Sapa Far NorthWest Mountain Bike, 5 days 5 nights, Hanoi - Lao cai - Sapa - Than Uyen - Tu Le - Nghia Lo

This itinerary takes you over the Tram Tom "Heaven's Gate" Pass (highest point of Sapa road to Laichau province, around 2,000 m) to explore the other side of Mt. Fansipan (highest mountain in Indochina), where few tourist ever been.

Quite road, big adventure, a lot of fun. So expect plenty of curious faces and smiling children shouting “Hello!".

Often when Sa Pa is shrouded in cloud and fog, this side is clear and blue. Descend through one of ’s most picturesque and inspiring valleys. The partially rocky road meanders along the base of the mountain range past old growth forest and through the villages of Thai, H’Mong and Lu ethnic minority people.

Itinerary

*Night 1*	8:30pm – Depart at Marco Polo Office by private coach to Ha Noi Railway Station to catch the night train (soft sleeper with air conditioning) to Lao Cai.
*Day 1*	(B,L,D): Sapa Cycling (+-40km): 5.30am or 6am - Arrive in Lao Cai. The bus ride uphill to Sa Pa takes a little over an hour, giving you a glimpse of the stunning vistas and impressive rice terraces. After breakfast take biking trip down to Ban Ho Village Return to Sapa at afternoon. Overnight in Sapa Mountain View hotel
*Day 2*	(B,L): Sapa - ThanUyen (+-90km) After breakfast, gear up for your exciting ride. It’s a tough climb out of Sa Pa to Heaven's Gate, so your support vehicle will transfer you to the starting point at the Silver Waterfall. A 13km climb (30-60 mins) over the stunning Tram Ton Pass (the highest in Indochina ) provides great views of the Hoang Lien Valley before a free-wheeling 36km (1.5hrs) glide to Binh Lu . Heading off the main road, ride down 60km of occasionally rocky road to Than Uyen , a charming little tea town where you'll spend the night in Than Uyen local Hotel .
*Day 3*	(B,L): Than Uyen -Tu le (+-110 Km) Breakfast in hotel and starting ride down to Mu Cang Chai - Tu Le through valleys of old growth forest, tea plantations and rice paddies. After 110 km we arrived Tu le . Overnight in Tu Le local Hotel
*Day 4*	B,L): Tu le - Nghia Lo (+-65km ) A 110km ride down other side of the spectacular Nghia lo valey. We will cycle through undulating road before we finally end the day in Nghia Lo. It sits on a mountain ridge overlooking the Red and Black River and is home to the Thai, Nung, H’mong, La Ha and Ma peoples. Overnight in Nghia Lo
Day 5	(B,L, D): Nghia Lo - Yen Bai (+-75km) A 70 km ride down other side of the spectacular Khe thang Valley provides plenty of time to stop and take pictures of the local sights. Arrive in Yen Bai .Overnight in YenBai hotel. lunch before taking Mini Bus to Hanoi.
Day 6	( B,L): Yen Bai - SongThao - Hanoi (+-55km) A ride down other side of the spectacular Red river side, plenty of time to stop and take pictures of the local landscape. Arrive in SongThao, time for lunch before taking Mini Bus to Hanoi. End of Services.

Tour Cost

Group Size	2	4-6	7-10
Price /person	590USD	480USD	440 USD

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

WHAT'S INCLUDED

	English speaking local guide
	accommodations in hotels in Hanoi, home stays and local hotel around trip as mention
	meals as noted
	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

USD 40

Gears checklist

Total Distance

+-420 km

Number of cycling days

5 full days

Average Daily Distance:

85km

Off Road

Max. Altitude

2,000 metres

Road Surface

This tour follows a mix of asphalt roads, broken roads, , and long cycling uphill . You should be confident of your physical condition and bike handling skills.

Support

One or two 16-seat air-conditioned transit vans converted to take bikes and bikers.

Group Size

Minimum 2. Maximum 8.

Staff

English speaking Vietnamese cycling leader plus guide and support team.

Accommodation

1 nights in comfortable tourist class train, 4 nights in basic tourist class hotels, All accommodation in hotel has a/c or fan, hot water and private facilities.

Food

All meals as mentioned.

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)

Biking Grade

Challenging

Scenery

Itineraries >> Detailed >>