Arrival at Noi Bai Airport, meet your guide, picked up and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: Hanoi- Mai Chau (160km)

Departure and wind our way to Hoa Binh town, before that we will be driving our own way through villages, valleys of Ha Tay and Hoa Binh province. Lunch break in Hoa Binh town, visit the power plant and continue hitting the roads up hills to Kun pass and onto nice roads offering spectacular views over the valleys and mountains. Arrive in Mai Chau in p.m., take a short walk around and overnight in Thai’s house on stilts.

Day 3: Mai Chau – Cuc Phuong National park (120 km)

There will be about 6 hours drive on the on and off the main roads to Cuc Phuong National Park, get to Cuc Phuong in early afternoon. Visit around and Overnight in the park.

Day 4: Cuc Phuong – Ninh Binh (~ 60 km)

Morning visit the Primate Rescue center, then we ride 20km through Cuc Phuong forest to the park center, tea break then trek in 3 hrs round trip to the Tetrameles nudiflora (Sequoia) 1,000 years tree. Jump on our bike for driving on sides of this park, passing the local ferry and onto Ninh Binh town. Sleep in hotel in town.

Day 5: Ninh Binh – Hanoi. (~ 110km)

Morning we ride to Tam Coc cave for 3hours boat trip in Ha Long inland then we will have lunch break in the river side restaurant, before riding through villages, rivers, rocks to Hoa Lu where we will visit the ancient capital city of Hoa Lu. Hit our road towards Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi by 6 p.m.

Day 6: Hanoi Departure

Enjoy your last surrenders in this friendly capital while waiting for the departure time of your own flight.

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Day 2: Mai Chau – Tan Ky (290 km, 9 hours riding)

Ride on a small, spectacular and paved trail along the Ma river until Cam Thuy town where we stop for lunch. Hit the Ho Chi Minh trail (now a newly built highway) all the way to Tan Ky town where we spend the night in a hotel.

Day 3: Tan Ky – Phong Nha (280 km, 8 hours riding)

Ride on Ho Chi Minh Highway until Pho Chau where we stop to visit the HCM Trail victory monument which is in fact the real starting point of our HCM Trail ride.

Ride all the way to Phong Nha – Ke Bang, the biggest and also the most beautiful cave in Vietnam and Indochina and is now a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. The karst formation of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park has evolved since the Paleozoic (some 400 million years ago) and so is the oldest major karst area in Asia. Subject to massive tectonic changes, the park’s karst landscape is extremely complex with many geographic features of considerable significance. The vast area, extending to the border of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, contains spectacular formations including 65 km of caves and underground rivers.

Day 4: Phong Nha – Dong Hoi (60 km, 2 hours riding)

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.

Day 5: Dong Hoi – Khe Sanh (200 km, 6 hours riding)

We strike south through foothills which were once sprayed heavily by Agent Orange towards the former DMZ. There is still much evidence of bombing on the mountain sides and from time to time we will see remnants of the original Trail. We take in the Vinh Moc tunnel, the famous Hien Luong Bridge (former demarcation line between North and South Vietnam, the Truong Son Cemetery and finally Khe Sanh (former US Marine base). Overnight in Khe Sanh.

Day 6: Khe Sanh – Hue (180 km, 7 hours riding)

In the morning we head south over the Da Krong Bridge (built by the Cubans in 1973) into the infamous A Shau valley, an area of intense wartime activity. Passing Hamburger Hill and mountains still barren due to the extended effects of Agent Orange, we arrive at A Luoi, where there are many Bru Van hill tribe people. Then, cruising through green back country down the steep Me Oi Pass, we continue on to the beautiful city of Hue which lies along the banks of the Perfume River. Overnight in Hue.

Day 7: Hue

Hue is the former imperial capital of feudal Vietnam and is a perfect place to relax after our driving to date. Take a boat cruise along the Perfume River to visit the tombs of the former Emperors Minh Mang and Tu Duc or visit the remains of the Imperial Citadel, which was largely destroyed during the Tet Offensive in 1968. Overnight in Hue.

