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Vietnam Ho Chi Minh Trail biking adventure 13 Days

From AUD A$1,590.00

Duration: 13 Days (approx.)
Location: Hanoi
Product code: BIT

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

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.

Day 2: Hanoi - Mai Chau - Puluong

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

Day 3: Pu Luong - Ngoc Lac

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.

Day 4: Ngoc Loc - Kim Lien - Vinh

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.

Day 5: Vinh – Huong Khe

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.

Day 6: Huong Khe – Phong Nha

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.

Day 7: Phong Nha - Khe Sanh

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.

Day 8: Khe Sanh - A Luoi

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.

Day 9: Hue

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.

Day 10: Hue City Tour

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.

Day 11: Hue - Hoi An

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.

Day 12: Hoi An - My Son

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.

Day 13: Hoi An Departure

At your leisure until departure for onward flights

INCLUSION