| Vietnam Bike details |
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Duration: 17 Days/16 Nights
Departing from: Noi Bai Airport, Hanoi, with a Day 1 airport transfer to Hotel Majestic in the center of Hanoi.
Tour finishes: In Saigon in the afternoon of Day 17 (we can also arrange an extension to the Grand Temples of Angkor).
Price: $3,675 USD per person based on double occupancy.
Private departures only. Please contact us at info@customwalks.com for more details and/or to discuss dates and trip cost. |  |
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Cham temple.
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Friendly children everywhere.
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Ride through rural villages.
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Really rural!
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Sea kayaking, Halong Bay.
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Grand Hotel, Saigon
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Visit Mekong river.
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Vietnam is full of smiles.
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Vietnam Bike |
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Vietnam Bike Itinerary
Preview - Discover the unexpected in this extraordinary cycling tour of one of Asia's most intriguing countries. You will see stately French mansions, quiet agrarian villages where little has changed in the last 1,000 years, pristine coastal vistas, landscapes of vast rice paddies set against the verdant green jungle foliage, and the amazingly warm and inspiring Vietnamese. All of these make this an excursion not to be missed. Begin your tour with a delightful sea-kayaking trip in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Halong Bay. From here, you will cycle along the coast beginning in Hanoi and ending in Saigon on this 17 day tour. In south Vietnam we will be joined by Lonely Planet co-author Le Van Sinh.
Day 1 - Arrive at Noi Bai airport, 40 kilometres outside of Hanoi. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel in central Hanoi. Relax in the traditional charm of the city, visit the Old Quarter where generations of family craftsmen have been selling their wares. This evening we will have an orientation at one of Hanoi's finest restaurants. Overnight at the Hotel Majestic in the central Hoan Kiem Lake area.
Day 2 - After breakfast we have a half-day city tour. Visit popular highlights like the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature, a university established a thousand years ago! Following lunch, transfer to To Village, famous for their noodles, and visit a noble family who reside in a 100-year-old traditional wooden house. Dinner with the family features Tet specialties, including Ban Chung (sticky rice cake). Return to Hanoi for a Water Puppet show on Hoan Kiem Lake, a performance art unique to Vietnam.
Day 3 - This morning head off to the clear, emerald waters of Halong Bay, one of Vietnam's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Explore the spectacular caves created by time's wind and water. Keep your eyes open for the magical dragon believed to have created this beautiful area and for whom the site is named. Translated Halong Bay is where the dragon descends into the sea. Kayaking is planned for the afternoon and tonight's accommodation is aboard a private cabin aboard your yacht (Huong Hai) with a special dinner of local cuisine on menu.
Day 4 - Spend your morning kayaking the pristine blue waters of Halong Bay before enjoying a farewell lunch with the crew. You'll be transferred back to Hanoi with the evening free to enjoy the splendid entertainment that is on offer and choose from the many delicious restaurants available. Accommodation at the Hotel Majestic.
Day 5 - Wake up this morning for an airline transfer to the ancient Imperial Capital of Vietnam. Set on the tranquil Perfume River, Hue is Vietnam's most pleasant and picturesque city. The tombs of Nguyen emperors, pagodas, and the remains of the Imperial Citadel lie in this picturesque city. In the afternoon you will be fitted with bicycles for an orientation ride along the Perfume River through the high-walled Imperial Citadel, visiting Thien Mu Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Hue which was built on a site believed to have magical powers. Dinner free to partake of Hue's local delicacies such as crab soup, ban sao -- Vietnamese "pancakes," and frozen creme caramel. Accommodation at Pilgrimage Village on the Perfume River. You're free to select your own dinner location this evening.
Day 6 - Choose how much you want to ride today and then set out for Hoi An. We will divide into two groups: those wanting a full day's ride and those who begin their ride near the top of the Hai Van Pass. This is one of the most scenic routes in Vietnam and we will pass by rural villages and the picturesque Lang Co Lagoon. Ascend the six-mile road over the pass, enjoying dramatic views of the coastline and a breathtaking descent to the green rice fields and white sand graveyards around Danang. We will regroup at this point and continue on to Hoi An, riding along a charming country road with picture-postcard scenery. Afternoon arrival at the peaceful Hoi An Hotel.
Day 7 - This morning we set out on foot for a tour of this ancient Japanese port. Hoi An was a South-East Asian trading port from the 15th to the 19th centuries. Rare wooden architecture remains in this small, bustling town where graceful and elegant pagodas blend in with the lively riverfront marketplace. After lunch hop back on your bicycle for a visit of Cua Dai Beach, China Beach, and Marble Moutina while passing through traditional villages. This evening you have a choice of a cooking demonstration by one of Vietnam's most talented chefs or free time on your own for a boat excursion on the river.
Day 8 - We get up early this morning and leave Hoi An to make our way to Quang Ngai. We take the coast road past scenic villages, and our first stop of the day is near a "secret" Cham sight. We visit Chu Lai, a former American military base where we will regroup and head to the My Lai Memorial. One of the darkest moments of the Vietnam war occurred in this Memorial park, the My Lai massacre. This haunting and yet peaceful park is strewn with flowers and bordered with rice paddies. We spend the night at Quang Ngai, an active port city.
