just relaxing at the roof top, indoor swimming pool of the May Hotel. In the meantime our bicycle mechanic will pack your bicycle for shipment. Evening: Farewell Dinner


DAY 15 Depart HO CHI MINH CITY
Say goodbye to Vietnam. You will be transferred to Tan Son Nhat Airport.

Extend your stay and take a tour of the Mekong Delta, or take a one day trip to Black Lady Mountain, the Cao Dai Temple and the Cu Chi Tunnels, or fly to the tropical Phu Quoc Island in the Gulf of Thailand. Click on: "Tour Extensions" for details.


TOUR HOTELS
Hanoi - Thang Loi Hotel on Westlake
Hue - Ideal Hotel
Hoi An - Hoi An Hotel
Qui Nhon - Hai Au Beach Hotel
Nha Trang - Light Hotel and Resort
Dalat - Blue Moon Hotel and Spa
Phan Thiet - Palms Hotel
Vung Tau - My Le Hotel
Ho Chi Minh City - May Boutique Hotel

All accomodations are deluxe rooms or above.

We have both road and mountain bikes available for rent at US$ 10 per day.

Tour Duration: 15 Days / 14 Nights
Tour Cost: $2395 per person, double occupancy
minimum of 6 tour participants

Single Room Supplement: $400 (if you request a room by yourself)