Mountain biking in Northern Vietnam

Airfare is are not included in this tour, so you are responsible for getting to and from Vietnam on your own. The first day is unscheduled, so you can arrive in Hanoi at any time. Upon arrival at Noibai International Airport in Hanoi, our team will be ready to welcome you and give you a ride to your hotel in Hanoi's Old Town. The group will have the afternoon free to rest and relax after the long flight or if you are feeling energetic you can explore the lively streets of Hanoi on your own before we begin the adventure tomorrow. 

Today, we explore the heart of Hanoi, a city steeped in history and vibrant culture. We'll explore its historic sites, sample delicious local cuisine, and immerse ourselves in the bustling street life. In the afternoon, we'll prepare for our upcoming cycling adventure by meeting with our mechanics for bike fittings and assembly. To conclude the day, we'll savor a delicious welcome dinner in one of the cities amazing restaurants.

The day starts with a hotel pickup at 7:30 AM for a 5-hour van transfer to Viet Quang in the north, providing ample time to either admire the scenery or catch some sleep. During the journey, we will stop for a local breakfast. Upon arrival in Viet Quang, we will enjoy lunch at a local family's house, offering our first full immersion in rural Vietnamese cuisine—don’t hesitate to try some unfamiliar dishes; they are sure to impress. After lunch, we hop on our bikes and pedal the first leg of the Ha Giang Gauntlet (loop), embarking on a challenging 22 km ride to Hoang Su Phi with an elevation gain of 800 meters. We end the day with dinner and an overnight stay at a local homestay in Hoang Su Phi.

We leave the mountain town of Hoang Su Phi bright and early to head towards the outskirts of Ha Giang. The ride is 8 km long, but you will descend 400 meters on trails that actually go through hillside villages. Watching the beautiful terraced mountainsides that follow the contours of the landscape is one of the scenic highlights of this adventure. Near Ha Giang, we will explore the diverse cultural heritage of the 15 different ethnic tribes in the area. We will have the opportunity to learn about the tribes' rich history and heritage from the locals themselves. Then, we will cycle up the steep final stretch to enjoy the view over Ha Giang city, a challenging but rewarding experience, before spending the night at a local accomodation n Ha Giang. Dinner and tonight's stay will be at a local guesthouse in Ha Giang.

After a tasty breakfast, we take a quick 25 km bus ride along a paved road that winds through local terraced rice fields. The morning landscape is stunningly beautiful. At the end of the bus ride, we hop on our bikes and cycle through Vietnam's limestone mountain range, enjoying views of the incredible geological formations and misty rice terraces as we tackle steep climbs and enjoy the reward of the refreshing downhills. As we exit the mountain range, the terrain will level out a bit as we pass through minority villages and mountain communities, immersing us in the local culture and fostering interactions with the friendly people in the area. The mountain road passing "Heaven's Gate 1" will be a highlight of the day, offering the famous view over the Tam Son Valley and Twin Hills, which provide some of the most spectacular sights in Vietnam. The mix of challenging up-and-down terrain and relatively flat sections will test your biking skills, but the scenic views and friendly encounters with local hill tribes will make it all worthwhile. Finally, you'll descend into Yen Minh, observing the traditional homes of the communities and taking in the picturesque surroundings before an overnight stay at a guesthouse in this sleepy northern town.

In the morning, we take a leisurely ride for several kilometers to visit the nearby hill tribe market. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture and catch a glimpse of the vibrant lifestyle that characterizes the strongly Chinese-influenced north of Vietnam. You might even come across some North Vietnamese antiques to take home as souvenirs! Next, we cycle up the Way of Happiness Road while gazing at the Dong Van Karst Plateau, truly one of the most beautiful natural landmarks in the world. At the summit, riders will visit the Hmong King Palace (Vuong Chi Sinh Palace) and Lung Cu Flag Pole Tower. Finally, we cycle 15 km to the ancient town of Dong Van and check into a hotel there before enjoying some free time to explore one of Vietnam's most historically rich hidden gems.

Today, we leave Dong Van through the Sky Walk, a cyclist-friendly road known to get so foggy that you might feel like you're walking on the clouds, hence the name. The ride also takes you along the magnificent Ma Phi Leng Pass. After the Sky Walk, riders will fly down a steep descent to the Nho Que River and embark on a Nho Que River cruise. The 700-meter deep canyon walls will undoubtedly take your breath away. After disembarking, we board a waiting support vehicle in Nho Que and head back to the colorful village of Meo Vac, where we will stay overnight.

In the morning, we depart from Meo Vac to the majestic Mau Due - Lung Ho summit, which offers one of the most panoramic views in Vietnam. The ride is one of the most strenuous stages of this adventure, so make sure to stay hydrated. Reaching the top is no easy feat even for experienced cyclists, but you will be rewarded with a hearty picnic lunch at the mountain's peak. The descent down the mountain is one of the highest-speed segments of the entire trip, ending with a plunge into the serene riverside village of Du Gia. Overnight stay at a comfortable riverside hotel in the town.

We start the day with a visit to the local market in Du Gia, where you can mingle with the colorfully dressed members of various hill tribes and admire their traditional crafts. From Du Gia, we tackle one of the most ruggedly scenic stretches of this adventure: a 5 km uphill ride through remote mountain areas surrounded by beautiful cliffs, caves, and other natural wonders. This section provides a beautiful finish to the Ha Giang Loop. After the 5 km climb, we begin a 20 km descent, offering a brilliant opportunity to rest your biking muscles, which will likely be quite fatigued by this point. We then complete the cycling portion of the trip with a 10 km flat ride into the city of Ha Giang. Here, we will check into our hotel, have some time to rest and freshen up, before gathering for our final festive farewell dinner. It’s time to celebrate our adventure together and the fantastic achievement of completing the Ha Giang Gauntlet!

After a hearty breakfast, we begin the transport back to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. The 5-hour journey offers your final glimpse into the Ha Giang region as a whole. Upon arrival, we can assist you with checking into your preferred hotel or get you to the airport in time for your afternoon flight. Depending on your flight schedule, we can help arrange hotel accommodation and flight transfers for the next day if needed.

Consider adding a pleasant multi-day visit to beautiful nearby Halong Bay for a relaxing stay on the beach or magical overnight boat trip through the Vietnamese fjords.