Cycling MaiChau - NinhBinh - CatBa Island - Halong Bay 9 days

Ha Long literally means descending dragon(s) and, according to local myth, the story goes as follows: Long ago when their fore-fathers were fighting foreign invaders from the north, the gods from heaven sent a family of dragons to help defend their land. This family of dragons descended upon what is now Ha Long bay and began spitting out jewels and jade. Upon hitting the sea, these jewels turned into the various islands and islets dotting the seascape and formed a formidable fortress against the invaders. The locals were able to keep their land safe and formed what is now the country of Vietnam. The Dragon family fell so much in love with this area for its calm water that they decided to remain on earth to show reverence for the people of Vietnam. Mother Dragon lies on what is now Ha Long, and her children lay in Bai Tu Long. The dragon tails form the area of Bach Long Vi, known for the miles of white sandy beaches of Tra Co peninsula. Ninh Binh is 90 km south of Ha Noi. This city is famous for the Tam Coc cave, for its rice fields, and for the Cuc Phuong National Park

Day 1 - Ha Noi-Mai Chau (Buoc Village) (L/D) (35 km)

Leave Ha Noi at 7:30 am for Mai Chau. Drive past Hoa Binh and drive southwest to Mai Chau, the gateway to the impressive mountainous area of northern Vietnam. See picturesque scenery with stunning mountain views along the way. Reach to Mai Chau at noon and have lunch in local house, in a village of the Thai ethnic minority. After lunch, start biking on rural roads to Buoc, another Thai ethnic group village. Stay overnight in a traditional stilt-house (home-stay) of a Thai family.
 

Day 2 : Mai Chau - Cuc Phuong National Park (B/L/D) (trekking or cycling)

Breakfast in the home-stay stilt-house, start cycling or trekking on a beautiful country road through scenic Thai villages and visit a local family  in the morning. Enjoy local meal at lunchtime in Thai family before a transfer to Cuc Phuong Park in the late afternoon. Over night in the park.

Day 3: Cuc Phuong Park - Tam Coc  (B/L/D) (70 km)

A visit Endangered Primate Rescue Center then cycling along the forest road, riding through the jungle to gate of the national park, continue biking to Tam Coc, enjoy rowing boat trip through rice fields and limestone mountains to visit 3 caves in Tam Coc. Overnight in Tam Coc.

Day 4: Tam Coc - Bich Dong - Hoa Lu - Ninh Binh (BL/) (30 km)

Start cycling to Bich Dong where your lunch is prepared. Bich Dong is a pagoda on nearby Ngu Nhac Mountain dating to 1428, comprising three structures: Ha, Trung, and Thuong Pagodas, in ascending order. Guided tours generally cover historical points and end with a pleasant view from the top..After lunch, continue your bike ride on hilly rural roads through countryside villages to Hoa Lu. Overnight in Ninh Binh.

Day 5: Ninh Binh - Hai Phong: (B/L/) (40 km)

Start to pedal through the rich farming land of the Red River Delta to Hai Phong. You will have the opportunity to experience farming works by local farmers. In the afternoon, we will spend a short time to drive to Hai Phong. Overnight in Hai Phong.

Day 6: Hai Phong - Ha Long: (B/L/) (70 km)

Have breakfast at the hotel, then start to explore Ha Long Bay by bike in the morning. The views of sailing junks, navigating over 3,000 limestone islands, and outcrops jutting out of the clear and emerald water of the bay are spectacular. The Bay of Ha Long is filled with thousand of islets of all shapes and sizes. About 165 km from Ha Noi, the bay attracts million tourists very year. Overnight in Ha Long.

Day 7: Ha Long - Cat Ba: (B/L/) (boat ride)

A short drive to the boat station for cruising, get on board, discover the World Heritage Site, visit the beautiful grottos and admire the scenery of the Bay from your boat. Drop anchor for swimming, and enjoy seafood on board. Continue cruising until the afternoon, disembark from your boat and stay a night on Cat Ba island.

Day 8: Cat Ba Island: (B/L/)

Explore Cat Ba by bicycle in the morning: cycle to the National Park, central market, and fishing port. Relax on beach in afternoon, stay one more night in Cat Ba.

Day 9: Cat Ba - Hai Phong - Ha Noi (B/L/) (100 km)

In the early morning, we take public ferry back to Hai Phong, then continue our bike ride until the afternoon. Then, drive back to Ha Noi, with a stop to visit the Bat Trang pottery village on our way back. Enjoy a water puppet show in evening. Overnight in Ha Noi. Tour End!

Contact Lotussia Travel for more details.