http://bikingvietnam.com/tours/Vietnam_grand_cycling.htm
Viietnam Grand Cycling

This is Vietnam classic cycling journeys, we start riding from Hanoi to NhaTrang but end of tour in SaiGon seems to have captured combines two of the best cycling route in Vietnam.

“Vietnam Grand Cycling” is wonderful cycling trip in country side , with a long coastline of broad, sandy beaches, shimmering paddy fields and mountains cloaked in forests. Our route takes us from the DMZ area - most fierce bombed area during war time, huge cemetery of martyrs. Cycling on Ho Chi Minh trail over famous 17^th parallel suspension bridge, passing many main points hardly attached by US air force and much more. The second route of tour visits the spectacular scenery and caves of the Phong Nha National Park and Other highlights extension tour include the ‘Imperial City’ of Hue and cooking class in Hoi An, on Beach in Nha Trang a perfect place to relax at the end of this great ride.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Hanoi arrival: pick up in airport, transfer to hotel. Overnight in Hanoi hotel

Day 2: Hanoi- 65 km

You will ride along a bank of Red river, through farms, fruit plantations on the old riverside in the north of Hanoi, visit temples and practice Buddhist way of life . Boat trip crossing rive, continue cycling to Son Tay, picnic lunch box . Pm visit Duong Lam village by bicycle, driving back to Hanoi by mini bus. (B, L)

Day 3: HaNoi – Cam Thuy Dist 180 km, cycling +-120 km asphalt road

Transfer to Hadong- Xuan Mai , cycling to Cam Thuy. Overnight in hotel at Cam Thuy (B,L,D) Max.Altitude: +- 400m

Day 4: Cam Thuy - Thai Hoa Dist 175km, cycling +- 120 km asphalt road.

Ride on the newly built two lane Ho Chi Minh trails Highway there is very few traffic! The road makes for smooth fast riding, plenty of exploring possibilities along the way.

Ride on the banks of River Song Chu, the distance covered today is quite long and there will be the chance to transfer some sections by the back-up vehicle to rest weary legs. There are fewer villages today as the route cuts through forests and jungle. Arrival Thai Hoa very late. Dinner and overnight Thai Hoa guesthouse. Overnight in Thai Hoa. (B,L,D)

Max. Altitude: +- 250m

Day 5: Thai Hoa - Vu Quang ( +- 130km, asphalt road )

The ride is on smooth road and passing peaceful villages and stunning mountain range. Overnight in Huong Khe (B,L,D)

Day 6: Vu Quang - Phong Nha (180km, cycling +- 120 km, asphalt road)

After a relaxing breakfast continue riding on the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The trail is still a dream to ride on. Transfer if tired in the afternoon to Phong Nha cave. Overnight in a local Hotel in Phong Nha (B,L,D)

Max. Altitude: +- 300m

Day 7: Phong Nha - Dong Hoi: dist 50km

Riding on asphalt road to Dong Hoi. Pm relax on beach of Nhat Le. Dinner and over night in Nhat Le. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Dong Hoi - Dong Ha (Cycling +- 90km, asphalt road )

Breakfast in the hotel, today we will cycling in " DMZ " area with "Truong Son National Cemetery " where some hundred of thousand soldiers of North Vietnam who served in army during Vietnam War are resting in peace. Dinner and overnight in Dong Ha. (B,L,D) Max. Altitude: +- 250m

Day 9: Dong Ha - A Luoi - Hue ( Cycling +-120km, asphalt road )

Cycling to old military base, with " Da Krong River ". The ride with river and tribal villages along the road. End of riding day in Aluoi. Transfer to Hue (60 km). Overnight in A Luoi (B,L,D)

Day 10: HUE cycling 60 km

Visit Hue). Overnight in Hue (B,L,D)

Day 11: Hue to Hoi An: Dist 145 km, cycling +- 120, asphalt road

We will begin riding early in the morning in back road , country side of Hue city to Hai van pass . Our route passes by rural villages and picturesque Lang Co lagoon, an ascent of the pass with stunning views of the coast and a thrilling 5-mile descent from the top of the green rice fields around DaNang, which we will .Skirt by on our way to HoiAn. Overnight in Hoian (B,L,D)

Max. Altitude: +- 450m

Day12: Hoi An to My Lai/ My Khe - Quang Ngai: Dist 125 km, cycling +-125 km, asphalt road.

Depart early along the coast and past scenic rice village. Lunch near a "secret" Cham sight. Via ChuLai, a former American military base, and cycling our way to the MyLai Memorial, riding ahead to city central. Dinner and overnight in Quang Ngai city. Overnight in Quang Ngai (B,L,D)

Max. Altitude: +- 100m

Day 13: My khe to SaHuynh - Quy Nhon Dist 170 km, cycling +- 110 km ̧ asphalt road.

