Vietnam Limestone Landscapes Cycle Tour

Package Overview

Trip Highlights
Cycle on quiet lanes amongst limestone islands rising out of rice paddies
Visit the incredible Catholic Cathedral built in 1891 in Phat Diem
See the Bai Dinh pagoda, the largest pagoda in South East Asia
Visit the Primate Rescue Centre in Cuc Phuong National Park to see endangered Lemurs & Gibbons
Eat delicacies like sticky rice cooked on a bamboo stick
Spend the night in a traditional long-house, a unique cultural experience
Trip Summary
A 9 day tour taking in the highlights of the Ninh Binh and Mai Chau regions with a combination of hill tribe cultures and unique water-based lifestyles. Enjoy easy to moderate cycling on rural roads alongside the extensive canal network and through small villages. A highlight of the tour is in meeting the locals and with the help of your guides you will enjoy some wonderful cultural experiences as you learn about life in Vietnam.

Trip Grading
To consider the grade of a particular adventure we consider a number of factors. These include the condition of the terrain, the altitude and the length of the trip. The Limestone Landscapes is a graded introductory to moderate. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and we suggest 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for the three months leading up to your trip.International airfares and departure taxes
Airport arrival & departure transfers
Meals and drinks not listed in the itinerary
Bicycle helmet (you must bring your own)
Water bottle (help us save the environment and bring your own bike drink bottle)
Optional activities listed in the itinerary
Personal expenses (eg. phone calls, internet, laundry, shopping etc)
Travel insurance (compulsory)
Visa costs
Tips

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Day wise Itinerary

• Day 1 : Hanoi

  On arrival in Hanoi, please make your own way to the group hotel at 3:00 pm (15:00 hrs). You will join your fellow travellers for a briefing, bike fitting and short test ride. Dinner this evening will be all together at a local restaurant.

• Day 2 : Hanoi to Ninh Binh

  An early start sees us drive out of the city to the small village of Ben Yen. Here we start cycling on rural roads surrounded by kaarst rock formations as we enter the Limestone Country. The route has several turns so we advise cycling with your guide and there are a few ups & downs as you traverse the narrow gaps between the structures. Lunch is at a local restaurant before continuing on a spectacular flat afternoon ride to Ninh Binh through a beautiful landscape of limestone islands surrounded by rice fields and canals. You will cycle between “Mountain gates”, the local term for the gaps between the limestone formations. Tonight’s lodging is at the luxurious Legend Hotel, the welcoming swimming pool is always popular after a hard day’s cycling. Cycling Distances: Morning - 45 km/28 miles Afternoon - 29 km/18 miles

• Day 3 : Ninh Binh to Phat Diem Return to Ninh Binh

  This morning’s ride is another beautiful route via quiet lanes amongst limestone islands rising out of rice paddies surrounded by canals and rivers. At Phat Diem we visit the incredible Catholic Cathedral built in 1891. Apart from gigantic pillars made from single trees this massive building is built entirely of stone with numerous stone sculptures on the walls and a large bell cast in the 1890s weighing nearly 2 tons. Your guide will explain the amazing story of how this structure was built. This afternoon we drive to meet our boat, for the trip to visit the remarkable Kenh Gha village. The journey to the village is a unique experience, as we glide along the Hoang Long river and weave our way past boathouses and fishing vessels. Surrounded by limestone cliffs the village’s main access is by boat, and the people in Kenh Gha row boats with their feet, leaning back and watching the world go by. Cycling Distances: Ninh Binh to Phat Diem - 23 km/14 miles Optional return - 28 km/17 miles

• Day 4 : Ninh Binh to Cuc Phuong National Park

  Today sees us ride through quiet back roads on the gentle climb to Cuc Phuong National Park Headquarters, our base for the next two nights. The scenery is spectacular as we cycle through small villages & alongside rice fields before we enter the national park in the afternoon. On the way we pass through a spectacular gorge which offers some wonderful photo opportunities and visit the modern Bai Dinh pagoda, the largest pagoda in South East Asia, built on the site of Hoa Lu, the ancient capital city of Vietnam. There is an option here, for a beautiful walk to view a 30 tonne gold Buddha. Created by Ho Chi Minh in 1963 Cuc Phuong was Vietnam’s first National Park. Tonight we stay in comfortable guest houses at the park headquarters & there is time this afternoon for a short hike around nearby Mac Lake or the botanical gardens Cycling Distance: Ninh Binh to Cuc Phuong National Park - 45 km/28 miles

