Vietnam Mountain Bike Tour 9 Days

Mountain Bike Tour Vietnam from $3129 NZD
9 Days
  • 2019
  • 2020
  • Best time to travel: April-May / September-October
  • Availability Guide:
  • Current date selected
  • Plenty
  • Limited
  • Closed or too close to departure (Call Us for options)

Vietnam Mountain Bike Tour

 Your journey starts from the bustling and charming French-influenced capital city of Hanoi, which is soon left far behind as we enter the completely different world of rural Vietnam.

We cross the fertile expanse of the Red River Delta to the northern mountains around SaPa, a region hardly touched by tourists and a world away from modern stresses. As we ride through small villages we will see the colourfully dressed hill tribe people whose lives have hardly changed through the generations.

Please note: We also offer a 14 Day Mountain Bike Tour which continues to DaLat and the Central Highlands, Mui Ne beach and Saigon.

Hanoi to Hanoi

Hanoi
  • Mountain Biking
  • Grade
  • Tour price is for group size 4-12
  • Surcharge applies for group size of 2-3
  • USD300 single room surcharge
  • USD185 mountain bike hire
  • This tour is invoiced in USD
  • We can customise this tour to suit your group. Call us for details!
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Vietnam Mountain Bike Tour 9 Days Fitness and Preparation
Whilst this tour is graded ‘active’ with some climbs and longer distances, we are happy to cater for some riders wanting shorter daily rides, and non riders. The tour is fully supported with a guide and support vehicle at hand. We are also happy to provide pre and post tour extensions. Enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes, and the rich cultural experience that is Vietnam.

Full Itinerary

DAY 1

Arrival Day: Hanoi

No biking

On arrival in Hanoi, we'll transfer you from the airport to the city (45 minutes) and check you into your tour hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you could come with us on a city tour this afternoon, past various places of interest including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (closed on Mondays) and the Temple of Literature. We'll have the opportunity to see a traditional water puppet show (the water forms the puppets' stage) and this evening we will get to know each other during our first group dinner.

Meals:

DAY 2

Hanoi to SuoiGiang (near NghiaLo)

Biking: approx 55 km (4+ hrs riding)

After breakfast at the hotel, we drive north from Hanoi to ThuCuc. At ThanhSon, we have a refreshment break before our first bike ride, which is a reasonably easy 40–50 km and a good warm-up. We stop for lunch back in ThuCuc, and in the afternoon we have the option of cycling up to another 60 km towards NghiaLo, a small town in a big valley inhabited by ethnic Thai people. There are no single trail options today, but your guide can take you on quiet dirt roads through some small villages. We overnight in a simple but comfortable guesthouse in the hills at SuoiGiang.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 3

SuoiGiang (near NghiaLo) to ThanUyen

Biking: 30–55 km+ (approx. 4hrs+ riding) + optional 80 km

There are several riding options today which your guide will discuss with you in advance. After breakfast we suggest you cycle the winding dirt roads past several villages, before traveling in the backup vehicle to peaceful TuLe. From here, it is 80 km to ThanUyen, in Vietnam's least populated province, LaiChau. You can choose to cycle or ride part way in the vehicle. This is one of the most beautiful stretches of road in North Vietnam, with imposing mountains and rice terraces. It is also home to the colourful Hmong, Dzao and Tay hill tribes, who we'll meet along the way.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 4

ThanUyen to SaPa

Biking: 87 km (1520 m up, 590 m down), 5–7 hours riding

We warm up on a single trail around ThanUyen before driving through mountainous countryside to ThanThuoc for lunch. As we approach HoangLienSon peak, Vietnam's tallest, we cycle on the main road between 1000–3000 m mountains, finally reaching Vietnam's highest pass (1900 m). You can, of course, choose to ride in the support vehicle. We then descend to the beautiful mountain town of SaPa (at 1600 m). The deeper into the mountains we go, the more hill tribes we will see, wearing amazingly elaborate and colourful costumes with huge earrings.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 5

SaPa to MuongBo to SaPa

Biking: 87 km (5–7 hours riding)

Today offers a half-day trip on dirt roads and single trails, plus a steep downhill (1000 m). We will be walking and/or cycling from village to village, meeting Hmong and Tay hill tribes. Trails sometimes pass through locals' backyards(don’t worry, they don’t mind!) and they will often gather excitedly to watch cyclists as they pass. After our picnic lunch at a waterfall, there's time for a refreshing swim before we drive back uphill to SaPa. The rest of the day is free explore this beautiful mountain town of about 140,000 people near the Chinese border.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 6

Sapa to BanKhoang - LaoCai (Chinese border) - BacHa

Biking/Elevation: 79 km/900 m up, 2250 m down (5–6 hours riding)

We are normally surrounded by deep blue skies and fluffy white clouds as we leave SaPa, travelling through the beautiful village of BanKhoang. We'll wind our way up higher and higher into the mountains on a country road. We will be cycling at high altitude for half a day at 1400–1600 m, followed by a long descent to the city of LaoCai on the Chinese border. We finish with a drive to the stunningly beautiful village of BacHa (1400 m). This border town is known for its colourful weekly markets. The drive takes about 2 hours, and we'll overnight at a hotel here.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7

BacHa

Biking/Elevation: 25 km/370 m up, 560 m down (2.5 hours riding)

The Sunday market here is a great opportunity to view local lifestyles and meet the people. Make sure you bring your camera! The scenery and the ornate clothing is amazing. Around midday we'll cycle on trails through villages for up to 4 hours, admiring beautiful mountains and forest. The main tribe we will see today is the Flower HMong, one of the most colourful and richly dressed in Vietnam. We'll be a major focus of attention wherever we go. Even seemingly in the middle of nowhere, people will suddenly appear from the hills.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8

BacHa to LaoCai to Hanoi

Biking/Elevation: 54 km/600 m up, 1600 m down (5–6 hours riding)

Amazing single trail riding is the order of the day. You'll travel along ridges through evergreen forests and past ancient hill tribes. Lunch is likely to be at a small local restaurant. At the end of the ride we'll have earned a snack and a cold beer. After packing up our bikes we drive to LaoCai for a refreshing shower, before boarding the overnight train back to Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9

Departure Day: Hanoi

No biking

The train arrives in Hanoi in the early morning (around 5 am), with the city already wide awake. There's time for a leisurely breakfast and a final stroll around Hanoi's old town, before we transfer you to the airport for your departure. You'll leave with memories of exciting urban Vietnam, its mountainous northern countryside, and vibrant people.

Meals: Breakfast

Tour Inclusions and Exclusions:

Tour Includes:

  • Accommodation: 7 nights hotels & guesthouses (2-4 star) plus 1 night sleeper train
  • Meals as listed in the itinerary
  • Support vehicle(s)
  • Airport transfers on days 1 and 9 only
  • Experienced English speaking guide
  • Admission fees and permits
  • Bottled water provided while riding

Tour Excludes:

  • International flights & airport taxes
  • Vietnam visa (to be obtained prior to arrival)
  • Travel Insurance
  • Tips for guide(s) and driver(s)
  • Drinks and personal expenses

Tour Video

Mountain biking tours off the beaten track in New Zealand, Tanzania, Tibet and Italy. This movie gives an overview of what you can expect on a Global Adventure Guide mountain biking tour.