Day 1: Overnight train to Lao Cai

You will be met up with our guide at your hotel in Hanoi and transferred to Hanoi station for overnight train to Lao Cai.

Day 2: Lao Cai – Bac Ha

You will be greeted by our team at Laocai station and transferred to a local restaurant for breakfast. Enjoy a full day cycle from Laocai to Bac ha with stops en route for visiting local tribal villages.

Day 3: Bac Ha – Xin Man

We will bike across one of the most remote parts of northern Vietnam. At first we tackle a steady climb of 6km on good paved road but then turn into short section of jeep track. After around 3-hr riding we will have a picnic lunch wherever we find  good for that. After lunch we continue riding to Xin Man, a small and busy town near Chinese border. Xin Man is around 75 km from Bac Ha and the biking in the afternoon is not less challenging than the one in the morning. We will climb for the first hour or so up to a plateau at 2500m, where we have fantastic view before hitting rough paved road for a steady descent into Xin Man. During the biking we will have regular stop for break, snack and taking photo. Dinner and overnight in hote.

Day 4: Xin Man – Hoang Shu Phi – Ha Giang

Today we take a gentle ride covering 90km from Xin Man to Viet Quang Town. The ride takes us down to a bridge over the main river and for the next 40km we ride along a quiet road that gently climbs and follows the river upstream to Hoang Shu Phi, a quiet town at 1000m. Have a break in town for snack and refreshment then continue with downhill quiet road 60km to Viet Quang. We will have a late light lunch in Viet Quang Town then take a bus transfer to Ha Giang Town, the capital of Ha Giang Province which is the final frontier in northern Vietnam, a lunar landscape of limestone pinnacles and granite outcrops. Dinner and overnight in Ha Giang Town

Day 5: Ha Giang – Bac Me – Bao Lac

Today the ride is mostly road based. At first we tackle 12 km climbs and then it is an undulating, idyllic route through friendly villages and paddy fields, surrounded by jagged limestone hills. Around noon time we will reach Bac Me Town where we will have lunch in local restaurant. After lunch we will continue riding to Bao Lac. The long and gentle section in the afternoon can be done partly by biking and partly by driving. We may ride around 35km on quiet road then take a drive to Bao Lac Town where we stay overnight in a simple guest house. Dinner in town.

Day 6: Bao Lac – Tinh Tuc – Ba Be Lake

Having a relaxing breakfast and then we leave the town around 9am. Today we will enjoy the last ride of our trip. We start with a climb 6km, followed by an undulating quiet road though scenic villages. We will have snack break on the way and have late light lunch in the small town of Nguyen Binh. After the lunch we will take a relaxing drive to Ba Be National Park. We will stay  overnight in the beautiful village of Pac Ngoi, which is home to Tay people who live on Ba Be Lake in stilt house. Our hosts will cook us a great dinner and we will have a great time talking with the friendly hosts.

Day 7: Ba Be Lake – Cho Ra – Hanoi
After the breakfast we say goodbye to the hosts and take a short walk through the village. We will board a long boat for a fantastic boat trip on the stunning Ba Be Lake. This lake is one of the country’s largest natural lake, surrounded by limestone cliffs, waterfall, caves and an abundance of wildlife. The interesting boat trip lasts around 1.5hr and we will ride along the Nang River to reach Cho Ra Town. Drive 5hr back to Hanoi with a lunch stop on the way. We arrive in Hanoi about late afternoon.

Day 01: Hanoi – Ba Be National Park

You will be met up at your hotel and start 4hours drive to Bac Can. Afternoon we cycle off highway 3 to a quiet road, great view small village of Tay and Thai on the opposite of the river. O/N in Babe

Day 02: Ba Be National Park – Bac Me

Morning boat cruise with our bike to Dau Dang waterfalls, we have breakfast on board. Then we start a cycling adventure on a small trail to Bac Me. This is the most challenge day but beautiful route through forest and tribal villages, up and down hill all day long. Our van can not support on this route, so we have “Minsk” Russian motorbike to carry our food & water. O/N in BAC Me

Day 03: Bac Me – Ha Giang

Good paved road along Gam river, no dirt road today. Several gentle hill to climb on. There is one last mountain pass to enter Ha Giang town. O/N in Ha Giang.

