DAY 01 ARRIVAL/HANOI

Upon arrival, be met and transferred to your hotel. Tour begins with the Vietnam History Museum (closed Mondays & Fridays) followed by Hoan Kiem Lake. Then, take a rickshaw ride through the alleys of the Old Quarter.

DAY 02 HANOI / HOA BINH (76KM) (Breakfast, lunch, dinner included)

This morning, cycle out of Hanoi and head for Hoa Binh town. Along the way, stop at the Van Phuc silk village, approximately 12km southwest of the capital. Continue on to the Ho Chi Minh Trail Museum. Your final stop is at the Dau Pagoda before you cycle the remaining 50km to Hoa Binh town, where we spend the night.

DAY 03 HOA BINH / MAI CHAU / LAC VILLAGE (65KM) (Breakfast, lunch, dinner included)

Today, set off for Mai Chau town. When the road becomes very steep, you combine cycling with driving in the support vehicle. Upon arrival, enjoy a local lunch at the Thai village of Lac, in a traditional stilt house. After lunch, explore the neighboring village. Spend the night at the village.

DAY 04 LAC VILLAGE / VAN VILLAGE (22KM) (Breakfast, lunch, dinner included)

Leave Lac and cycle through some beautiful countryside. Pass through several Thai and Muong hamlets and have lunch in another village. Arrive in Van by late afternoon and walk around this charming little village before dinner. Spend the night in traditional stilt house.

DAY 05 VAN VILLAGE/ LAC VILLAGE (20KM) / HANOI (Breakfast, lunch included)

Return to Lac via a different route. Today’s cycling will probably be the hardest as you climb hills and descend into valleys. Arrive mid-day and enjoy a well-earned lunch in the village. After which, join your vehicle for the return drive to Hanoi.

DAY 06 HANOI/HALONG BAY (Breakfast, lunch included)

This morning, drive about 3 hours through rustic Vietnamese countryside to Halong Bay, one of the 5 UNESCO World Heritage sites. With hundreds of giant limestone peaks jutting out of the water of the Bay of Tonkins – it’s indeed an impressive sight.
In the afternoon, take a cruise on the bay with seafood lunch on board. Spend the night in Tuan Chau Resort, on board Emeraude cruise or your private traditional junk cruise.
(Breakfast, lunch included for overnight in Tuan Chau Resort)
(All meals included for overnight in Emeraude cruise or private junk boat)

DAY 07 HALONG BAY / HANOI (Breakfast included)

Continue cruising along Halong Bay and drive back to Hanoi in the afternoon (if you are staying in Tuan Chuan resort or Emeraude cruise, you will drive back to Hanoi in the morning).
Tonight, be treated to a water puppet show, a performing art unique to Vietnam.

DAY 08 HANOI/ DEPARTURE (Breakfast included)
You have time to shop in the galleries, boutiques or bazaars of Old Hanoi before your transfer to the airport for your flight home.

TOUR PRICE PER PERSON:
- These prices are based on min. two adults traveling together and sharing one room.
- The prices stated can only be indicative and may be adjusted once we know your date of travel, number in your party and if you have any other specific requirements.

Cost includes:

- Accommodation on twin or double share basis;
- Lightweight imported bikes with helmets and support vehicle during biking days;
- Meals as stated in program;
- Daily supply of mineral water
- All tours, entrance fees and transfers in private air-con vehicle with English speaking guide and including all entrance fee

Cost excludes:

- Airport taxes, war risk insurance, fuel surcharges;
- Visa & visa stamping feess;
- Travel insurance;
- Beverages during lunches and dinners
- Gratuities to guide and driver
- Personal and other expenses not stated.

HOTEL DESCRIPTION

In Hanoi
Hong Ngoc Hotel: a tourist class hotel inside the Old quarter of Hanoi, an ideal place to browse around the criss-cross thoroughfares of Hanoi.

Melia Hotel: a 4-star modern hotel located right in the city centre(www.solmelia.com)

Hilton Hanoi Opera Hotel: a 5 star hotel standing side by side the French architectural Hanoi Opera Theatre and within walking distance to the Old Quarter. www.hilton.com

Sofitel Metropole: a deluxe boutique hotel in an old French colonial building right in the heart of town (www.accorhotels-asia.com)

In Halong Bay
Tuan Chau Resort: a 4-star resort with a good view of Halong Bay (www.tuanchauresort.com.vn)

Emeraude Cruise: converted from 1910 paddle steamer, there are 39 cabins providing history, charm and luxury while you enjoy cruising on the bay. (www.emeraude-cruises.com)

Private Junkboat Cruise: built in the design and décor of a traditional Vietnamese junk. With kayaks available on board, this option offers a personalized and adventurous way of exploring the bay. ( www.discoveryhalong.com )

In Mai Chau
Maichau Lodge or Local accommodation in a traditional Thai ethnic minority stilt house with basis facilities such as mosquito nets, blankets, shared bathroom with flush toilet.

OUR RECOMMEDED ADD-ONS:
THE ART OF COOKING IN HANOI
You might have been acquainted with the popularity of Vietnam Spring Rolls (Cha Gio), Pho (Noodle Soup) and Nuoc Mam (Fish Sauce). Let's have a try to be familiar with other Vietnamese dishes by joining our half day cooking class in Hanoi. Visit the local markets to source for the freshest ingredients. The half day cooking class is held in small groups to enhance interactivity between the chef and you will have your own cooking station for your hands-on lesson. Tour price starts at US $59/- per person.

EXTENSIONS:
01 DAY OR OVERNIGHT MEKONG DELTA
Nourished by the snows of the Himalayas, the Mekong River is among the least developed of Asia's great waterways. Vietnam's most fertile region, the Mekong's riverine environment is simultaneously unique and beautiful. From Cai Be, board our private boat for a cruise along the maze of waterways and canals to Vinh Long. Stop at the home of a Bonsai gardener for a sumptuous Delta lunch, before continuing our exploration of the tributaries and canals of the delta to visit the pottery workshops, the brick kilns and the rice-husking factory. Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City or stay the night at the hotel in the Mekong Delta and explore the floating market the next morning. Tour price per person: US $118 for the day trip and US $272 on twin share basis for the overnight stay in the Mekong Delta.