Want to see the beautiful peaceful mountains of Sapa, the historical Dien Bien Phu, the Red River Delta and Hanoi? This tour has spectacular changing scenery as you cycle. Being mostly downhill, one can concentrate on the views, far more than the pedaling. This tour includes a support vehicle, all meals and a professional guide.
Experience
* Peaceful cycling through minority villages, with friendly locals unused to the presence of tourists.
* Ever changing scenery.
* Historical sites of Dien Bien Phu and Hanoi
TOUR ITINERARY:
Day 1: Arrive Hanoi - Overnight train to Lao Cai
Arrive/ meet in Hanoi, afternoon brief walking tour to explore Hanoi and evening trip briefing. Overnight on train to Lao Cai. Lao Cai is on the gateways to China, Lao Cai lies at the end of the train line on the Chinese border. The border crossing slammed shut during the 1979 war between China and Vietnam and remained closed until 1993. Lao Cai is now a major hub for travellers journey between Haoi, Sapa (38km away) and Kunming. (D)
Day 2: Supan Valley afternoon ride (20km cycling)
Transfer to Sapa up the mountain side and have time to fit bikes before riding into the Sapa Valley. The Queen of Mountains, Sapa sits regally overlooking a beautiful valley, lofty mountains towering over the town on all sides. Sapa is the French hill station was built in 1922. Overnight in Sapa (B,L,D)
Day 3: Ta Phin Loop ride full day (30km cycling)
Cycle off road track to the village of Ta Phin, when the ride will be more challenging in a loop across a steep and forested hillsides and minority villages. Overnight in Sapa (B,L,D)
Day 4:Sapa – Tam Duong (Phong Tho) – Pa So (80km cycling)
Cycle shortly uphill as warm up to the Tram Ton Pass, before starting a long descent ride to Binh Lu and ride a truly off the beaten track (jeep track) mixed of hard pack gravel and clay to Tam Duong and Pa So. Overnight in Pa So(B,L,D)
Day 5:Pa So – Sin Ho - Lai Chau (now Muong Lay) (45km cycling)
Take a brutal ride this day to Lai Chau and Sin Ho and get a reward of truly spectacular views. The ride is on the main road, uphill and tarmac downhill, mixed of gravel and hard pack clay. Overnight in Lai Cha(B,L,D)
Day 6: Lai Chau (Muong Lay) – Tuan Giao - Dien Bien Phu (90km cycling)
Take a hardest but challenging ride this day to Tuan Giao and Dien Bien Phu, on a rough tarmac terrain all the way, but you will be rewarded with the stunningly beautiful scenery and untouched remote villages. Overnight in Dien Bien Phu (B,L,D)
Day 7: Dien Bien Phu – Hanoi (no cycling)
Take a half morning tour exploring the historical sites of Dien Bien Phu. Late morning flight to Hanoi and transfer into town. (B)