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Code: |
VNBKTD86 |
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Routes: |
Hanoi - Mai Chau - Song
Thao - Luc Yen - Vu Linh - Ba Be - Quang
Hoa - Na Tau - Mau Son - Hanoi |
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Duration: |
09 Days |
Detail Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi - Mai Chau. ~180
km
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.
The valley of Mai Chau lies between two rivers:
the Da River and the Ma River, which make it
very fertile and rich in varied landscapes,
medium mountains, forest, lake, rivers, and
infinitude of small footpaths, which offer many
possibilities of trek. In the valley of Mai Chau
and its surroundings are Muong, White Thai,
H'mong (in the height), and the Dao who we meet
at the markets or in their villages during
trekking, boating or while driving.
Day 2: Mai Chau - Song Thao. ~180 km
Beautiful landscape. Valley of wax-tree, native
land of lacquer makers in Vietnam.
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 - Luc Yen - Vu Linh. ~150 km
Drive from Song Thao on the secondary road then
Highway 2 until Khanh Hoa; turn right into the
bumpy road that leads to Luc Yen. Lunch in Luc
Yen. After lunch, we drive to Xuan Long in 30
minutes; here a boat is waiting to take us and
our bikes to cross Thac Ba Lake to Vu Linh (3
hours). Vu Linh is a Dzao village and the
welcome is exceptional.
Day 4: Vu Linh - Ba Be. ~250 km
Quite a long drive but easy (early departure is
better) from Vu Linh to Ba Be (~250 km). Ba Be
is a nice stop and it is good to arrive the
first day to have a full day (of the second) day
there. However, if you feel like resting before,
it is all the time possible to stop 50 km before
Ba Be. The place before Ba Be is Na Khan, a
village of Tay people lost in the forest.
Day 5: Ba Be. Boating.
Easy boating on the lake and river. Go to market
(if it is the day you arrive). Stop at
waterfall, beautiful swim…Ong pirate, the chef
of Dau Dang waterfall where we enjoy dinner.
Down the waterfall, we could visit the village
and a small school (only few pupils during the
summer). We propose to stay in the stilt house
of forest guards.
Day 6: Ba Be - Quang Hoa. ~170 km
Cross Ba Be lake to come back to our captain's
house. Beautiful ride up to Cao Bang province.
Few passes from where you can dominate the area.
The road is easy but many curves. We can stop a
lot. All together, stop for drinks and food it
should be an 8-hour journey. Then ride 1 more
hour to reach the beautiful village of Quang
Hoa, in the middle of a mountain cirque. This is
the territory of Nung An people. Spend the night
in our friend's house.
Day 7: Quang Hoa - Na Tau - Quang Hoa. ~30 km
Na Tau is a completely unknown area that we
propose to discover it by raft and motorbike.
Rivers and waterfalls everywhere are extremely
beautiful and wild. It is only 15 km from Quang
Hoa.
Day 8: Quang Hoa - Mau Son. ~160 km
Drive from Quang Hoa to Mau Son on the bumpy
road with a stop for lunch in Lang Son. Mau Son
is 35 km away from Lang Son, 1.541m above sea
level. Night in the guesthouse of Mau Son
Resort.
Day 9: Mau Son - Hanoi. ~165 km
Promenade around Mau Son in the morning. Ride
down to Lang Son to have lunch. The road is
asphalted all the way, and it takes three and
half hours to drive back to Hanoi.
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 08 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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