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Biking the Northwest Loop – Sapa to Dien Bien

This mountain bike trip, from Sapa to Dien Bien, will take you to some of the most scenic areas in Northern Vietnam. Travelling through stunning mountainous landscape to the highest stretch of road in Vietnam, called Heaven Gate.
  • Inside a train to sapa
  • sapa
  • Sapa market
  • Homestay
  • nam cang riverside house
  • vietnam northwest overview
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TRIP OVERVIEW

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Destinations: Hanoi - Sapa - Lai Chau
Starts in/Finishes in: Hanoi/Hanoi
Highlights:

  • Explore some of the most scenic areas in Northern Vietnam
  • Travelling through stunning mountainous landscape to the highest stretch of road in Vietnam, called Heaven Gate.

 

Duration: 6 days

Travel Style: Biking & Cycling
Suitable: Couple

TRIP IN DETAILS

On arrival at Noi Bai airport, met and transfer to your hotel in the downtown. Free time at leisure. Evening transfer to Hanoi Railway Station for overnight train leaving at 22.00 to Lao Cai (35km from Sapa).

Summary: 60 minutes driving

 

Meals:
Accommodation: Overnight Train
Transportation: Private vehicle, Overnight Train

Early morning pick up and transfer to Sa Pa for breakfast and freshen up. Start the day with short transfer by car uphill toward Tram Ton Pass. On the way, you can take a short walk to Silver Waterfall and then head to Heaven Gate, where you will be amazed by breathtaking view to mountain surrounding included Fansipan, the highest peak of Indochina. Your ride will be mostly downhill toward Binh Lu. You will stop by Chu Va village of Black Hmong for a break before you arrive in Binh Lu. Here you will have lunch in a local restaurant.

After lunch, you start to cycle mostly uphill for the rest of today, which requires incredible effort. You will be able to stop by a village. You will then probably need the help of the support car to go up another high pass, before enjoying the easy ride downhill all the way to Tam Duong, where you stay overnight in a hotel.

Summary: 40 minutes driving/ 5 hours cycling/ 1 hour lunch

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle, Mountain Bike

You will start out from Tam Duong by cycling uphill along picturesque tributary of the Na River. You will see some places of gold exploration along the river. You also pass by many villages of Thai minority spreading along the way before reaching to Pa So. You stop for lunch in a local restaurant.

You will then continue the ride on a flat road toward Sino – Vietnamese border. You will enjoy a beautiful ride along river. You head back to Paso later to spend the night in a hotel, which locates by the river. You will be able to enjoy a cold beer on the balcony with beautiful river view.

Summary: 5 hours cycling/ 1 hour lunch

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle, Mountain Bike

Today’s ride will be mostly downhill. You will have time to enjoy beautiful scenery as well as stop by a village of Thai minority, the largest group ethnic in this area. You still follow the road, which goes along the Na River until you arrive inLai Chau in the early afternoon. You check in a hotel and have a late lunch.

After having a rest, you will be transferred to the river, where you take a boat ride downstream in the Black River. You can make a stop to visit a village of Thai minority and hear about their daily life on the riverbank. A friendly atmosphere makes your trip more enjoyable. The boat takes you further downstream. You will be transferred back to the hotel in the late afternoon.

Summary: 5 hours cycling/ 2 hours boat cruising/ 0,5 hour walking/ 1 hour for lunch

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle, Mountain Bike

Today will be a longest ride. You will start out on a good road, which makes your ride very comfortable. You arrive in Muong Lay by noon. Here you will be able to take a walk around a local market. You will have either lunch in a local restaurant or picnic lunch prepared by the hotel.

After lunch, you head toward Dien Bien Phu. You will continue on the good road and the ride is even more enjoyable in a beautiful nature. The ride will be downhill and then flat upon your arrival in Dien Bien Phu. Mountains and huge rice fields surround the busy town. Here you spend the night in a hotel. You will be able to take a walk to a nearby market to spread your legs.

Summary: 6 hours cycling/ 1-hour walking/ 1 hour lunch

 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel
Transportation: Private vehicle, Mountain Bike


After having breakfast, you will have an interesting bicycle trip around the town to visit famous historical sites such as Dien Bien Phu Museum, Glory Statue, A1 Hill and De Cattery Tunnel. You will be back to the hotel for lunch.

In the afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport for a flight to Ha Noi. You’ll be picked up to your chosen hotel in the downtown. Tonight’s accommodation is not included in tour price. End of services.

Summary: 2 hours cycling/ 1-hour walking/ 1 hour lunch

Notes:
• This cycling tour can be fully customized to your needs. Pre-trip or post trip extension can be arranged.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:
Transportation: Private vehicle, Plane, Mountain Bike

PRICE GUIDE & NOTES

From: US$ per person for a private tour of minimum 4 guests traveling together
Valid till October 31, 2024

Meals: 5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches
Transportation: Private vehicle, Overnight Train, Mountain Bike, Plane
Accommodation: 5 Nights

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • Breakfast and accommodation in good local standard hotel in Lai Chau, Paso, Luong Lay and Dien Bien Phu
  • One-way train ticket Hanoi – Lao Cai on Chapa Express Carriage (air-conditioned soft 4-berth cabin) or similar
  • One-way domestic flight ticket Dien Bien Phu – Hanoi (economy class by Vietnam Airlines)
  • Private air-conditioned minibus support all the way with experienced driver
  • Experienced English speaking biking guide
  • Use of Trek bike with helmets, spare parts, first aid kits, tool kits
  • Private boat cruise in Muong Lay
  • Lunches and dinners at a local restaurants as mentioned in the detailed itinerary
  • Bottled water, snacks and fresh fruits
  • All entrance fees
  • VAT and all other taxes

HOTEL LIST

WHAT'S EXCLUDED

  • Entry visa to Vietnam (US$15 per person for visa processing fee and US$25 per person for visa stamp fee)
  • International flights and airport taxes
  • Other meals, drinks, tips and other personal expenses or services not mentioned on the program.
  • Travel Insurances

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