• Day 5 : Cuc Phuong Headquarters to Park Centre and Return

  Surrounded by limestone cliffs, Cuc Phuong National Park is considered the most important nature reserve in Viet Nam. It has 222 square km. of primary tropical forest and is famous for its variety of wildlife, there are an estimated 2,000 different species of flora and the 450 species fauna in the park. This morning you will visit the famous Primate Rescue Centre www.primatecenter.org with 14 species of threatened gibbon and langur on site. A visit to the park headquarters to view the interpretation panels is also recommended. We then head into the park centre, depending on your fitness you can cycle or drive, with a visit on the way to the “cave of the Prehistoric Man.” After lunch at Bong, the park centre, we will go for a 2hr hike on an easy trail into the forest to see the ancient trees & prolific birdlife. To end the day we have a cruisy downhill ride back to the Park Headquarters. Tonight your guides will treat you to a tour highlight, a Vietnamese cooking school where you will learn to create some local favourite dishes for your evening meal. Cycling Distance to Park Centre: 20 km/12 miles each way

• Day 6 : Cuc Phuong to Mai Chau

  Today is a cycling day as we follow the Buoi River valley towards Mai Chau. We cycle briefly on the northern section of the famous Ho Chi Minh Trail, now a paved highway traveling south all the way to Saigon, before continuing riding to Muong Khen where you have the option to ride in the support vehicle to traverse the formidable Thung Khe pass. (Those who want a challenge on the bike will find this climb offers great satisfaction, once you reach the summit an awesome downhill is just reward). Near the top we stop at some roadside stalls and meet some local ethnic Muong people who will introduce you to one of their delicacies, the delicious sticky rice cooked on a bamboo stick. The optional descent into Mai Chau, is steep but spectacular with beautiful views into the valley. The day ends at a local ethnic White Thai village where we will join our hosts in a meal combined with a cultural & musical performance in their traditional longhouse. Tonight’s lodging is in a traditional long-house with communal sleeping & shared bathrooms. This is a unique cultural experience but we do understand that it may not be satisfactory to all participants. There is an option to stay at the near-by Mai Chau Lodge in private room with ensuite (additional cost applies; please ask for details). This must be booked in advance. Cycling Distance: Up to 82 km/51 miles

• Day 7 : Mai Chau

  The lowland valleys around Mai Chau are inhabited by the Thai people and the high country is the home of the H’Mong ethnic minority. This morning we drive up the Ma’a River to an altitude of 1000 meters to visit a traditional H’Mong village at Sa Linh. We cycle back to our resort on a thrilling downhill run for a late lunch and the afternoon is free to relax and enjoy our beautiful lodgings. Tonight we stay at Mai Chau lodge, a new resort reflecting the local culture, nestled amongst the rice fields and surrounding mountains the beautiful swimming pool is a popular place this afternoon. Tonight’s meal is on your own at the delightful restaurant at the Mai Chau Lodge. Cycling Distance: – 35 km/22 miles

• Day 8 : Mai Chau to Hanoi

  This morning we drive to the top of Khung The Pass before a thrilling downhill sets us up for the days riding. The landscape changes as we farewell the limestone country and gradually descend towards Hanoi. Lunch today is at an excellent local restaurant in Hoa Binh before loading up for the drive back to Hanoi. Tonight we experience the famous & spectacular Water Puppet show before our celebration farewell dinner and a chance to reflect on the experiences of the last eight days. Cycling Distance: Summit Thung Khe Pass to Hoa Binh - 48 km/29 miles

• Day 9 : Tour Ends Hanoi

  Trip arrangements end after breakfast in Hanoi. Airport transfers and additional accommodation can be arranged if required (extra cost applies).

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Inclusions

• Hotel
• Sightseeing
• 8 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners
• 7 nights hotel/guesthouse accommodation, twinshare with private bathroom
• 1 night traditional long house - shared facilities
• Bilingual group leader and bike mechanic
• Air-conditioned support vehicle
• Water Puppet Show in Hanoi
• Guided tour of Primate Rescue Centre
• Cultural Show at White Thai village
• Medical Kit

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Exclusions

• International airfares and departure taxes
• Airport arrival & departure transfers
• Meals and drinks not listed in the itinerary
• Bicycle helmet (you must bring your own)
• Water bottle (help us save the environment and bring your own bike drink bottle)
• Optional activities listed in the itinerary
• Personal expenses (eg. phone calls, internet, laundry, shopping etc)
• Travel insurance (compulsory)
• Visa costs
• Tips

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Terms & Conditions

Payment Terms & Methods :
* Some Advance Percentage of total booking amount
* Airfare/Transport fare to be paid full at one time in advance.

Cancellation & Refund Policy :
* Upon cancellation, refund will be made after deducting the Retention Amount.
* Retention Amount varies as per the number of days left before your package start date.

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This Tour is Offered by

Adventure South Ltd View Profile

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• Phillipstown, Christchurch, New Zealand - 8145
• XXXXXX1222 View Contact
• XXXXXXXXXX@adventuresouth.co.nz View Mail ID

About Adventure South Ltd

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