Northern Vietnam Mountain Cycling Tour

Day 1 | Arrival in Hanoi
Upon arrival at the charming Peridot Grand Hotel, there will be time to explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter before we meet in the hotel lobby in the late afternoon. We find out everything we need to know about the tour and our host country. Each participant then receives a high-quality Siam Bike Tours cycling jersey.

Day 2 | Hanoi Food, Culture & Fun On Vintage Jeep Tour 
B / L  included
Discover the hidden gems of Hanoi on a vintage jeep tour that takes you to the parts-unknown of the city. Experience the authentic life of the locals as you ride through the maze of backstreets, markets, temples, and landmarks. Taste the delicious and organic food of Hanoi at a cozy cafe. Enjoy the stunning views of the city from the legendary Long Bien bridge. This tour is a perfect blend of adventure, culture, and fun!

Highlights:

• Explore the parts-unknown of Hanoi and see the good, the bad, and the weird of the city
• Visit the must-see attractions of Hanoi such as Ho Chi Minh mausoleum, Temple of Literature, Opera House, and more
• Savor 7-10 food wonders of Hanoi, including unique egg coffee, local moonshine, and fresh beer
• Ride on a vintage jeep and experience the thrill of the Hanoi street symphony

Later in the afternoon, there will be time to build up our bikes where we will be assisted by an experienced local mechanic.

Day 3 | 1st Stage: Hanoi to Sapa Lodge
35 km| 1,300 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 the most scenic Topas Ecolodge. We’ll arrive in time to enjoy the area, farmed by the Hmong, Dao and other minorities for centuries.

Day 4 | 2nd Stage: Sapa to Than Uyen
96 km | 1,400 m | B / L / D included
From Topas Ecolodge we will have a short transfer to Sapa Town. Our today’s ride 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. There is a simple yet nice restaurant next to the Guesthouse where we will get to taste the great variety of simple Vietnamese specialties for dinner. Perhaps we might also check out the local market.

Day 5 | 3rd Stage: Than Uyen to Le Champ Tule Resort
88 km | 1,900 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. Once on top we’ll enjoy the great view down to the valley below, where we will then be heading in a 20 km descent to our next destination, the luxurious Le Champ Tule Resort, that even features Hot Springs and a Spa.

Day 6 | 4th Stage: Le Champ Tule Resort to Nghia Lo
47 km | 730 m | B / D included
A short yet again pleasant day awaits us. The slower speeds in the initial soft climbs help us enjoy even more the beautiful landscapes. The second part is mostly a downhill and effortless 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 | 5th Stage: Nghia Lo to Mộc Châu
126 km | 1,750 m | | B / L / D included
The Queen’s stage. 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.

Day 8 | 6th Stage: Mộc Châu – Mai Chau
63 km | 780 m | | B / L / D included
After yesterday’s challenging ride, we’ll enjoy a shorter and less demanding stage to Mai Chau today.

There we’ll be rewarded for our efforts with a stay in luxury at a lodge complete with a pool. We will arrive early enough to both enjoy a short excursion to the nearby village along some picturesque rice fields to find some coffee and cake there and make the most of our hotel’s facilities including pool and massage.

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 | 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.