Day 8: Hue – Hoi An (145 km, 5 hours riding)

Join the National Highway 1 and head up the Hai Van Pass (Cloudy Pass) before the World Heritage site of Hoi An, a major trading centre in SE Asia in the 16th and 17th centuries. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 9: Hoi An. Farewell lunch

Those who wish can ride up to China Beach, where US marines first landed, otherwise enjoy a free day to explore Hoi An by foot or by motorbike taxi. With fine wining and dining (including a range of Hoi An specialties), impressive architecture, fantastic tailoring, endless shopping, and a glorious beach, there is no shortage of activities to indulge in. After lunch, we will say goodbye and our guide flies back to Hanoi from Danang.

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Leaving Hanoi and breaking out of the delta plains we pass through endless limestone karst scenery as we travel south through “Perfume Pagoda” country and extensive farming lands comprising a sea of paddy fields split by tree-lined roads. After a picnic lunch near Chi Ne, we visit the hot springs at Kim Boi, before striking northwest and over two passes, finally dropping down to the mountain valley settlement of Mai Chau. Here we stay overnight with friends of the White Thai minority in a traditional stilt house. In the evening, after feasting, we can enjoy a cultural show of Thai dancing and a range of special local liquors. Overnight in Mai Chau.

Day 2: Mai Chau – PhuYen, ~170 km, ~6 hours (B, L, D)

We backtrack on the main a few kilometres before embarking on a new road which drops down the side of a huge valley, steadily falling all the way back down to the Black River Reservoir. The 50 kilometres route has plenty of challenging surface and is prone to landslides. Much of the area is inhabited by Kinh and both Black and White Thai ethnicities. Depending on time we can complete another side road which rises up the opposite side of the valley, offering impressive views over the area on a clear day. Just before the reservoir we breach a final steep ascent and pass by communes of Dao people, before the descent to the banks of the reservoir and a ferry crossing. Once across we follow the banks of the reservoir past village all relocated before the flooding of the valley. On easy dirt road we approach the delta settlement of Phu Yen, set in the middle of a vast valley floor of paddy fields. Overnight in Phu Yen.

Day 3: Phu Yen – Son La, ~130 km, ~5 hours (B, L, D)

On good road looking high over distant mountains we head up into a forested region populated by H’mong people before descending into a mountainous tea-growing region. Soon after we follow a long valley floor covered in a sea of rice surrounded by Black Thai villages all the way to Son La with its bargain-filled market. Overnight in Sunrise Hotel.

Day 4: Son La – Dien Bien Phu, ~180 km, ~7 hours (B, L, D)

Continuing the road no.6 to Tuan Giao after climbing the historic Phadin Pass where dominated by the H’mong people. Many stop for picture. Arrive in Dien Bien Phu in the late of afternoon.

(this road is now being under construction and it hopes to be finished in the middle of year 2009). Overnight in Dien Bien Phu.

Day 5: Dien Bien Phu – Muong Lay, ~120 km, ~4 hours (B, L, D)

Take a visit of the old French battle field, we will be heading out northwest from Dien Bien Phu the road passes isolated communities of H’mong and Thai people, whose small villages settle the bans of dark green rivers and on the steep slopes of the mountains. After lunch by a forest stream the road begins to climb up one high pass. At the top for sunset before dropping sharply into the deep Lai Chau valley. Overnight in Muong Lay.

Day 6: Muong Lay – Sapa, ~180 km, ~8 hours (B, L, D)

If the days are right then we can visit one of three busy hill tribe markets as we head straight towards the main Fansipan Mountain range. The massive mountain range dominates the road until finally we must make a splendid climb up from Binh Lu and up to the top of the highest road pass in Vietnam (Tram Ton Pass). Crossing into Lao Cai Province at over 2000m the views looks out over the main range for miles and miles, before we descend to the mountainous Sa Pa valley. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 7: Sapa – Vu Linh, ~200 km, ~9 hours (B, L, D)

We start from Sapa and ride to Luc Yen. A boat is waiting for you to bring you and the bikes to Vu Linh, at our Dao friends’ village. You will cross all the lake (~3 hours) and we estimate that you will reach the village at about 17:00. Alternatively, we can ride from Luc Yen to Vu Linh. The welcome is exceptional and we hope you will not be too much tired. Overnight in homestay.