Day 04: Ha Giang – Heaven Gate Pass – Hoang Su Phi

Transfer by van 45km down highway 2 to Tan Quang where we turn left and start cycling 60km up hill to the mountain again. Best Mountain View today, challenge climb over two “Heaven gate” pass (alt. + 815m and +895m) to Hoang Su Phi town. O/N in Hoang Su Phi

Day 05: Hoang Su Phi – Xin Man

Good paved road, great view along Chay river. We are closed to China border. Afternoon free time to explore Xin Man market. O/N in Xin Man

Day 06: Xin Man – Can Cau (Saturday Market) – Bac Ha

Challenge climb all way up to +1450 meter above sea level. This is totally a dirt road – built on the former trail of the flower Hmong tribes. We stop over a colorful Saturday market at Can Cau. Afternoon we cycle down hill to BacHa. O/N in Bac Ha.

Day 07: Bac Ha (Sunday Market)

A relaxing day promenade around BacHa Sunday market, see a market day for all tribes: Tay, Nung, Dao, Flower H’mong, Giay, PhuLa etc… Afternoon we ride bike around H’mong village. O/N in BacHa.

Day 08: Bac Ha – Lao Cai – Hanoi (Night train)

Ride down the mountain pass to Bao Nhai and onto Lao Cai. Late afternoon leisure time at the Chinese border. Have shower and dinner. Night train to Hanoi. End of tour.

Day 1 – Arrive in Hanoi

We will pick you up  at the  Noi Bai airport and transferred  you  to the  your hotel in Ha Noi

Day 2 : Ha Noi City tour 

An early start gets us out on the bikes and into the streets of Hanoi. As the markets are humming and people are exercising around Hoan Khiem Lake, we will ride to visit The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature. We will then cross the river for a ride around some of the farmlands surrounding Hanoi. The late afternoon is free for you to adjust to Vietnam.

Day 3– Transfer to Ha Giang

After a morning walk of the Old Quarter, we will leave mid morning for our drive out of Hanoi and into the foothills of Ha Giang Province. We will reach the provincial capital in the late afternoon. This is a small town and gives us a taste of the sorts of places we will be spending out time in for the next week or so. Few travelers make their way to this province and even fewer to the areas that we will be traveling through.

Day 4 – Cycles to Tam Son (60km )

Today we begin the challenge. Shortly after leaving Ha Giang, we start climbing and continue an uphill ride through the day. We will climb over the dramatic Cong Troi Pass; we will drop into Tam Son, a very small town on the side of the mountains where we spend the night.

Day 5 – Cycles to Yen Minh (65km)

We start the day with a fantastic descent into a lush valley. We then follow a small river along the valley and pass the ruins of a French position from the Indochina war. We then start climbing again to reach the top of Doan Kiet pass. We then descend into Yen Minh, which sits at the base of another sub-range of mountains bordering China.

Day 6 – Cycle to Dong Van (68km)

We enjoy some level ground as we leave town and then after our first rest stop, start climbing. Today’s climbs are harder, but more spectacular, as we move into a higher altitude. We will climb through the black volcanic rock, where you will see various hill-tribes seeking out a living from this infertile ground. The colorful, traditional costumes of these people will help you to face the challenge of the mountains, and the views over these spectacular mountains and through the huge gorges will reward your efforts. Tonight we stay in the mountain town of Dong Van. At this point, we are less than 20km from the Chinese border.

Day 7 – Cycle and drive to Ha Giang ( 44km)

We set off through Chinese, border frontier country. We pass many houses of the hill tribes, constructed from compacted mud. We have some climbing to do, before we enjoy a big descent on our loop back to Yen Minh. From Yen Minh, we will drive back to Ha Giang. Overnight in Hagiang

Day 8 – Cycle to Vinh Quang (90km)

Today we start with an easy ride along a valley for about 50km, before tackling a climb and then a descent to reach the small town of Vinh Quang.

