Backroads of North West Vietnam (4 days / 3 nights)
Hanoi – Mai Chau – Ninh Binh – "Halong Bay on rice fields"
Highlights 
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Cycle quiet country roads
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Homestay in local villages
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Stunning river boat trip
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Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s first capital city
Overview
This adventure combines two very beautiful natural areas – the scenic mountain valleys of Mai Chau and limestone karsts of Ninh Binh (pronounced My Chow and Ning Bing). Only four hours from Hanoi, Mai Chau valley is the gateway to the North West. This area confirms all the postcard fantasies – lime stone mountains overlooking peaceful valleys, terraced rice paddies and traditional villages. You ride along quiet village roads and have a unique opportunity to discover traditional village life that has changed very little over the centuries. Ninh Binh is a large country town surrounded by gorgeous Vietnamese scenery – water buffalos, lime green rice fields and majestic mountains. A short bike ride from Ninh Binh is Tam Coc, penned ‘Halong Bay on the rice paddies’. This area boasts rugged lime stone formations protruding skyward from a sea of green. Sit back and relax as you are rowed through caves and narrow waterways.
Itinerary at a glance
Day 1 |
Hanoi to Mai Chau to Buoc Village |
Day 2 |
Buoc Village to Pom Coong Village |
Day 3 |
Pom Coong Village to Ninh Binh |
Day 4 |
Ninh Binh to Hanoi |
Prices
Private tour |
$AUD price per person |
3 to 4 people |
550 |
2 people |
670 |
1 person |
999 |
Validity |
31 December 2010 |
Prices are in Australian dollars based upon the number of people travelling together. Price is land content only + subject to currency fluctuations. Credit Card payments incur an additional 3% surcharge. See Booking Conditions for more details. Prices beyond the validity available on request. Call 1300 43 10 69 or email us for a booking form.
Includes
- Hotel accommodation based on twin share. If a single room is required a single supplement will apply.
- Village home stays + permission
- Return transfers to Hanoi
- Local English speaking adventure guide
- Support crew + support vehicle
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- One bottle of water per day for cycling
- Entrance + sightseeing fees
- Donation for teaching materials
- Mountain bikes - see equipment as listed in 'Trip notes'
Excludes
- Airfares and departure taxes
- Travel insurance
- Visa, passport or vaccination costs
- Other meals not specified in the itinerary
- Personal expenses such as laundry, telephone calls, bar charges, tips, optional activities
Trip grade
MODERATE: If you are seeking fun and adventure and you like active travel, this is for you. A mixture of long and shorter activity days of four to five hours duration. A good level of fitness is required.
Trip notes
Hotels + Home stays
In Ninh Binh you stay in a centrally located and comfortable hotel with private facilities. Standard hotels have a three star rating. Home stays in villages are simple in terms of bedding and amenities. You are provided with a mattress, pillow and mosquito net and sleep on the floor like the locals. Accommodation and amenities may be shared with the host family. Toilets are usually western-style. Hot water is not always available for showers.
Food
A local cook accompanies your tour and cooks in the home stay. All meals, indicated in the detailed itinerary, are included in the price. When cycling, the emphasis is on healthy and nutritious fresh local produce. For example; rice, Vietnamese spring rolls, eggs, chicken, pork and noodles. Please advise us if you have any special dietary requirements.
Local guides
English speaking guides support your sightseeing and cycling activities. These guides love their job and are on hand to ensure you have a great trip. They have extensive experience in guiding outdoor tours in Vietnam and have internationally recognised first aid qualifications.
Support crew
A support vehicle and driver transports your luggage during the day while you are cycling.
The biking day
A typical cycling day starts at around 8.30am. We aim to reach the next overnight stop between 4.30pm and 5.00pm. During the day you have short breaks for rests, snacks and there’s plenty of opportunity for photographs. Depending upon the distance, terrain and weather, the day can be mixed with riding and driving sections of the trail.
Equipment provided
We use 21 speed quality mountain bikes, available in different sizes. Please advise your size before departure so we can ensure you are fitted with the right bike. Kids’ bikes, good quality helmets, sleeping bag, silk inner sheet and a first-aid kit are also provided.