Early coastal riding followed by coaster, lunch at the golden sands of Sa Huynh beach - which is also a nice place for a dip in the cooling South China Sea. Continue cycling to Quy Nhon. Overnight in QuyNhon (B,L,D)

Max. Altitude: +- 100m

Day 14: Quy Nhon - Tuy Hoa - Nha Trang: Dist 113 Km, cycling +- 113, asphalt road.

Our ride from QuyNhon to Tuy Hoa covers some of VietNam's scenic coastline, featuring deserted blue lagoons and stone promontories. Overlooking the water below. Driving to Vietnam’s finest oceanfront city, Nha Trang. Overnight in Nhatrang (B,L,D)

Max. Altitude: +- 100m

Day15: Nha Trang relax: no cycling

Morning after breakfast visit city. Pm relax on beach. Fare well dinner in Nha Trang. Dinner and overnight in Nha Trang. (B,D)

Day16: Nhatrang – SaiGon (no cycling day)

Package your bike and flight to Saigon. (B)

Day17: Saigon departure

Free time until transfer to airport for departure flight. End of service (B)

Tour overview

Tour Cost

Guide tour Group Size	2	Group tour ( maximum 15 people )
Price /person	2,775 USD	2,160 USD

Self guide tour Group Size	2
Price /person	1,875 USD

Note:

1) Self guide tour only have Hotel with breakfast, minibus stand by, bicycle

2) Prices are based per person, double occupancy, with a separate cost for solo travelers. If you are traveling in a group but prefer single accommodations, a single supplement fee applies. Triple accommodations are not available in many of the destinations we visit.

Best Time to go

From October, November, December, January ,February, March, April ,May, June

WHAT'S INCLUDED

	English speaking local guide
	accommodations in hotels in Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An with 3 star hotel, home stays and local hotel around trip as mention
	Meals as mention with B= breakfast, L= Lunch, D= dinner.
	Flight ticket NhaTrang-SaiGon
	airport transfers
	sightseeing and activities as noted in the itinerary
	ground transportation
	additional guides where necessary
	entrance fees and permits
	basic medical

WHAT NOT

International airfare; meals not noted on itinerary; Vietnam visa; insurance other than basic medical ; optional tipping to leader, guides and local staff; excess baggage charges; international airport taxes; cost of medical immunizations; items of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.).

Bike Hire

Bikes suggest: Road bikes, Cycle cross, Touring.

We have Surly cross check, Kona Sutra, Trek 520 = 220 USD for whole trip

If you bring your bike please ensure that you bike is in good working order before you leave on tour. If you are not the most mechanically minded we suggest that you get your bike looked at by a professional bike mechanic. In particularly we would suggest looking and adjusting all wheel spokes, greasing all your bearings, checking your brakes/gears cable, tighten all nuts and bolts, check chain, quick release clamps, tires and put in new inner tubes and check wheel rims are not worn. In addition make sure the bike is well serviced and ride it with as much care and attention as possible.

Gears checklist

Total Distance

+- 1,300 km

Number of cycling days

15 full days

Average Daily Distance:

90km

Off Road

Max. Altitude

450 metres

Road Surface

This tour follows a mix of asphalt roads.

Support

One or two 16-seats air-conditioned transit vans converted to take bikes and bikers.

Group Size

Minimum 2 person. Maximum group 10 person.

Staff

Vietnamese cycling leader plus a Vietnamese cycling guide and drivers and assistants, support team.

Accommodation

in basic tourist class hotels, 3star hotel. All accommodation in hotel has a/c or fan, hot water and private facilities. 6 night in very good hotel.

Food

All meals are included as details in itinerary . Break every 15- 20 km ( 10 miles) for tea break with water, coffee ,tea, juice, bread, tuna ,banana, apple... including

During the " BikingVietnam.com" the main meals are breakfast and the evening meal. Thus, breakfast should be large and substantial (and include cereals). We recommend that all participants should bring a supply of their favorite cereals as many of the hotels where we stay don't yet have cereal on offer at breakfast.

For lunch (picnic) you will need to make sandwiches in the morning, and take some fruit. We recommend you also bring along some of your favorite energy bars.

The evening meal will be in a restaurant, and precooked by the Organizers. We will make sure there are always plenty of carbohydrates and protein on the menu.

Don't forget adequate hydration is as important as a good meal and so you should make sure you carry enough water with you. In some stages there is no where to “top up” along the way. Follow your guides instructions for each stage. We recommend you use a hydration pack with at least 2l capacity, rather than water bottles. The water bottles don't carry as much water, plus it will get warm during the day, they are not as hygienic and the water bottle cage can get in the way when you may have to carry your bike.

NUTRITION We recommend you should bring nutrition as details:
* Hammer Gel energy gels are 100% pure complex carbohydrates
* Clif Bar energy bars are a great-tasting, convenient source of energy for any activity. Made with 70% organic ingredients Mix of carbohydrates, protein, and fiber promote steady increase in blood sugar levels followed by a gradual decline for sustained energy 4:1 ratio of carbohydrates to protein; excellent for post workout recovery "