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Trip duration: 11days/10nights
Level: Moderate to Challenging
Group size: Private only - 1person and above

BRIEF ITINERARY:
Day 1: Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi - Mai Chau
Day 3: Mai Chau- Moc Chau - Son La
Day 4: Son La – Pha Din – Dien Bien Phu 
Day 5: Short ride day in Dien Bien Phu
Day 6: Dien Bien Phu – Muong Lay
Day 7: Muong Lay – Paso
Day 8: Paso– Sapa
Day 9: Sapa
Day 10: Sapa - Hanoi
Day 11: Depart Hanoi

Description
Explore the most scenic region of Vietnam and visit hill tribe villages by bicycle. Our specially designed trip ensures your comfort, enjoyment and safety.  Along the way we encounter dramatic landscapes and sweeping panoramic views. Highlights of the trip include Sapa Hill Station and the former battlefields of Dien Bien Phu...  

Included
English Speaking tour leader and group medical kit (other languages upon requests)
Accommodations based on double/twin bedrooms
Meals detailed in the itinerary (9 Breakfast, 7 Lunch, 8 Dinner)
A/C transfers and transportation.
A/C train cabins from Lao Cai to Hanoi ( 4 soft sleeper berths cabin)
Mountain bicycle with mechanic (Trek bike)
Sightseeing excursions as outlined in itinerary
Pump, bike tools, spares tubes.
Spare bike
Cold water box, small fresh towel.
Mineral water drinking.
Seasonal fruits.
Snacks

Excluded:
International airfares
Travel insurance and bike helmet (compulsory)
Items of a personal nature
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
Mineral water beyond that supplied
Optional excursions
Additional transport required due to any emergency situation
Personal expenses such as telephone and laundry bills
Visa fees
Departure taxes

TRIP PRICE BASED ON 1 – 3 STAR HOTEL & Home stay
Hanoi: Sunny 3*hotel
Mai Chau: Home stay
Son La: Cong Doan 1* Hotel
Dien Bien Phu: Muong Thanh 1* Hotel
Muong Lay: Lan Anh1- 1* Hotel
Paso: Lan Anh2- 1* Hotel
Sapa: Bamboo Sapa 3*hotel
Train to Hanoi: 4 soft sleeper a/c berths cabin

Note: Hotels are subject to change due to availability. In that case we will choose equivalent accommodation.

Prices & Detail Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi
You will be welcomed and transferred to our hotel in the center of town. In the evening before heading out to dinner, there will be a briefing as to what will be happening on the challenge. Tonight we have tickets for the famous Water Puppet show. (Dinner included)

Day 2: Hanoi - Mai Chau
After breakfast we will head North west to Hoa Binh town. After lunch we will cycle through the valley, the hills and the sugar cane, orange and corn plantations and get an introduction to the stilt-house villages of the Muong and Thai peoples of the Mai Chau valley. Tonight we will stay in a stilt house of the Thai people. (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included)

Day 3: Mai Chau- Moc Chau - Son La       (Cycling around 80km)
We will take breakfast with the local family then drive out of the village to begin our challenge. The road between Mai Chau and Son La is where you will begin to savor the spectacular mountain panoramas of the North West. Son La province is populated by various ethnic groups including the Ma, H'Mong, Dao, Muong, Kinh, Khmer, Tay, Thai and so on.  (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included)

Day 4: Son La – Pha Din – Dien Bien Phu        (Cycling around 70km)
One hour by bus takes us to the top of the Pha Din pass from where you can freewheel your bike down through stunning, rural scenery where limestone mountains rise out of the valley floor. Our night stop at Dien Bien Phu is the site of the longest and most ferocious battle of the Indochina war (1954) where the French were defeated and forced to withdraw from Vietnam. This was one of the most important battles of the 20th century.  (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included)

Day 5: Short ride day in Dien Bien Phu
Today we take a short ride around the historical town of Dien Bien Phu. After the last few days a soft riding day is really welcome. It also gives us a chance to visit the battlegrounds and museums and gain an understanding of how this battle changed history. (Breakfast included)

Day 6: Dien Bien Phu – Muong Lay       (Cycling around 80km)Today we cycle along the windy roads that snake through the beautiful countryside that characterizes this part of the country. At times the roads are steep but the stunning panoramas afforded us more than compensate for any hardships  (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included)

Day 7: Muong Lay – Paso        (Cycling around 80km)
After breakfast we cycle through more magnificent mountain scenery en route to Paso. Along the way we pass through several different minority villages and you will be in awe of the toughness of these people in terms of maintaining traditions and seemingly untouched by modern influences.  (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included)

Day 8: Paso– Sapa         (Cycling around 70km)
Today is a hard day as we continue on winding our way through the scenic hills and ascend the Tram Ton pass (2120m), one of the highest mountain passes in Vietnam, to reach our finishing line in Sapa (1600m). (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included)
 
Day 9: Sapa
We have a full day to see some of Sapa’s most colorful and interesting sights by bicycle. These include the Red Dao village of Ta Phin, nestled on the floor of a beautiful valley and the picturesque Tay people of Ta Van village.  (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner included)

Day 10: Sapa - Hanoi
Today we are free and at our leisure. We can chat with the native people and explore the local market. At 17.00,we will drive to Lao Cai station to catch the overnight train back to Hanoi (Breakfast included)

Day 11: Depart Hanoi 
Today you will be transferred to the airport for your departure flight. (or tours ending in Hanoi)

Note
This itinerary allows for six days on the cycling section, a cycling distance of around 400km. You will be able to decide for yourself at any time during each of these days how far you want to cycle. Average daily cycling distances are approximately 60 -100 km. These distances may vary according to weather, road conditions and group fitness and preferences. This is a sightseeing cycle tour, not a marathon or time trial.
Please be aware that flight times, hotels and all other services and days of travel are subject to availability. Where flights are cancelled or delayed, Viet Vision Travel will endeavor to secure alternative arrangements of similar value as noted in our booking conditions.
This quotation for all year round. Any bookings made after this date are subject to change, as local economic conditions require.
The overnight sleeper trains used on this trip, although comfortable, they cannot be compared to those of European standard. Please note that while we always endeavor to secure soft sleeper berths on overnight trains there may be occasions when we are unable to do this due to circumstances beyond our control. In these situations we will secure the best available class.
The traveling times mentioned within this dossier are approximations only. These times will vary according to weather, road, traffic or any other prevailing conditions.
This itinerary and supplementary information has been complied in good faith and was accurate at the time of writing. However it DOES NOT form part of a contract between the client and Viet Vision Travel.

The Bicycles: 
For this trip we use the Trek bike performance bicycles made by English. The bicycles have 24 speeds and a lightweight steel alloy frame designed for road cycling. Other features include LRS (Low Ratio Suspension) and excellent damping capacity, both of which help to absorb vibration and shocks for a smoother, more comfortable and enjoyable ride. The bicycles are available in a number of sizes.

Further information please contact us: mailto:info@indochinatravelonline.com