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"Great variety of country, town & city with smooth transfers between the boat, car and bikes."

Liz Elphick, Darwin, Australia

Highlights

• Cycle quiet canals of Mekong Delta

• Floating market boat trip

• Private tour with cycling guide & support vehicle

• You choose your travel dates

Overiew

The flatlands of the Mekong Delta are perfect for a cycling adventure! You share quiet back roads with the locals whose preferred means of travel is by bike. This tour also combines boat trips on the Mekong River to explore bustling floating markets and an over night stay in a guesthouse on Binh Hoa Phuoc Island.

Itinerary at a glance

Day 1	Ho Chi Minh City to Vinh Long Pick up from your hotel in HCMC and transfer to My Tho for a morning boat trip exploring the bustling branches of the Mekong Delta. Stop off at an island in the quiet backwaters and visit a traditional Mekong Delta house to sample home grown tropical fruits and learn how local rice wine is produced. Paddle a traditional sampan along narrow waterways to a local restaurant where you stop for lunch. After lunch cycle for two hours on small roads, crossing bridges and passing local farms. Jump on board a local ferry to cross the Mekong River to Binh Hoa Phuoc Island in Vinh Long Province. Tonight stay in a local guesthouse where you experience amazing sunset views over the Mekong. Cycle: 2 hours pathways Meals: Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Binh Hoa Phuoc Island Guesthouse
Day 2	Vinh Long to Can Tho Start your day cycling quiet pathways sheltered by banana trees until you reach the ferry crossing to Vinh Long. Continue cycling the Mekong Delta, stopping at interesting sites such as enormous brick kilns and riverside villages set in amongst lush rice paddies. Lunch is at a local restaurant followed by a transfer to Can Tho where you have the rest of the day to wander this colourful and lively town. Cycle: 3 - 4 hours Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Accommodation: Can Tho Hotel (optional countryside farm stay)
Day 3	Can To to Hanoi Morning boat trip to the bustling Cai Rang floating markets - the largest in the Delta comprising over 100 smaller markets selling tropical fruit and vegetables. Cycle quiet country paths along the Delta. After lunch drive back to your hotel in HCMC where your trip ends at around 05:00pm. On request, you can be dropped off at the airport for your evening flight (total cost is AUD$30). Cycle: 2 - 3 hours Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Prices

Private tour	$AUD per person 3-star hotels	$AUD per person 4-star hotels
2 person	399	489
3 people	329	399
4 people	299	389
Want your own room	+ 50	+ 110
Validity	31 December 2012	31 December 2012

Prices are in Australian dollars based upon the number of people travelling together - 3 people is based on triple share occupancy. Price is land content only & subject to currency fluctuations. Prices beyond the validity available on request. Credit card payments incur a surcharge. See Booking Conditions for more details.

Includes

• Hotel accommodation based on twin share/triple share. If a single room is required a single supplement will apply. You can choose the countryside home stay for night 2
• Binh Hoa Phuoc Island Guesthouse
• Return transfers to HCMC hotel
• English speaking adventure guide
• Support crew + support vehicle
• All meals as per itinerary
  
• Drinking water for cycling activity
• All boat trips, entrance + sightseeing fees
• Mountain bike or hybrid bike - see equipment as listed in 'Trip notes'
• Bank, government and service fees

Excludes

• Airfares and departure taxes
• Travel insurance (compulsory)
• 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 seven hours duration. A good level of fitness is required.  

Mekong Delta Highlights trip notes

Guesthouse & Home Stay

You should bring a small overnight bag to the guesthouse on night 1. Your main luggage is stored in the van (safe parking overnight). The guesthouse and farm stay (optional for night 2) are very basic with share bathroom and no hot water - but the sacrifices are worth it as they are set in very scenic locations.

Hotels

The hotels you stay in are centrally located and comfortable with private facilities. The deluxe hotel option stays at 4 star Victoria Hotel & Resorts. It is possible to leave some luggage in a secure storage room in your hotel in HCMC while you are on your cycling adventure. The guesthouse on the island is basic but comfortable with shared amenities.

Inner Journey Expeditions can arrange accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City pre and post your adventure. Ask us for prices.

Food

All meals, indicated in the detailed itinerary, are included in the price. You eat in local restaurants and feast on delicious local Vietnamese specialties. Western food is available in some restaurants.

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 it is their role to ensure you relax and have a great holiday. If you feel your guide and support crew provided you with excellent service, a tip at the end of the tour would be truly appreciated… a little bit goes a long way in Vietnam.

Support crew

A support vehicle and driver transports your luggage during the day while you are cycling except for day 1, you take your day pack to the island with your essentials, toiletries and change of clothes for the evening as you will not meet with the support vehicle until the following day.

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. We try to cycle quiet roads as much as possible, but this trip is not 100% off road. We sometimes travel roads with cars and trucks. 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 are available. Good quality helmets, handle bar bag for your camera and a first-aid kit are also provided.

What to bring

Shoes for cycling (runners), thongs or comfortable slip-on shoes for the evening, light weight shorts, shirt & t-shirt, raincoat, hat, sunglasses, sun block, insect repellent, toiletries, flashlight, water bottle, 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 a day pack to carry your essentials and a change of clothing for your night on the Island.

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!

Find out more >

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, but this rarely interferes with travel arrangements. 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 and 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. Handy travel tips For more information to help plan your trip go to Vietnam Practical Info >

What next

To book 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.