Day 9 – Cycle then Jeeps to Bac Ha ( 21km )

Today is a relatively easy ride with some rolling hills along a river towards Xi Man. From here we meet our hill tribes, bushy mechanics and their Russian built jeeps who will take us over the dramatic range separating Xi Man from our overnight home of Bac Ha. Bac Ha is becoming popular with day trippers from Sapa, who come to visit the once a week market. The people of this area are colorfully dressed and even on an ordinary day; there is plenty of interesting merchandise through town.

Day 10 – Cycle to Lao Cai & Overnight train ( 60km)

We start with a 40km continuous downhill. Your legs will forget what it was like to have to pedal as you sweep down this wide road into the Lao Cai Valley. We then ride along fairly flat ground to reach Lao Cai town. Lao Cai is the border checkpoint town with China. It is also where we catch our overnight train to Hanoi. We will have a shower and dinner before boarding the sleeper train.

Day 11 – Hanoi Free time 

We will arrive very early in the morning into Hanoi, so a nap might be a good idea before setting out to explore the city. Tonight we will celebrate our achievements!

Day 12 – Hanoi – Departure

Our driver will transfer to the airport for a flight back to your home.

Day1: Hanoi Arrival

Arrive in Hanoi,  Transfer to hotel.  Assemble bikes.  Evening at leisure. Hotel In Ha Noi

Day2: Hanoi – Thai Nguyen – Bac Can – Phu Thong – Ba Be National Park

Leave Ha Noi in the morning for a road transfer 200km along national road 3 via Thai Nguyen, Bac Can. Enjoy several stops along the way for sight seeig. Lunch stop in Bac Can city.Start cycling from Phu Thong town let along the narrow road winding its way up and down hills for 32km to Cho Ra and then continue along the Nang River 18km to the center of Ba Be National Park.Arriving to the Park’s hotel at about 16.30. Check in hotel and free to explore the rich nature surrounding.

Day3: Ba Be –  Dau Dang – Thuong Nong – Bac Me

Breakfast and then leave the hotel at 08.00, enjoy a short ride to the boat pier and boarding a loal motor bat for morning cruise to explore Ba Be Lake, the largest natural lake in lmountainous region of Vietnam which is surrounded by walled-up limestone mountain covered by thick rain forest. You will pay visit to Puong Cave, Dau Dang village and waterfall before making a cut through Na Hang Reservoir to Da Vi junction. Leave the boat and take a short ride to a local restaurant for lunch.Continue biking after lunch along the newly upgraded road mostly uphill for 50km to Duong Am village of the Bac Me district. This portion of the road sneaks on high mountain side offering marvelous scenery of the river, stream and valleys below. Enjoy some stops along the way to visit tribal villages of the Tay and Zao along the way.Pick up at Duong Am for an hour road transfer to Bac Me Town Let. Check in hotel and free to explore this charming town beautifully sits on the bank of the Gam River.

Day4: Bac Me – Bao Lam – Ly Bon – Niem Son – Meo Vac Ha Giang

Today you will enjoy a full day biking through the beautiful region along the mighty Gam River. Breakfast and start biking from your hotel. Following national road 34A for the whole morning on old tarmac which runs in parallel with Gam River eastwards for 51km via old Bac Me and Bao Lam town let. Paying visiting to villages of the Nung people along the way. This portion of the road is fairly good just with some low mountain passing over.

Turn left at Ly Bon, cross the Gam River by newly built bridge to the northern bank and then having picnic lunch break.Afternoon cycle is challenging uphill towards Meo Vac town let near the Chinese border. The road winds its way on steep mountain sides for 55km, You may cycle as far as you can and then supporting vehicle will transfer the last portion of the road to Meo Vac.Arriving to hotel at about 16.30. Check in and free to explore the town.

