Vietnam | Cycle Vietnam
This trip is designed for those who are fit, energetic and enjoy cycling. You are supplied with a mountain bike, as we travel from Saigon, via the Central Highlands and the stunning coastline and on to Hanoi, visiting the fascinating attractions of this beautiful country. This is neither an endurance test nor a marathon survival race from one point to another, and we try to avoid the busy, major highways. We ride instead on the back roads and, supported by a back-up vehicle, experience the best that Vietnam has to offer in a most interesting way! There are some days where there is no cycling involved. On the cycling days, we tend to ride anywhere from 2 to 6 hours, however the support vehicle and bus are always on hand if you decided that you would like to rest instead of cycle.
| Duration: | 17 Days |
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| Tour Code: | ITW597 |
| Trip Style: | Moderate - 3 star |
| Departure Dates: | 13 Nov 2011, 11 Dec 2011, 08 Jan 2012, 05 Feb 2012, 04 Mar 2012, 01 Apr 2012, 29 Apr 2012, 27 May 2012, 24 Jun 2012, 22 Jul 2012, 19 Aug 2012, 16 Sep 2012, 14 Oct 2012, 11 Nov 2012, 09 Dec 2012, 06 Jan 2013, 03 Feb 2013, 03 Mar 2013, 31 Mar 2013, 28 Apr 2013, 26 May 2013, 23 Jun 2013 |
| Price: | $2,845 |
| Single Supplement: | $825 |
| Places you'll visit: |
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| Highlights: |
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Ideal for Solo Travellers
You will travel with a maximum of just 15 fellow travellers. This is small enough to avoid making a negative impact on the places you go and the people you meet, but large enough to have a good time with other travellers from around the globe.
If you are willing to share a room we will find a member of the same gender for you to share with. If we are unable to find someone, then you will get a single room without having to pay any supplement. And for those wanting their own room the single supplement won't break the bank.
Trip Details
GROUP SIZE: 15 max.
Day 1: Saigon
Your trip starts today with your arrival in Saigon. No activities are planned until your evening group meeting, so you may arrive at any time. Please check the welcome board or reception desk, located on the ground floor of the hotel, for information on your upcoming tour. This will advise you of your tour leader's name, telephone number and the time and location of your group's Welcome Meeting. Normally, the meeting will be at 6pm.
Until your meeting we encourage you to get out and discover the delights that Vietnam has to offer. Make sure that you take a hotel business card so that you will be able to find your way back to the hotel. Please note that your tour leader will collect your travel insurance details at the meeting, so please bring them with you. The meeting is generally followed by an optional group meal out at one of Saigon's many fantastic eating spots.
Day 2: Saigon (cycling approximately 40km)
There is much of interest in the countryside not far from Saigon. We head out of town today to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. Cu Chi is actually the name of the district, which covers an extensive underground network (approximately 200 kilometres) of tunnels dug initially by the Viet Minh and later expanded by the Viet Cong. The tunnels contained hospitals, plus accommodation and schools, and were used extensively for refuge and storage and also utilised as a military base for the Viet Cong close to Saigon. The 1968 Tet Offensive was launched from Cu Chi with surprising effect. A section of the tunnels has been widened to allow tourists to get a feel for what the life underground must have been like.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Day 3: Mui Ne (cycling approximately 60km)
We drive on the highway out of Saigon, before turning off on the road to Vung Tau. We hit the back roads and head through the rubber and dragon fruit plantations. We also pass by some small fishing villages as we make our way closer to the coast. We finish the ride in Mui Ne, a beautiful and tranquil white sand beach where we can enjoy a swim after the day's riding and witness our first sunset by the South China Sea.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch
Day 4: Dalat (cycling approximately 50km)
Today we head away from the coast and begin our ascent into the Central Highlands. Along the way we pass by an abundance of coffee and tea plantations as well as flower gardens and pine forests, as we reach higher altitude. Dalat is one of Vietnam's most charming towns. The influence of the French is prevalent as Dalat was founded as a hill station to enable the colonials to escape the heat and chaos of Saigon. The city is set around a lake and surrounded by forests, waterfalls and rolling countryside.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Day 5: Nha Trang (cycling approximately 80km)
Our bike riding today is mainly downhill as we travel through the new Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park. Here we descend through some rare pine forests as well as some small villages, which are home to some of the ethnic minority people who inhabit the highlands of Vietnam. We board our vehicle and drive past the naval base of Cam Ranh Bay to the beach resort town of Nha Trang. On arrival we have time to enjoy a swim or to relax on the beach, which is just across the road from the hotel. In the evening we can visit one of the many nearby restaurants and sample some of the delicious seafood available.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch
Day 6: Nha Trang
A highlight of a visit to Nha Trang is a day trip out on a boat exploring the islands of the South China Sea. We spend a day on the water enjoying swimming, snorkelling, lazing on a beach and feasting on a seafood lunch.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch
Day 7: Buon Ma Thuot (cycling approximately 45km)
Departing Nha Trang, we drive past the colourful fishing port before making our way inland towards the central highlands and travelling (with a mixture of driving and cycling) on to the famous coffee growing town of Buon Ma Thout. There are plenty of cafes around town to try the local brew.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner
