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Velo Laos bikes tour,
mountain bike, biking, cycling,cycle, bicycle. cyclist., Holiday
 hotline:
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cyclist.
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TOUR DE INDOCHINA
02 -HANOI-LUANGPRABANG CYCLO-CROSS TOUR
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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. Start the cycling
tour with stop over homestay with Thai Minority people in Mai Chau and
then on the way to Dien Bien Phu. The premier destination in North
Vietnam, then cycling over 1,567 meter high Pha Din Pass.
we’ll
ride through a land still untouched by the modern world.
Continuing on.
The subsequent exciting descent also offers outstanding
sceneries through local tea plantations, tribal communities and vibrant
countryside. We'll cycle into the picturesque , 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
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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
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Itinerary
12days/
11 nights starting in Hanoi and finishing in Luang
Prabang
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Hanoi arrival
Pickup in airport transfer to Hotel.
Overnight in Hanoi.(D)
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Hanoi-MaiChau
(+-80 km )
We transfer Southwest to Hoa Binh Province and
then we cycling to Mai Chau, home of the White
Thai. We have a home stay in traditional style
house.
Overnight in
home stay in MaiChau .
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Mai Chau -
Moc Chau (cycling +- 68 km )
(B,L,D)
The ride today, starts relatively flat, but we
climb up and over into a valley with some great
views. A good way to start the tour.
Overnight in
hotel in MocChau.
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MocChau- Yen Chau (cycling +- 60 km )(B,L,D)
We
head North to Yen Chau and pass many minority villages as we generally ascend.
The ride today, starts relatively flat, but we climb up and over into a valley
with some great views. A good way to start the tour.
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Day 5 |
YenChau-Sonla
(cycling +- 60 km)(B,L,D)
Virtually every town we go through has an active
market. Everything is brought in fresh daily. The
larger markets serve as distribution points for
smaller markets and, if you are there early enough,
you will see things being scootered off to other
market. Son La has a history. The French built a
prison in Son La, it was partially destroyed during
the Vietnam War but there is now a museum and what
remains is interesting. Dissident Vietnamese were
often transferred between french built Hoa Loa
prison in Hanoi (aka "TheHanoi Hilton") and Son La
Prison.
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Son la - Tuan
Giao (cycling +- 85 km)(B,L,D)
Today's ride begins with an easy 5k climb through every present rice paddies. At
the 60k mark there is a good 14k climb and then 7k of ups and downs along a
ridge followed by a 11k descent into Tuan Giao. This area is home to the Black
Thai minority which originated in China
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Tuan Giao-
Dien Bien Phu
( +-102km)
Ride to
Dien Bien Phu.(B,L,D)
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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)
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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)
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Day 10 |
Odomxai to Pak Mong
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+-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) |
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Day 11 |
Pak Mong to Luang Prabang
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+-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)
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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
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Day 13 |
Luang Prabang departure:
Free time until
transfer to airport for departure flight.
(B)
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Email us for details
itinerary:
info@bikingvietnam.com:
bikingvietnam@mail.com
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Tour overview
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Group Size |
private tour |
Group tour |
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Price/person |
please send request |
1,599USD |
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.
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Best Time to go |
From October to May,
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WHAT'S INCLUDED |
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English speaking local guide
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Accommodations in hotels in
Hanoi, home stays and local hotel around trip as mention |
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Meals as mention with B=
breakfast, L= Lunch, D= dinner |
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Sightseeing and activities as
noted in the itinerary |
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Ground transportation
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Additional guides where
necessary |
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Entrance fees and permits
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Basic medical |
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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.). |
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Trek4500, Giant Yukon including in tour
price in Vietnam, Trek 4300 in Laos,
Bikes suggest
: XC hardtail, Cyclo-cross, Touring,
29er rigid
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.
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Gears checklist |
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9 full days and one half-day
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Average Daily Distance: |
+- 85km |
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Off Road |
5% |
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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 .
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One or two 15-seat air-conditioned transit vans
converted to take bikes and bikers.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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NUTRITION
We recommend you should bring
nutrition as details:
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* Hammer Gel energy gels
are 100% pure complex carbohydrates |
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* 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 " |
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Challenging
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Scenery |
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