Tour highlights:Northern Vietnam has long attracted adventurers in awe of its vistas, but vastly improved roads have caught the attention of the cycling adventurers. And it's not hard to see why road cycling in Asia is developing: an endless green expanse of climbs and descents, ribbon roads through forests, rice paddies to peaks and cloud-skimming mountain passes. Our road cycling Northern Vietnam trip from Hanoi to Sapa takes riders through the very best of Southeast Asia's next cycling paradise, for a truly unforgettable cycle tour.
Map
Check in to your hotel in Hanoi, conveniently located in the French Quarter and close to plenty of restaurants, historical attractions and museums. If you have time, it's worth taking a stroll to get a glimpse of how life in Hanoi used to be. In the afternoon, meet your guide and cycling mates for the next week for a tour briefing. We'll then take a short drive to get our bikes and get fitted, followed by a welcome dinner over Northern Vietnamese cuisine.
* Le Jardin Hotel Haute Couture Hanoi
After an early breakfast, we'll load up the bikes and transfer by car out of the hustle and bustle of Hanoi to the town of Luong Son. The car ride will take just over an hour, but once we arrive we'll set up our bikes and hit the tarmac for a flat warm-up out of the town. The first climb comes at around 6 kilometres, but so do the views of quintessential rice fields against a backdrop of green mountains. We'll have a local lunch at the top of a hill, then take a short transfer to the bottom of Thung Khe Pass. It's a gorgeous ride through the lakeside villages of Ba Khan, along the Da River as we head up the big climb for the day, followed by a 12-kilometre descent to the end of the ride. Our accommodation for the evening is a beautiful resort set on a peninsula in the lake. Your afternoon is free to enjoy the view, take a dip in the pool, or get a massage at the spa.
* Mai Chau Hideaway Lake Resort
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 71km
+1230m
-1125m
After a luxurious breakfast at our resort, we'll begin our second day of riding by cycling along hidden roads through small mountain villages. We'll have a short and flat warm-up before tackling the big climb for the day, about 25 kilometres that take us to 1,200 meters above sea level. It's a gradual ascent that's forested and well shaded. We'll take a rest at the top and then continue on to Moc Chau, our destination for the day, on an undulating route through Northern Vietnam's tea growing region. After checking in to our hotel, take some time to relax by the pool with great views of the mountains, or go for a massage.
Muong Thanh Moc Chau
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 61km
+1820m
We'll start our ride today with a change of pace- a gently rolling 5 kilometres followed by a 25-kilometre descent! From there it's a ride on typical North Vietnam terrain, short and steep hills followed by our biggest climb of the day at 40 kilometres. The gradient is not too challenging, and at the bottom, we'll join up with the Da River again and ride alongside to our hotel in the small town of Phu Yen.
Hong Long Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 92km
+1244m
-2010m
We are now solidly within mountain territory and can expect some big climbs on the days ahead. In the morning, we'll ride from our hotel and tackle the first of these, the incredible Lung Lo Pass. This snaking road through the misty green mountains was an important supply route for the Vietnamese Army during the Vietnam War. It's a long ascent from Phu Yen, but there are a few switchbacks to ease the gradient near the top of the pass. The descent down is short, but we'll have about 15 kilometres of mostly flat riding before a few short but steep climbs at the end of our ride. In the afternoon, we'll arrive at our destination for the day, the small town of Nghia Lo. Tucked away in the dense mountain terrain, the town is home to many of the local tribal peoples such as Nung, H'mong and Ma people.
Mien Tay Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 79km
+1218m
-1108m
In the morning, we have the option to visit Nghia Lo's local market, to see many of the region's local tribal people selling their wares. After a quick look around, it's onto the bikes for a ride through lush green valleys and riverside farms. The terrain doesn't really begin to climb until 10 kilometres, and then, it's a gradual ascent until about 25 kilometres. This is the most challenging day of the tour, with the most total elevation gain. Settle in, set an easy pace and gear down for Khau Pa pass, the second and longest of the trip. It's a 30-kilometre climb, with a challenging second half, and there is often fog near the top at over 1,200 meters above sea level. After reaching the top of the pass, we'll take a much-needed break, before enjoying a gradual descent. Be prepared for a few small climbs, however- this is Northern Vietnam! There's a final, gentle climb to the town of Than Uyen, where we can enjoy a hot shower and a hearty meal.
