TOUR DE INDOCHINA
03 -HANOI-LUANGPRABANG ASPHALT PAVE ROAD TOUR
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. The
premier destination in North Vietnam, then cycling over 1200 meter
high Tram Tau Pass. we’ll
ride through a land still untouched by the modern world.
Continuing on, we’ll climb the region’s 1,350 m
mountain pass into the land known by the local Hmong people
.
The subsequent exciting descent also offers outstanding
sceneries through local tea plantations, tribal communities and vibrant
countryside. We'll cycle into the picturesque Black River , through
the surrounding hills of PhuYen .Leaving MaiChau, 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
mountain bike expedition
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
Itinerary
12days/
11 nights starting in Hanoi and finishing in
Luang Prabang
Day 1
Hanoi arrival
Pickup in airport transfer to Hotel, free
time.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2
Hanoi -SongThao-Yen
Bai (+-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 biking to Yen Bai.
Overnight in YenBai. ( B,L)
Day 3
Yen Bai-
Nghia Lo (+-65km)
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 in tea hill,
rice field . Arrive in Nghia Lo
.Overnight in YenBai hotel.(B,L, )
Day 4
Nghia Lo -
Phu Yen(+-90km)
We
will cycle through undulating road before we finally end
the day in Phu Yen. 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 Phu Yen .(B,L)
Day 5
Phu Yen- Moc Chau.
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 90 km we arrived Tu
le . Overnight in Tu Le local Hotel (B,L)
Day 6
Moc Chau-Mai Chau
(+-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)
Day 7
Mai Chau- Naneo
border (
+-75km)
This
morning, we make a run for the border by bus on
National Highway 15 through Pu Luong and and Pu Ha
Nature preserves to beat the 11:00AM border closing
(about 70 miles).
. (B,L)
Day 8
Nameo border -
Sam Neua (
+-105km)
After
crossing into Laos, obtaining visas and meeting up
with crew, begin riding on national route 217 ,
cycling uphill towards Vieng Xai on paved roads
under some of the most picturesque karst scenery in
Laos, passing hilltribe villages in the area,
including Thai Dam, Thai Dang, Meuy, and Kmu. Picnic
lunch en route.
After lunch, continued riding to Vieng Xai. After
arrival, freshen up before driving outside of the
town to explore a nearby network of hundreds of
caves. The caves, both natural and artificial, were
developed and used by Pathet Lao in Vieng Xai during
the Vietnam war, including Khayson Cave, the office
and residence of the Pathet Lao chief during the war
period, and Souphanouvong Cave, also called Red
Prince Cave, the residence of royal Prince
Souphanouvong at one time. Then, onto Nouhak Cave,
named for Nouhak Phoumsavang, who served as
Lao PDR
Day 9
Sam
Neua- Vieng Thiong
(B,L )
After sunrise breakfast,
departing for an epic day's journey over the
"Laotian Alps" to Vieng Thong, cycling over the
massive 4,000+ foot Phou Lao and Phou Leuy mountain
passes, where we'll spy the 2,062 meter peak of Phou
Leuy and 2,079 meter Phou Pan-Cnai in the distance. From
Vieng Xai, we continue riding on national highway 6
to Nam Noen (64.5 miles and about 4,500 feet) of
climbing. En route, pausing to explore Hing Tang (Suan
Hin), a man-made formation of vertical stones that
may be related to those on the Plain of Jars. At Nam
Noen, we'll turn northwest (right) on route 1
towards Vien Thong, a hilly 36 miles way. After
arrival in Vien Thong, walking to nearby hot springs
to soak worn legs before exploring the small town
set on the Nam Khan River and largely inhabited by a
collection of hill tribes particularly Hmong and
"lowland" Lao. Before dinner, we'll stroll to neaby
hot springs to soak our legs. Overnight at simple
guesthouse.
Day 10
Vieng Thiong- Nong khia
Our
longest, most difficult day. Another early sunrise
departure after breakfast (optional, but recommended
van shuttle to ay least top of the first climb).
National route No 1c between Vieng Thong and Nong
Khiaw passes through beautiful scenery with lush
green mountains, even in the drier season when we
are passing through.
After departing Vien Thong, cycling on flats until
reaching our first challenge, a 2,400 foot climb,
before descending to a winding river valley road for
about 12 miles until we reach our next climb of
about 2,100 feet, plummeting down to Vieng Kham at
mile 86 (at 1,200 feet elevation). After a third
climb of 900 feet, the rest of the day is over the
undulating hills on a paved, good-condition side
road heading northwest to Nong Muang, a picturesque
northern outpost being discovered by backpackers. (B,L)
Day 11
Nong kia- LuangPrabang
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)
Day 12
LuangPrabang
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(B,L)
Day 13
Luang
Prabang departure:
Free time until transfer to airport for departure
flight. (B)
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,
Depart:22/09/2011,
WHAT'S
INCLUDED
English speaking local guide
Accommodations in hotels , home stays and local hotel around trip as mention
Meals as mention with B=
breakfast, L= Lunch, D= dinner
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.).
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.
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 .
Support
One or two 15-seat air-conditioned transit vans
converted to take bikes and bikers.
Group Size
Minimum 2. Maximum 12.
Staff
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.
Accommodation
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.
Food
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.
NUTRITION
We recommend you should bring
nutrition as details:
*
Hammer Gel energy gels
are 100% pure complex carbohydrates
* 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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