Cycling Tour Vietnam
Itinerary
Please note that this itinerary may vary slightly, depending on
the cycling capabilities of your group.
Day 1: Saigon
On arrival in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) you
are met and transferred to our centrally located hotel. You meet
your Cycling tour leader and the rest of the group today. We have a
pre-trip briefing, which is generally followed by a group meal out
at one of Saigon's many fantastic eating spots.
Day 2: Saigon -
Cycling approximately 40km
There is much to see as we head out of Saigon,
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: Dalat -
Cycling approximately 20km
We drive on the highway out of Saigon, before
turning off and heading towards Dalat. We pass La Nga Lake’s fish
farm houseboats before getting on our bikes to ride amidst tea and
mulberry leaf (which are used to cultivate silkworm)
plantations.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch
Day 4: Dalat -
Cycling approximately 40km
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. This is a great place for
sitting in cafes, relaxing and soaking up the atmosphere. We get
back on our bikes and ride to the nearby local Lat tribal village,
home to the ethnic minority group who gave their name to
Dalat.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
Day 5: Nha Trang -
Cycling approximately 80km
Our cycle today is mainly downhill as we
travel over the beautiful Ngoan Muc Pass and make our way towards
the coast. Our main stop is the Cham towers at Po Klong Garai.
The Hindu kingdom of Champa was a significant
power, which evolved in the 2nd century. Many relics of this empire
are to be found in this central coastal area. After exploring the
site, 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.. In the evening, we
can visit one of the many nearby restaurants to try some of the
delicious seafood.
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: Lak Lake -
Cycling approximately 45km
Departing Nha Trang, we drive past the
colourful fishing port before making our way inland towards the
Central Highlands, travelling (with a mixture of driving and
cycling) via the famous coffee-growing town of Buon Ma Thout to Lak
Lake. On arrival we enjoy an evening boat ride in a dugout canoe on
the picturesque lake. We stay overnight with the local M’nong
people in their village longhouse. The M’nong are very poor and
their lifestyle is very simple and basic.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1
dinner
Day 8: Pleiku -
Cycling approximately 60km
After breakfast, we get to further explore the
area and meet the local people before heading back to Buon Ma Thout
on a morning cycle ride. We then travel northwards towards Pleiku
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.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch
Day 9: Quang Ngai -
Cycling approximately 100km
We depart Pleiku by bus early in the morning
and then ride our bicycles from the top of the central highlands
through magnificent scenery to the coast. Once on the coast we
board our bus again for the journey to the port city of Quang Ngai,
passing many ethnic minority villages en route. Quang Ngai is a
busy town, but for us it is just an overnight stop before we
continue on our way northwards along the coast.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch
Day 10: Hoi An -
Cycling approximately 35km
Today is a long day as we begin with a cycle
ride to the sobering war site of My Lai, scene of the infamous
massacre. We continue our drive up National Highway One and arrive
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 cycle in the
countryside 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 the Cham ruins of My Son. There are
many street-side cafes and restaurants in Hoi An; 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 - Hanoi
- Cycling 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. Blankets, pillows
and dinner are provided. However, the food is not the best you will
have in Vietnam, so we usually buy food in Hue for our breakfast
tomorrow. This journey is in keeping with the adventurous nature of
our trip 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
best explored 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.
Meals included: 1 breakfast
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 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 you meet at this café have come 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
Our cycling tour of Vietnam 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
Quick links:
cycling tour vietnam -
introduction
cycling tour vietnam - factfile
cycling tour vietnam - map
cycling tour vietnam - dates &
prices
cycling tour vietnam - booking
enquiry
cycling tour vietnam - before you go
REF: Cycle Vietnam PACV - PE0007
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