"Motorcycling Northwestern Trails"

Discover Vietnam’s rugged and scenic northwest and its people first hand. By taking to the roads and riding from the capital Hanoi to the remote area of the northwest we can see life as it truly is for the Vietnamese. The perfect itinerary and the support crew ensure you get the most out of the trip in terms of comfort, enjoyment and adventure. Along the way we encounter dramatic landscapes and sweeping panoramas as the rural population goes about its business. Highlights include the terraced valleys of Sapa, challenging roads, stunning scenery and many different colorful minority groups

DETAILED ITINERARY


Day 1: Ride to Mai Chau

Leave Hanoi around 8.30am, we ride our motorcycles west to Mai Chau, an area of beautiful landscape and home to the Thai ethnic minority. We will ride on road No6 passing expansive rice paddies and scenic villages. We will have a stop for refreshment before tackling 70km of undulating road with great view of mountains and valley. We will reach Mai Chau at noontime. We ride straight to Pom Coong, a peaceful village of White Thai ethnic minority where we have lunch, dinner and spend our night in a traditional stilt-house of a Thai family. After lunch we will have a short rest and then take a leisure ride toward Ma River. We will take a short boat ride upstream Ma Rive to reach a remote Thai Village. Relax and have interesting conversations with the villagers before we walk back to the dock. Return to Pom Coong Village for dinner and overnight.

Summary
Riding: 170km
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Home-stay

Day 2: Ride up to Son La

Breakfast at the home-stay before we embark on a beautiful ride up north to Son La. The road is in good condition and the scenery is stunning. We may take frequent stops to visit minority villages of H’mong, Black Thai,… or to take photos. Lunch will be in local restaurant en route. The highlight of our ride today could be the tea plantations in Moc Chau Plateau, where you find the best green tea in Vietnam grown along the roads on hillsides. We reach Son La in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight in Son La.

Summary
Riding: 187km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 3: Descend valley of Dien Bien Phu

It is true to say “the further you go up north the faster you heart rate”. Today the ride is greater with more winding road, longer passes, more colorful minority groups and more stunning scenery. Like yesterday, we may have interesting stops to visit villages and take photos. Lunch en route in local restaurant. The highlight of today ride could be the impressive pass of Pha Din.

Pha Pin means Heaven-Earth, and according to local legend, it was the frontier between Heaven and Earth. Pha Din is some 1,000m above sea-level. Climbing and descending the slopes with their many bends and deep gorges is a really an unforgettable experience. We reach Dien Bien Phu in the afternoon around 4pm. Upon arrival we cound ride around to explore the town. Dinner and overnight in Dien Bien Phu.

Summary
Riding: 170km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 4: Riding along Nam Na River to Tam Duong

After breakfast we will start our 225 km ride along stunning gorges and Nam Na River. On the way we will have interesting stops to visit H’mong and Dzao villages. Lunch in Lai Chau. We would reach Tam Duong around 4.30 pm. Dinner and overnight in hotel in Tam Duong Town.

Summary
Riding: 225km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 5: Ascend Sapa

The ride today is the highlight of the whole trip. Climbing the highest pass in Vietnam, the Tram Ton Pass. Lunch in local restaurant en route. We will reach Sapa in the noon time. Sapa is the former hill station for the French colonists hundred years ago. Today Sapa is the paradise for trekking lovers thank to its beautiful trekking routes, stunning terraces, colorful minority groups and the highest mountain in Indochina, the Mt. Fansipang. Dinner and overnight in Sapa.

Note: The weekend market (Sunday market) in Tam Duong is very interesting with lots of colorful ethnic minorities. If this day is Sunday the market will be included in the program and we would reach Sapa around 3pm.

Summary
Riding: 280km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 6: Trekking in Sapa – Night train to Hanoi

Breakfast in the hotel. We will take a jeep ride downhill to Muong Hoa valley. Today we enjoy the most beautiful trek route in Vietnam. We will trek on dirt path through pine forest, terraces and H’mong villages. En route we stop to visit minority villages, schools and have picnic lunch by river. In the afternoon we walk to the pick-up point to take a jeep transfer back to Sapa. Ride to Lao Cai for the night train back to Hanoi.

Summary
Trekking: 4hrs, downhill
Riding to Lao Cai: 37km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Night train (AC, soft sleeper cabin)

Day 7: Arrive in Hanoi

Arrival in Hanoi early in the morning (5am). Tour finishes

Inclusion:

Support jeep on the ride
Train ticket (overnight train)
Minsk motorbike
Gasoline on tour
English or French speaking guide
Mechanic
Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary (base on twin share)
Home-stay permission
Private city tour of Hanoi
Meals as indicated in the itinerary
One bottle of water per day
Snacks
Helmet
Entrance fees & Sightseeing fees
Exclusion:

Travel insurance
Visa
Air-ticket
Tips
Personal expenses, beer, souvenirs

To contact this tour operator please use the contact form next to the map on the right.

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Price/Person: 450 EUR
Number of participants 6
Duration: 7 Days

Area: Northern Mountain of Vietnam
Accomodation is included in this tour: HIGHLIGHTS - Stunning scenery - Challenging roads - Stunning Pha Din Pass and Tram Ton Pass - Terraced valley of Sapa - Colorful ethnic minorities

The Guide is able to understand this language also    
   english

Special Hints: Hanoi - Mai Chau - Son La - Dien Bien Phu - Sapa - Hanoi

edited at 09.06.07 | 06:06 AM
last update 09.06.07 | 06:06 AM

Guide details

Bobby Nguyen

Web: To contact this tour operator please use the contact form above.
Phone Number: ---
Vita
Active Travel Vietnam offers a wide selection of Vietnam adventure tours, including hiking and trekking, biking, kayaking, motorcycling, overland touring and family travel packages. Our packages and custom itineraries will take you through exotic destinations to really experience the culture, history and nature of Vietnam. Outdoor enthusiasts will enjoy an unforgettable active vacation. We run the most adventure tours available in Vietnam and Indochina. Our active trips are designed for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts, real people seeking real fun and adventure. Of course, a reasonable level of personal fitness, good health, and interest in outdoor activities is advisable, but you don't need to be a tri-athlete or be an expert in any of the activities you will undertake. Come along and even try something new if you wish. If you like to walk, run, trek, hike, paddle, bike, or go to the gym, you'll love our trips!
Being a responsible eco tour operator is at the heart of what Active Travel Vietnam is all about. From the start, we have been committed to offering low-impact tours that benefit traveler and host alike. We work with local communities, businesses and individuals to develop sustainable tourism opportunities that help local economies while minimizing negative environmental and cultural impacts.

Part of Active Travel Vietnam operating philosophy is to respect the communities in which we operate. We do this by acting in a manner that is environmentally, socially and economically responsible. While our sustainable tourism policies are constantly evolving, our commitment to socially conscious, grassroots style travel has never changed.

Active Travel Vietnam
Add: # 303, 3rd Floor, Building 30 Nguyen Du Street, Hanoi, Vietnam
Tel: (84-4) 944 6230
Fax: (84-4) 944 6231
Email:
Website: To contact this tour operator please use the contact form above.


ACTIVELY EXPLORING HIDDEN LANDS


edited at 07.06.07 | 04:43 AM
last update 07.06.07 | 04:59 AM

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