Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau. Off-road cycling.
Depart Hanoi early for Mai Chau arriving at Poom Coong village around lunch time. Take a warm up ride around villages and enjoy home cooked lunch at local home. After lunch cycle to the Thai village of Cun Pheo on a mix of good single track paths and undulating rough jeep trails. The views are stunning as the ride passes through many villages and across rice paddies. Pass hot springs, cycle across suspension bridges and follow the contours round beautiful terraced rice fields. On arriving in Cun Pheo village the rest of the afternoon is at leisure to wander by foot or explore the village trails further by bike. Dinner and overnight in local village homestay at Van Village.
Day 2: Continue biking. Mai Chau – Tam Coc, Ninh Binh.
A contrasting and more challenging ride today, though there is plenty of opportunity to stop, rest and admire the views. After breakfast enjoy relatively easy biking on undulating terrain for the first seven km then the trail begins to climb uphill - steep in parts, undulating in others. Rise above the valley and look down on small hamlets, feel and hear the forest surroundings as the trail snakes up and along the mountainside. Stop for a siesta in a Thai village house, a welcome relief from the heat - before tackling the last few km to the top of the pass. Cruise a final eleven km downhill all the way back to Mai Chau around lunch time, enjoy lunch at local house in Lac Village, then our shuttle will bring us out of Mai Chau to the HW6 Junction, branch off left at Muong Khen and continue to ride on undulating roads twist through mountain and forest. We end our cycling day at Lac Son and transfer our weary legs to Tam Coc, Ninh Binh where we spend our night.
Day 3: Cycling Tam Coc. Return Hanoi.
The area around Tam Toc is famed for its spectacular karst scenery. The soaring limestone mountains jut straight out of the paddy fields are wonderful. We begin our day with a peaceful cruise by local sampan to explore the picturesque Tam Coc (dry Halong Bay), the canal running through three caves. Return to hotel for check out and start cycling on quiet country lanes which twist through mountains leading to Hoa Lu. We stop to visit to the ancient city of Hoa Lu since 9th century, where the remarkable remnants are King Dinh and Le Temple. After lunch we drive back to Hanoi.
In the evening, attend to the water puppet show, one of famous Vietnamese traditional art. Overnight in Ha Noi.
Day 4: Hanoi – Halong Bay. Boat cruise. Sea kayaking.
Enjoy the journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life. Arrive in Halong and board the Bai Tho traditional sailing junk (or similar junk). Whilst cruising the exquisite waters sample the regions fresh seafood. Visit the recently discovered Surprise Grotto with its great views, and on the next island see the yawning mouth of Bo Nau Cave. Alternatively journey to Dau Go Cave and nearby see the famous stalagmites and stalactites of Thien Cung Cave. Enjoy one hour paddling rigzagging many small islets in different shapes. Watch the sun set over the bay whilst enjoying a delicious dinner. Overnight on board junk.
Day 5: Halong Bay – Hanoi.
Wake up to fresh coffee and a wholesome breakfast before enjoying one more hour kayaking in middle of the World Wonder, Halong bay before cruising back to Halong City (private junk option). En route the junk weaves through strange-shaped rock formations that invite comparisons from fighting cocks to dragons. Disembark at the dock at Halong City at 11h00. Transfer back to Hanoi.
Enjoy a short cyclo excursion through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sales at these places. Then stay free for shopping until transfer to Noi Bai airport in Hanoi for your onward flight back home. End tour.
Contact Lotussia Travel for more details.
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