VIETNAM BIKE ADVENTURE HANOI AND BEYOND

Cycle from Sapa to Hanoi. You’ll ride to high mountain passes, through magnificent countryside, stunning valleys, gorges and hill tribe villages. Home stay with a village family and enjoy a home cooked dinner and traditional dance performance, learning about the local culture along the way.

Upon arrival, enjoy a short tour of Hanoi, taking in the atmosphere of the capital. In the evening receive a pre-trip briefing before enjoying a traditional Vietnamese dinner. Transfer by overnight train to Lao Cai and ride through villages, browsing the local markets. Ride to the highest mountain pass in Northern Vietnam. Start cycling from Tam Duong, you can choose either to take a car to the top or to do the ascent yourself. Ride to Lai Chau through the magnificent countryside and valleys of the area. Cycle through a lush landscape of bamboo, bananas and ferns to the site of a famous victory against occupying French forces. Ride downhill through quiet back roads and past scenic gorges. Do a challenging 12km climb followed by a 14km descent. Ride to the village of Son La through some of the most stunning scenery in Vietnam, passing through the White Hmong hill tribe village of Thuan Chau where locals can be seen in their traditional black headdress. Traverse a plateau of tea plantations and peach orchards to a home stay family and enjoy a delicious home cooked dinner and traditional dance performance.

• Exotissimo experienced English speaking biking guide(s) (two guides for group bigger than 11). In 2013: 2 guides for group from 8 participants up • Private air-conditioned vehicle for transfer and back up as itinerary (Additional truck to carry bikes and baggage Hanoi to Sapa route if group bigger than 11). • Welcome gift: 01 Vietnam Eco map per person. • 01 Silk sleeping sheet per person. • 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 • Soft sleeper train ticket Hanoi – Lao Cai on day 1 (4 sleeper air-conditioned compartment) • Meal as mentioned in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner). Welcome dinner in fancy Wild Lotus Restaurant in Hanoi. Note that we will supplement some breakfast for some simple hotels in the mountain including some baguette, coffee, tea milk, cheese and butter) • Sight seeing entrance fees where mentioned in the itinerary • Accommodation in twin sharing room with daily breakfast (some of the hotel/guest house in the mountain area are simple)

• International air ticket to/from Vietnam • Visa to Vietnam. • Tips to drivers, driver assistants, local people, porters at boat station, hotels and airports, guides. • Alcoholic drinks and drinks during meals • Personal travel insurance. • Local bike hire including transport of bikes, and spares (Trek 4500 Front suspension mountain bikes): 15USD/bike/day X 10 Days=150USD • Personal expenditure (telephone, laundry, shopping, camera film and so on…) • Any other services not clearly stated in the itinerary and trip inclusive portion

For cancellation up to 3 days, a full refund will be given. For cancellation up to 1 days, 50% refund will be given.