Vietnam Mountain Bike Tours
From £1131 per person*
Vietnam's North West Circuit by Mountain Bike
Overview | 9D Clockwise Circuit | 10D Anti-clockwise Circuit
This is the ultimate mountain ride, a cycle-journey through Southeast Asia's most spectacular mountain range. Starting in Hanoi, take the train to the scenic hill-station of Sapa, a village built by the French in a valley almost exclusively inhabited by tribal Montagnards. Discover the amazing mountain trails around Fansipan, Indochina's highest peak before riding over a 2km high mountain pass into the land known by the local Hmong people as "beyond the clouds".
This tour goes to a part of Asia few foreigner's ever venture. The stunning Lai Chao and Fansipan valleys are as remote as they are beautiful. Colourful Hmong, Dao (pronounced Zow) and other tribal people live in a land that has still not yet been touched by the modern world and we constantly ride through just incredible scenery!
Finally we end our ride in Dien Bien Phu, the site of the Viet Minh's historic and decisive victory over the French. After visiting the battlefields and learning how Ho Chi Minh and his indefatigable people defeated the colonial French we fly back to Hanoi.
Notes
This cycle adventure can be incorporated into a Symbiosis tailor made holiday to Vietnam that can be adapted and tailored to meet your dates, preferences and passions. Please contact one of our bespoke holiday planners to create the ideal itinerary for you.
9D Clockwise Circuit
Day 1: Hanoi - Mai Chau (165km. Cycing distance: 40-50km ) In the morning, transfer by support vehicle to Hoa Binh town and stop for a lunch break. Then continue to Mai Chau province, visit the White Thai village of Lac. Lac is well known for its handicrafts, especially its brightly colored clothes that are all handmade by the local. Spend the night in a traditional stilt house of the ethnic White Thai people.
Day 2: Mai Chau - Son La (170km. Cycling: 80-100km) In the morning, set out from Mai Chau and head north to the town of Son La, cycling parts and driving other parts of the way. Son La is located in a scenic valley, inhabited by Thai, Muong and H'mong minority people. This area is historically important for its involvement in the Vietnamese struggle for independence from France during the first half the 20th century. B L D
Day 3: Son La - Dien Bien Phu (140km. Cycling 60km) Today we drive the first 80km as far as Tuan Giao before taking to our bicycles to ride the 80km to the town of Dien Bien Phu. If the Pha Din Pass proves too much of a challenge, the support vehicle will be there for the rescue! B L D
Day 4: Dien Bien Phu - Muong Lay (100km) After breakfast we set out on our bikes to explore the historically important area around Dien Bien Phu. It was here in 1954 that the French planned to lure the Viet Minh, led by Ho Chi Minh, into the valley by sending 16,000 French troops as bait. The French however did not count on the brilliant leadership of General Vo Nguyen Giap who somehow managed to place the Vietnamese artillery on the surrounding ridges. From March until May 1954 the Viet Minh pounded the French positions until the French capitulated. Continue to Muong Lay where we spend the night. B L D
Day 5: Muong Lay - Phong Tho - Lai Chau (100km) Today we cycle along the windy roads that snake trough the beautiful countryside that characterizes this part of the country en route to Phong Tho. At times the roads are steep but the stunning panoramas displayed before us more than compensate for the hardship. B L D
Day 6: Lai Chau - Sapa (120km) After breakfast we cycle through more superb mountain country en route to Sapa. Along the way we pass by several different minority villages and will be able to see at close quarters how people go about their daily lives. We stop at To Binh Lu and for the remaining 50km we take the support vehicle as we snake our way up to the celebrated former hill station of Sapa. B L D
Day 7: Sapa Enjoy a full day exploring some of Sapa's most colorful and interesting sights by bicycle. These include the Red Dao village of Ta Phin, nestled on the floor of a beautiful valley, and the picturesque Tay village of Ta Van. B, L
OPTION 1
Day 8: Sapa: Night Train to Hanoi Enjoy the morning aorund Sapa. the market in town is very colourful with many traders from the Black Hmong and Red Dao ethnic minorities present. Then after lunch set off by bike down the winding descent to the border town of Lao Cai where, after a local meal and a refreshing shower at a local guest house, board the night sleeper train to Hanoi, departing between 7pm and 9.30 pm. B
Day 9: Arrive Hanoi around 4am in the morning
OPTION 2
Day 8: Sapa - Hanoi Following breakfast we embark on the return drive to the capital. This is a 10 hour, sceneic journey following the Red River Valley during which we will make numerous photo stops as we pass through different hill tribe villages. B L
FACTS & FIGURES
Price:
| Group Size |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4+ |
Single Supplement |
| Price pp (USD) |
2,495 |
1,485 |
1,277 |
1,078 |
175 |
Bike Hire: Included
Total Cycling Distance: approx. 420 km
Number of Days: 8 days / 8 or 7 nights (see options)
Number of Cycling Days: 7 1/2 days
Road Surface: This ride follows a mix of asphalt roads, broken roads, vehicle-width dirt roads, and rough tracks, so some off-road riding skills are an advantage. You should be confident of your physical condition and bike handling skills.
