Biking Ho Chi Minh Trails- 13days/12nights
Price from: $ 1378
The so-called Ho Chi Minh Trail is one of the most renowned legends of the American War. The complicated road system winds along the Truong Son Range, which that facilitated movement of soldiers and war supplies from North Vietnam to battlefields...
Overview
Hanoi – Mai Chau – Pu Luong Nature Reserve – Tan Ky – Huong Khe – Dong Hoi – Dong Ha – A Luoi – Thanh My – Hoian – Danang
13-day trip with 10-day cycling on the legendary HCM Trails
The so-called Ho Chi Minh Trail is one of the most renowned legends of the American War. The complicated road system winds along the Truong Son Range, which that facilitated movement of soldiers and war supplies from North Vietnam to battlefields in South Vietnam. Now the historic trail is being turned into a highway and hotels and towns are springing up speedily beside it. The route is incredibly beautiful with new mountain views around every corner, very little traffic, and virtually no tourists.
We start our great adventure with overnight train to Vinh then head south following the new highway. This trip brings you a great chance to learn about the Vietnamese modern history and see it beautiful nature. The trip concludes in Hoian, a charming ancient town in centre Vietnam.
Highlights
- Pu Luong Nature Reserve
- Phong Nha Cave
- Vinh Moc tunnel & DMZ
- Hoian
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi.
Upon arrival in Hanoi, you meet our guide at the airport and transfer to your hotel in Hanoi.If time permits we can have riding test in the afternoon. Welcome dinner with local delicacies. Tour briefing at the dinner time. Overnight in Hanoi.
Summary
Airport transfer: private AC car
Meal: Welcome dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Day 2: Hanoi – Mai Chau – Buoc Village
Leave Hanoi at 8am. We drive southwest to Ma Chau, the gateway to the impressive mountainous area of northern Vietnam. The drive is very nice with stunning view of mountains, valleys, sugarcane farms and rice paddies. We would have a stop en route for refreshment. Upon arrival in Mai Chau we have a lunch stop in Pom Coong, a village of Thai ethnic minority. We will have lunch in a local house. After lunch we embark on a biking on village road to Buoc, a village of Thai minority group. We will have dinner and overnight in a traditional stilt-house of a Thai family.
Summary
Transfer to Mai Chau: 4 hrs
Biking: 30km – Moderate grade
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Home stay
Day 3: Buoc Village – Hang Village (Pu Luong Nature Reserve)
After breakfast we embark on a beautiful ride following shaded village roads to Van Mai Village where we have lunch in a local house. After lunch we ride southward to Pu Luong Nature Reserve. We will first bike on beautiful tar road through Mai Chau valley before jumping into bumpy village road the last 15km. We will reach Hang Village around 5 pm where we will have dinner and overnight in a traditional stilt-house of a Thai family.
Summary
Biking: 40km – unpaved bumpy road – Moderate grade
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Home stay
Day 4: Hang Village – Hin Village
Today is a tough day with long climb on mix of dirt paths and village roads. This road is an original part of the historic Ho Chi Minh Trails, which run through the Pu Luong Nature Reserve. In the morning we climb mainly. In the afternoon we enjoy easier ride slightly downhill to Hin, a village of Thai minority. Great mountain view and scenic villages. Lunch in local house en route. Dinner and overnight in Hin village.
Summary
Biking: 30km – unpaved bumpy road – Challenging grade
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Home stay
Day 5: Hin Village – Canh Nang Town – Cam Thuy – Tan Ky
After breakfast we say good bye to the villagers and ride toward Ma River passing expansive maize fields. Near the river we would see many water wheels which used by the local to water their farms. We cross the river on bridge and have lunch in Canh Nang town. After lunch we continue biking toward the Fairy Fish Stream in Cam Luong where you see thousands of fish in a shallow stream. You can feed and touch them. After that you continue riding southward on Ho Chi Minh Highway. In the afternoon we will use support van for over 100km transfer to Tan Ky Town, where we will stay overnight in a small hotel and have dinner in local restaurant.
