Departs: Nha Trang Tour route: Nha Trang - Dalat - Lak Lake - Buon Me Thout - Kontum - Kam Duc - Hamburger Hill - Khe Sanh - Phong Na Caves - Vinh Moc - Hue Dalat looks like a cross between Vietnam and the French Alps. Many of its hotels and houses are built in a European/ French style. The city spreads across a series of pine-covered hills, with a small lake in the center and surrounded by a man made lake and higher peaks, making for some lovely scenery quite different from the rest of Vietnam. Temperatures are pleasantly warm by day, and quite cool at night, down to perhaps 10 degrees Celsius. All members of MotorBikeTours-Vietnam.Com used to work as tour guides for many years so we all know the value of your money!!! With quite deep knowledge and experience at motorcycle touring we can design plenty of motorcycle tours in Vietnam. We do not try to be the cheapest but we always try to take the BEST CARE of your trips. We organize 2 different kinds of motorcycle tours in Vietnam Pillion Package Motorcycle Tours (Motorcycles, Tour guide, Fuel And Hotels Costs, Entrance Fees To The National Parks Are All Inclusive) you ride has a pillion passenger the price is $85 per day. Full Package Motorbike Tours (Motorcycles, Tour Guide, Fuel And Hotel Costs, Entrance Fees To The National Parks Are All Inclusive) gives you more freedom and flexibility, just come to us, ride the bikes yourself and ride freely with a tour guide, he has rich experience in motorcycle touring so he can ride as fast or slow as you wish; especially he can work as a mechanic to deal with some little problem with your bikes, (you must be able to show you have had experience before of riding a motor bike) the price is $110 per day. “We guarantee to deliver the best balance between cost and quality of tours”.
• Experienced English-speaking guide
• Manual or semi-auto motorbike or semi-automatic scooter
• Tour mechanic
• Personal, local licensed driver, if required (for pillion passengers)
• Local guide in Dalat for trekking tours.
• Fuel
• All accommodation as indicated (double or twin share) – single rooms on request. We stay at 2-4 star hotels, where possible. Upgrade possible on request.
• All entry fees
• International safety standard helmet
Day 1: NhaTrang to Dalat
Welcome to your first taste of the REAL Vietnam and the type of terrain upon which so many battles were fought. This mountainous region with it's cooler climate was a place of respite for commanders and war correspondents alike who were fortunate enough to escape the front lines. Whilst many strategies were devised here Dalat was largely untouched by fighting however it was home to the National Millitary Academy of Vietnam from 1950 to 1975. In 1970 a young Vietnamese graduate become the first to be accepted to the famous US Westpoint Academy.
Day 2: Dalat to Lak lake
Through some astonishing countryside we make our way into the regions of the minority peoples and some of the 44 different ethnic tribes which inhabit the area in much the same way as they have always done. These peoples have long been subject to much persecution from the communist regime due to their willingness to assist the American and Australian troops during the conflict. Traditional fishing and crop growing continues in and around the beautiful shimmering lake upon which we will be staying in roomy and comfy bungalows. At night enjoy a traditional dance and story telling by the local Hmong tribe along with a little rice wine !
Day 3: Lak lake to Buon Me Thout
Here we head into the Dak Nong province which was the scene of many conflicts and heavy bombing by US Airforces. Due to it's close proximity to the Cambodian border it was used as a logistics and recruiting base by the VC, after stopping at the impressive Dray Sap waterfalls for a refreshing swim, we continue on the Ho Chi Minh road into Buon Me Thout.
Day 4: Buon Me Thout to Kontum Via Pleiku
Leaving BMT via the Ho chi Minh road we make our way toward the unassuming town of Pleiku, whose significance is almost without parallel in Vietnam war annals. American forces were up until 1965 in , officially, a non combat role. After the VC shelled a compound here killing eight US soldiers the then president Johnston ordered a significant build up of troops and the green light to engage a mass bombing of North Vietnamese troops. On the nearby " road of tears" some 30 000 locals were killed as they tried to flee toward the coastline by the VC and VN armies. History started here.
The Gia Lai museum contains a pictorial of events relating to the war and the local hill tribes.
Day 5: Kontum to Kam Duc Via Dak To
Some truly incredible riding along the infamous Ho Chi Minh trail, history speaks to you with every bend you negotiate, every mountain you climb, every peak you crest. Not long out of Kontum we detour to a poignant war memorial in Dak To, an area where more bombs were dropped than in all of world war 2, on display are Russian and Chinese built tanks and a story of how the ethnic villagers were caught up in the bloody battles.
