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Code: |
VNBKTD81 |
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Routes: |
Hanoi - Vu Linh - Song
Thao - Mai Chau - Ninh Binh - Hai Phong
- Cat Ba - Hanoi |
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Duration: |
07 Days |
Detail Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi - Vu Linh. ~100
km
Depart at 8 am, following the sealed road to Vu
Linh. Vu Linh is a Dzao village near Thac Ba
reservoir. The welcome is exceptional.
Day 2: Vu Linh - Song Thao. ~210 km
A boat is waiting to take us and our bikes to
cross Thac Ba Lake in the morning to Yen Binh
(1.5 hours). After lunch in Yen Binh, drive to
Song Thao.
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 3: Song Thao - Mai Chau. ~180 km
Beautiful landscape. Valley of wax-tree, native
land of lacquer makers in Vietnam. Once out of
the Red River Delta, which brims with
traditional farming activity, we pass through
limestone monoliths and into foothills populated
by Muong people. 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 4: Mai Chau - Ninh Binh. ~140 km
Short drive but on wavy road from Mai Chau to
Man Duc, then turn right following the bumpy
road to Ninh Binh with a stop in Hoa Lu. Hoa Lu
was the ancient capital city of Vietnam over
1000 years ago with rebuilt temples of Dinh & Le
King. The tomb of Dinh King is at the top of Yen
Ngua Mount (30-minute climb). The site was a
suitable choice for a capital city due to its
proximity to China and the natural protection
afforded by the region's bizarre landscape. From
Hoa Lu, we drive on narrow road to Ninh Binh (12
km) through myriads of limestone, which gives it
the name "Dry Halong Bay".
Day 5: Ninh Binh - Hai Phong - Cat Ba. ~140
km
We have breakfast early and drive from Ninh Binh
to Hai Phong on the secondary road in 5 hours to
be in time for the ferry at 1 pm from Hai Phong
to Cat Ba. We park the bikes at the station
before getting on the ferry since we do not need
them in Cat Ba. Arrive in Cat Ba around 4 pm.
Check in Princes Hotel. Walk along the coast and
take sampan to have a seafood dinner on the
floating restaurant in Cat Ba Bay.
Day 6: Cat Ba. Full day boating.
What we propose on Cat Ba is not so touristy.
Firstly, because it is in Cat Ba Bay, the far
end of Halong Bay.
Secondly, we created this itinerary - the
floating village. 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.
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.
Day 7: Cat Ba - Hai Phong - Hanoi. ~120 km
Breakfast on boat. Return to Cat Ba town. Have a
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 06 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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