Cycling in Ho Chi Minh Trail Tour
Destinations: The
Ho Chi Minh Trail was an elaborate system of mountain and jungle trails
linking North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos during the
Vietnam War against the United States. Today, the many paths of the Ho
Chi Minh trail criss-cross the newly built Ho Chi Minh Highway. On this
tour we explore the northern section of the Ho Chi Minh trail, which was
previously inaccessible, from Ngoc Lac to the Hai Van Pass in Danang.
This wide, smooth undulating highway is a bikers dream as there is
little traffic on the road. And it conveniently will take us through
farms, orchards, tribal villages and offers us easy access to some of
the country's top attractions - one of Vietnam’s most spectacular caves,
the ancient royal seat of Hue, the picturesque trading port of Hoi An
Detail Itinerary
Day1: Hanoi Arrival
Arriving
in Hanoi, you will clear customs and immigration. Leaving the airport,
you will be met by your guide, holding a sign with your name on it. He
will transfer you to your hotel. The rest of day is free to wash up and
rest.
In
the evening we will attend the famous Water Puppet Show, with its
introduction to Vietnamese history and mythology. At night, you will
have a welcome dinner with local delights. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi - Mai Chau - Biking to Pu Luong (Hang Village)
Leave
Hanoi at 8 am. We drive southwest to Ma Chau, the gateway to the
impressive mountainous area of northern Vietnam. The drive is very nice
with stunning view of mountains, valleys, sugarcane farms and rice
paddies. We would have a stop en route for refreshment. Upon arrival in
Mai Chau we have a lunch stop in Pom Coong, a village of Thai ethnic
minority. We will have lunch in a local house. After lunch we embark on a
biking on village road to Hin, a village of Thai minority group which
is located within Pu Luong Nature Reserve. We will first bike on
beautiful tar road through Mai Chau valley before jumping into
undulating dirt paths. We reach Hang Village around 5 pm. We will have
dinner and overnight in a traditional stilt-house of a Thai family. (B,
L, D)
Biking:40km - unpaved bumpy road - Moderate grade
Day 3: Climbing mountain slopes to Hin Village
Today
is a tough day with long climb on mix of dirt paths and village roads.
In the morning we climb mainly. In the afternoon we enjoy easier ride
slightly downhill to Hin, a village of Thai minority. Great mountain
view and scenic villages. Lunch in local house en route. Dinner and
overnight in Hin village. (B, L, D)
Biking:30km - unpaved bumpy road - Challenging grade
Day 4: Downhill ride to Canh Nang Town - Ngoc Lac
After
breakfast we say good bye to the villagers and ride toward Ma River
passing expansive maize fields. Near the river we would see many water
wheels which used by the local to water their farms. We cross the river
on bridge and have lunch in Canh Nang town. After lunch we can continue
biking along Ma River with the road gets more beautiful the closer you
ride to Ngoc Lac with looming karst limestone cliffs and lush
vegetation. The route is tarmac all the way, but quite hard riding due
to the undulating terrain. Overnight in local hotel Ngoc Lac. (B, L, D)
Biking: 80km - unpaved bumpy road - Moderate grade
Day5: Ngoc Lac - Thai Hoa
Ride
for the first time on the newly built two lanes Ho Chi Minh Highway. It
hardly warrants two lanes as there is no traffic! The road makes for
smooth fast riding, and for those who prefer there is always the old
highway dirt and gravel - that weaves around the new highway allowing
for plenty of exploring possibilities along the way.
Ride
to Muc Son, on the banks of River Song Chu. On the outskirts of this
small town are the famous Kan Linh historical relics - a pagoda where
the first king of the Ly dynasty, Le Thai To, ruled, in 1428. Continue
riding on the trail to Yen Cat. The distance covered today is quite long
and there will be the chance to transfer some sections by the back-up
vehicle to rest weary legs. There are fewer villages today as the route
cuts through forests and jungle. Picnic lunch en route. Overnight Thai
Hoa guesthouse. (B, L, D)
Biking: 80km - Moderate grade
Day6: Thai Hoa - Nghe An
Continue
riding the incredible Ho Chi Minh Trail. Have lunch in Lat town. In Kim
Lien visit the famousmuseum and birthplace of Ho Chi Minh in 1890. This
province has a reputation for producing charismatic revolutionary
leaders; not only Ho Chi Minh but also Phan Boi Chau – another fervent
anti colonialist -was born here. Overnight in Nghe An Town (B, L, D)
Biking: 80km - Moderate grade
Day7: Nghe An - Khuong Khe
After
a relaxing breakfast continues riding on the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The
trail is still a dream to ride on. Again there is virtually no traffic.
