Randonnee Vietnam

Trip highlights: This tour combines some of the best parts of our Vietnam and Laos tours. We start  in Hanoi and end of tour in Louang Phrabang. Start the cycling tour with stop over homestay with Thai minority people in Mai Chau and then on the way to Dien Bien Phu. The premier destination in North Vietnam, then cycling  over 1,567 meter high Pha Din pass.  we’ll ride through a land still untouched by the modern world. Continuing on. The subsequent exciting descent also offers outstanding sceneries through local tea plantations, tribal communities and vibrant countryside. We'll cycle into the picturesque , through the surrounding hills of Lai Chau and into Dien Bien Phu. Leaving Dien Bien Phu, we’ll bike into Laos. Agrarian local life and untamed topography means that most of the population lives in bamboo huts that cling to the sides of scarred, limestone hillsides.  We’ll finish our bicycle trip in atmospheric Louang Phrabang.
A true cycling expedition,

Day 1: Hanoi arrival (D)
Welcome to Vietnam! In Hanoi, after immigration and customs formalities, you’ll be met by your personal Guide and driver, then transfer into the city. Afternoon, if the time permits you will take a tour of the city’s Old Quarter by bicycle. You will be pedaled amongst the quaint French buildings along shoe Street, Silk Street and Banner Street (to name just a few).
Overnight in Hanoi

Day 02: Hanoi - Mai Chau (Cycling +/- 80 km asphalt road) - (B, L, D) 
We transfer Southwest to Hoa Binh province and then we cycling to Mai Chau, home of the White Thai people. We have a home stay in traditional style house.
Overnight in home stay in Mai Chau.

Day 03: Mai Chau - Moc Chau (Cycling +/- 68 km mountain road) - (B, L, D)
The ride today, starts relatively flat, but we climb up and over into a valley with some great views. A good way to start the tour.
Overnight in hotel in Moc Chau. 

Day 04: Moc Chau - Yen Chau (Cycling +/- 60 km mountain road) - (B, L, D)
We head North to Yen Chau and pass many minority villages as we generally ascend. The ride today, starts relatively flat, but we climb up and over into a valley with some great views. A good way to start the tour.

Overnight in hotel in Yen Chau.

Day 05: Yen Chau – Son La  (Cycling +/- 60 km mountain road) - (B, L, D)
Virtually every town we go through has an active market. Everything is brought in fresh daily. The larger markets serve as distribution points for smaller markets and, if you are there early enough, you will see things being scootered off to other market. Son La has a history. The French built a prison in Son La, it was partially destroyed during the Vietnam War but there is now a museum and what remains is interesting. Dissident Vietnamese were often transferred between french built Hoa Loa prison in Hanoi (aka "The Hanoi Hilton") and Son La prison.
Overnight in hotel in Son La. 

Day 06: Son La - Tuan Giao (Cycling +/- 85 km mountain road) - (B, L, D)
Today's ride begins with an easy 5k climb through every present rice paddies. At the 60k mark there is a good 14k climb and then 7k of ups and downs along a ridge followed by a 11k descent into Tuan Giao. This area is home to the Black Thai minority which originated in China.

Overnight in hotel in Tuan Giao.

Day 07: Tuan Giao - Dien Bien Phu  (Cycling +/- 102 km amountain road) - (B, L, D)
Ride to Dien Bien Phu.

Overnight in hotel in Dien Bien Phu.

Day 08: Dien Bien Phu - Muang Khua (Laos)  (Cycling +/- 98 km mountain road) -  (B, L, D)
We depart Dien Bien and cross into Northeast Laos at Tay Trang. This is the least populated section of Laos. We continue on to Muang Khua on the banks of the Nam Ou river.

Overnight in Muang Khua.

Day 09: Muang Khua - Odomxai   (Cycling +/- 95 km asphalt road) - (B, L, D)
This is a scenic lightly traveled road to bustling Odomxai. Odomxai seems to be undergoing a renaissance. Lots of construction and activity in the town these days. They have an airport here also (with less than daily service). We stay at the nicest place in town.

Overnight in Odomxay.

Day 10: Odomxai - Pak Mong  (Cycling +/- 75 km asphalt road) -  (B, L, D)
A tough climbing day at the start and then rolling hills with magnificent scenery before a 29k Descent to Pak Mong.

Overnight in Pak Mong.

Day 11: Pak Mong - Louang Phrabang  (Cycling +/- 105 km mountain road) - (B, L, D)
On to the historic and enchanting city of Louang Phrabang. We follow the banks of the Mekong before entering the city proper. It's also possible, with advance planning, to bike the 20k in the opposite direction to Nong Khiaw and then take a boat down the Nam Ou. River. This will take you right by the Pak Ou caves at the confluence of the Nam Ou and Mekong rivers. 

Overnight in hotel in Louang Phrabang .

Day 12: Rest day in Luoang Phrabang  (B )
Today is a rest day in Louang Phrabang. Louang Phrabang is encircled by mountains and situated on the banks of the Mekong where it meets the Nam Khan river. There is a lot to see in this World Heritage Town: Temples, Monasteries, the Royal Palace and French Colonial Architecture as well as the beautiful falls outside of town. It’s worthwhile to get up and observe the monks collecting alms at 6 am.

Overnight in hotel in Louang Phrabang .

Day 13: Louang Phrabang departure (B)
Free at leisure for shopping or for walking around Louang Phrabang until transfer to Louang Phrabang airport for international flight.
End of Services,

Price

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.

Services includes:

•     1 night in 3 star hotel in  Hanoi. 8 nights in comfortable tourist class hotels, 3 nights in basic tourist class  hotels. All accommodation has a/c or fan, hot water and private facilities.

•     Transfer and transportation with private vehicle. Click here to have more information

•     One or two 15-seat air-conditioned transit vans converted to take bikes and bikers.

•     English speaking local cycling tour guide Sightseeing and entrance fee.

•     Additional guides where necessary.

•     Meals as indicated (B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Diner)

•     Sightseeing and activities as noted in the itinerary.

•     9.5 days cycling with +/- 750 km.

•     Sight seeing for visiting per itinerary and permits.

•     Basic medical.

•     Bike as TREK4300 hybrid with maintenance.

Services excludes:

•     Meals and drink not mentioned

•     Option tour

•     Vietnam, Laos visa

•     Tip and personal expenses

•     Travel Insurance

•     Guide and local staff

•     Excess baggage charges

•     International airport taxe

•     Cost of medical immunizations

•     Items of a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc…)

•     All the others not mentioned in the program

Bike Hire:
Trek4500, Giant Yukon  including in tour price in Vietnam, Trek 4300 in Laos,
Bikes suggest :  XC hardtail,  Cyclo-cross, Touring, 29er rigid

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.