Day5: Meo Vac – Dong Van

Today you will enjoy the most spectacular mountain scenery of Vietnam. Breakfast and then spend 2 hours in the morning to visit Meo Vac Market.

Option: If on the date of the Tiger or Monkey, morning will be for paying visit to Lung Phin Market, which located in a remote commune 17km from Meo Vac.Then challenging up steep mountain pass of Ma Pi Leng 28km to Dong Van Town let.Check in hotel and relax for the rest of the day or walking 2 hours to explore the valley near by.

Day6: Dong Van – Sung La – Yen Minh

Leave Dong Van at 08,30 and follow road 4C, getting though valleys after valley to Xa Phin valley. Stop for paying visit the former Palace of the Hmong King who ruled over the Hmong community and control opium trading until 1945.Continue biking along the same road 21km to Sung La valley and then up steep mountain to Pho Bang ancient trading town, enjoy several stops along the way for sightseeing and paying visiting Sung Muoi village of the Hmong. Lunch break in Pho Bang.Continue cycling downhill from Pho Bang to Yen Minh via Pho Cao Mountain pass which offers stunning scenery of yen Minh valley.Arriving at the Thao Nguyen hotel in mid afternoon. Check in and relax.

Day7: Yen Minh – Quan Ba – Ha Giang

Breakfast, check out hotel and get ready for great challenging today. We shall conquer two high mountain pass: Yen Minh and Quan Ba.Depart at 08.30 with biking 2 km flat road from hotel and then challenging 19km uphill to the top of Yen Minh pass. The road is steep with many sharp bends but offers great view of marvellous valley below. Enjoy a tea beak at the top before getting downhill 18km to Can Ty commune and then cycle through the valley along the Nho Que River for 6km. Take another break for recharging energy before biking uphill 13km to Quan Ba town let. Paying visit to Nam Dam village of the Zao people before lunch break.Afternoon challenge is conquering Quan Ba Pass, The 8km uphill to the Haven Gate at the top is really steep with many sharp bends. Then getting down steep mountain 20km to the bottom of the valley. Picked up in mid afternoon for 25km transfer to Ha Giang. Check in hotel and free to explore this charming city.

Day8: Ha Giang – Tan Quang – Panhou

The cycle today is easy. Leave Ha Giang at 08.00 and cycle 3 km to Ban Me village of the Tay. Cycle around the valley, stop to pay visiting to homes of the Tay people. Then continuing along national road 2 on good tarmac 45km to Tan Quang junction. Transfer up steep mountain pass 17km to the top of Hoang Su Phi pass, enjoy picnic lunch at the top.Continue cycling along a narrow country road 16km to the Panhou ecolodge. Check in and relax or take an hour cycle to explore the Giang village near by.

Day9: Panhou – Bac Quang – Bac Ha

Transfer 48km from Panhou to Bac Quang town let. Biking from here along the road 279 through the low land of Ha Giang with a mountain pass to the area of Lao Cai province. Spending an hour to visit a village of the Pa Then ethnic as well as exploring Nghia Do valley.Arriving to Pho Rang town let in mid afternoon, stop biking here before late lunch.Take the road transfer 68km to Bac Ha.Check in hotel and relax.

Day10: Bac Ha – Sunday Market.

Today we have free holsall day explore market.

Day11: Bac Ha – Sapa

In the morning we start cycling in the surrounding area and visit a number of fairly traditional predominantly. Overnight in Sapa.

Day12: Optional ride to top of Tram Ton pass, the highest pass in Vietnam.

Day13: Sapa – Lao Cai – Hanoi

Today we have leisure explore Sapa by own until all group start cycle down to Lao Cai where we board the overnight train at 1930 to Hanoi.