Day 8: Vu Linh – Hanoi, ~180 km, ~6 hours, (B, L)

After breakfast we cruise southeast on Highway 2 and then branch off to the sleepy town of Phu Tho. We follow the edge of the Red River along the dyke, almost to the point where it merges with the Black River after which they flow together to Hanoi. By now we are very much in the lowlands of the delta plains and the north’s main agricultural areas. Harvest time here is a sea of activity. Crossing the Black River by bridge, we pass through Son Tay and then return to Hanoi on the highway.

B: Breakfast.
L: Lunch.
D: Dinner.

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Leaving Hanoi and breaking out of the delta plains we pass through endless limestone karst scenery as we travel south through “Perfume Pagoda” country and extensive farming lands comprising a sea of paddy fields split by tree-lined roads. After a picnic lunch near Chi Ne, we visit the hot springs at Kim Boi, before striking northwest and over two passes, finally dropping down to the mountain valley settlement of Mai Chau. Here we stay overnight with friends of the White Thai minority in a traditional stilt house. In the evening, after feasting, we can enjoy a cultural show of Thai dancing and a range of special local liquors. Overnight in Mai Chau.

Day 2: Mai Chau – Son La, ~185 km, ~6 hours (B, L, D)

On good road looking high over distant mountains we head up into a forested region populated by H’mong people before descending into a mountainous tea-growing region. Soon after we follow a long valley floor covered in a sea of rice surrounded by Black Thai villages all the way to Son La with its bargain-filled market. Overnight in Sunrise Hotel.

Day 3: Son La – Than Uyen, ~150 km, ~7 hours (B, L, D)

Continuing the road no.6 to Thuan Giao (the road is now under construction) then take a small paved road to Da River where we will take the ferry boat to get the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. Arrive in Than Uyen inthe early afternoon. Overnight in Phuong Nhung Hotel.

Day 4: Than Uyen – Nghia Lo, ~120 km, ~5 hours (B, L, D)

On the very spectacular road going along the Hoang Lien Son mountain range where we discover the territories of the H’mong people. Many stops for taking photo of the rice fields on terrace. Arrive in Nghia Lo in the early afternoon. After a soft break, we take a walk to discover some villages of the Thai people living around the area. Overnight in Nghia Lo Hotel.

Day 5: Nghia Lo – Hanoi, ~200 km, ~7 hours (B, L)

Depart early from Nghia Lo, we leave the Hoang Lien Son mountain range to reach the Red River Delta. We try to arrive in Ha noi before rush hour.

B: Breakfast.
L: Lunch.
D: Dinner.

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Leaving Hanoi and breaking out of the delta plains we pass through endless limestone karst scenery as we travel south through “Perfume Pagoda” country and extensive farming lands comprising a sea of paddy fields split by tree-lined roads. After a picnic lunch near Chi Ne, we visit the hot springs at Kim Boi, before striking northwest and over two passes, finally dropping down to the mountain valley settlement of Mai Chau. Here we stay overnight with friends of the White Thai minority in a traditional stilt house. In the evening, after feasting, we can enjoy a cultural show of Thai dancing and a range of special local liquors. Overnight in Mai Chau.

