Biking Adventure in Northern Vietnam

Airfare is are not included in this trip, so you are responsible for getting to and from Vietnam on your own. The first day is unscheduled, and since many participants will need to fly overnight, you can arrive in Hanoi at any time on day 2 in the itinerary.

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 colorfully dressed members of the various local tribes and admire their traditional crafts. From Du Gia we embark on one of the most picturesque stretches of this adventure: uphill cycling 5 km through remote mountain areas surrounded by beautiful cliffs, caves, and other natural wonders. This part provides a beautiful conclusion to the Ha Giang loop. After the climb we start a 20-kilometer descent. This will be a brilliant opportunity to rest your cycling muscles, which will likely be quite well used at this point. We then end the cycling part of the trip with a 10 km flat stretch into the town of Ha Giang. Here we will check into our hotel, have some time to shower and rest before we meet for our last dinner together. Now it is time to celebrate our adventure together and the fantastic achievement of completing the Ha Giang loop!

After a hearty breakfast, we begin the transfer back to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. The 5-hour journey offers your final glimpse into the Ha Giang region as a whole. Once we arrive back in Hanoi the afternoon and evening will be yours to relax or explore the city as you please. Enjoy the buzzing night life of the city but make sure to be ready for our early departure for the coast tomorrow.

We depart Hanoi in the morning and enjoy a scenic drive through the Red River Delta to Hai Phong. Once on the coast we continue by boat to Cat Ba Island where our homestay awaits in Lan Ha Bay. After a tasty lunch, we will explore the bay by kayak, visit lagoons, caves, and secluded beaches, with opportunities to swim and relax. After exploring this remote stretch of the Vietnamese coastline we return to the homestay in the late afternoon to unwind, enjoy dinner, and spend a peaceful evening surrounded by stunning natural scenery.

After breakfast, we depart the homestay and board the traditional Vietnamese junk for a day exploring the stunning Lan Ha Bay. Today we will paddle through scenic lagoons and caves by kayak, visit islands and temples, and enjoy crystal-clear waters at secluded beaches. We anchor for an authentic seafood lunch on board amidst the stunning natural scenery. In the afternoon, we will continue kayaking and relaxing before anchoring in a tranquil area for the evening. Dinner is served onboard, with time to unwind on deck and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.

Today is our final day in Vietnam so we enjoy a slow breakfast onboard our Junk before exploring Cat Ba Island and Viet Hai National Park. We cycle through lush forests and mountain scenery to reach the park, where you can either relax in a local village or take a short trek for sweeping views over the bays. After lunch at a local restaurant, we cycle back to the pier and rejoin the boat for the return cruise to Ben Beo Pier. In the afternoon, transfer by bus back to Hanoi, concluding our adventure in Vietnam. Participants are free to arrange evening flights from Hanoi this evening or otherwise arrange onward travel.

After an incredible trip to the world's most remote corners, we are back home, full of unforgettable memories – and the delicious flavors of Vietnamese food still linger on the tongue!