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Code: |
VNBKTD74 |
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Routes: |
Hanoi - Song Thao - Mai
Chau - Hoa Lu - Ninh Binh - Hai Phong -
Cat Ba - Ha Long - Bai Chay - Hanoi |
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Duration: |
06 Days |
Detail Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi - Song Thao. ~160
km
Ride to Song Thao via Hoa Binh, crossing the
barrage, and then head up north following the
dyke road (west side of Black river). Song Thao
is a very small village lost in the hills on
west bank of Black river. The particular thing
is that this is the place where we grow lacquer
trees to collect the precious substance called
lacquer.
We are welcome in the house of our friends. You
meet Kinh (ethnic Vietnamese). We propose to
stay in the house of the two "uncles", direct
descendant of the ancestor who discovered the
property of this tree and the way to use it,
about four hundreds years ago (quite recently
compared to China who knew about lacquer few
thousands years ago).
Day 2: Song Thao - Mai Chau. ~180 km
Beautiful landscape. Ride through valley of
wax-tree, native land of lacquer makers in
Vietnam until Hoa Binh. We head straight at the
main range before breaching a high and beautiful
forested pass, which descends into the hidden
valley of Mai Chau where we spend the night with
friends in a traditional Thai stilt house in Pom
Coong village.
Day 3: Mai Chau - Hoa Lu. ~180 km
Beautiful landscape. Bumpy road but very quiet
and peaceful. We bypass the scenic Perfume
Pagoda and spend the night in 2-star Van Xuan
Inter-hotel Complex.
Time permitting, we propose a short ride to Hoa
Lu to visit the temples of Dinh and Le King, and
then hike up Yen Ngua mountain where we could
get a panoramic view of the whole region.
Day 4: Hoa Lu - Ninh Binh - Hai Phong - Cat
Ba. ~165 km
The road between Ninh Binh and Hai Phong is
under construction and early departure is
recommended. We meet the ferry to Cat Ba at 1.30
pm from Binh station and arrive in Cat Ba at 4
pm. We propose to promenade along the coast and
then take a sampan to have dinner with seafood
at a floating restaurant for dinner.
Day 5: Cat Ba - Ha Long Bay. Boating.
Breakfast at the hotel. The guide and the
captain of the boat will go to market to buy
food; you can go with them if you find it
interesting. Boating starts at 10 am. Lunch with
seafood on boat. Fishing and swimming. Visit
local people in the floating village of Van Gia.
Boating to Monkey Island. Dinner and sleep
overnight on boat.
Cat Ba is the far end of Halong Bay. Cat Ba
still live from the resource that the sea offer.
The tourism is developed and of high quality.
The Cat Ba Bay is a condensed of Halong Bay, its
labyrinth of limestone so dense that it is
difficult to imagine we are on the sea.
We created this itinerary - the floating village
Van Gia. They are our personal friends and the
relation with them is intimate, even knowing
that some companies now also pass through there.
Finally yet importantly, Monkey Island (Cat Dua
Islet) was totally ignored by mass tourism when
we propose to stop there. It has nothing special
beside the fact that there is nobody except
monkeys and one family who takes care of their
security.
Day 6: Cat Ba - Ha Long - Bai Chay - Hanoi.
~165 km
Cruise through myriads of limestone to
Halong Bay where labyrinth of limestone so dense
that it is difficult to imagine we are on the
sea. We arrive at Hai Ninh restaurant to have
lunch before riding back to Hanoi. We estimate
that you will arrive in Hanoi around 6 pm
Included
* English Speaking tour leader (other languages
upon requests)
*All accommodations base on twin-share at hotel,
guesthouse and Home stay.etc…
* Meals detailed in the itinerary (B = Breakfast
, L = Lunches ,D = Dinners)
* A/C transfers and transportation.
* Boat trip mention in itinerary
* Mountain bicycle 24 or 27Speed (LA bike or
Trek bike. etc…)
* 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
* Tipping for guiding
Note
This itinerary allows for 05 field days on the
cycling section. 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.
What to bring:
1. Bike Helmet
2. Small backpack
3. Shoes and shorts for cycling
4. Sunglasses
5. Gloves
6. Professional Pedal
7. Sun block
8. Camera + Film
9. Insect repellent
10. Original Passport
11. Wide brim hat
12. Bike water bottle (if you don't want to use
Green Trail Tours bottle)
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