Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi
Upon arrival in Hanoi, we make our own arrangements to transfer to the hotel (rooms available from 2 pm).
In the afternoon, we meet the guide at the hotel to begin exploring Vietnam’s capital city and its colonial-era charm, spending much of the time exploring the surroundings of Hoan Kiem Lake, the heart of Hanoi, where you can experience various kinds of exciting activities and attractions. The lake is associated with a fascinating legend : in a time long past, the heavens entrusted the Vietnamese Emperor, Le Thai To, with a magic sword to drive the invading Chinese out of Vietnam. Once the task was accomplished, he went around the lake and a giant turtle rose from the waters, taking the sword and returning it to its divine owners; hence the name, “Lake of the Returned Sword.” The walk ends at a local restaurant where a welcome dinner awaits us. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Meals included: dinner
Overnight stay: Hong Ngoc Cochinchin/Chalcedonie *** (or similar)
Day 2: Hanoi
Breakfast at the hotel. The day begins with a visit to the Temple of Literature (Vietnam’s first, thousand-year-old university) and to the Old Quarter, which awaits us with a unique mix of artisans and merchants scattered among the thirty-six streets, each named after the handicraft each street boasts. In the afternoon, we choose a bicycle for the following day’s ride while the guide gives us some useful tips on how to ride among the trails and streets of Vietnam, as well as an overview of our incredible journey. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Overnight stay: Hong Ngoc Cochinchin/Chalcedonie *** (or similar)
Day 3: Hanoi – Hoa Binh – Mai Chau
After breakfast, we drive to the Hoa Binh trailhead, the starting point for our bicycle tour that takes us through villages to discover daily life in North Vietnam, through sugarcane, orange and corn plantations. The route takes us past many villages inhabited by the Muong and White Thai ethnic groups, located in My Hoa and Phu Vinh communes, and the bicycle will allow us to discreetly observe their daily life. Lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, we resume cycling to the Nam Cuong and Ba Khan area. From here, the ride is on a road through the sharp karst mountains. We head to a beautiful waterfall located 15 kilometers below the main road, with spectacular views of Hoa Binh Lake. We stop for a refreshing swim before heading to the meeting point from where we are scheduled to transfer to the lush, green Mai Chau valley. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight stay: Sol Bungalows *** (or similar)
Distance and duration of the bike ride: 50 to 60 km – 5h to 6h
Elevation gain: +420 meters / -210 meters | Terrain: paved roads and village roads | Difficulty: medium
Support vehicles for the whole day
Day 4: Mai Chau – off the beaten track
Breakfast at the hotel. A full day cycling to explore the Mai Chau valley. Starting with verdant tea plantations, the journey takes us through the villages of the Black Dao and Flower Hmong ethnic groups, eventually descending to Chieng Yen village from where we reach Tat Nang waterfall, where we stop to relax. Packed lunch, before resuming cycling along a hidden road between striking mountains and rice terraces. Back on the main road, we return to the hotel in Mai Chau. Free dinner, overnight stay.
Meals included: breakfast, packed lunch
Overnight stay: Sol Bungalows *** (or similar)
Distance and duration of the bike ride: 60/70 kilometers – 5/6 hours
Altitude difference: +400 / -1100 meters | Terrain: easy to ride, mainly paved roads | Difficulty: medium
Vehicle support for the whole day.
Day 5 : Mai Chau – Pu Luong
Today our bicycle journey takes us diving deeper into the Mai Chau Valley to discover and understand local rural life as we traverse a unique landscape that tells the story of the authentic traditional lifestyle of the ethnic minorities of northern Vietnam who populate the area, including their houses on stilts, local schools, and beautiful rice fields. Passing through the villages of Chieng Sai, Mai Ha, Ban Cum and Mai Hich, we catch a glimpse of the customs, people and traditions that represent the inherent beauty of this region. Finally, we reach Buoc village for a lunch break.
Let’s get back on our bikes to head to another of North Vietnam’s top attractions: the enchanting Pu Luong National Park, with its incredible limestone rock landscapes typical of the country. Wandering around the park is also a great opportunity to spot birds hidden in the floral diversity (nearly 1,000 plant species listed in total). We are in a region of North Vietnam that is still unspoiled and off the tourist trail. You can choose to continue cycling to our next accommodation or request a pick-up along the way. Overnight in Pu Luong in traditional house on stilts (not private).
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Overnight stay: Pu Luong homestay (not private)
Distance and duration of the bike ride: 60/80 kilometers – 6 to 7 hours
Altitude difference: +1100 / – 250 meters | Terrain: mainly paved roads | Difficulty: medium-high
Transportation: vehicle support for the whole day
Day 6 : Pu Luong – Ninh Binh
After breakfast, depart from Pu Luong by bicycle, and as we ride along the paved roads in the village, we can admire the verdant landscape of the beautiful rice terraces that stretch across the area.
Along the trail you will encounter water mills traditionally used for rice cultivation. Late morning, transfer to Ninh Binh with a stop at a local restaurant for lunch. Dinner and overnight stay in Ninh Binh.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight: Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel and Resort **** (or similar)
Distance and duration of the bike ride: 40/50 kilometers – 4 hours
Altitude difference: + 200 / – 900 meters | Terrain: mostly paved road | Difficulty: easy
Vehicle support for the whole day.
Day 7: Ninh Binh – Cuc Phuong National Park – Ninh Binh
Breakfast at the hotel. Today we ride through beautiful rice fields surrounded by karst mountains, a unique landscape of this area called “Halong Bay on the mainland.” Along the way, chance to stop and visit Dinh and Le temples. We continue cycling through the beautiful landscapes of Trang An, before reaching Cuc Phuong National Park and finding ourselves completely surrounded by lush nature, until we reach the center of the park where we can admire the rainforest of this region. Return to the hotel, free dinner and overnight stay.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch
Overnight: Ninh Binh Hidden Charm Hotel and Resort **** (or similar)
Distance and duration of the bike ride: 60/70 kilometers – 6 hours
Elevation gain: +218 meters / -225 meters | Terterrain: mostly flat roads, easy to ride | Difficulty: medium
Vehicle support for the entire day
Day 8: Ninh Binh – Halong
After breakfast, we head to the famous Halong Bay. Upon arrival, scheduled around noon, we embark on a cruise around the bay. This world-famous bay is one of Vietnam’s most beautiful landscapes, with huge rock islets covered in lush vegetation overlooking the waters. Halong Bay comprises about 1,900 islands and islets of rocky peaks, often uninhabited and untouched. This spectacular seascape was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Lunch and dinner of excellent seafood freshly caught in the bay are served on board. Don’t miss the sunset on the upper deck. Option at the end of the day to participate in an evening fishing session on the boat. Dinner and overnight stay on board in a private cabin.
Meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Overnight stay: aboard the junk boat
Day 9: Halong – Hanoi
Wake up before dawn to enjoy the spectacle of the sun rising from the waters of the bay. Some more relaxation on board before disembarking and returning to Hanoi along a road lined with rice paddies typical of the Red River Delta. Arrive mid-afternoon and transfer to Hanoi Intercontinental Airport in time to board your flight back to Italy or to your next destination (suggested flight after 7 p.m.).
Meals included: breakfast
