Saturday, May 02, 2015

North east Vietnam – Shangrila undiscover cycling

North east Vietnam – Shangrila undiscover cycling

biking vietnam We offers North East Vietnam challenging cycling through a stunning unexplored area rich with cultural and geographical wonders. From Vietnam’s buzzing capital, Hanoi, we journey to the remote undiscovered Ha Giang region. Cycling hilly hairpin bends amongst slopes, ridges, valleys, and limestone karsts the outstanding natural beauty will take your breath away.
Terraced paddy fields and surreal limestone peaks are home to a vibrant, traditional tribal culture. Crops and dwellings seem to cling to the rocky terrain. We encounter Red Dao, Tay, White Hmong, Tay and Lo Lo communities who, until recently, have lived in complete isolation from the outside world. We witness an unchanged way of life, visiting the local markets, and seeing wildlife including water buffalo, pigs and horses.
Day 1: (L) Hanoi- Yen Bai : ( riding 80km)
Meet in hotel ( 7: 00AM), driving out of Hanoi city. Start riding ,It’s a fascinating ride past many minority villages as we climb onto a higher plateau. We ride pass of rice field and tea plantations before arriving in the Doan Hung for lunch, continue biking to Yen Bai city. Dinner and  overnight in Hotel in Yen bai.
Day2: (B,L) YenBai-LaoCai ( riding 95 km)
After breakfast we start riding on bank of Red river . About 40 km off road track (pretty wide) start climbing on the left. After many villages and a beautiful narrow suspension bridge, we enjoy a long single track section, starting on terraces by long climb, leading to an off road pass (about 300m of elevation) and finishing on a long downhill through waterfalls and rain forest. Lunch with noodle soup and breads, fruits, tea coffee.Then we get to the asphalt where the minibus is waiting at BaoHa , take  long transfer (35’) to LaoCai. Night in Hotel in Lao Cai
Day3: Laocai – Cocly -Bac Ha
Distance: 45 Km. D+: 1250m  D -: 900m
Breakfast in Local restaurant with rice noodle soup  , banana pancake, breads, coffee, tea… Transfer by van to An Ho stating riding to Phin Giang- Bao tan- Coc ly with 2 of climbing with 10% , more than 3 and 5 km per one climb. After more than 20 km we arrival Coc ly where we will take  60 minutes boat trip on Chay river. Bike will put on boat with clients. Arrival Bao Nhai , Coc Dao riding up to Bac Ha ( 38 km off road ) no minibus stand by behind group until to the hotel. Overnight in hotel. Dinner in local restaurant. Arrangement  by client (B ,L )
Day4:Bac Ha – XinMan – Hoangsuphi
Distance: 70 km.D+: 1100m   D-: 1600m 
After breakfast in Hotel, clients start biking directly from hotel, climb above Bac Ha through Di Thau. Then ride in the mountain on a wide track to a mountain pass and long asphalt downhill to Xin man. Lunch with pasta and fruit.
In the afternoon, clients bike on asphalt about 15-20 km along River Chay before final transfer to  Hoang Suphi.
People motivated and very feet can ride all the stage long to Suphi (75 Km).
Overnight in Suphil. (B ,L,)
Day5: Hoang Su phi – Viet Lam – Ha Giang
Distance: 50Km.D+: 1100m   D-: 1230m
After breakfast clients start biking directly from hotel on flat asphalt road. After many villages and a beautiful narrow suspension bridge, we enjoy a long wide track section, and back road  starting on terraces by long climb, leading to an off road pass (about 1300m of elevation) and finishing on a long downhill through mountain and rain forest. Lunch with noodle soup and breads, fruits, tea coffee.
Minibus goes with Guest from this meeting point  to a small asphalt pass
Then, small transfer (about 30’) to Ha Giang. Night in Hotel. (B ,L )

