Marco Polo- Vietnam Travel Holiday
Vacation Especially bicycle tours as mountain bike, road cycling in
Vietnam- Laos . Bicycle tours in Vietnam since 2002
TOUR DE INDOCHINA
01 -HANOI-LUANGPRABANG MOUNTAIN BIKE TOUR
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
This tour combines
some of the best parts of our Vietnam and Laos Tours. We start in
Hanoi and end of tour in Luang Prabang. We take the overnight
train to Lao Cai, near the Chinese border, and then on to Sapa . The
premier destination in North Vietnam, then cycling over 2,000
meter high Tram Ton Pass. we’ll
ride through a land still untouched by the modern world.
Continuing on, we’ll climb the region’s 1,750 m
mountain pass into the land known by the local Hmong people as
Sin Ho.
The subsequent exciting descent also offers outstanding
sceneries through local tea plantations, tribal communities and vibrant
countryside. We'll cycle into the picturesque Na River gorge, through
the surrounding hills of Lai Chau and into Dien Bien Phu.Leaving Dien Bien Phu, we’ll bike into Laos. Agrarian local life
and untamed topography means that most of the population lives
in bamboo huts that cling to the sides of scarred,
limestone hillsides. We’ll finish our bicycle
trip in atmospheric Luang Prabang.
A true
cycling expedition
Testimonials of this trip
Joe,
Merry Christmas also.It’s
been a week after I came back in Tokyo and just
getting things settle after a long three weeks
vacation .Just want to thank you that I have
enjoyed every moment with you and the tour in
Vietnam. I had a lot of fond memories and these
will not be forgotten. It was a great trip and
will see again soon
Jose
Dec,2008
Itinerary
12days/
11 nights starting in Hanoi and finishing in
Luang Prabang
Day 1
Hanoi arrival
Pickup in airport transfer to Hotel, free
time.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2
Hanoi - Lao Cai
Hanoi meeting : 4 PM group meeting , dinner,
Transfer to Hanoi railway station to catch
the night train to Lao Cai at 20:15. O/N on the
train. (D)
Day 3
LaoCai-Sapa
Arrival Lao Cai at 6 AM,. Arrive in Lao Cai:
after breakfast, transfer to Bat Xat ( 30 km
)Back road riding to Sapa. Afternoon rest and
free time for visiting Sapa. Overnight in Sapa .
(B,L,D)
Day 4
Sapa-TamDuong (new Lai Chau ):
Ride over Tram Ton Pass and downhill to Tam Duong. (+- 80 km )
. Overnight
in Tam duong.(B,L,D)
Day 5
TamDuong- Xin Ho( +-65km )
There are two hard climbs today the first starts
after 6 km with a 11 km ascent but the second, and
most challenging comes at the end of this stunning
day, with an 25 km strength-sapping climb. All this
hard work is easily forgotten as we finish the day
with a stunning descend on a winding road into XinHo
.Overnight in hotel in XinHo. (B,L,D)
Day 6
Xin Ho-
Laichau ( MuongLay ) ( +-75km)
Ride down to
LaiChau We have a couple pretty big climbs and then follow the picturesque Nam
Na river into Muang Say (aka "Old Lai Chau"). We stay at the hip Lan Anh Resort
where there no doubt will be an active badminton game in the evening.
106k - Rated 2.7 (B,L,D)
Day 7
Muong Lay-(LaiChau )-Dienbienphu
In 1954, the French Garrison at Dien Bien Phu
was pinned down when the Vietnamese were able to
do something thought impossible....carry heavy
artillery into the mountains. When you ride in
this area you will wonder yourself how they ever
did it. The siege at Dien Bien Phu ended in a
French surrender and marked the end of French
Indochina. Little known is the fact that the US
had developed a plan to aid the French by using
tactical nuclear weapons at Dien Bien Phu. 105k
- Rated 3.5. (B,L,D)
Day 8
Dien Bien Phu to Muang Khua, Laos
(+-98km)
We depart Dien Bien and cross into Northeast
Laos at Tay Trang. This is the least populated
section of Laos. We continue on to Muang Khua on
the banks of the Nam Ou river. (B,L,D)
Day 9
Muang Khua to Odomxai
(+-95km)
This is a scenic lightly traveled road to bustling
Odomxai. Odomxai seems to be undergoing a
renaissance. Lots of construction and activity in
the town these days. They have an airport here also
(with less than daily service). We stay at the
nicest place in town.(B,L,D)
Day 10
Odomxai to Pak Mong (
+-75km)
A tough climbing day at the start and then rolling
hills with magnificent scenery before a 29 k Descent
to Pak Mong. (B,L,D)
Day 11
Pak Mong to Luang Prabang (
+-105km)
On to the historic and enchanting city of Luang
Prabang. We follow the banks of the Mekong before
entering the city proper. It's also possible, with
advance planning, to bike the 20k in the opposite
direction to Nong Khiaw and then take a boat down
the Nam Ou .River. This will take you right by the
Pak Ou caves at the confluence of the Nam Ou and
Mekong Rivers. (B,L,D)
Day 12
Rest day in Luang Prabang
(B )
Today is a rest day in Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang
is encircled by mountains and situated on the banks
of the Mekong where it meets the Nam Khan river.