Hoan Quan Hotel
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 134km
+3233m
-2929m
Our last cycling day of the tour, one of the most challenging and memorable. The final leg of the journey to Sapa is marked by a long and challenging ascent to the top of Tram Ton Pass, but first, we'll have roughly 60 kilometres with a few short and spicy ascents through the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. On a tour through non-stop mountain scenery, it's hard to find another impressive landscape, but the views on our final ride are anything but disappointing. We'll take a rest before heading towards the pass, then settle in for our final challenge of this incredible ride through North Vietnam's terrain. After reaching the top, we'll have a chance to snap some photos before enjoying a 13-kilometre ascent all the way to the tour's end in Sapa. Our accommodation for the night is a luxurious hotel with unbeatable views. Spend your last night in the mountains taking it in, go for a swim, a massage, or enjoy the rooftop bar before a fantastic meal.
Laksix Ecolodge
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ride 97km
+2604m
-1663m
The morning is yours to enjoy the town of Sapa. Feel free to sleep in, take a lazy breakfast or a stroll through the side streets to check out the tribal markets and sights of this idyllic mountain town. In the afternoon, we'll pack up the bikes and transfer by car back to Hanoi. Our final meal together is a celebratory one, where we'll congratulate each other on our amazing ride, swap stories, and bid farewell.
Le Jardin Hotel Haute Couture Hanoi
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Answer some simple questions to start building a lifeline that celebrates a life. See how your answers create an entirely unique shape that will live on in digital memorial. Explore the story that we create and discover new insights into their life. Every lifeline is unique, inspired by the people, interests and achievements that have shaped someone's life. During this experience, we will help you remember and celebrate all these things, beginning with a few simple questions. We will guide you through the experience, step by step, and basing on what story we will create a unique page accompanied with the music resonating with the life.
Answer some simple questions to start building a lifeline that celebrates a life. See how your answers create an entirely unique shape that will live on in digital memorial. Explore the story that we create and discover new insights into their life. Every lifeline is unique, inspired by the people, interests and achievements that have shaped someone's life. During this experience, we will help you remember and celebrate all these things, beginning with a few simple questions. We will guide you through the experience, step by step, and basing on what story we will create a unique page accompanied with the music resonating with the life.
Answer some simple questions to start building a lifeline that celebrates a life. See how your answers create an entirely unique shape that will live on in digital memorial. Explore the story that we create and discover new insights into their life. Every lifeline is unique, inspired by the people, interests and achievements that have shaped someone's life. During this experience, we will help you remember and celebrate all these things, beginning with a few simple questions. We will guide you through the experience, step by step, and basing on what story we will create a unique page accompanied with the music resonating with the life.
These four majestic mountain ranges make up the Kootenays of British Columbia, and are home to some of the finest, gnarliest and most fun trails we’ve ever experienced. Inspired by our epic 13-day Ultimate B.C. ride (only available for private groups) but wanting to offer a shorter package, this masterfully-crafted itinerary hits all the high notes and hot spots we could cram in a week. From Rossland we’ll head north to Revelstoke, then east through Golden and Alberta’s famous Bow Valley, discovering five funky little towns along the way where mountain biking isn’t just a hobby, it’s a way of life. Along the way, we’ll show you the goods as you witness some of the most striking mountain scenery these two provinces have to offer and ride some of the most heavenly singletrack that’s blessed this Earth. Post-ride, you’ll enjoy our careful selection of mountain lodges and plush cabins, equipped with hot tubs and well-stocked fridges. It doesn’t get much better than this!
