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Cascade-Affiliated International Tours
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Vietnam: The Far North, Hanoi to Hanoi
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| Dates: |
Nov. 5 - 17, 2009
4/20/09: 14 spaces remaining
Optional trip extension to Halong Bay, Nov. 3 - 5, 2009 |
| Pace & Distance: |
Suitable for all fit riders. Approximately 367 total miles (41 or more miles per day). |
| Group size: |
4 minimum, 18 maximum |
| Cost: |
Approximately $2,000 (see pricing for details) |
| Itinerary: |
From Hanoi to Hanoi
13 Days / 12 nights
View detailed itinerary. |
| Tour company:
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| The Northwest is the roof of Vietnam where the Hoang Lien Mountains (Tonkinese alps) soar to over 3000m and some of Vietnam’s most spectacular scenery is to be found. This is the road less traveled; much of the area is sparsely populated and the mountains are still home to many ethnic minorities; the Montagnard women still favor elaborate costumes of brightly colored skirts, tops and hats, each ethnic group favoring its own colour variation and design.
Sapa is an atmospheric former hill station with magnificent views of rice terraces and mountains; the temperature can drop to zero in mid-winter (January). We will travel by train, boat and bike as we follow the rugged Northwest route right to the border with China, at Lao Cai; on most days venturing away from the civilized tourist meccas, cycling through traditional villages and staying in small towns with modest lodgings.
Come prepared for the unexpected, for breathtaking scenery - and bring your sense of adventure!
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Vietnam Far North Tour
Detailed Itinerary
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MEETING DAY / DAY ONE
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Meals: D
Lodging: Thien Thai Hotel, 45 Nguyen TroungTo Str; Ba Dinh District, Hanoi
Facilities: Licensed restaurant, bar, lounge, laundry, hotel doctor.
Features: Central location, adjacent to the old town.
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You will be met at Hanoi airport and taken to your hotel where your guide will give an overview of what to expect in the following days.
Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam (pop.c 3 million) attained its present name in 1831.
Our hotel is in the Old Quarter, ideally situated for walking tours of this fascinating part of Hanoi. Its narrow streets are occupied by trades people who can be seen working at traditional crafts on the sidewalks or selling anything from snake-wine to vibrant paper lanterns. We are also close to Hoan Kiem Lake (lake of the restored sword) and the Red River (Song Hong).
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DAY TWO
Hanoi - Mai Chau: 152 km / 95 mii
CYCLING
up to 88 km / 55 mi
(lunch at 52 km / 33 mi)
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| Meals: B, L, D
Lodging: Mai Chau Lodge
Features: An attractive, small hotel in a rural setting.
Facilities: Three stars, restaurant, pool.
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We drive out of the city and the Red River Delta, passing traditional farming activity, then through limestone monoliths and into foothills populated by Muong people. Crossing an attractive forested pass, we descend to the hidden valley of Mai Chau where Thai people live in houses-on-stilts, with palm leaf roofs and polished bamboo-slat floors.
After we have settled in at our hotel we will be entertained in the village by traditional music and dancing, finishing up with a taste of rice wine.
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DAY THREE
Mai Chau to Son La: 185 km / 116 mi
CYCLING:
up to 115 km / 72 mi
(lunch at 54 km / 33 mi)
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| Meals: B, L, D
Lodging: Cong Doan Hotel, Son La
Features: In town centre.
Facilities: Two stars, best available.
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The road is sealed, a good surface and quiet with views to the distant mountains. We head through the forest, populated by H'mong people, before descending into a mountainous tea-growing region. Soon after we follow a long valley floor filled with rice paddies and dotted with Black Thai villages all the way to Son La. Allow time to visit the bargain-filled market. |
DAY FOUR
Son La – Dien Bien Phu: 154 km / 96 mi
CYCLING:
75 km / 47 mi
(more or less as you wish)
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| Meals: B, L, D
Lodging: Him Lam hotel, Dien Bien Phu
Facilities: Three stars, restaurant, bar, pool, massage.
Features: An attractive setting by a lake.
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The scenery from Son La and Dien Bien Phu is breathtaking. An early start gives the opportunity to visit one or two colorful markets. We then drive out of town before commencing to bike, with a 35 km warm up before Pha Din pass. After lunch there is another 40 km to Dien Bien Phu, which is famous as the battle site where the French colonial forces were emphatically defeated by the Viet Minh in 1954, signaling the beginning of the end for the French Indochina empire.There will be a brief tour of the historic town. |
DAY FIVE
Dien Bien Phu
CYCLING:
Rest day - optional bike ride
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| Meals: B, L, D
Lodging: Him Lam hotel, Dien Bien Phu
Facilities: Three stars, restaurant, bar, pool,
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Rest day in Dien Bien Phu.
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DAY SIX
Dien Bien Phu to Muong Lay: 102 km / 64 mi
CYCLING:
57 km / 36 mi to lunch
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| Meals: B, L, D
Lodging: Lan Anh hotel, Muong Lay
Facilities: Basic hotel with character and charm. Air conditioned.
Features: On the outskirts of town.