Day 2: Mai Chau – Phu Yen, ~170 km, ~ 6 hours (B, L, D)

We backtrack on the main a few kilometres before embarking on a new road which drops down the side of a huge valley, steadily falling all the way back down to the Black River Reservoir. The 50 kilometres route has plenty of challenging surface and is prone to landslides. Much of the area is inhabited by Kinh and both Black and White Thai ethnicities. Depending on time we can complete another side road which rises up the opposite side of the valley, offering impressive views over the area on a clear day. Just before the reservoir we breach a final steep ascent and pass by communes of Dao people, before the descent to the banks of the reservoir and a ferry crossing. Once across we follow the banks of the reservoir past village all relocated before the flooding of the valley. On easy dirt road we approach the delta settlement of Phu Yen, set in the middle of a vast valley floor of paddy fields. Overnight in Phu Yen.

Day 3: Phu Yen – Hanoi, ~ 170 km, ~ 5 hours (B, L)

Easy ride back to Hanoi by taking a small paved road going down along the central mountain range. Stop for lunch in SonTay, arrive in Hanoi in the early afternoon

B: Breakfast.
L: Lunch.
D: Dinner.

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After a hearty breakfast we saddle up and make the break out of the city limits and the lowlands and plains of the Red River Delta. We pass through clusters of limestone as we head out north-east. Arrive in Lang Son in the early afternoon, make a visit to Dong Kinh Market – “the paradise of Chinese copy electronic products” and Tam Thanh Temple. Overnight in Nam Kinh Hotel.

Day 2: Lang Son – Cao Bang, ~150 km, ~7 hours, (B, L, D)

We strike directly north, skirting the border city of Lang Son then we join the legendary ‘Highway 4′ where the Viet Minh forces carried out numerous raids over uncountable passes in this remote border region. We follow the border all the way to Vietnam’s major city in the north-east: Cao Bang (literal translation: ‘High Plateau’). Overnight in Cao Bang.

Day 3: Cao Bang – Ba Be, ~160 km, ~5 hours, (B, L, D)

We move south-west from Cao Bang and breach several passes on route in an area hosting huge mountain scenery. The Cao Bac Pass offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. Descending the pass we see hillsides carpeted with apiaries, Vietnam’s most famous honey-producing areas. In the afternoon we arrive at Ba Be Lake in the heart of a National Park. Overnight with a family in a Tay minority stilt house on the shores of the lake.

Day 4: Ba Be – Bac Kan, ~90km, ~ 3hours (B, L, D)

Take a boat trip to visit the lake, swim then come back to the village for lunch. A small dirt road takes us out of National Park to Cho Don. Easy ride to Bac Kan. Overnight in Bac Kan Hotel.

Day 5: Bac Kan – Hanoi, 180km, ~7hours (B, L)

Staying off the main road for as long as possible we head back towards the Red River Delta, passing through areas inhabited by Hmong, Dao, Tay and Nung minority peoples. A mixture of both challenging track and glorious sealed road all the way back to Hanoi.

B: Breakfast.
L: Lunch.
D: Dinner.

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Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau (~145 km, ~5 hours riding)

There are many small roads that lead into the mountains around Mai Chau so we’ll take the chance to ride out to isolated H’mong, Dao and Thai villages. We will take on the challenge of an old road built by the French army and spend the afternoon exploring nearby villages. Overnight in a Thai ethnicity stilt house in Mai Chau. (L, D)

Day 2: Mai Chau – Tan Ky (~290 km, ~9 hours riding)

Ride on a small, spectacular and paved trail along the Ma river until Cam Thuy town where we stop for lunch. Hit the Ho Chi Minh trail (now a newly built highway) all the way to Tan Ky town where we spend the night in a hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 3: Tan Ky – Phong Nha (~280 km, ~8 hours riding)

Ride on Ho Chi Minh Highway until Pho Chau where we stop to visit the HCM Trail victory monument which is in fact the real starting point of our HCM Trail ride.