Transfer if tired in the afternoon to Huong Khe for overnight in a local
guesthouse. (B, L, D)
Biking: 80km - Moderate grade
Day8: Huong Khe - Phong Nha National Park
From
Huong Khe the mountains rise and the road winds up, down and along the
hillsides. The scenery is spectacular, the road tranquil. Ride up to
80km then transfer the last few km to Phong Nha National Park. The park
contains one of the most spectacular caves in Vietnam; it is a true
speleological wonder. Visit the cave by boat then wander through the
cavern, past the foundations of ancient Cham ruins. Pause to admire the
incredible formation of stalactites and stalagmites. Formed
approximately 250 million years ago and during the American war, the
North Vietnam army had used Phong Nha cave as a hospital and ammunition
depot. The entrance still showing evidence of fighter aircraft attacks.
There are community projects underway with Flora and Fauna International
and it may be possible to visit village initiatives and learn more
about the forests of the National Park. Overnight at the National Park.
(B, L, D)
Biking: 55km - Moderate grade
Day9: Phong Nha - Dong Hoi
Boating
and exploring World Heritage site of Phong Nha where local civilians
and military sheltered from incessant bombing during wartime. Then we
drive down to the coastal town of Dong Hoi, which was heavily shelled by
US warships during the war. At a hotel over looking the beach, we can
take in some sunbathing by the beach. Overnight in Dong Hoi. (B, L, D)
Biking: 50km - Moderate grade
Day 10: Dong Hoi - Dong Ha -Vinh Moc - Dong Ha
Today we continue south along Highway 1 using both our bicycles and our support vehicle. We reach the town of Dong Ha
Biking: 63km - Moderate grade
Day 11: Dong Ha - Hue
Today
we drive to the former Imperial capital and cultural centre of Vietnam,
Hue. After all check-in formalities are done, we set out our bike and
explore this ancient city. (B, L, D)
Biking: 78km - Moderate grade
Day 12: Hue - Hoi An
Hue
was the capital of Vietnam under the Nguyen Dynasty of emperors from
1802 till 1945. In the morning cycle to the elaborate mausoleums of
Emperor Tu Duc and Khai Dinh along the banks of the Perfume River .
Leave Hue in the afternoon for the ancient trading port of Hoi An 120km
to the south via the spectacular Pass of Ocean Clouds . Arrive in Hoi An
late afternoon and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Hoi An. (B, L, D)
Biking: 70km - Moderate grade
Day 13: Hoi An
Leave
Hoi An after breakfast and cycle to the sacred Marble Mountains where
caves contain dozens of Buddhist shrines. Stop off at Da Nang to visit
the famous China Beach, once a 'rest and recreation' resort for American
servicemen. Return to Hoi An for lunch and spend the afternoon
discovering the delights of Hoi An's historic town centre or perhaps
cycle to Cua Dai Beach 5km away. Overnight in Hoi An. (B, L, D)
Biking: 30km - Moderate grade
Day14: Hoi An Departure
today
we have free time until transfer to airport for your departure . (B)
where we stay for the night. In reaching Dong Ha we pass through the DMZ
(Demilitarized Zone), scene of some of the bitterest fighting during
the American War. Here we will visit Vinh Moc tunnels to see at first
hand how the Viet Cong fought. The stretch of tunnels runs for nearly
3km and have not been altered for the tourists benefit. (B, L, D)
Vietnam Bike Tours - http://www.vietnambiketours.asia
Premiere custom bike tours for private & group in Vietnam & beyond!
Premiere custom bike tours for private & group in Vietnam & beyond!