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We cycle along the windy roads that snake trough the beautiful countryside that characterizes this part of the country. At times the roads are steep but the stunning panoramas make the trip well worth it!
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DAY SEVEN
Moung Lay to Lai Chau: 50 km / 94 mi
CYCLING:
80 km / 50 mi
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| Meals: B, L, D
Lodging: Muong Thanh hotel, Lai Chau
Facilities: Three stars.
Features: Traditional communist style.
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In the morning we cycle through more superb mountainous countryside en route to Phong Tho. Along the way we pass through several different minority villages and are able to see at close quarters how people go about their daily lives.
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DAY EIGHT
Lai Chau to Sapa: c.100 km / 62 mi
CYCLING:
60 km / 37 mi
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Meals: B, L, D
Lodging: Bamboo Sapa Hotel
Facilities: Three stars, restaurant, bar.
Features:Central location. Good views.
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We continue on our way through scenic hills and valleys stopping at To Binh Lu to take the support vehicle the remaining 50km to Sapa (Population 36,200 , elevation 1650m). In afternoon we cycle to Cat Cat village and return. Sapa is in a magnificent setting in the mountains and an attractive little town.
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| Meals: B, L (Dinner not included)
Lodging: Bamboo Sapa Hotel, Sapa
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Much of the attraction of Sapa is the H’mong and the Dzao people who sell their crafts at the market. There is a good selection of cafes and restaurants in town, catering to all tastes.
There is the option today of a rest day to give time to wander around town and the market, or to drive out of town and hike a short distance to a local village.
Option: Visit the Black Hmong village of Su Pan and then continue mostly downhill to the Tay village of Ban Ho. After lunch we walk up to Red Dao village of Nam Toong; after exploring Nam Toong we return to Ban Ho and from there to Sapa.
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DAY TEN
Sapa (1,650m) to Bac Ha (700m): 99 km / 62 mi
CYCLING:
lunch at 67 km / 42 mi
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| Meals: B, L, D
Lodging: Sao Mai Hotel, Bac Ha
Facilities: Three stars, restaurant.
Features: In the centre of town.
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We start the day with a superb 32 km descent to Lao Cai. From here we climb, very gradually at first, then steepening, to the town of Bac Ha . The scenery is spectacular and the biking wonderful – truly a day to remember.
We will pass ethnic villages where the local people wear their traditional colorful clothing. On reaching the river valley, we will drive through Lao Cai and up to Bac Ha. For the first 40 km, until reaching the village of Pac Ngam, we pass through lowland country. We then climb steeply to Bac Ha, our final destination.
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DAY ELEVEN
Bac Ha
CYCLING:
Bac Ha day ride: 35 km / 22 mi
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Meals: B, L, D
Lodging: Sao Mai hotel, Bac Ha
Facilities: Three stars, restaurant.
Features: In the centre of town.
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From Bac Ha it is a spectacular road, climbing to 1360 m, to Can Cau village where there is a fascinating market attended by the local ethnic tribes people. We visit Lung Phinh village then cycle back to Bac Ha ( Down hill). In the afternoon we cycle to Ban Pho village (15km) The main tribe you will see today is flower Hmong, the most colourful one in Vietnam. Stay overnight in Bac Ha.
(On Sundays there is a fascinating market attended by all the tribes: Tay, Nung, Dao, Flower H’mong, Giay, PhuLa etc, it’s a great opportunity to see the local life style.)
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DAY TWELVE
Bac Ha - Lao Cai
CYCLING:
47 km / 29 mi downhill
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| Meals: B, L, D
Accomodation: Overnight train to Ha Noi.
Features: 4 berth sleeper compartments.
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We drive to Coc Ly where we board a long boat for a relaxing hour on the Song Chay (blue River) passing limestone cliffs and water buffalo on the waters edge. After lunch in Bao Nhai, your support vehicle will take you to Lao Cai town town – literally the end of the line in Vietnam. The town was destroyed in the Chinese invasion of 1979 (and subsequently rebuilt) and the border crossing closed until 1993.At Lao Cai we can look across the river to China and then change and shower prior to dinner and boarding the overnight sleeper train to Hanoi.
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| Meals: B |
The train journey takes about 8 hours, and you will arrive in Hanoi early this morning. From Hanoi we can arrange a trip to Halong Bay or take you to the International Airport for your flight home.
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THE FINE PRINT
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Pricing
The following are estimated tour costs per rider, in US dollars (all prices on a twin share basis):
- 7-9 people: $2,395
- 10-11 people: $2,270
- 12-15 people: $2,120
- 16-20 people: $1,850
These prices represent a discount of up to 14% for CBC members over standard Pedaltours rates
Single room supplement: $415 per person
Bike hire: $325 per person (Mountain bikes or hybrids)
Note: This quote is approximate only for Oct. 2008 - Dec. 2009 and is subject to change for reasons beyond our control. We expect only minimal increases for the Nov. - Dec. 2009, trip.