Day 8: Kontum (cycling approximately 60km)
After breakfast we travel northwards towards on a scenic drive (with some cycling involved), passing coffee and rubber plantations and pine forests. Pleiku is the major market town of the central highlands and is inhabited by many mountain tribes. After lunch in Pleiku we continue on to the smaller town of Kontum, where we stay overnight.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch
Day 9: Quang Ngai (cycling approximately 80km)
We depart Kontum by bus early in the morning and then ride our bicycles from the top of the central highlands through magnificent scenery and down to the coast. In the late afternoon we arrive at our final destination - the small town of Quang Ngai.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch
Day 10: Hoi An (cycling approximately 35km)
We depart from Quang Ngai on a cycle ride that takes us to the sobering war site of My Lai, scene of the infamous massacre, is an eerie experience. We continue then our drive up National Highway One before arriving in Hoi An.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Days 11-12: Hoi An (cycling approximately 35km)
Hoi An has retained much of its old ambience, and this together with its historic architecture and narrow streets has made it one of Vietnam's most pleasant towns. We enjoy two full days here and there is plenty to see in this town, which was once a bustling port in centuries gone by before the river silted up. Today much of it is a tranquil and delightful backwater town with an air of liveliness. It is also an excellent place to cycle around. You can explore the busy market, stroll around the vibrant waterfront, and visit the famous Japanese Covered Bridge and the many Chinese assembly halls, which reflect the town's multi-cultural past.
We enjoy a ride in the countryside by visiting the nearby Marble Mountain (good walking shoes recommended and be prepared for the most aggressive vendors in Vietnam!) and relaxing on China Beach. In your free time, you can also take a boat to visit the Cham ruins of My Son. There are many street-side cafes and restaurants in Hoi An; they are ideal places to finish off the day by sampling the culinary delights of this town. Hoi An is renowned for its tailors and you have a free day in town to go shopping.
Meals included: 2 breakfasts
Day 13: Hue (cycling approximately 50-60km)
This morning we embark on a journey north in our vehicle, before cycling over the Hai Van Pass. This is one of Vietnam's most spectacular road trips. Along the way we stop at Lang Co, one of Vietnam's nicest beaches. Our destination is Hue, the last imperial capital of Vietnam (1802-1945) and also one of its cultural centres. In the evening we have a chance to sample the local delicacy known as 'banh khoai'.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Day 14: Hue - overnight train (cycling around Hue approximately 10-20km)
We board our boat for a leisurely cruise down the Perfume River to the Citadel and the ruins of the imperial Forbidden Purple City, the impressive Thien Mu Pagoda and then further on to the most impressive of the royal tombs, the mausoleum of the Emperor Tu Duc. We then take to our bicycles and cycle through the countryside on the way back to Hue.
This is where we say goodbye to our bicycles as tonight we board an overnight sleeper-class train for our journey to Hanoi. The train is very basic; we travel in 'soft sleeper' class, which is a compartment for up to four people - a communal environment. The beds on board come with a pillow and sheets, although some people may wish to bring their own sleeping sheet (purely optional and not a necessity). Also, breakfast tomorrow is not the best food you will find in Vietnam, so it is recommended that you purchase some snacks before boarding in Hue. This journey is in keeping with the adventurous nature of our trips and allows you to experience a taste of the 'real Vietnam'.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Day 15: Hanoi
Hanoi is one of Asia's most enchanting cities. This northern capital is a quiet, contradiction of its southern counterpart. Its relaxed ambience is a joy, with exploration best on foot or bicycle. The shopping is fun and the many lakes and parks provide enjoyable escapes. We have enough time this afternoon to explore the Old Quarter streets named after the goods once offered for sale there, including Silk Street, Rice Street and Jewellers Street.
Day 16: Hanoi
We take a guided half-day tour of Hanoi, visiting the major sights, including the Temple of Literature, One Pillar Pagoda, and paying a homage to Vietnam's most famous revolutionary, Ho Chi Minh. We also include lunch at the KOTO café - an amazing project aimed at providing vocational training and experience in the hospitality industry for underprivileged young people. All the staff we meet at this café hail from poor backgrounds. The remainder of the day is free to further explore Hanoi or catch up on some shopping in Hang Gai Street.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch
Day 17: Hanoi
The tour ends after breakfast. A transfer to the airport is not included; however, your tour leader will be on hand to advise you as to the options available.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Inclusions
- 14 nights comfortable hotel
- 1 night basic hotel
- 1 night overnight train
- 15 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 1 Dinner
- Local tour leader
- local guides
- arrival transfer
- transport
- private back-up vehicle
- sightseeing and entrance fees
- bike helmet
- mountain bike and spare parts
What's Not Included
- Tips
Terms & Conditions
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For more information, availability and pricing and options, please contact our expert travel specialists at Inspired Travel Worldwide on (02) 9449 8598 or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you.
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