Support: One or two 4WD Jeeps and where required motorbike support.
Staff: For groups of 4-5, an experienced English speaking Vietnamese cycling leader, for groups of 6 or more a cycling leader plus a Vietnamese cycling guide. Plus drivers and assistants for all groups.
Accommodation: a mixture of local standard hotels, guest houses and homestays.
Food: as noted above: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch & D=Dinner
Seasons: All year round. Could get wet from time to time between May and October. Coolest and driest from November through to April.
Notes
THIS IS A SAMPLE ITINERARY WITH SAMPLE PRICES. IT CAN EASILY BE ADJUSTED OR ADAPTED TO SUIT YOUR OWN DATES, TIME FRAME AND TO BETTER ADDRESS YOUR OWN INTERESTS. JUST CONTACT SYMBIOSIS TO DISCUSS HOW
10D Anti-clockwise Circuit
TRIP PROFILE
This cycle-journey through Southeast Asia's most spectacular mountain range is for cyclists seeking a biking challenge, enjoy climbing and mixing it up with some off road trails. Starting in Hanoi, we take the train to the scenic hill-station of Sapa and ride the amazing mountain trails around Fansipan, Indochina's highest peak, before riding over a 2 km high mountain pass, the first of many. This tour goes to a part of Vietnam where few foreigners ever venture and you’ll be amazed at the colourful clothing of the many ethnic tribes as you ride through valleys and river gorges to Dien Bien Phu. Here we’ll visit battlefields and learn how Ho Chi Minh defeated the colonial French and then two long days of riding will be rewarded by a stay at the charming Mai Chau lodge before heading back to Hanoi.
Day 1
Meet in Hanoi before we catch the Tulico Express, the overnight train to Lao Cai and the start of our adventure.
Day 2
After an early morning arrival in Lao Cai we transfer to the hill station town of Sapa and check into our hotel. Test out the bikes with an off road ride to the village of Ta Phin on trails used by the ethnic locals to get to market.
Day 3
The day starts from the hotel with a long uphill to the Tram Ton Pass, at 1,900 m the highest road in Vietnam. An exhilarating downhill to a valley will lead us onto an off-road trail to Phong Tho.
Day 4
Another tough uphill starts the day, but the scenery is out of this world and continues with our descent through a picturesque gorge formed by the Nam Nin River. There are many minority villages on the way.
Day 5
It is impossible to count the number of hill climbs and descents on today's ride, but the reward is being in a remote area with a chance to see many ethnic tribal villages that very few foreigners visit.
Day 6
Enjoy a rest day in the history-rich city of Dien Bien Phu and time to visit the war museum and a local market.
Day 7
After a transfer we climb over Pha Din pass on switch backs that lead up a very fertile valley, lined with stair-stepping rice paddies, and notice that the traditional dress of the locals varies from village to village depending on their tribe.
Day 8
We ride on a looping country road that passes through a patchwork quilt of crops and after lunch ride downhill to Mai Chau valley to our luxurious lodge.
Day 9
We cycle on single track through the valley to ethnic villages, over wooden bridges and through rice paddies before a transfer to Hanoi and gather one last time for a farewell dinner.
Day 10
Time to explore Hanoi before onward travel.
Cyclng Distance: 495 km
Number of Cycling Days: 5 full days and 2 half days
Road Surface: This tour follows a mix of asphalt roads, broken roads, single vehicle-width dirt roads, and rough tracks, so some off-road riding skills are an advantage. You should be confident of your physical condition and bike handling skills.
Support: One or two 4WD Jeeps and where required motorbike support.
Group Size: Minimum 4. Maximum 12.
Staff: For groups of 4-5, an experienced English speaking Vietnamese cycling leader, for groups of 6 or more a cycling leader plus a Vietnamese cycling guide. Plus drivers and assistants for all groups.
Accommodation: All hotels are good tourist class ranging from 2-3 star apart from 1 night on a sleeper train. Hotels have a/c and private facilities as a minimum and we always choose hotels with charm and character whenever possible.
Food: All meals are included except lunch on day 1 and day 7 and dinner on Day 7.
Single Supplement: USD275
Bike Hire: USD130
* NOTE. Prices indicated on this website are shown as a guideline only and may be subject to currency fluctuations, banking fees and other changes outside our control. Pricing information is available in
other currencies.
