Ho Chi Minh Trail Bike Tour
I. Overview
Follow the historic Ho Chi Minh Trail for an adventurous biking
expedition from Hanoi to Hue. Developed as a trade route to supply
resistance forces during the American War, cycling along the trail you
will discover remnants of war time history and pristine national parks
as well as the deep-rooted culture of the Vietnamese people in towns
such as Hue and Hoi An.
II. Intinerary
Day 1: Arrive Hanoi (-/-/D)
After checking in to the hotel and freshening up, your guide will help
you fit your bike and prepare the equipment for the upcoming journey.
This afternoon a short tour by cyclo, pedal-powered trishaw, will
introduce you to the local life as you cruise through the bustling city
streets.
This evening you will be introduced to the delicious flavors of
Vietnamese cuisine with a welcome dinner at one of the city’s best
restaurants.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi – Mai Chau – Pu Luong (B/L/D)
Leave the capital early this morning for a drive through rural
countryside to Mai Chau, arriving in time to enjoy lunch at a local Thai
village house. Hop on your bike for a ride through the spectacular,
undulating valley of the Song Ma River on the way to Hoi Xuan. This
route was used to carry supplies and ammunition during the war and
linked to the main part of the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
Depending on how your legs feel, continue by bike or travel by car to
the end destination. Your accommodation tonight is in a traditional Thai
village house located on the edge of Pu Luong Nature Reserve and is
part of an eco-tourism community project set up by Flora and Fauna
International in 2003. This is a great way to experience the unique
culture and lifestyle of these hill tribe people.
Overnight in a Thai Village Homestay.
(Cycling Distance: 70 km)
Day 3:Pu Luong – Ngoc Lac(B/L/D)
After breakfast, transfer by road, for about 45 minutes tothe start of
today’s ride. The route takes you away from the river and through a
range of mountains, which stretches from Mai Chau to Cuc Phuong National
Park and the ancient capital of Hoa Lu. As you cycle, the scenery
progressively gets more beautiful with limestone cliffs and lush
vegetation as a backdrop. The route is challenging with several hills to
ascend, but a vehicle is always nearby.
Arrive in the town of Ngoc Lac late this afternoon for your overnight stay.
Overnight in Ngoc Lac.
(Cycling Distance: 70 kms, Rough terrain approximately 20 kms)
Day 4: Ngoc Loc - Kim Lien - Vinh (B/L/D)
Pedal along the newly-built Ho Chi Minh highway for today’s journey.
The tarmac makes for smooth, fast riding and there are very few cars or
vehicles on the road. A parallel dirt and gravel highway runs alongside
which is a challenging option for those who wish!
Along the way to Vinh, stops will be made to visit Ly Thai To Pagoda
which was built in honor of the first king of the Ly dynasty. Then, you
canstop at Kim Lien village, the birthplace of Ho Chi Minh to visit his
house and a museum dedicated to him. After the visit, transfer by road
out of the mountainsto the city of Vinh, arriving late this afternoon.
Overnight in Vinh.
(Cycling Distance: 80 km)
Day 5: Vinh – Huong Khe (B/L/D)
Following breakfast, transfer 40 kilometers by bus to the town of Pho
Chau, the start of today’s ride on the Ho Chi Minh’s Highway. The
journey winds through lush jungle and beautiful villages nestled under
the Truong Son mountain range. During the ride, take your time to admire
the stunning scenery and the intricate karst formations.
After a long day of pedalling, arrive in the remote town of Huong Khe.
Located in the Nghe An province, this small town is a quiet place to
rest up for another busy day of riding.
Overnight in Huong Khe.
(Cycling Distance: 70 km)
Day 6: Huong Khe – Phong Nha (B/L/D)
Continue along the Ho Chi Minh Highway today to Phong Nha. The route is
still a dream to ride on and you’ll appreciate the smooth tarmac as the
mountains rise and the road winds up, down and along the hillsides. The
scenery is spectacular and the road is tranquil.
After cycling around 80km, trade in your bike for a restful 1 hour bus
journey to Phong Nha National Park. The park contains one of the most
spectacular caves in Vietnam - a true natural wonder with 65 kilometres
of tunnels and underground rivers. Formed approximately 250 million
years ago Phong Nha was used as a hospital and ammunition depot during
the war, and the entrance still shows
evidence of attacks from fighter aircraft. There are also community
projects underway with Flora and Fauna International and it may be
possible to visit village
initiatives and learn more about the forests of the national park before the end of today.
Overnight in Phong Nha.