Day 1: Hanoi – Lao Cai by Night Train

In the evening, after dinner by your own and relax until meet-up with our guide and test your bike to make sure that you got right one. Then our van will transfer you to Hanoi Train Station to take a night train to Lao Cai. Overnight in Train (Soft sleeper in sharing A/C cabin)

Day 2: Lao Cai – Sapa – Pedal up to Heavens Gate

The train stops at Lao Cai Station in early morning. Transfer 1 hour by van to Sapa Town. Upon arrival Sapa, Check in, breakfast and relax until 9.00 am, our support vehicle (Russian Uaz) will take you and bikes uphill to the Silver Waterfall, where we will start wonderful day pedalling up to Heavens Gate (Tram Ton Pass), the highest stretch of road in Vietnam.

At first we will bike hard (3km climbing) over the stunning Tram Ton Pass to experience the great views of the Hoang Lien Valley before a free-wheeling 26km downhill to visit the Black Hmong village of Chu Va, where you can enjoy a swim in the river & walk around in the village and explore the local way of living before lunch.

Afternoon, you will continue descent to Binh Lu Junction to visit the local market. From Binh Lu we continue cycling 1 hour to a remote village inhabited by the Coin Dao minority. Back to Sapa by provided Russian Uaz. Evening, have a welcome dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in Sapa

Day 3: Sapa Villages – Transfer to Lao Cai by Russian Uaz ( 45 km bikking)

Morning, after breakfast, we will cycle directly from your hotel in Sapa and downhill 20km into Muong Hoa Valley, one of the most beautiful valleys of the area. Pedaling on a dirt trail which sneaks through rice paddy terraces and villages, we arrive at Lao Chai Village of Black H’mong people and stop by a local house as well as enjoy excellent views over huge rice paddy terraces. Then continue downhill to visit Ta Van Village of Dzay people. Back to Sapa by vehicle for lunch

Afternoon, check out & gear up for our bike ride out of Sapa town towards the Ta Phin valley, winding our way through another Black Hmong hill tribe village in Ma Tra. This is a small village nested in Ta Phin Valley, which was once the most famous opium poppy field in the area. Now the area is famous for vegetable and rice fields. We continue cycling on winding village roads amidst rice terraces to a village of the Red Dzao ethnic minority. Visit the Ta Phin cave. Then vehicle will take us to Lao Cai Town for check in & dinner. Overnight in Lao Cai. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Lao Cai – Phong Hai – Coc Ly – Bac Ha ( 41 km bikking)

Sapa Early rising for breakfast and load our bikes on support vehicle for 1-hr transfer to the village of Phong Hai. Our ridding begins on a good hard-pack track along the side of a quiet road. Climbing gently then descending steeply to the small village of Coc Ly, where you start a boat cruise downstream Chay River, a beautiful river with stunning mountain gorge. Disembark and continue riding along the riverbank where we can enjoy magnificent sight of the beautiful caves and local life. Stop at Trung Do village of Tay minority for lunch and a cup of tea.

Then keep cycling on the dirt trail through the village and cross a narrow stream and an alpine road uphill to the quiet town of Bac Ha. Arrival Bac Ha, check in, dinner and overnight in Bac Ha.

Day 5: Bac Ha – Xin Man – Hoang Su Phi (88km bikking)

Hoang Su phiMorning, after breakfast in hotel & check out, transfer 10 km by van westward to Lung Phin Market where we start climbing toward Xin Man. Today we will bike across one of the most remote parts of northern Vietnam. At first we tackle a steady climb for 1 hr in a single-track road then hitting the paved road for a fast descent into the quiet town of Xin Man, a small and busy town near Chinese border. Lunch in Xin Man before starting the afternoon ride. The riding in the afternoon will not be too challenging. It takes us down to a bridge over the upstream of Chay River and for the next 40 km we cycle along a quiet road that gently climbs and follow the river to the town of Hoang Su Phi. Check in the only hotel in town. Overnight in Hoang Su Phi.

Day 6: Hoang Su Phi – Vi Xuyen – Ha Giang (58km bikking)

Ha Giang This is one of the most challenging biking days of the trip. Leaving Hoang Su Phi early morning, there are 6 km downhill before we turn off onto a remote track leading though mountains.