Meet at the group hotel in the Old Quarter of Hanoi. A group transfer from Hanoi Airport is provided. We will aim to do the bike fitting before lunch and then, in the afternoon, we will head out with our guide on a walking tour of the Old Quarter. The Old Quarter, a maze of 35 streets, is essentially the original pre-20th century Hanoi. The names of the streets tell a fascinating story about the history of the city, prior to the modern age each street was named for the particular trade for which it was (and sometimes still is) known; look out for Hang Gai (Silk Street) and Hang Bac (Silver Street). We'll also make a stop at Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword), the epicentre of old Hanoi. We will also stop at a shop where we can learn about traditional medicine and at an authentic Hanoian house, where we can enjoy a cup of local tea. Afterwards we head to a local restaurant where we can enjoy a welcome dinner to celebrate the start of our holiday. Our first chance to sample the deliciously fragrant Vietnamese cuisine and test out our chopstick skills!
Tour highlights: Ha Long Bay Situated in the Gulf of Tonkin, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, "Descending Dragon Bay' or Ha Long Bay, is an area of outstanding natural beauty. Approximately 1,553 km2, it includes numerous islets, most of which are limestone and schist. The karst rock formations have developed over 20 million years under the impact of the tropical wet climate. There is huge geographical diversity here, which has led to biodiversity, with ecosystems of salt water-flooded forests, coral reefs, and tropical forests hosting thousands of species of animal and plant life. Evidence suggests the presence of pre-historical human beings in this area tens of thousands years ago. Most of the islets are uninhabited due to the nature of the karst structures. The bay has the aura of an ancient forgotten world; as you journey around the bay seeing the stones from different vantage points their formations appear to change. Spanning the coastline of Bai Chay Beach, the best way to enjoy the bay is to travel out on a junk-styled boat from which you can swim, dive, fish and explore the endless caves and grottoes. This 15 day southeast asian bicycle tour explores the mountainous regions of two magical countries: Vietnam and Laos. Our adventure begins in Vietnam, a land of shimmering rice fields, lush jungles, and radiant beaches. Beginning in Hanoi, we spend our trip exploring the lesser known northwestern region of Vietnam, home to spectacular mountains and valleys. We ride amidst the crests of Indochina’s highest peak, Mount Fansipan, and along the fascinating hill station of Sapa, a colonial retreat created by the French. Crossing into Laos, we cycle riverside where we venture into remote villages far from the tourist track.
Tour highlights: Challenging the mountain biking in Vietnam to conquer the mountainside of fanxipang. Spectacular landscapes and wild nature of the Hoang Lien mountain range and nature reserve.
11DAYS CYCLING NORTHERN VIETNAM CHALLENGE: HANOI TO SAPA
( Ha Noi - Hoa Binh - Mai Chau - Moc Chau - Phu Yen - Nghia Lo - Tu le - Than Uyen - Sapa - Ha Long bay)
What's Included
What's Excluded
NUTS & BOLTS
🔰 Bikes
Cyclists looking to enjoy this trip to the fullest are welcome to bring their own machines. However, for those that prefer not to travel with their own bikes, we offer bike hire at additional cost. Our bikes are Giant Anyroad 2 gravel road bikes, perfect for handling the few sections of rough road we'll encounter on the route. If you have your own seat or pedals, we'll fit them to your hire bike for the trip. If you bring your own bike, please make sure it's in working mechanical order.
🔰 Bike Repairs
Basic spares and tools are carried by the guide and on the support vehicle, though we cannot guarantee having spares for every conceivable problem. Carrying a basic tool kit, a spare tube and a pump while riding is recommended.
🔰 Safety
Wearing a helmet is required on all our biking adventures and is non negotiable. If you do not wear a helmet you will not be allowed to cycle. Your tour leader is trained in first aid and emergency rescue, but to a large degree you must be responsible for your own safety while riding. It is therefore compulsory that you take out travel insurance that will cover you for a mountain biking tour.
🔰 Guides
You will be led by a local English-speaking guide and if the group is 9 people or more we will add another guide to the tour. All our guides are well informed in the history, culture and religions of the area where you are biking and are skilled at passing that knowledge on to you. Your guide is also medically trained and an experienced cyclist, able to handle most minor repairs en route.