Summary
Biking: 60km – 40% unpaved bumpy road, 60% paved road – Moderate grade
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel
Day 6: Tan Ky – Huong Khe
Breakfast in Tan Ky and ride on HCM Highway to Pho Chau, a small town 87km south of Tan Ky. We will tackle around 40km in the morning. The ride is on smooth road and passing peaceful villages and stunning mountain range. We take bus ride the last 40km to Pho Chau for lunch. After lunch we jump into a branch of HCM Trails, a smaller road leading to Dong Loc T-junction. This was a hot spot, which was bombed heavily during the Vietnam War. Continue riding for 1hr we meet the HCM Highway again. Bus transfer to Huong Khe. Dinner and overnight on Huong Khe.
Summary
Biking distance: 70-80km – 60% highway, 40% smaller paved road
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Huong Khe
Day 7: Huong Khe – Phong Nha – Dong Hoi
After breakfast bus drive 20km and then we begin our ride today toward Phong Nha National Park. Lunch stop in Liem Phu. After lunch we take bus ride to Phong Nha Cave, which is a World Heritage Site. Upon arrival in Phong Nha we take a boat cruise on river to explore the cave. After the cave exploration we take bus ride to Dong Hoi to check in hotel. Dinner and Overnight in Dong Hoi.
Summary
Biking distance: 60km – highway
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Dong Hoi
Day 8: Dong Hoi – Dong Ha – DMZ
Breakfast in the hotel. We have a short bus ride before beginning the biking today. The ride is totally on HCM Highway. We will have a stop at the Truong Son Cemetery where some hundred of thousand soldiers who served in army during Vietnam War are resting in peace. Bus transfer to Dong Ha for hotel check in. Lunch in local restaurant. In the afternoon we have a DMZ tour by bus. Dinner and overnight in Dong Ha.
Summary
Biking distance: 60km – quiet highway
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Dong Ha
Day 9: Dong Ha – Khe Sanh – Aluoi
Breakfast in hotel and take bus ride to Khe Sanh. Visit to old military base before beginning the biking along Da Krong River. The ride is so beautiful with river and tribal villages along the road. We will have a lunch stop on the way. In the afternoon, we continue riding to Aluoi. The last 20km can be done by bus. Dinner and overnight in Aluoi.
Summary
Biking distance: 60-70km – quiet highway
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Aluoi
Day 10: Aluoi – Thanh My
Breakfast in town. We will have a bus transfer to the summit of a long, high pass. Begin the beautiful ride downhill 40km to Prao. Lunch in Prao. In the afternoon, continue riding to Thanh My. Dinner and overnight in Thanh My.
Summary
Biking distance: 70km – Challenging grade
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Thanh My
Day 11: Thanh My – Hoi An
Breakfast and begin to ride along Vu Gia River to Hoian, the World Heritage Site 80km from Thanh My. Lunch stop in Dai Loc. Continue riding to Hoian. The ride today is pleasant since we ride mainly downhill and on flat terrain. We reach Hoian around 5pm. Check in hotel and have dinner in the Old Quarter of Hoian. Overnight in Hoian.
Summary
Biking distance: 80km – Easy grade
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian
Day 12: Hoian
Free day for relaxing or shopping in the Old Quarter. Overnight in Hoian.
Summary
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoian
* Note: You can also book an optional tour with us for this day. Please contact our travel consultant for a suggestion.
Day 13: Hoian – Danang – Departure flight
Breakfast and free at leisure until we transfer to the airport for flight to onward destination.
Summary
Airport transfer
Meals: Breakfast
Note on client safety
We reserve the right to deviate from this itinerary for any reasons, including road and weather conditions, frequency of visits to a village, or for any other factor which may influence client safety.
Price and Notes
PRICE (Per person)
Valid to 30Sep2011
1 person: US$ 3930
2 persons: US$ 2231
3-4 persons: US$ 1772
5-6 persons: US$ 1526
7-8 persons: US$ 1378
From 9 persons: price on request
Single Supplement: US$ 197
Inclusions:
AC bus for the whole trip
Bike truck for the biking section
Moutain bikes with helmet and biking gloves
Boats in Phong Nha & Hue
Hotels based on twin shared
Mechanic for the biking section
English speaking guide for the whole trip
Meals as indicated in the itinerary
Water and snacks everyday
Sightseeing fees and entrance fees
Exclusions:
Air tickets
Insuarance
Visa
Tips
Personal expenses
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