On this part our support vehicle will not be able to follow us and continue on the main mountain road to Viet Lam, where we will meet up later this day. However, we still have the emergency back up for water, lunch and first-aid, as we ride through the mountains. The ride highlight today is a long descent punctuated with waterfall and switchbacks, which flows seamlessly into some sinuous riverside single track making for fantastic riding.

Eventually we emerge onto rough tarmac and climb before finally dropping down again to the hot springs of Viet Lam, where we can ease our aching muscles. Refreshed, we pack the bikes into van and transfer the final 20 miles along Highway 2 to the busy district capital of Ha Giang. Dinner in local restaurant and overnight in Ha Giang.

Day 7: Ha Giang – Bac Me (55km bikking)

Today the ride is mostly road based. At first we tackle 12 km gentle climbs over To Vo Pass and then it is an undulating, idyllic route through friendly villages and paddy fields, surrounded by jagged limestone hills. Light lunch en route and we will reach the small town of Bac Me early afternoon. The rest of the day, we can explore this little town and its surroundings or relax with a cold beer in local bars. Dinner and overnight in Bac Me. 

Day 8: Bac Me – Yen Hoa – Dau Dang Waterfall  (82km bikking)

Ba Be National Park Just outside Bac Me, we cross the Gam River and leave the main road to follow a small track cross-country off-road all the way to Ba Be through forest and tribal villages, up and down hill all day long. Our support vehicle will not be able to follow us on this route and travel along way to meet us in Ba Be National Park. Depending to the condition of the track we will have an emergency vehicle or motorbike for water, food and first-aid. The ride involves three climbs, crossing a succession of river valleys, but is rideable all the way. At the village of Dan Dong, we will be transferred into traditional long boats for a relaxing 1.5-hr ride along the beautiful Nang River and cross the lake into the stunning Ba Be National Park. The park is centered on the country’s largest natural lake which is surrounded by limestone cliffs, waterfalls, caves and abundant of wildlife. We will have dinner and spend our night in a traditional house of Tay minority.

Day 9: Ba Be – Cho Ra – Hanoi

Today we have a relaxing and peaceful day. After the breakfast we say goodbye to the hosts and take a short walk through the village. We will board a long boat for a fantastic boat trip on the stunning Ba Be Lake. After 1.5-hr interesting boat trip reach Cho Ra Town. Drive 5 hrs back to Hanoi with a lunch stop on the way. The tour concludes at your hotel in Hanoi.

The 3-day cycling tour to Ha Giang is customized for active, adventure cyclists and those seeking an off-the-beaten path biking tour to the Vietnam far north. Begin the tour with a car transfer from Hanoi to Ha Giang town, Ha Giang province in the northern Vietnam. The drive takes about 6 hours, taking you through Tuyen Quang province. Spend one night at local home (homestay) before starting your day bicycle ride through local Tay and Dao villages. Meeting up with friendly people living far from all the busy cities. Those don’t have much time can take the overnight bus departing from Hanoi My Dinh bus station around 20:00 and arriving in Ha Giang early the following morning. The return public bus is also available. The biking tour can also be combined with Bac Ha, Sapa, Ba Be lakes or Cao Bang tours.

Day 1: Drive Hanoi – Ha Giang

8:00: You will be met up with Lotussia Travel team at your hotel in Hanoi and transferred to Ha Giang via Tuyen Quang province.

We arrive in Ha Giang around early afternoon. We will check into a local village house and have lunch. After lunch, we will have a short walk around this village.

Meeting and talking with local villagers will help you understand more the culture of the Tay ethnic group.

Dinner will be provided at the village. Overnight in a stilt house.

Day 2: Ha Giang cycling tour.

After breakfast, we start our bicycle trip by cycling downhill to Nam Tai Red Dao village. Enjoy wild nature scenery, terraced rice fields along our biking route. Several stops will be made for you to take picture.

We arrive Ban Cuom hamlet around noon. This is a Tay village and still untouched from mass travel. We will have lunch in a local house.

After lunch, we have a short walk around before we continue cycling to Ban Cuom 2 village, located  along the Mien river. A visit of this village will be made before the cycle back to Ha Giang town.

