Vietnam - Mountain Biking
The Hills of the North 

*** Note: this is a difficuilt mountain bike trip for experienced riders only!

Day 1
Hanoi - Arrival
You are met at the international airport by a representative of Marco Polo Biking  and transferred to your hotel in Hanoi.
*** Note: We book you into a 3-star hotel but can book you into any sort of hotel you would like, just let us know.

Day 2 (B)
Hanoi
You have a full day to explore exotic Hanoi and recover from your jetlag. We will arrange a half-city tour for you after breakfast, which is included in your hotel room. You'll have the afternoon free to wander the interesting markets of the Old City.

Day 3 (B)
Hanoi - Lao Cai (Train)
Another free day to sightsee as we take the evening train. We will meet you at the hotel in the evening and transfer you to the train station for your overnight train to Lao Cai. Your train accommodation is in a 4-bed (2 tier) soft-sleeper, which includes sheets, blanket, pillow and snacks, so if you've had dinner in Hanoi you won't need to bring anything extra with you.

Day 4 (B, L & D)
Lao Cai - Sa Pa (60 km) 
Your train arrives early in the morning, so you'll head to a nearby hotel/restaurant for breakfast and to re-assemble your bikes. You have a wonderful day of  off-road riding to Sapa, Vientam's most colorful hill region, home to many ethnic minority groups such as the H'mong and Red Zao. There is lots of shopping in Sapa, so bring extra cash! Overnight at hotel in Sapa.

Day 5 (B, L & D)
Sa Pa - Pho Lu (65 km)
A long but fantastic day of real mountain biking, mixing single-track paths with small country roads. Overnight at hotel in Pho Lu.

Day 6 (B, L & D)
Pho Lu - Bac Ha ( 60km)
Another scenic day of off-road cycling through the idyllic hills of Vietnam. Overnight in Bac Ha.

Day 7 (B, L & D)
Bac Ha - Hoang Su Phi (78 km)
 Riding into a very remote area in the morning, we explore trails that few other Westerners have cycled along. The afternoon follows the river to Hoang Su Phi on a small country road. Over night local hotel.

Day 8 (B, L & D)
Hoang Si Phi - Ha Giang (60 km)
Only a select few cyclists have ridden this spectacular section, following remote tracks over the mountains! Transfer to our comfortable hotel in Ha Giang.

Day 9 (B, L & D)
Ha Giang - Yenminh: (70 km)
A full day of riding through villages, along hilly trails. Overnight at a  local hostel.

Day 10 (B, L & D)
Yen Minh-Bac Me (60 km)
Some fantastic off-road riding to Bac Me. Overnight in BacMe in hotel.

Day 11 (B, L & D)
Bac Me- Babe Lake (45 km)
Some skills are required on this road; not a long day, but an exciting one. Overnight in Babe Hotel.

Day 12 (B, L & D)
Ba Be
You have the entire day to relax , take a boat trip along the river, visit Ba Be national park, the cave, lake and waterfall. Dinner and Homestay in PacNgoi in a Tay minority village.

Day 13  (B, L & D)
Ba be lake - Cao Bang (90 km
After breakfast we cycle through one of the most beautiful roads in the north heading up to Cao Bang. Over night in Cao Bang town.

Day 14 (B, L & D)
Cao Bang-That Khe (75km)
We cycle along a beautiful road up to Dong Khe and arrive at the end of the day, tired and ready for a beer and some dinner! Overnight in That Khe.

Day 15 (B, L & D)
That Khe - Dong Mo (75 km)
From That Khe, we follow back road to Dong Mo. Sadly we've reached the end of our wonderful ride.  We drive back to Hanoi after lunch. Over night at hotel in Hanoi.

Day16 (B)
Hanoi Departure. Free until transfer to the airport for your international flight.

Extra Days
If you would like to stay and further explore Vietnam, let us know and we can make arrangements for you. Some suggestions: Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An and the southern beaches.
 

Thanks for riding the hills of northern Vietnam with us!