Day 6: Kam Duc to Hamburger Hill
Crossing over the awesome Bach Ma range en route to our accommodation in Aluoi this is very fine riding and well clear of the well worn tourist trails. Late in the day we will encounter the site of hill 937, better known as Hamburger Hill for the fact that American Airbourne troops who were ordered to make frontal assault on the mountain were chewed up like hamburgers. Dealing with unbearably thick scrub, bamboo, lousy weather and the fact this locale was of little strategic value, the public was outraged by the many US soldiers killed here at the hands of the Vietnamese Peoples army until on may 29, 1969, Airbourne troops took control.
Day 7: Hamburger Hill to Khe Sanh
For anyone stationed at or near the Khe Sanh combat base in the years 1967-68 the threat of the PAVN was ever present and it still puts a shiver up your spine just to hear the name, Khe Sanh . There is a large monument in town which celebrates the bravery of the armies from the north, however their casualties were over 10 times that of the US FORCES in the battle to control route 9. A good spot to pay your respects to the men and women of both armies.
Day 8: Khe Sanh to Phong Na Caves
After visiting the war museum, the original site of the US combat base with visible evidence of runways, a chinook and C130 and other artifacts on display, just outside of Khe Sanh, we enter the seldom used Western Ho Chi Minh trail. This countryside will truly astonish you and the thought of having to fight amongst this terrain will truly humble you. The riding on this our longest stretch is the very best in Vietnam, maybe anywhere! Turn after turn, elevation changes, temperature changes and breathtaking views, tiny viliages who rarely see any outsiders, you will never forget this day or the sheer ferocity and difficulty of the countryside our brothers fought in.
These caves were another secret supply line for the northern forces, when the river is low enough small boats can travel 30km's under ground to beyond the Laos border. A recently discovered cave is so huge it will accommodate the empire state building standing upright in it's confines! Paradise cave, officially the 2nd largest in the world. Truly amazing scenery here in Phong Na. Some cold beers and a hearty meal at our riverside hotel will round out a memorable day.
Day 9: Phong Na to Vinh Moc
This area became the southern most border town in 1954 when in Geneva the french and vietnamese agreed to an armistice and declared a partition along the 17th parallel ( the DMZ ) and saw heavy shelling as it was a staging area for the north Vietnamese forces. Also the site of an infamous battle in the gulf of Tonkin where MIG17's and torpedo boats engaged the US navy who were shelling the coastal transit routes to cut supplies from crossing the nearby DMZ. Riding down this same transit route, the eastern Ho Chi Minh road we visit the outdoor war museum before stopping at the legendary Vinh Moc tunnels. Here a whole village of around three hundred people went underground to live and work up to 20metres deep whilst the war raged above.
Day 10: Vinh Moc to Hue
This area of Dong Ha was wiped off the map in 1972. Once a command centre for the Marine Corps it was defended many times before finally succumbing and blown into oblivion. As we roll on towards Hue we encounter the bullet riddled Long Hung church and what's left of the once great Quang Tri citadel, the sight of a bitter and explosive game of tug'o ' war between north and south. To conclude we arrive in the historical city of Hue, the only major city in the south to have come under communist command.
During this time some 3000 residents were shot or beaten to death for perceived links to the southern war machine and the city was almost flattened in an effort to reclaim it.The Imperial Palace suffered the indignity of being napalmed in an effort to dislodge the VC and northern troops.
Hue is the conclusion of this epic adventure, but is itself a good place to spend a few more days visiting temples and royal palaces and such and then only a short flight to Hanoi or HCMC.
Tours Exclude:
• Alcohol
• Minibar drinks and snacks
• Drinks during & after riding time / during dinner
• Laundry
• Personal expenses/tips
• Personal and motorbike insurance (for motorcycle accident)
• Damages to motorcycle or any other MotorBikeTours-Vietnam.Com equipment
Booking Conditions:
The itinerary featured is correct at time of the quote and may differ slightly. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travelers’ comments and our own research.
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Cancellation:
Cancellation by MotorBikeTours-Vietnam.Com
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Cancellation Fees are as follows
Half and Day Tours
The booking is cancelled within 24 hours of tour departure date or once the tour has departed: the fee is 100% of the tour price.
The booking is cancelled within 2 weeks of tour departure date though not within 24 hours of departure: the fee is 50% of the tour price.
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The booking is cancelled within 14 days of tour departure date: the fee is 100% of the tour price.
REFUNDS
Refunds are not made for any unused services. No refund will be made if you leave the trip early for any reason.
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The Traveler:
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MotorBikeTours-Vietnam.Com
MotorBikeTours-Vietnam.Com will do everything it can to ensure your tour departs on time. However, MotorBikeTours-Vietnam.Com reserves the right to cancel any tour 10 days prior to departure should the group size fall below the minimum numbers require. Alternative dates will be made available. Should this option be unacceptable, a full refund of all payments will constitute full settlement with you?
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