Check into the homestay again for dinner and overnight.

Day 3: Ha Giang – Hanoi.

Enjoy a full day drive traveling back to Hanoi. We will arrive Hanoi around mid-afternoon. End of Lotussia Travel service.

Day 1 – Arrive in Hanoi

We will pick you up  at the  Noi Bai airport and transferred  you  to the  your hotel in Ha Noi

Day 2 : Ha Noi City tour

An early start gets us out on the bikes and into the streets of Hanoi. As the markets are humming and people are exercising around Hoan Khiem Lake, we will ride to visit The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Temple of Literature. We will then cross the river for a ride around some of the farmlands surrounding Hanoi. The late afternoon is free for you to adjust to Vietnam.

Day 3– Transfer to Ha Giang

After a morning walk of the Old Quarter, we will leave mid morning for our drive out of Hanoi and into the foothills of Ha Giang Province. We will reach the provincial capital in the late afternoon. This is a small town and gives us a taste of the sorts of places we will be spending out time in for the next week or so. Few travelers make their way to this province and even fewer to the areas that we will be traveling through.

Day 4 – Cycles to Tam Son (60km )

Today we begin the challenge. Shortly after leaving Ha Giang, we start climbing and continue an uphill ride through the day. We will climb over the dramatic Cong Troi Pass; we will drop into Tam Son, a very small town on the side of the mountains where we spend the night.

Day 5 – Cycles to Yen Minh (65km) ( B, L, D)

We start the day with a fantastic descent into a lush valley. We then follow a small river along the valley and pass the ruins of a French position from the Indochina war. We then start climbing again to reach the top of Doan Kiet pass. We then descend into Yen Minh, which sits at the base of another sub-range of mountains bordering China.

Day 6 – Cycle to Dong Van (68km) (B, L, D)

We enjoy some level ground as we leave town and then after our first rest stop, start climbing. Today’s climbs are harder, but more spectacular, as we move into a higher altitude. We will climb through the black volcanic rock, where you will see various hill-tribes seeking out a living from this infertile ground. The colorful, traditional costumes of these people will help you to face the challenge of the mountains, and the views over these spectacular mountains and through the huge gorges will reward your efforts. Tonight we stay in the mountain town of Dong Van. At this point, we are less than 20km from the Chinese border.

Day 7 – Cycle and drive to Ha Giang ( 44km)

We set off through Chinese, border frontier country. We pass many houses of the hill tribes, constructed from compacted mud. We have some climbing to do, before we enjoy a big descent on our loop back to Yen Minh. From Yen Minh, we will drive back to Ha Giang. Overnight in Hagiang

Day 8 – Cycle to Vinh Quang (90km)

Today we start with an easy ride along a valley for about 50km, before tackling a climb and then a descent to reach the small town of Vinh Quang.

Day 9 – Cycle then Jeeps to Bac Ha ( 21km )

Today is a relatively easy ride with some rolling hills along a river towards Xi Man. From here we meet our hill tribes, bushy mechanics and their Russian built jeeps who will take us over the dramatic range separating Xi Man from our overnight home of Bac Ha. Bac Ha is becoming popular with day trippers from Sapa, who come to visit the once a week market. The people of this area are colorfully dressed and even on an ordinary day; there is plenty of interesting merchandise through town.

Day 10 – Cycle to Lao Cai & Overnight train ( 60km)

We start with a 40km continuous downhill. Your legs will forget what it was like to have to pedal as you sweep down this wide road into the Lao Cai Valley. We then ride along fairly flat ground to reach Lao Cai town. Lao Cai is the border checkpoint town with China. It is also where we catch our overnight train to Hanoi. We will have a shower and dinner before boarding the sleeper train.

Day 11 – Hanoi Free time

We will arrive very early in the morning into Hanoi, so a nap might be a good idea before setting out to explore the city. Tonight we will celebrate our achievements!

Day 12 – Hanoi – Departure

Our driver will transfer to the airport for a flight back to your home.