THE NITTY GRITTY
🔶 Passports and Visas
Vietnam e-Visa is available to 80 nationalities. Please check this link to determine if your country is on the list. To apply for an e-visa please visit the official government website here and follow the required steps and make payment. You can apply for a single entry visa up to 30 days. Multiple entry e-visas are not currently available. For peace of mind, we suggest applying for your e-visa as early as possible, and no later than 2 weeks before your expected arrival in Vietnam. While processing time is generally no more than 1-3 working days (not including weekends and Vietnamese holidays), it is wise to give yourself some buffer time in case there are any issues.
If your nationality is not on the list for e-visa eligibility, or you need options for longer stays or multiple entries, then you may consider Visa on Arrival. The process for this is more complicated than e-visa and requires the acquisition of a visa letter prior to arrival. Please see here for a detailed overview.
If you are joining our "Saigon to Bangkok" or "Saigon to Siem Reap" tour, when you are applying for your e-visa, please select Song Tien Landport as the exit point. This refers to the river crossing at Chao Doc.
🔶 Health
Recommended vaccinations are typhoid, polio, tetanus and hepatitis A. A certificate for Yellow Fever is required when arriving from an infected area within six days. Vietnam is a malarial area and you will need to take anti-malarial tablets. Please speak to your doctor for the most up to date information.
🔶 Food
Meals are included as per the itinerary where B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner. Most meals are Vietnamese food and features noodles, rice curries and soups. Vietnamese cuisine is world famous and we make sure you sample as much variety as possible. Any special dietary requirements can also be catered for as well. Please let us know at the time of booking.
🔶 Drink
Keeping you completely hydrated is a job we take very seriously. Cold water, some energy-restoring local fruit, and soft drinks are included in the tour price while riding. Soft drinks and other beverages during meals are not included. Beer is freely available everywhere in Vietnam but is NOT included in the price.
🔶 Solo Travelers
Vietnam travel memories does not require you to pay a surcharge for traveling alone. We will arrange for you to share accommodation with another traveler of the same gender and if we can not match you up we will provide a single room at no extra charge. If you prefer not to share a single supplement is payable to guarantee your own room. The cost of the single supplement is listed above.
🔶 Extra Expenses
We recommend that you tuck away a few extra dollars, perhaps US$10, for incidentals. It is customary to tip local tour guides and drivers, however, the amount you give should be dependent on the level of service you receive. As a general guide, we suggest US$ 3-4 per person per day is appropriate.
🔶 Money
The official national currency is the Vietnam dong (d), but the US dollar is widely accepted in tourist centers. However, in smaller towns and villages the dong is preferred. ATMs are available in all major tourist destinations and big cities. Vietcombank has the best network with a single withdrawal limit of 2,000,000d (about US$125). Most major currencies can be exchanged at leading banks in Vietnam, but the US dollar is preferred away from the tourist centers. Changing US$100 will make you an instant millionaire! You cannot legally take the dong out of Vietnam but you can reconvert reasonable amounts of it into US dollars on departure.
🔔 Please contact us directly for the best tour price!
11 day
$725
Private Departure?
Gather a few friends, family or club and take over your own departure.
BOOK WITH VIETNAM TRAVEL MEMORIES CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee
The price of our holidays can change depending on a variety of factors but unlike some other tour operators, WE have undertaken to guarantee the Land Only price of your holiday will not change after you have booked. The price when you book is the price you will pay, whether you are booking for this year or the next. Book early to avoid any tour price increases, get the best flight prices and take advantage of our 'No Surcharge Guarantee'.
Vietnam Travel Memories is a fully bonded tour operator. We hold an ATOL license (No: 10-009/ /TCDL_ GPLHQT) and are bonded with GOVERNMENT OF VIETNAM
11 DAYS CYCLING NORTHERN VIETNAM CHALLENGE: HANOI TO SAPA
DAY 1
After checking in to your hotel, meet your guide and tour group for a bike fitting followed by a welcome dinner.