Ride all the way to Phong Nha – Ke Bang, the biggest and also the most beautiful cave in Vietnam and Indochina and is now a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. The karst formation of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park has evolved since the Paleozoic (some 400 million years ago) and so is the oldest major karst area in Asia. Subject to massive tectonic changes, the park’s karst landscape is extremely complex with many geographic features of considerable significance. The vast area, extending to the border of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, contains spectacular formations including 65 km of caves and underground rivers. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Phong Nha – Dong Hoi (~60 km, ~2 hours riding)

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)

Day 5: Dong Hoi – Khe Sanh (~200 km, ~6 hours riding)

We strike south through foothills which were once sprayed heavily by Agent Orange towards the former DMZ. There is still much evidence of bombing on the mountain sides and from time to time we will see remnants of the original Trail. We take in the Vinh Moc tunnel, the famous Hien Luong Bridge (former demarcation line between North and South Vietnam, the Truong Son Cemetery and finally Khe Sanh (former US Marine base). Overnight in Khe Sanh. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Khe Sanh – Hue (~180 km, ~7 hours riding)

In the morning we head south over the Da Krong Bridge (built by the Cubans in 1973) into the infamous A Shau valley, an area of intense wartime activity. Passing Hamburger Hill and mountains still barren due to the extended effects of Agent Orange, we arrive at A Luoi, where there are many Bru Van hill tribe people. Then, cruising through green back country down the steep Me Oi Pass, we continue on to the beautiful city of Hue which lies along the banks of the Perfume River. Overnight in Hue. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Hue

Hue is the former imperial capital of feudal Vietnam and is a perfect place to relax after our driving to date. Take a boat cruise along the Perfume River to visit the tombs of the former Emperors Minh Mang and Tu Duc or visit the remains of the Imperial Citadel, which was largely destroyed during the Tet Offensive in 1968. Overnight in Hue. (B, L, D)

Day 8: Hue – Hoi An (~145 km, ~5 hours riding)

Join the National Highway 1 and head up the Hai Van Pass (Cloudy Pass) before the World Heritage site of Hoi An, a major trading centre in SE Asia in the 16th and 17th centuries. Overnight in Hoi An. (B, L, D)

Day 9: Hoi An

Whole morning exploring the old town of Hoi An. Afternoon at the Cua Dai beach, about 6km from the old town.

The former harbour town of the Champa people at the estuary of the Thu Bon river was an important Vietnamese trading centre in the 16th and 17th centuries, where Chinese from various provinces as well as Japanese, Dutch and Indians settled down. During this period of the China trade, the town was called Hai Pho (Seaside Town) in Vietnamese. During the French colonial period (1883 – 1945), it was called Faifo. Originally Hai Pho was a divided town, because across the “Japanese Bridge”, it used to be the Japanese settlement (16th – 17th century). The bridge (Chua Cau) is a unique covered structure built by the Japanese, the only known covered bridge with a Buddhist pagoda attached to one side.

The town is known to the French and Spanish as Faifo, and by similar names in Portuguese and Dutch. A number of theories have been put forth as to the origin of this name. Some scholars have suggested that it comes from the word “Hai pho” meaning “sea town”, while others have said that it seems more likely to simply be a shortening of Hoi An pho, “the town of Hoi An”, to “Hoi pho” which became “Faifo”.

In 1999, the old town was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) as a well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port of the 15th to 19th centuries, whose buildings display a unique blend of local and foreign influences.

Today, Hoi An is still a small city, but it attracts a fair number of tourists, also being a well established place on the backpacker trail. Many visit for the numerous art and craft shops and tailors, who produce made-to-measure clothes for a fraction of the western price. (B, L, D)

Day 10: Hoi An – Quy Nhon (~ 280 km, ~ 8 hours)

Join the National Highway 1 and head down the beautiful coastal line of Vietnam until Quy Nhon. Traffic is somewhat easier to handle than the Central Highlands of vietnam. Overnight in a beach front hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 11: Quy Nhon – Nha Trang (~200 km, ~ 6 hours). Farewell lunch

Another day filled up with beautiful coast line views. After lunch, we will say goodbye and our guide flies back to Hanoi from Nha Trang. (B, L)

There are two options: Return to Hanoi on train or by air or go down South on your own.

B: Breakfast.
L: Lunch.
D: Dinner.

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