Detail Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Hanoi
You
will be met on arrival and transfered to the hotel. There is no
itinerary planned for today but we will meet at night for a quick
briefing before heading out for an evening dinner at one of Hanoi's fine
Vietnamese restaurants.
Day 2: Depart Hanoi to Hue
Today
we have the entire day to relax and see the sights of Hanoi. In the
evening we catch the Reunification Express train to Hue.
Day 3: Hue
We
arrive in Hue in the morning and meet with our crew. Here we fitted to
our bicycles and equipment. In the afternoon we take a short ride to Tu
Duc's tomb.
Day 4: Hue - Hoi An
The
morning is spent sightseeing on our bikes around Hue. Time permitting,
we will visit the Citadel and the Thien Mu Pagoda. We then bus to Da
Nang before cycling on to the World Heritage town of Hoi An.
Day 5: Hoi An
A
free day to explore this fascinating riverside town. Hoi An is a
charming, quaint fishing town that can easily be explored on foot (or
bicycle!). Some of its many attractions include the Chinese Assembly
Halls, built between the 17th & 19th centuries for the large Chinese
merchant population. Also worth visiting are the ancient ancestral
homes, some of which have been occupied by the same family for 15
generations. Hoi An is also famed for its tailor shops. This stems from
the time when the town was a major stop along the Silk Road. The
beautiful Cua Dai beach is 4km from town and makes for a great cycle
destination.
Day 6: Hoi An - Quy Nhon
We
bus to Quang Ngai before cycling 10 kms into the district of Song My
(or the better known hamlet of My Lai). Here we will visit a memorial
for the villagers who died in during the War. The My Lai site is in a
small rural settlement, surrounded by simple thatched huts, quilted rice
paddies and farmers with conical hats going about their day to day
routines. After visiting the memorial and museum we ride back to our bus
and then drive to Qui Nhon
Day 7: Quy Nhon to Pleiku (via An Khe)
A
more challenging day as we head inland off Highway 1 and tackle the
uphill road on Highway 19. We will part-cycle this, over a distance of
186 kms before reaching Pleiku (alt. 785m). Pleiku is located in the
Truong Son mountain range (running through the length of the country)
which is home to some of Vietnam's 54 hill-tribe minority groups, known
as Montagnards (French collective name for "mountain people"). The town
has a distinctive Russian architectural influence from Russian aid
workers after the war.
Day 8: Pleiku - Buon Ma Thuot
Today's
part- cycle is on an excellent road, Highway 14, taking in 197kms of
undulating and scenic uplands. We pass by coffee plantations and
national parks on our way to the largest town in the Western Highlands,
and the capital of Dac Lac Province.
Day 9: Buon Ma Thuot - Nha Trang
Today
part-cycle covers 194kms on Highway 28 and whilst undulating is mostly
downhill towards the coast and Nha Trang. We may see wild elephants as
we pass through more minority hamlets on our way to the kilometres of
untouched beaches, great climate and islands to explore which have made
Nha Trang a popular Vietnamese resort. The accommodation for the next 2
nights is situated high on the headland overlooking the islands and
equipped with its own private beach. The atmosphere almost resembles
that of a palatial villa in Tuscany it is no wonder that it was a
preferred summer respite for Bao Dai , Vietnam's last ruling monarch.
Day 10: Nha Trang
A
cycle-free day to enjoy the clear blue waters and relaxed ambience of
Nha Trang. We take a local boat to one of the nearby islands to visit a
beautiful beach where you may relax, swim, enjoy a cool beer or indulge
in a massage. Then after returning to Nha Trang, the afternoon is free
to enjoy at your leisure.
Day 11: Nha Trang - Dalat
We
begin today driving a short distance before continuing on bike for the
next 95kms to Phan Rang. The cycling is excellent, made easier by the
strong tail winds and well maintained roads. After lunch we then start
the bus ride to Dalat where you will be rewarded with superb views over
the delta and the South China Sea. Dalat is situated at a height of 1500
metres and has a pleasant cool climate.
Day 12: Dalat
Dalat
is set in the mountain region north of Ho Chi Minh City and is a
renowned retreat for poets and artists. The town features French
provincial villas and lush green hills. This morning we'll visit King
Bao Dai's Summer Palace and experience some of the spectacular vantage
points around Dalat's hilly countryside. Close to our hotel there are a
number of small French style cafes which boast the best coffee in
Vietnam and are a good place to relax and watch the passing parade. This
afternoon can be spent relaxing, exploring the lake area or seeking out
some of the impressive French architecture throughout the town.
Day 13: Dalat to Ho Chi Minh City by support vehicle
After
breakfast we drive south east for 7 hours (approx 350kms) to Ho Chi
Minh City. On the way we pass small hamlets as well as tea, coffee
cashew nut, rubber and tobacco plantations.
Day 14: Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels
This
morning, we travel to the remarkable Cu Chi tunnels, home to 5,000 VC
troops during the War. In the afternoon, we walk through the heart of
the city pass some of Ho Chi Minh's famous sites; the French colonial
Town Hall, the Rex Hotel, Notre Dame Cathedral, the former U.S. embassy,
the President's Palace (also known as the Reunification Palace) and
make an optional visit to the War Crimes Museum. Tonight we join our
Vietnamese guide for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 15: Depart Ho Chi Minh City
Trip will conclude after breakfast.
http://www.vietnambiketours.asia/en/vietnam-bike-tours/cycling-from-ha-noi/109-15-19-days/542-vietnam-spice-road-cycling-tour.html
http://www.vietnambiketours.asia/en/
Destinations:
Cycling ChauDoc to Ho Chi Minh. Visit the house of THE LOVER in Sadec
town. Cycle past the flower plantation in countryside of Sadec and spend
the night in Cao Lanh city. On weekends, a lively farmer's market takes
place just a few blocks from our hotel, selling everything from fish to
fresh cut flowers. This bicycle trip will take you to water chestnut
fields as you cycling past lotus fields and flower gardens. Vietnam Bike
Tours