Trip Inclusions
- Accommodation as specified (mostly three star, one two star hotels)
- Three quality meals a day except where specified
- Transport in comfortable air-conditioned minibuses
- Local cycle mechanic and guide with good command of English
- Vietnam map, plus daily maps, one per cyclist
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Airport to Hotel transfer in Hanoi on Day 1 of tour
- T-shirt or lycra road jersey
- Overnight train from Lao Cai to Hanoi
- Boat trip on the Blue River
Trip Exclusions
- Alcoholic beverages
- Airport taxes
- Laundry
- Sightseeing other than specified
- Domestic or international flights
Optional Trip Extension
We urge you to join us on the 3-day Halong Bay extension.
Drive up to beautiful Halong Bay and board a comfortable junk with private facilities for an overnight cruise around the 3,000 islands rising steeply from the sea. Enjoy a half-day kayaking the World Heritage Park site of Halong Bay! We urge you to spend a couple extra days in Hanoi after the trip; it’s a very special city with many places of interest.
3 days/ 2 nights (November 4 - 6, 2009)
- Day 1: Arrive Hanoi, transfer to hotel.
- Day 2: Drive to Halong Bay, Board boat (shared boat if fewer than five rooms are required; private boat if six rooms or more are required; B,L,D included)
- Day 3: Finish boat trip, drive back to Hanoi. Hotel included in the Far North tour cost.
Additional cost for trip extension:
Cancellations
If for any reason it is necessary to cancel a reservation, the following will apply: Cancellations more than 120 days before trip departure, loss of 50% of deposit. Cancellations between 42 and 120 days before trip departure, loss of full deposit. Cancellations within six weeks of departure will result in forfeiture of full payment.
There will be no refunds once a tour has commenced. We strongly recommend you take out travel, accident, medical, baggage and cancellation insurance. We advise against discounted airfares that carry restrictions.
Sign Up
To sign up, please go to our secure Pedaltours Bookings Page and choose "Vietnam Far North especially for Cascade Bicycle Club" from the "select a tour" drop-down menu. Alternatively, please phone us on 1 888 222-9187. We welcome enquiries on the Toll-free number.
Weather notes
We have had several emails concerning the weather from CBC members. We suggest visiting the Weather Underground website for current conditions in Vietnam and doing your own research on this topic. It will be slightly humid but nothing like Florida gets in the summer! We can state that November travel dates give us the very best chance of ideal cycling conditions. The weather for the 2007 trips was very good in late November and December; flooding is at a minimum at this time and the hot summer has not yet kicked in; it was downright pleasant for us!
There are very few insects to worry about. Most bugs can be found in the Mekong Delta, but we do not visit that area on this tour.
"I went in November and it was great weather. Not muggy at all. When we hiked in the mountains, we did wear rain type jackets. When we visited the World Heritage site of Halong Bay some people wore t-shirts…it wasn’t overly hot… Vietnam was a truly wonderful place to visit".
Rosa, Seattle
Flight Plan
Cascade Bicycle Club recommends Elizabeth Holmes Travel for booking airfare. Contact Sarah Ferris Scott at 206-647-8361 or visit www.elizabthholmes.com. If you plan to redeem frequent flier mileage make sure to book your flight early, as seats are limited. It is also a good idea to try and arrive one day early, in case of missed flights and to help to any Jet Lag.
Travel Insurance
Any policy you purchase should, at the very least, cover trip cancellation, loss of baggage, accident/life coverage, travel delays, and non-refundable airline tickets. Carriers for travel insurance include Travel Guard and Travelex. You may also consider insurance that covers emergency medical evacuation. Search the web to find the best deal that suits your needs- read the fine print.
Rider Testimonials on a Pedaltours Experience
Many thanks for a wonderful tour! Hard to believe I cycled all those miles and still came home heavier! Guides, accommodations and meals were exceptional. Binh was especially good, kept our bikes in top shape. The drivers couldn’t have been more attentive! Each time I stopped, there they were with a cold water bottle. The experience exceeded my expectations!
Barb Lacy, Colorado
Nhan and Binh were exceptional guides and hosts. They represent Pedaltours, Ecotours and their nation well. I particularly enjoyed time in the van as they informed us of Vietnamese history, culture and society. I learned a lot. I was amazed at the long days they and the drivers put in and at their ability to maintain a cheerful and helpful manner with all of the demands put on them.
Cyrus McLean, Washington
"I have to say that pound for pound, Pedaltours could be one of the best tour companies in the business. Their routing was superb, the accommodations fantastic and the food mostly high end. They offered riders from modest to high ability the opportunity to ride the same tour with equal amounts of satisfaction for both groups. The 2007 Vietnam tour was the best trip I have taken in over 30 years of travel; everyone owes it to themselves to visit this special place soon! PT are a fabulous match for the Cascade Bicycle Club rider who wants a extremely high level of service (without being smothered) for a low discount members-only price"
Peter Verbrugge
Cascade Bicycle Club Event Producer
Seattle, WA
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Worried you might not be in good enough shape to tackle the hills? Join Cascade Ride Leaders this spring in the Cascade Training series. We'll be leading rides every weekend geared to getting YOU ready for this summer's big CBC rides. Visit the Activities Calendar for more information and ride listings.
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