Sapa Trek + North & South Cycling - 19 days








This tour has sightseeing in Hanoi, a little trekking in Sapa with some cycling in the north west of Vietnam, cruising on Halong Bay, plus cycling the Southern coastal route down to Nha Tran and ends in Ho Chi Minh City
The tour starts in the capital city of Hanoi where we take in a day’s sightseeing the main sites with a water puppet show included, before catching the overnight train to the North West town of Lao Cai.
On arrival in Lao Cai we transfer to visit the Ba Ha markets, then onto Sapa. We will then take a two day trek near Sapa in the tribal area with a overnight homestay before returning to Sapa. The next day we start our cycling tour of this North West area, where you won’t find many other foreigners, which is just fantastic, and the mountain scenery is amazing.
The northwest is known as ‘The roof of Vietnam’ where the Hoang Lien Mountains (Tonkinese Alps) soar to over 3,000m and where some of Vietnam’s most spectacular scenery with magnificent views of rice terraces and mountains. Much of the area is sparsely populated and the mountains are still home to many ethnic minorities.
The Montagnard women still favour elaborate costumes of brightly coloured skirts, tops and hats with each ethnic group favouring its own colour variation and design.
After returning to Sapa from cycling, we stay the night to relax before catching the overnight train back to Hanoi and transferring to Halong Bay for some cruising. Here we cruise for two days in Halong Bay (one of the ‘Seven Wonders of the World’), on a traditional Chinese Style Junk where you will have the opportunity to kayak around these impressive islands. Halong Bay (known to be the ‘dragon descends into the sea’,) has emerald waters with 3,000 islands rising steeply to create a dramatic seascape. You will experience this beautiful region from the comfort of our deluxe Chinese Style Junk. The second day we will transfer to Cat Ba & Monkey Island resort for the night for some more RNR and other activities if you so desire.
We then transfer back to Hanoi for the night before flying to the Imperial city of Hue where we start our Coastal section of our trip. We cycle mostly on quiet roads, through rural villages visiting some wonderful intact historical sites and seeing the local culture first hand.
We visit the wonderful Historic Hoi An where you can get silk garments and leather shoes made to order overnight.
There will be time for swimming along the way in some of the pristine white sand beaches resort of Nha Trang (where we will take a day cruise and snorkeling) and finish in the bustling city of Ho Chi Minh City.
The northern temperatures will be cooler; however in the south they will be mild and most enjoyable.
Day to Day Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi – overnight train to Lao Cai
Day 2: On arrival at Lao Cai transfer to Bac Ha – Sapa
Day 3: Trekking in the Sapa region – Home stay
Day 4:Trekking- Sapa
Day 5: Sapa – Than Uyen (cycling)
Day 6:Than Uyen – Van Ban (cycling)
Day 7: Van Ban – Sapa – (cycling)
Day 8: Sapa – transfer to Lao Cai for evening overnight train to Hanoi
Day 9: Arrival in Hanoi – Halong Bay – Traditional Junk
Day 10: Halong Bay / Traditional Junk (optional kayaking) – Monkey Island (optional trek / kayaking/ swimming)
Day11: Monkey Island resort – Hanoi
Day 12: Fly to Hue – cycling around Hue
Day 13: Hue – Hoi An (cycling)
Day 14: Hoi An – rest day (optional cooking class)
Day 15: Hoi An – Quang Ngai (cycling)
Day 16: Quang Ngai – Qui Nhon (cycling)
Day 17: Qui Nhon – Nha Trang
Day 18: Nha Trang boat trip – snorkeling – fly to Ho Chi Minh city
Day 19: Ho Chi Minh city
Group size: max 12
Trip Dates
Start: Hanoi End: Ho Chi Minh
Other dates available on request
Dates for 2015 are still to be confirmed
Trip Pricing
Deposit: USD$500 (payable at the time of booking)
A further full payment is due 60 days before departure Priced from USD 2,290.00 to USD2,690.00 (depending on numbers in the group)
Single supplement: USD$680.00(only available on some sections of the trip)
Bike Hire: USD170.00
Price Includes:
- Experienced English speaking local Guide when trekking & Cycling guide
- Water Puppet show in Hanoi
- Sightseeing in Hanoi
- Accommodation Cabins while cruising, home stay while trekking, standard hotels in the cities
- Return overnight sleeper train from Hanoi to Lao Cai
- Visit to famous Bac Ha markets in Sapa
- Includes flight from Hanoi to Hue and Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh city
- Trek in Sapa with homestay
- Cruise on Traditional Chinese Junk