Vietnam cycling holiday
| country: | Vietnam |
| trip type: | Challenging cycling holiday |
| departures: | 2010: 12 Mar, 2 Apr, 7 May |
| price: | From £1995 (16 days) excluding flights. Price includes accommodation, most meals (excluding 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner), 10 days biking, 2 days rest and guided and vehicle support. We can help arrange flights from the UK |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
A classic journey, ensuring you get the most from this amazing country and fully absorb the warmth and friendliness of the Vietnamese people.
Starting in vibrant Hanoi, following a tour around the Old Quarter and Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, our cycling begins with short ride to Mai Chau, an inital taste of the cycling to come. From here we head to the stunning limestone landscape of the National Parks of Pu Long and Cuc Phuong, an area of rich forests, limestone panoramas, magnificent rice terraces and breathtaking scenery. Our stay here provides an insight into life in rural Vietnam.
Onwards to the plains towards Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Hanoi and known as the ‘Halong Bay of Rice Paddies’. The scenery now is chararcterisically Vietnamese. Gone are the forests and hills, replaced by vast expanses of rice paddies and small villages. From here we transfer back to Hanoi where we board the overnight train to Hue and the Perfume River.
Following time in Hue at Vietnam's best - known religious site, Thien Mu Pagoda, with it's distinctive seven-story octagonal tower, we cycle to the Pass of Ocean Clouds, before we head off to Hoi An, a delightful old trading town. Simply lovely cycling throughout as we ride through the villages, coconut groves and rice fields of the area. Our ride then continues on through My Lai, Quy Nhon and Nha Trang with time set aside to enjoy the stunning coastal scenery of the area.
Onwards and upwards, for many the riding highlight of the trip, we asend from the coastal plains, through pine forests to the hill resort of Dalat, where we stay at a beautifully renovated French colonial hotel. Our final days are spent with yet more wonderful rides as we head towards Saigon, where the tour ends in style.
Starting in vibrant Hanoi, following a tour around the Old Quarter and Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh, our cycling begins with short ride to Mai Chau, an inital taste of the cycling to come. From here we head to the stunning limestone landscape of the National Parks of Pu Long and Cuc Phuong, an area of rich forests, limestone panoramas, magnificent rice terraces and breathtaking scenery. Our stay here provides an insight into life in rural Vietnam.
Onwards to the plains towards Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Hanoi and known as the ‘Halong Bay of Rice Paddies’. The scenery now is chararcterisically Vietnamese. Gone are the forests and hills, replaced by vast expanses of rice paddies and small villages. From here we transfer back to Hanoi where we board the overnight train to Hue and the Perfume River.
Following time in Hue at Vietnam's best - known religious site, Thien Mu Pagoda, with it's distinctive seven-story octagonal tower, we cycle to the Pass of Ocean Clouds, before we head off to Hoi An, a delightful old trading town. Simply lovely cycling throughout as we ride through the villages, coconut groves and rice fields of the area. Our ride then continues on through My Lai, Quy Nhon and Nha Trang with time set aside to enjoy the stunning coastal scenery of the area.
Onwards and upwards, for many the riding highlight of the trip, we asend from the coastal plains, through pine forests to the hill resort of Dalat, where we stay at a beautifully renovated French colonial hotel. Our final days are spent with yet more wonderful rides as we head towards Saigon, where the tour ends in style.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Flights from Europe. |
| Day 2: | Arrive Hanoi. |
| Day 3: | Hanoi – Mai Chau - Cycling Distance 16kms approx. |
| Day 4: | Mai Chau – Pu Luong Nature Reserve - Cycling Distance 48km approx. |
| Day 5: | Pu Luong Nature Res. – Cuc Phuong National Park - Cycling Distance 20kms approx. |
| Day 6: | Cuc Phuong National Park – Hanoi - Hue - Cycling Distance 56km approx. |
| Day 7: | Hue Cycling backroad - Cycling Distance 30km approx. |
| Day 8: | Hue - Hoi An Cycling Distance 80km approx...riding as much or as little as you like! |
| Day 9: | Hoi An Free Day or guided morning ride. |
| Day 10: | Hoi An – My Lai - Cycling Distance 47km approx. |
| Day 11: | My Lai – Quy Nhon Cycling Distance 73km approx. |
| Day 12: | Quy Nhon – Nha Trang - Cycling Distance 67km approx. |
| Day 13: | Nha Trang – Dalat - Cycling Distance 80km approx. |
| Day 14: | Dalat – Phanthiet - Cycling Distance 90km approx. |
| Day 15: | Phanthiet -Saigon. |
| Day 16: | Depart Saigon. |
this tourism business was Highly Commended
In our 2005 First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards, the largest awards of their kind in the world, and organised by responsibletravel.com in association with The Times, World Travel Market and Geographical Magazine. The idea behind the Awards is that all types of tourism – from niche to mainstream – can and should be operated in a way that respects and benefits destinations and local people. how this holiday makes a difference
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Global adventures start with a local perspective - that's our philosophy. Abroad, or just as importantly at home, the starting point is the same; how to get the most enjoyable holiday for our customers while benefiting the local people, economy and respecting the environment. Cycling is a great way to explore the beautiful highlands of Northern Vietnam, travelling at a speed that enables you to take in the surroundings without damaging the environment.
We select accommodation in hotels, local guesthouses, a junk and home stays in order to reflect the diversity of the country and learn about the lives of the local people. During our trip we visit the Du Gia Nature Reserve, home to the endangered Tonkin Snub Nosed Monkey and the new sustainable tourism project in Quan Ba. We work with locally based people, use an expert local biking guide and buy local products from small producers. In this way we support and contribute to the regional economy. Being able to participate and connect with the local Vietnamese people and culture provides a richer holiday experience. Accompanied by a local knowledgeable guide our guests are able to understand in depth about Vietnamese culture. We provide travellers with Travellers Codes that encourage the reduction of water usage, systems for collecting, recycling or safe disposal of litter and relevant suggestions to minimise damage to the environment, wildlife and marine ecosystems. All our holidays have a maximum group size of 12 to 15 people minimising both the social and environmental impact. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |