Backroads of North West Vietnam (5 days)
Hanoi – Mai Chau – Ninh Binh – Tam Coc
Highlights
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Cycle quiet country roads
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Homestay in local villages
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River boat trip at Tam Coc
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Hoa Lu, Vietnam’s first capital city
Overview
This adventure combines two very beautiful natural areas – Mai Chau and 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 |
Arrive Hanoi and check into hotel. The rest of the day is free. |
Day 2 |
Transfer to Mai Chau. Afternoon bike ride on sealed roads to village homestay with a Thai family. |
Day 3 |
Cycle beautiful country back roads visiting villages. Dinner and overnight at Pom Coong Village. |
Day 4 |
Morning free to cycle Mai Chau valley and markets. After lunch cycle and drive to Ninh Binh. |
Day 5 |
Bike to the first capital Hoa Lu and visit temples. Bike to Tam Coc for a scenic boat trip on the river. Drive back to Hanoi. |
Prices
Price Per Person |
Twin Share |
3 to 4 people |
$660 |
2 people |
$780 |
Single supplement |
$185 |
Validity |
31 March 2009 |
Prices are in Australian dollars based upon the number of people travelling together. Price reduces as your travel group size increases. Price is land content only + subject to currency fluctuations. Prices beyond 31/03/09 available on request. See Booking Conditions for more details. Call 1300 43 10 69 for other prices and travel options.
Includes
- Hotel accommodation based on twin share. If a single room is required a single supplement will apply.
- Village homestays
- Airport transfer upon arrival to Hanoi to your hotel
- Return transfers to Hanoi
- English speaking guide
- Support crew + support vehicle
- One bottle of water per day for cycling
- Entrance + sightseeing fees
- Donation for teaching materials
- Mountain bikes - see equipment as listed in 'Trip notes'
Meals
- 4 Breakfasts
- 4 Lunches
- 3 Dinners
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 notes
Hotels + Homestays
In Hanoi and Ninh Binh you stay in a centrally located and comfortable hotel with private facilities. Standard hotels have a three star rating. For an additional cost you can upgrade to a 4 or 5 star hotel. In Hanoi, it is possible to leave some luggage in a secure storage room while you are on your cycling adventure.
Homestays in villages are simple in terms of bedding and amenities. You are provided with a mattress, pillow, sleeping bag 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.
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. 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.
The biking day
A typical trekking 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)
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.
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 .
Please email us for further information or call 1300 43 10 69 for other travel options and personalised itineraries.
