Sa Pa Heavens Gate Biking Tour
Destinations: This
wonderful itinerary takes you over the Tram Tom, or Heaven's Gate Pass
to explore the other side of Fansipan and the Hoang Lien Mountain Range.
Often when Sa Pa is shrouded in cloud and fog, this side is clear and
blue. The newly paved road descends 26Kms through one of the most
picturesque and inspiring valleys in the North where you'll glide down
through the fresh mountain air to the Binh Lu Junction. Turning off this
main road will add a moderate challenge to your adventure. The
sometimes rocky road meanders along the base of the mountain range past
old growth forest and through the villages of Thai, H'mong and Lu ethnic
minorities. The area sees few tourists, so expect plenty of curious
faces and smiling children shouting 'Hello!' as you stop to meet the
locals along the way.
Detail Itinerary
Day1: Hanoi - Lao Cai
8:30pm
Depart from Hotel by private coach to Rail way station and catch the
10:00pm night train to Lao Cai (soft sleeper with aircon), arrive 5:30
or 6:00am
Day 2 (B - L-D): Lao cai - Sapa - Than Thuoc
The
bus ride up the mountain to Sa Pa takes a little over an hour, where
you'll stop for breakfast before gearing up for your exciting ride. It's
a tough climb out of Sa Pa to Heaven's gate, so your support vehicle
will transfer you out to a starting point at the 'Silver Waterfall'.
Then it's a 3Km climb up the highest mountain pass in Indochina where
you'll stop to marvel at the spectacular view of Hoang Lien mountains
before free-wheeling down 26km to Binh Lu Junction. Heading off the main
road, its 20kms of sometimes rocky road to Than Thuoc, a charming
little tea town where you'll spend the night in a local guesthouse.
***Note:
The guest house in Than Thuoc is very basic but clean. Green Trail
Tours is currently making arrangements for a home stay in a local
village.
Day 3 (B-L-D): Than Thuoc - Than Uyen
After
breakfast, your support vehicle will transfer you up a steep mountain
pass to the starting point where you'll glide down 20kms to Than Uyen
through valleys where the old growth forest, tea plantations and verdant
rice paddies surround you during your ride. After lunch in Than Uyen,
you'll have a wonderful afternoon as you explore some single track
trails to visit local minority villages, including the interesting Lu
people with their distinctively black teeth. Arrive back in Than Uyen
for dinner and overnight in the local guesthouse.
Day 4 (B-L-D): Than Uyen - Lao Cai - Hanoi
After
a good breakfast, ride 40kms around the other side of the stunning
Muong Kim valley with time for lots of stops to take pictures of the
local hill tribe people and the stunning scenery there. Arrive in Van
Ban for a late lunch then hop on the minivan to drive back to Lao Cai.
In Lao Cai you'll be able to have a refreshing shower before sitting
down to a dinner of local Vietnamese food. Night Train back to Ha Noi.
Trip ends 5:30am at Ha Noi Station.
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