Northern Vietnam: bike, hike, kayak

Our guide meets you at your hotel at 13:00hrs for a bike fit.

Post that, walk the busy streets of Hanoi visiting some of the cultural and historical highlights of Hanoi. Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, which was constructed nearly a millennium ago, and is delicately elevated in a pond. Also visit the Temple of Literature, dating back close to a thousand years, is a wonderfully preserved piece of ancient Vietnamese architecture and stands to honor the scholarly achievements of the country’s academics and philosophers. Continue exploring the area around Hoan Kiem (Sword) Lake, the old quarter including Ngoc Son Temple, which sits perched on a little island in the lake. In the evening, we convene over dinner.

Ride past the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta before taking a shuttle to Halong City. The river rises in Yunnan province, and flows across the Tonkin region, through Hanoi, and enters the Gulf of Tonkin. We criss-cross the rivers and ride over a multitude of bridges.

A quick ferry journey amidst spectacular limestone mountain scenery brings us to Cat Ba Island. After lunch, get on the bike for a loop around the island. Enjoy the stunning sunset over the limestone mountains.

After a hearty breakfast, get on board a smaller boat and take a journey to the more remote and secluded parts of the Lan Ha Bay waters and islands. Trade your boat with a kayak and explore the lagoons, the coral reef, beaches, and limestone peaks. Ferry back to Hai Phong and journey towards Ninh Binh.

The distance from Halong to Ninh Binh is approximately 170km. We spend around 3 hours in transit, and if time permits, unload the bikes for a cycling journey on backroads, along the dike, covering approximately 20-25km to reach the hotel. Anticipated arrival time at the hotel is between 16:00 and 17:00.

A short cycling ride along the river brings us to Trang An, known as Halong Bay on land. The landscape is largely dominated by limestone mountains, rivers, caves, and pagodas. Here we take a boat ride and get to experience the magical scenery dotted with natural and cultural wonders.

We take a break at the ancient city of Hoa Lu for a quick temple tour and then loop back through the stunning landscape.

It’s a long day interspersed with transfers and rides. We start with a transfer of about 90min to the starting point for our cycling. Unload the bikes and cycle on largely undulating paths. We continue cycling past acacia plantations, sugarcane fields, and corn farms dotted with Thai and Muong Tribes' villages. Last leg is covered by shuttle transfer of about 90min. Arrive in Pu Luong, and check in at a family lodge located in the heart of Pu Luong Nature Reserve.

Pu Luong is a beautiful region located in northern Vietnam and known for its stunning natural landscapes, lush green rice terraces, ethnic minority villages, and pristine forests. The area is characterized by its tranquil and picturesque scenery and offers a variety of trekking and hiking opportunities. There are numerous trails through the terraced rice fields, across suspension bridges, and into the heart of the forested hills.

Today we go hiking in Pu Luong, promising an immersive journey through the picturesque terrains of Don Village, Hieu Village, and culminating at the breathtaking Hieu Waterfall.

For those seeking a leisurely day, feel free to opt for a rest day and enjoy the tranquil surroundings. Whether hiking or relaxing, Pu Luong invites you to savor the richness of its landscapes and culture at your own pace.

Hiking: 10-15km

Another day of the undulating ride. Cycle past a spectacular mountain range with karst cliffs, terraced rice fields, and a typical agricultural landscape, ending at the beautiful valleys of Mai Chau. The experience is truly unique as we get to experience a good change in landscape.

Mai Chau is a collection of villages and offers a true rural cycling experience. Do enjoy the evening walking around the valley and admiring simple rural life amidst spectacular scenery.

Today enjoy a thrilling loop around the gorgeous valley and experience Mai Chau village life at close quarters. It’s an off-beat trail and some sections are over a gravel road. We pass by many bucolic villages where children come to greet us and through tumbling steams. The region is mainly inhabited by White Thai people.

Later we take a transfer and stop for lunch along the Da reservoir and then make a transfer to Ky Son to cycle further along rivers and lakes. The cycling is up to yen Trung and then take a shuttle transfer to Hanoi.

Today get transferred to Sapa a breathtaking hill station approximately 5 hours away. Sapa is renowned for its stunning landscapes and is inhabited by the largest ethnic groups in the region, namely the H’mong and Dao people. After arrival, take the opportunity to enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, soaking in the beauty and atmosphere of this remarkable destination.

Today's hike is rewarded with enchanting views of terraced rice fields, tea plantations, and innumerable streams. After lunch, take a short shuttle of 2 km through the lush Binh Lu Valley to Pa Pe village of the Lu ethnic people who wear beautiful traditional costumes and still dye their teeth black. The rest of the afternoon is for exploring villages of the tribal peoples in the countryside including the Black Zao and Zao Tien (Zao with coins) and enjoying a peaceful walk to see a tea farm in the suburb of Lai Chau. Later we return to Sapa.

Today enjoy a full-day hike of about 12km (7mi) exploring the spectacular Muong Hoa towards the Lao Chai village of Black H’mong ethnic people. Here, we get to learn about their fascinating culture and daily chores and how they make traditional clothes, and handicrafts. Visit the biggest valley which provides the best views of golden rice terrace fields in Vietnam. After Lao Chai, we walk to Ta Van village of Giay people. It is a small group of ethnic people in Vietnam with a rich culture and beautiful houses located on rice paddy fields. The scenery is spectacular throughout the day and gives an opportunity for plenty of landscape photos. Dinner and overnight at homestay with a local family in Ta Van village.

Today hike past terraced rice fields, and a typical agricultural landscape, ending at the beautiful valleys of Ban Ho village. Enjoy the pristine Lavie Stream, the Ca Nhay Waterfalls, and the tranquility of Ban Ho.

Today we go for another short hike in the surroundings. The scenery is again typical of mountain villages, with stilt houses, streams, waterfalls, terraced fields, and ethnic villages. Post-lunch, we shuttle back to Hanoi. The transfer takes about 5 hours and we aim to reach Hanoi by 7 pm.

You may plan to choose your own hotel today in Hanoi or depart directly from the airport.