DAY 2
Transfer out of the city by car and begin riding through the rural beauty of Northern Vietnam. Test your legs on some climbs before arriving at a stunning resort on the shores of a lake.
DAY 3
A long a gradual climb followed by undulating hills through picturesque rice terraces and tea plantations.
DAY 4
A long, cruising descent followed by a scenic ride through hillside villages.
DAY 5
In the morning, conquer historic Lung Lo Pass.
DAY 6
Tackle the second challenging pass of the trip at Khau Pa.
DAY 7
A final challenging ride with many climbs and a steep pass to the mountain town of Sapa.
DAY 8
Free morning in Sapa followed by an afternoon transfer to Hanoi.
DAY 9
Ha noi to Ha long Bay
DAY 10
Ha Long Bay back to Ha Noi
DAY 11
Ha Noi Departure
Vietnam
🚩 Hanoi, Vietnam
Hanoi, Vietnam
✈️ Noi Bai International Airport
Noi Bai International Airport
👨👩👦👦 2-16 riders
18 (on scheduled departures)
If this is the tour for you here's what you need to do to confirm your place:
FLEXIBLE BOOKING CONDITIONS
Booking a Vietnam Travel Memories is easy and we try to do everything possible to make sure you have full flexibility and peace of mind. We do not require a deposit to hold your place on a tour and once full payment has been made your money is protected in our client account and you have the flexibility to cancel or change your booking if needed.
CONFIRMING YOUR BOOKING
Just complete our online booking form or send your booking details offline (email or post), and we will confirm your participation. No deposit is needed to confirm your place on a Vietnam Travel Memories tour.
You are advised to read our Booking Conditions in full before you make your payment and should you require further clarifications of any of the conditions below, please email us or call our office.
TRIP STATUS
There is a minimum number of participants (usually 2) required to enable the trip to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from 'Available' to 'Guaranteed to Depart'. Once a trip is guaranteed to depart you are free to book your flights and make other travel arrangements. If the trip status is ‘Limited’ will mean we have only a small number of spaces available for booking. If you are unsure about the trip status, please email us or call our office.
BOOKING ONLINE
From the tour page, click the 'Book Now' link. All departures for this tour will appear, just select the date you'd like to travel. For the next steps, you'll need to know the names of the people travelling. If you wish you can also provide extra details such as passport numbers, height (for bike hire), or you can add that later by logging into Manage My Trip (we'll set up an account for you automatically if you don't already have one). Our system will contact you from time to time to fill in the missing information, as it will be required before departure. However, if the trip that you are booking offers a child discount, you will have to fill out the date of birth of each rider (so we can calculate the appropriate discount).
If you are having any problems please send us an email, or give us a call (+84 373089668) and one of our travel specialists will assist you with your booking.
BOOKING OFFLINE
Just call us or send an email indicating which trip you want to join and we will happily send you a list of questions and process your booking for you.
DEPOSITS AND PAYMENTS
We do not require a deposit or full payment to book a place for you on a tour.
The balance of the tour’s cost (final invoice) will need to be paid 60 days before the departure date with fees for any bicycle rental(s), single supplement(s) and extra hotel nights.
In the case where a booking is made when there are less than 60 days until the tour departure date, the tour’s cost should be paid in full within 72 hours of receiving an invoice from Vietnam Travel Memories. Payment can be made by credit card using our online payment gateway or by bank transfer. When making payment online you will need to confirm that you have read these booking conditions during the "checkout" process, which equates to agreeing to the terms of services and stipulations as indicated in this document.
In all cases, tour fees need to be paid “in full” before participation in a tour. No person(s) will be allowed to join a tour without fully settling their invoice and receiving a confirmation number from Vienam Travel Memories.
The exception can be made for last-minute miscellaneous fees that can be paid locally (visas, additional local hotel bookings, etc.) can be settled on the day of arrival.
FULL FLEXIBILITY FOR TOUR CANCELATIONS
If the tour is cancelled or postponed by SpiceRoads because we didn't make the trip numbers and the tour can’t run, we will make a full cash refund (by bank transfer or on your credit card).
