Northern Vietnam Mountain Cycling Tour

Day 1 | Arrival in Hanoi
D included
Upon arrival at the hotel, there will be time to explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter before we meet for an aperitif in the late afternoon. At dinner together we get to know our guides and learn everything there is to know about our host country and our tour. If you need help building your bikes, we will be on hand for that.

Day 2 | 1st Stage: Hanoi to Sapa Lodge
35 km| 1,100 m | B / L / D included
Our adventure in the northwest mountains begins with a transfer from your hotel in Hanoi to just shy of the border town of Lao Cai. Here it’s out of the bus and onto the bikes for the 35 km climb up to your lodge accommodation. We’ll arrive in time to enjoy the area, farmed by the Hmong, Dao and other minorities for centuries.

Day 3 | 2nd Stage: Sapa Loop
106 km | 2,500 m ascent | B / L / D included
We’ll say goodbye to your remote lodge, transfer into Sapa town for a quick coffee stop, then get into the day’s loop starting with almost 30 km of downhill. A bit further on, in Lao Cai, we will do a photostop at the border bridge to China. Then it’s on to discover some of the gorgeous back country with no shortage of climbing on the way home. Tonight we’ll enjoy the bustle of Sapa town, with Hmong-inspired cuisine.

Day 4 | 3rd Stage: Sapa to Than Uyen
96 km | 1,400 m | B / L / D included
Today starts with a mostly gentle climb out of Sapa town to the top of the famed O Quy Ho Pass. Then it’s a screaming 20 km descent and a gently undulating ride to Than Uyen, where we find our lodgings for the night at the District Guesthouse. This humble institution is usually only frequented by traveling cadres, and will give you a taste of what it was like in the good old days of Central Planning and ration cards. We’ll find some cold beer and chicken glass noodle soup on the street for dinner tonight and perhaps check out the local market.

Day 5 | 4th Stage: Than Uyen to Mu Cang Chai
80 km | 1,500 m | B / L / D included
Today’s ride mainly consists of a long gradual climb. We will ride through a beautiful gorge and past tiny Thai minority villages until we hit the Khau Pha Pass. We’ll turn off on this pass however and make our way along beautiful backroads to a simple yet very nice backcountry lodge complete with awesome rice terrace views. Our friendly hosts will serve us great Vietnamese food.

Day 6 | 5th Stage: Mu Cang Chai to Nghia Lo
80 km | 1,200 m | B / L / D included
Another stunning day awaits us. We head back onto the Khau Pha Pass, a contender for the most picturesque part of our route. We’ll find some lunch on the way down before we complete the rest of the mostly downhill route to Nghia Lo. This town is a stopping point for Hanoites on the road and features a few creature comforts. We’ll seek out some honest frontier food and the awesome Bigken minikegs that seem to be all the rage in this friendly town.

Day 7 | 6th Stage: Nghia Lo to Mai Chau
126 km | 1,750 m | | B / L / D included
Today’s route takes us on an undulating back country road through a series of very pretty villages and over a small, but challenging pass. We will then cross a lake on a ferry and do another shorter 6 km climb averaging 5% out of the Do River valley. From here we jump in the van like the real pros and let the driver take us to our destination.

If you still feel like it, you can tackle the last climb to Moc Chau and cover another 700 meters in altitude over 20 km. The town of Mai Chau is home to an ethnic minority group of Thai migrants. Tonight we’ll be rewarded for our efforts with a stay in luxury at a lodge complete with a pool.

Day 8 | Rest Day in Mai Chau and Surrounds
B / L / D included
After yesterday’s challenging ride, we’ll enjoy some downtime in beautiful Mai Chau today, making the most of our hotel’s facilities including pool and massage. To this we can add some gentle trekking or mountain biking into the stunning nearby countryside, dotted with Thai minority villages.

Day 9 | 7th Stage: Mai Chau to Hanoi + Transfer
100 km | 1,200 m | B / L / D included
We leave Mai Chau via a quiet back road that follows a river framed by limestone cliffs and glimpses of distant mountains. After enjoying the views we’ll find lunch on the road, and then continue to a convenient point outside Hanoi, where we’ll get on the buses to relax and avoid riding in the Hanoi traffic. Tonight we’ll celebrate with a big meal – this can be something Western for those now hankering for some comfort food.

Day 10 | 8th Stage: Hanoi to Hanoi
80 km | 350 m | B / L / D included
Not a must, but a nice option: on our last day, we do a nice epilogue ride to a smaller mountain overlooking Hanoi.
Afterwards there is still plenty of time to spend at your leisure in Hanoi. Walk the city’s markets and discover street-food; experience Hanoi’s rich artistic heritage, from pre-colonial architecture and artefacts through Socialist Realism to contemporary art-spaces.
We will meet back up in the evening for one last meal together.

Day 11 | Hanoi
B incl.
After breakfast, we may help you arrange your transfer back to the airport. There is also an option to extend your stay. Additional nights at the hotel may be booked through us.