What to bring
Shoes for cycling (runners), thongs or comfortable slip-on shoes for evenings, light weight shorts & long pants, shirt & t-shirt, warm clothes for at night, raincoat, hat, sunglasses, sun block, insect repellent, toiletries, flashlight, water bottle, small towel, camera & spare batteries/charger, pen & paper, original passport, small amount of money for shopping in markets and meals not included, toilet paper, zip lock bags, barley sugar or lollies for sustenance and personal medication. Bring warm clothes for the cooler months of November to January. (Optional: light weight sleeping bag for cooler months from November to February.)
Note on client safety
We reserve the right to deviate from this itinerary for any reason, including road and weather conditions, frequency of visits to a village or for any other factor that may impact client safety.
Your group + share accommodation
Prices are based upon twin share accommodation. A single traveller pays the single supplement price for sole use of a room. If you are travelling in a group of three and are happy to share a triple room and a triple room is available, you will not be charged the single supplement price. For groups of five or seven people, the single traveller pays the single supplement price if a triple room is not available or you do not want to share. The number of single rooms and triple rooms available may be limited – so book early to avoid disappointment.
Tipping guidelines
It is customary to express a personal thank you to your guide and driver at the end of your trip, especially if he or she has provided you with excellent service. As a guideline only, we suggest tipping around AUD$4-$5 per day for the guide and AUD$2-$3 per day for the driver. You can pay this in local currency or US dollars. Of course whether you tip and how much is always at your discretion.
Vietnam visa
Most visitors to Vietnam need a visa to enter the country. Inner Journey Expeditions offers a Vietnam visa on arrival service where you obtain an entry visa stamp on arrival at HCMC, Hanoi or Danang International Airports. We arrange a Vietnam visa approval letter which you present with a valid passport, passport photo and your visa stamp fee to the Personnel of Vietnamese Immigration. This service is inexpensive, easy to arrange, only takes four working days and is all done on email - no need to mail your passport.
For more details, CLICK HERE.
Climate
Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta in the South are hot all year round with average day time temperatures at 30 degrees Celsius. The hottest period is from March to May with average temperatures of 35 degree Celsius. The wet season runs from May to November where it down pours for an hour or so in the afternoon. Hanoi and Northern Vietnam experience four seasons. Summer from May to October can be hot and wet with regular downpours and occasional typhoons. July to August is the hottest months with temperatures reaching 33 degrees Celsius. Winter runs from November to April with cold and humid conditions. December and January can be particularly cold with temperatures ranging between 10 – 20 degrees Celsius.
Health issues
Good medical advice usually recommends vaccinations in advance of travel to Vietnam. We suggest you consult with your doctor to discuss health care needs specific to your holiday.
Insurance
You must have comprehensive travel insurance to travel with us. Insurance should include cover for personal accident and medical expenses, evacuation and repatriation, baggage loss and cancellation or curtailment of your holiday. Your trip notes + vouchers will not be issued until you confirm possession of appropriate insurance. Better be safe than sorry!
Pre + post tour arrangements
We can arrange additional hotel nights at the beginning or the end of your tour or if you are interested in doing additional touring we can organise a private tour to cater to your interests and time frame. Check out the IJE website for more details.
Handy travel tips + travelling responsibly
For more information on how you can participate in sustainable tourism go to Handy Travel Tips. To help plan your trip go to Vietnam Visa + Travel Guide.
What next
To reserve a place on this trip, contact us now and we will send you a booking form. To guarantee your booking you must email the first section of the booking form to us and pay your non-refundable deposit of 30% of total tour cost. The balance of payment is due 50 days prior to departure. Once your booking is confirmed and you have paid in full, you will receive your tour voucher and detailed itinerary for this tour.BOOK NOW!
> CLICK HERE + request a booking form
> Get in touch with us via EMAIL
> Live in Australia call 1300 43 10 69
> Find out more about our other trips at www.IJE.com.au
> About Inner Journey Expeditions