Day6: Ha Giang to Quan Ba
Setting off this morning we head out of town cycling for the first 25km on relatively flat road through the landscape of terraced rice paddy fields. Passing through minority villages we cycle the next 25km up winding roads into the vast limestone mountain range with its perpendicular walls of rock, climbing 800m towards the mountain road pass “Heaven gate 1”. As we pass through mountain villages sometimes covered by cloud, we will receive a friendly greeting from the local communities. From the pass we can look down at amazing views, including the famous vista of the Tam Son valley with the ‘Twin Hills and can spy Quan Ba town, our destination, in its beautiful location. It’s mainly downhill for the last 15km into Quan Ba.
Accommodation: Hotel (B, L, D)
Cycling distance: 50km
Total Climb: 1,107m
Total Descent: 349m
Day 7: Cycle Quan Ba to Yen Minh
We will want to take our time today as our beautiful surroundings offer numerous photo opportunities and the rocky limestone and karst terrain is as diverse as it is beautiful. We cycle uphill for the first few km before a descent of around 10km and then relatively flat terrain for the next 10km. It’s a challenging up and down terrain to an altitude of 1.025m before we make a final descent for the last 15km into Yenh Minh. We will have the chance to see the traditional homes of the local hill tribes. The communities in this area are Chinese.
Accommodation: Hotel (B, L, D)
Cycling distance: 53km
Total climb: 665m
Total descent: 1,131m
Day 8: Yen Minh Climb over the Rocky Plateau to Dong Van, and Meo Vac.
Today we cycle on semi-surfaced quiet roads as we undertake a challenging uphill ride out of dense cedar forest onto the rocky Dong Van plateau. A registered UNESCO Global Geopark, 80% of the terrain is covered by rock and it is said to contain fossils from 400-600million years ago. Nestled in a valley in the heart of the Rock Plateau, is the isolated town of Dong Van, very close to the Chinese border and surrounded by mountain forest and multi-coloured orchids. Meaning ‘sharing culture’ Dong Van is occupied by Chinese Hoa, and H’mong, Tay and Kinh People. The houses are built in Chinese style. As we cycle on the modest road from Dong Van to Meo Vac alongside a vast gorge, the views are spectacular. This is a winding and undulating road with the sight of the Nho Que River below. From the Ma Phi Leng Pass we look down from an altitude of around 1500m into the valley. We stay tonight in the small town of Meo Vac. Most of the tribes living here have preserved their way of life from outside influence as travelling to Meo Vac was almost impossible until the recent construction of new roads.
Accommodation: Hotel (B, L, D)
Cycling distance: 70km
Total climb: 2,256m
Total descent: 1,605m
Day 9: Meo Vac to Bao Lac
There is a market daily in the town centre of Meo Vac used mainly by the White Hmong, Tay and Lo Lo hill tribes. Women dressed in their brightly coloured traditional clothing walk into the town carrying their bamboo woven baskets laden with corn and vegetables. Today we follow a remote mountain road to Bao Lac. After a 5km uphill cycle we make a 20km descent the follow a fairly flat road for the next 10km. The surrounding landscape with predominantly limestone formations is a surreal vista of peaks, troughs, towers and caves. The crops and dwellings seem to perch precariously on the hillsides. There’s a relatively gentle uphill climb of 250m before we descend for the final 30km along flat terrain. We will pass people from the local minority communities along the way dressed in their vibrant tribal costumes. We stay tonight in Bao Lac.
Accommodation: Hotel (B, L, D)
Cycling distance: 74km
Total climb: 1,004m
Total descent: 1,770m
Day 10: Bao Lac to Babe lake
Even in this isolated mountain town there is a busy morning market. We set off for a full day of cycling along challenging terrain but the road is quiet and well surfaced. We cycle through a pretty valley to the tin-mining town Tinh Tuc, heading on to Nguyen Binh. We continue along challenging terrain, but the unparalleled beauty of our surroundings more than compensates for the challenges of the cycling.
Accommodation: Hotel (B, L, D)
Cycling distance: 88km
Total Climb: 1,845m
Total descent: 1,571m
Day 11: Babe lake to Hanoi
This morning we cycling back road to Bang Lung town then pack up our bikes and have a transfer back to Hanoi. We can relax this afternoon and enjoy the bustle and lively pace of Hanoi after our journey through the remote mountains.
Accommodation: Hotel (B)
Tour Cost
Group Size2people group tour
Price/person1,590 USD 1,280 USD
Note: 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 to May 
Small group , from 2 to  10 person
 WHAT’S INCLUDED
bulletEnglish speaking local guide
bulletAccommodations in  home stays and  local hotel around trip as mention
bulletMeals as noted B= breakfast, L= lunch, D= dinner
bulletDrink as water, coffee, tea, energy drink by nutritional gel, juice
bulletSightseeing and activities as noted in the itinerary
bulletGround transportation with 100% vehicle stand by.
bulletAdditional guides where necessary
bulletEntrance fees and permits
bulletBasic 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.).