If the tour is cancelled for any other reason, including due to Covid related travel restrictions, we will give you a full credit (with no deductions for admin or any other small-print item) to use on any Vietnam Travel Memories tour with no time limit. (Exceptions being flights, special permits and other non-refundable items and these will be advised when booking the trip).
Before paying for your tour, you can cancel your booking with no charge and up until 40 days before departure, you can change your booking to another travel date or move your booking onto another Vietnam Travel Memories tour with no charges.
If you need to cancel after you have made full payment, please see our cancellation policy.
Loyalty Riders Club
For those who have been on several long tours with us, we reward customer loyalty by offering repeat customers a special discount off the tour price (excludes single supplement and bike rental). If this is your fourth scheduled tour or more you will receive a 5% discount. If this is your eighth scheduled tour or more we will extend a 10% discount. The discount will be reflected in your online booking, but please contact us if any questions. Loyalty discounts cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Note: Only tours of 7 days or more will be applicable for a loyalty discount.
International Flights
International flights, to and from the start and finish points are not included in the tour price. Once your tour is Guaranteed to Depart you can book your flight. Please contact us for advice before arranging flights for the best arrival and departure times. We would only cancel a trip for an extreme circumstance, but in that case, where we cancel your trip, we cannot be liable for losses incurred relating to any flight booking you have made. Please claim any losses from your travel insurance that you acquired when you booked your holiday.
Newsletter
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Mountoin Biking
TRIP PROFILE
This is tour is designed for road cyclists seeking a true challenge. In 6 - 8 cycling days, this ride traverses some of the most fantastic mountain terrain in Indochina, featuring tough climbs, high mountain passes, and consistently stunning scenery. Overall, accommodation is plush and comfortable to reward and rejuvenate riders, but there a few days in remote locations in smaller hotels and guesthouses. The route takes cyclists through Vietnam's tribal mountains with opportunities to see and interact with many tribal people, however the focus of this tour is on the physical challenge of the ride.
Suitability: Almost all cycling days include over 1,000 meters of elevation gain, with two days of well over 2,000 meters of elevation gain. Climbs range from short and steep to long and gradual. Though a support vehicle with water, refreshments and empty seats is always nearby, strong cycling fitness and solid climbing experience is recommended for full enjoyment of this trip.
Biking conditions: Our route takes us on scenic mountain roads on tarmac in primarily good condition, though there will be a few rough sections. Some ascents and descents will be steep, requiring good handling skills. Most of the roads contain minimal traffic, and we will utilize the support vehicle to make a few short transfers through busy areas.
Four seasons of travel:
The Northwest climate has subtropical and temperate climates, so it is cool all year round, the average annual air temperature is 15ºC. Summer is not as hot as the coastal plain, the temperature is about 13ºC - 15°C (night) and 20ºC - 25°C (daytime). Winter is usually cloudy and very cold, the temperature sometimes drops below 0°C, sometimes it snows.
From May to August in Sapa, there is a lot of rain. The average annual rainfall reaches 1,800 - 2,200mm.
Weather in Vietnam a day has four seasons: the morning is spring weather; at noon the weather is like summer, usually with light sunshine, cool climate; Clouds and dew fall in the afternoon, creating a cool feeling like autumn and the night is the cold of
Weather in Vietnam is divided into 4 main regions - the far north, north, central and south.
The far north can get very cold in December and January while the dry season runs from October to late March and the wet season between April to September.
In Hanoi & the north, it is hot, wet and humid from May to October while November to April is cooler and dry.
Central Vietnam experiences hot, dry weather between January & August with temperatures ranging in the mid 30°C. High levels of rainfall are during September - November.
Southern Vietnam is dry and hot from November to April, and warm and wet between May & October, with the highest rainfall in June, July & August.
MODERATE TO STRENUOUS:
Suitable for very active cyclists with an excellent level of fitness looking for more demanding and challenging cycling. Moderate to strenuous itineraries involve extended steep ascents and descents along routes. Cycling distance is typically between 65 and 100 km per day.
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