| North Vietnam Mountain Biking Adventure
Multiple Tour DatesSeptember 21 - October 2, 2009
October 19 - 30, 2009
December 14 - 25, 2009
March 8 - 19, 2010
April 12 - 23, 2010
May 10 - 21, 2010
Cycle the Majestic Mountains of the Tonkinese Alps
This is a unforgettable mountain biking adventure through the north-western part of Vietnam where the Tonkinese Alps, or Hoang Lien Mountains, soar skywards, concealing some of Vietnam’s best-kept secrets. Very few tourists have ventured into this secluded part of northern Vietnam, that is mostly inhabited by an eclectic mix of hill tribes, including the H’mong, Dzao, and ethnic White Thai. The region is bordered by Laos on the west and China on the north.
It is a region where modern civilizations is arriving slowly. Many methods used by the local hill tribes date back thousands of years, such as the watering of their terraced rice paddies on the mountain sides, and using the power of the same water to crush rice.
This tour is for those that are not afraid of doing some hard cycling and are looking for a true adventure.
The tours will be lead by a most seasoned cross country cycling champion of Asia, Alan Eger. Alan has spent 22 years in Asia and South America conducting mountain biking tours for some of the largest cycling companies. In addition to guiding you through some of the roughest terrain in Vietnam, Alan, will also conduct short after hours clinics to assist the tour members, in improving their mountain biking skills.(See photo of Alan, doing what he does best, on the left)
The tour will begin in Hanoi, also sometimes called the “Paris of the Orient.” In Hanoi we start with a 85 kilometer warm-up ride to the town of Hoa Binh. The tour continues from Son La, through the towns of Tuan Giao and Dien Bien Phu, where in 1954 the French lost their Indochina colony. After Dien Bien Phu the serious part of the tour begins, as we enter the hills of the Lai Chau valley which takes us all the way to the highest mountain pass in Vietnam, the Tram Ton Pass at 1900 meter elevation (6175 feet), and the resort city of Sapa.
After relaxing the following morning at the beautiful Victoria Sapa Resort, the tour finishes with a 37 kilometer downhill ride to the town of Lao Cai, and the overnight Victoria Express train to Hanoi.
THE TOUR ITINERARY
DAY 1 ARRIVE IN HANOI. At Noi Bai International airport you will be met and welcomed by your tour support staff and transferred to the charming Thang Loi Hotel surrounded by attractive landscaping located at West Lake,. Depending on your arrival time, take a short city tour in our minibus or relax at the hotel’s swimming pool. The expert tour bicycle mechanic will help you assemble your bicycle. Evening: Welcome Reception, Dinner and Tour Orientation.
DAY 2 HANOI: Morning: Hanoi city tour, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Ho Chi Minh’s home, the One Pillar Pagoda and the Temple of Literature. After lunch at the Minh Anh Restaurant you have the option to stroll through Hanoi's famous Old Quarter or attend a performance of the renown Hanoi Water Puppet Show at Hoan Kim Lake Theater (there is an extra charge for the tickets for the water puppet show). Dinner Sen Restaurant.
DAY 3 HANOI TO HOA BINH: The first day on the road will be a flat 85 km warm-up ride to the town of Hoa Binh and the V Resort which is outside of Hoa Binh. The resort features warm springs, swimming, massages, and a restaurant. We will stay there overnight.
DAY 4 HOA BINH TO SON LA: It is about 255 km from Hoa Binh to Son La, and it will probably take about six hours by bus. Son La has the best accommodations in that part of the Vietnamese country side and we will stay at the best in town, the Sunrise Hotel. Take time to visit Son La’s lookout tower, which offers a sweeping view of the town and surrounding area. The steep climb takes about 20 minutes and it is worthwhile to make up for the non-biking day.
DAY 5 SON LA TO TUAN GIAO: This is fantastic but challenging ride due to the monster hill in the afternoon. It is about 90 km of mostly farm country at the start until the hill begins and the 14 km climb. From the top it is an exhilarating, 11 km downhill to Tuan Giao.
DAY6 TUAN GIAO TO DIEN BIEN PHU: There is an ascent midway during this stage, but otherwise it easy riding. The road follows the river, through picturesque gorges much of the way. Watch out for road hazards, such a water buffalos, and their stick-wielding handlers. After the village of Muong Ang the road climbs skywards for about 7 km. Dien Bien Phu is a most military historical site in Vietnam, where on May 6, 1954 the Viet Minh forces overran the French garrison after a 57 day battle, shattering the French colonial control in Indochina.
DAY 7 DIENBIEN PHU TO LAI CHAU: Now the real fun begins. A bumpy dirt road and a couple of big hills make the distance of about 100 km a tough ride for a day. However, the scenery is nice with a lush country side of ferns, bananas, and bamboo, as the road shadows the Na River. From the village of Muong Lay you encounter the major climb of the day, about 13 km, with fantastic views of the river valley. Lai Chau is a small town and sits in beautiful valley surrounded by spectacular mountains by the Da River.
DAY 8 LAI CHAU TO TAM DUONG: Another punishing day on bumpy dirt roads awaits you, but so does some of the most spectacular scenery in Vietnam and possibly anywhere. After Lai Chau the road is relatively flat for about 74 km to Pa So, passing through picturesque gorges. Shortly after Pa So, there is climb of about 15 km, with breathtaking views of the valley. From the summit a gradual downhill, on a sealed road, brings you to your next destination Tam Duong.
DAY 9 TAM DUONG: The road from Tam Duong to Sapa, is regarded one of the most breathtaking in Vietnam, past a giant landscape of towering fat green hills, often shrouded in mist and always covered in a lush carpet of ferns and grasses up to the highest pass in Vietnam, the Tram Ton Pass. After leaving Tam Duong behind, it is about 10 km for your first climb of the day of about 7.8 km. After reaching the top you will enjoy a downhill, before reaching the climb of the tour, the road to the top of Tram Ton Pass, about 26 km. Enjoy the once in life time view from the top of the pass before heading into the resort city of Sapa, where the comfortable Victoria Sapa Resort and Spa awaits you.
DAY 10 SAPA: Relax after your amazing mountain biking adventure through the rugged terrain of North-west Vietnam. Enjoy the facilities the beautiful Victoria Sapa Resort and Spa offers, with a sauna and professional massage. During the early part of your day, you are on your own. Late afternoon, you will once again saddle your bicycle and take the fantastic downhill ride of about 37 km to the train station in Lao Cai, on the Chinese border. This downhill ride is not for faint hearted, with spectacular and steep drops on the right side of the road. You will have a chance to view the highest mountain top in Vietnam, Fansipan at 3143 meters, crown of the Tonkinese Alps. In Lao Cai, you will board the luxurious Victoria Express Carriages for your overnight train trip back to Hanoi.
DAY 11 HANOI: Upon your early arrival in Hanoi, you will be transported from Hanoi train station to the Thang Loi Hotel. The day is pretty much your own. In the evening we will all reminiscent about our achievements at this Vietnam Mountain Biking Adventure, during the Farewell Dinner at a fashionable Hanoi restaurant.
DAY 12 HANOI: Based on your departure schedule we will take you to the Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport.
BICYCLES FOR RENT
If you don't want to bring your mountain bike to Vietnam we have mountain bikes for rent. These are top of the line Trek and Giant Mountain Bikes for both men and women. The rental fee is $10 per day.
Please Note: We will gladly arrange additional excursions in Vietnam, such as trips to Halong Bay including kayaking, the old imperial city of Hue, Hoi An, Nha Trang, the central highlands and the resort city of Dalat, Saigon, and the Mekong River Delta.
|