Day 9 - Further coastal riding through undiscovered Central Vietnam, with lunch on the golden sands of Sa Huynh beach. There will be time for a refreshing swim in the reviving South China Sea. The afternoon will be spent cycling through rural rice villages canopied with swaying coconut trees. We will spend the night in Qui Nhon at the Seagull Hotel.
Day 10 - Passing through some of Vietnam's most delightful coastline we will glide through fishing villages that few travellers get to see. The bays of the villages are dotted with brightly coloured fishing boats. Deserted lagoons and rocky promontories line the coast creating spectacular images. Stopping at the beautiful Dai Linh Beach for lunch, we will end our day in Nha Trang and the Yasaka Hotel.
Day 11 - Spend the day in this oceanfront city. Snorkel and swim over the coral reefs in the clear blue waters. An optional half-day boat excursion to nearby islands and a marine reserve is available. Another option is a city cycling tour, visiting the awe inspiring Lon Song Pagoda and the majestic Po Nagar Cham ruins. Your evening is free to walk along the beach, stroll the busy promenade, have a massage or swim in the warm surf.
Day 12 - Today we will be shuttled past historic Cam Ranh Bay to Phan Rang. This is a location of Thap Cham and most of the Chams, the indigenous inhabitants of Vietnam. We will cycle from Thap Cham up to grandeur of Ngoan Muc Pass (the option of riding in the bus is always available). From there we will continue on through the towering pine forests of the Central Highlands. Small villages and strawberry, carrot and other crops line the road passing into Dalat. Cycling "escorts" are common here. Dinner at the wonderful, family-run Long Hoa. Accommodation at the Golf Hotel.
Day 13 - You will notice a welcome change in temperature here at this attractive colonial hill-station, which is surrounded by enticing lakes and waterfalls. The cooler weather made this city an excellent choice for the French to seek relief from the heat of Saigon. There are hundreds of well-preserved colonial villas covering the hills as well as beautiful waterfalls and lakes. Dalat is a gem within Vietnam, with captivating sites such as Vien Thuc's Pagoda, Bao Dai Palace and the Valley of Love. We will cycle our way through the beautiful countryside before exploring this vivacious city discovering the marketplace, Dalat Cathedral, the artist community, and numerous cafés.
Day 14 - Descend down a winding road through flourishing pine forests and make your way to the undulating road through the Central Highlands to Saigon. The rich, red earth gives birth to vibrant coffee, tea, banana and rubber plantations surrounding you. This is where Vietnam's finest tea fields can be found. A predominantly Catholic area, it also has many stunning historic churches. Just outside of Saigon the rubber trees originally planted by the French Colonialists are still harvested. Accommodations at the Grand Hotel, a restored historic hotel on the Saigon River.
Day 15 - A half day tour of the city is planned for today, taking in the vibrant Cholon Bin Tay market, notable pagodas and historical sights. If you choose, the afternoon is free to spend cyclo-riding (a rickshaw bicycle), sightseeing or shopping for gifts to bring home. A farewell dinner is planned near the Saigon River.
Day 16 - Early morning departure to the Mekong Delta, the "rice basket" of Vietnam where the Mekong ends it's long journey, fanning out into nine branches as it flows into the South China Sea. We will board a boat to visit the floating market and cruise over the Mekong River to Dong Phu Island. Begin cycling under the green canopy passing through the orchards and observing the daily life of Delta farmers. Lunch break on the island and travel again by boat to Vinh Long. Then we will cycle through the immense rice fields, and numerous rural riverside villages. We will then enjoy a farewell dinner in Can Tho. Note: those with early airlines departure on 19-February will be transferred to Saigon this evening.
Day 17 - Take a morning boat trip to the Cai Rang Floating market and up quiet canals. Then continue biking backcountry Delta roads for about two hours past the beautiful scenery. After lunch we head back to Saigon and say farewell. Transfer by private car to Hanoi Noi Bai Airport for international flights, or try the tour extension to the Grand Temples of Angkor!
General Information
| Note on Itinerary: Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.
Qualifications: This tour is typically geared for intermediate to advanced cyclists. There are two support vehicles, and you are usually free to ride whenever and where you want, but to get maximum enjoyment, we recommend that you be able to cycle at least 60 km (40 miles) per day.
Trip Cost Includes: Comprehensive pre-tour packet, including medical and health preparations, visa applications, guide books and maps; airport transfers; experienced English-speaking guides; bottled water and plentiful snacks; all equipment, including sea kayaks and Raleigh USA hybrid bikes (helmets are included); hotel and yacht accommodations; all entrance fees; all transfers necessary for tour; air-conditioned van support; all breakfasts, all lunches (except when in Saigon) and eight dinners.
Not Included: travel insurance; gratuities; alcoholic beverages and items of a personal nature. Reservations and payment: In order to reserve a space on the
trip, a non-refundable deposit of $200 USD or Euro 200 (depending on
the trip) is required. Please contact us at info@customwalks.com or go to the Reservations page
on our website for more information. We will send you a trip agreement
that outlines the terms and conditions of payment and cancellation.
General Information: This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the CustomWalks Ltd. reservation information and trip agreement. Please read this information carefully and e-mail us (or use the "Contact Us" page) if you have any questions. We highly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance which you can do through CustomWalks Ltd or by clicking on the logo below (another window will open up on your screen).
We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited. Send us an email or fax to reserve your trip. Full trip details including detailed pre-departure information, train timetables, and a gear list are sent upon receipt of deposit. Come join us!
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