There is a lot to see in this World Heritage Town:
Temples, Monasteries, the Royal Palace and French
Colonial Architecture as well as the beautiful falls
outside of town. It’s worthwhile to get up and
observe the monks collecting alms at 6 am
Day 13
Luang
Prabang departure:
Free time until transfer to airport for departure
flight. (B)
Note:
Prices are based per person, double occupancy,
with a separate cost for solo travelers. If you
are traveling in a group but prefer single
accommodations, a single supplement fee applies.
Triple accommodations are not available in many
of the destinations we visit.
Best
Time to go
From October to May,
Depart:12/09/2011- end 24/09/2011(Guaranteed
to run)
WHAT'S
INCLUDED
English speaking local guide
Accommodations in hotels in
Hanoi, home stays and local hotel around trip as mention
Meals as mention with B=
breakfast, L= Lunch, D= dinner
Sightseeing and activities as
noted in the itinerary
Ground transportation
Additional guides where
necessary
Entrance fees and permits
Basic medical
WHAT NOT
International airfare; meals
not noted on itinerary; Vietnam visa; insurance other than basic
medical ; optional
tipping to leader, guides and local staff; excess baggage charges;
international airport taxes; cost of medical immunizations; items of
a personal nature (alcoholic beverages, laundry, etc.).
Bike Hire
Trek4500, Giant Yukon including in
tour price in Vietnam, Trek 4300 in Laos,
If
you bring your bike
please ensure
that you bike is in good working order before
you leave on tour. If you are not the most
mechanically minded we suggest that you get your
bike looked at by a professional bike mechanic.
In particularly we would suggest looking and
adjusting all wheel spokes, greasing all your
bearings, checking your brakes/gears cable,
tighten all nuts and bolts, check chain, quick
release clamps, tires and put in new inner tubes
and check wheel rims are not worn. In addition
make sure the bike is well serviced and ride it
with as much care and attention as possible.
This tour follows a mix of asphalt roads, broken
roads.
A lot of up hill with 10 to 12% with
3 or 4 climb per day
You should be confident of your
physical condition .
Support
One or two 15-seat air-conditioned transit vans
converted to take bikes and bikers.
Group Size
Minimum 2. Maximum 12.
Staff
Groups of 6 or more Vietnamese cycling guide
and drivers and assistants. Groups of 4-5, an
experienced English speaking Vietnamese cycling
leader plus guide and support team.
Accommodation
1 night in 3 star hotel in Hanoi. 8 nights in
comfortable tourist class hotels, 3 nights
in basic tourist class hotels. All
accommodation has a/c or fan, hot water and
private facilities.
Food
All meals are included except lunch on day 1 ,
and lunches, dinners on Day 12, 13 .
Break
every 15- 20 km ( 10 miles) for tea break with water, coffee
,tea, juice, bread, tuna ,banana, apple...
including: nutritional ( 3 Clif Bar MoJo energy bars /per
day)
During the " BikingVietnam.com" the main meals are
breakfast and the evening meal. Thus, breakfast should be large and
substantial (and include cereals). We recommend that all
participants should bring a supply of their favorite cereals as many
of the hotels where we stay don't yet have cereal on offer at
breakfast.
For lunch (picnic) you will need to make sandwiches in the morning,
and take some fruit. We recommend you also bring along some of your
favorite energy bars.
The evening meal will be in a restaurant, and precooked by the
Organizers. We will make sure there are always plenty of
carbohydrates and protein on the menu.
Don't forget adequate hydration is as important as a good meal and
so you should make sure you carry enough water with you. In some
stages there is no where to “top up” along the way. Follow your
guides instructions for each stage. We recommend you use a hydration
pack with at least 2l capacity, rather than water bottles. The water
bottles don't carry as much water, plus it will get warm during the
day, they are not as hygienic and the water bottle cage can get in
the way when you may have to carry your bike.
NUTRITION
We recommend you should bring
nutrition as details:
*
Hammer Gel energy gels
are 100% pure complex carbohydrates
* Clif Bar energy bars are a
great-tasting, convenient source of energy for any activity. Made with 70%
organic ingredients
Mix of
carbohydrates, protein, and fiber promote steady increase in blood
sugar levels followed by a gradual decline for sustained energy
4:1 ratio of
carbohydrates to protein; excellent for post workout recovery "
hotline:
++ 84913571687