(Cycling Distance: 80 km)
Day 7: Phong Nha – Cam Lo – Khe Sanh (B/L/D)
After an early morning exploration of Phong Nha Cave, transfer 1.5
hours by road to the Ho Chi Minh Trail to resume your ride. Pedal across
the DMZ (also known as the 17th Parallel) to Cam Lo. Stop en route to
visit Truong Son cemetery, a memorial to the tens of thousands of North
Vietnamese soldiers who were killed in the Truong Son Mountains.
From there it’s only 14 kilometres further to the town of Cam Lo and
here the trail heads across the country into Laos. Finish today with a
short transfer to Khe Sanh, a former US marine base and site of the
infamous 1968 battle of the same name.
Overnight in Khe Sanh.
(Cycling Distance: 80 km)
Day 8: Khe Sanh – A Luoi (B/L/D)
Begin this morning with a visit to the Khe Sanh combat base where
relics of the war are exhibited and see the airstrip. Then ride through
spectacular scenery, mainly downhill, from the Laos border to the
Dakrong River. Cross the river by bridge and ride along the waterway to
what was considered the southern part of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Again
enjoy a traffic-free road with rolling terrain, a nice contrast to the
flat plains of the previous day’s ride.
Overnight in A Luoi.
(Cycling Distance: 65 km)
Day 9: A Luoi - Hue (B/L/D)
Due to the bad roads south of A Loui, today you venture off the Ho Chi
Minh Trail and head across the country to Hue. The 60km ride through the
middle of Vietnam is on back roads before hitting Highway 1 just a few
kilometres south of Hue. Here there is the option of transferring by
road or continuing by bike to the center of Hue.
Overnight in Hue.
(Cycling Distance: 70 km)
Day 10: Hue (B/L/D)
Following breakfast, enjoy a relatively easy cycle on the back roads of
Hue through lush countryside on a mix of footpaths and quiet country
lanes. The day begins with a visit to the Imperial Citadel where you
will explore the ruins of this grand monument to the emperors. Then,
ride along backstreets, following the banks of the Perfume River to
Thien Mu Pagoda. Continue through the quiet roads of Hue’s countryside
to visit the royal tomb of Ming Manh, a former Nguyen emperor, and loop
back across the river to Hue via the funerary monument to Khai Dinh.
Return to central Hue early this afternoon for time at your leisure to relax or tour more on your own.
Overnight in Hue.
(Cycling Distance: 30 km)
Day 11: Hue – Hoi An (B/L/-)
Today is an epic ride with two small hills to conquer before the
intense 11 km climb uphill to the top of Hai Van Pass where you will be
rewarded with stunning views of the coast. With a recently opened tunnel
through the mountain, there is now very little traffic on this uphill
road.
Cruise down the pass to Lang Co beach for a swim and lunch. Then
transfer the final 35 kilometers by car to Hoi An, a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. The remainder of this afternoon and evening is at your
leisure to explore the narrow streets and lanes of this charming town.
Overnight in Hoi An.
(Cycling Distance: 100 km)
Day 12: Hoi An – My Son – Hoi An=(B/L/-)
The last day of the journey is an easy ride My Son, the ancient centre
of Cham civilization. Transfer a bit out of town to avoid the highway
before cycling along scenic country back roads, past rice paddy fields,
through a eucalyptus forest and passing many picturesque villages. The
meandering road eventually leads us to My Son, once Champa’s greatest
city and now an impressive archaeological site. Enjoy lunch near the
temples and an afternoon spent touring around the crumbling temples
before transferring back to Hoi An by bus.
Overnight in Hoi An.
(Cycling Distance: 60 km)
Day 13: Hoi An – Departure =(B/-/-)
At your leisure until departure for onward flights
III. Included and Exculuded
Note:The price applied for Season : January 01, 2013 to
December 31, 2013. Reservations during peak times (Christmas, New Year,
Vietnamese Lunar New Year, National Holidays) may be subject to
supplementary charges and compulsory meals.
Tour price includes: Accommodation(first class option)
in a shared twin or shared double room, Meals as mentioned (B=
Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner),English or French speaking biking guide
(for other languages and a national guide supplements apply), Tours and
transfers as mentioned by private air conditioned vehicle, Entrance fees
for mentioned visits, Drinking water for riding day from day 2 to day
10 for cycling days, Snack, soft drinks, local fruits and fresh tissues
for riding day from day 3 to 10 for cycling days
Tour price excludes:International and domestic Flights
& departures taxes, Beverage, Travel insurance, Personal expenses,
tips and gratuities, Local bike hire including transport of bikes, and
spares(Trek 4500 Front suspension mountain bikes): 15USD/bike/day X 10
Days=150USD, Vietnam visa stamp fee, Other services not mentioned above.
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