ONCE UPON A TIME IN VIETNAM – CYCLING & CRUISE
Region: Vietnam
Destination: Danang – Hoi An – My Son – Hue – DMZ - Phong Nha N.P – Hanoi – Ha Long
Duration: 9 days 8 nights
Cycling distance estimate: 245 km
Price from: 2,435 AUD
Single Supplement: 375 AUD
Period: 2013/2014
Time: year-round
This trip focuses on 4 days of cycling and 2 days on a cruise. You will take part in a truly unforgettable journey- start from the narrow streets of the ancient trading town of Hoi An towards the ruined temple of the mysterious Cham holyland. Then conquer the misty mountain pass of Hai Van and pedal through the Imperial city of Hue. Cross the 17th Parallel (DMZ) to explore the Cave Kingdom – Phong Nha Ke Bang National park before embarking on a cruise to admire the mystical islands of Ha Long bay.
Completing approximately 250km of cycling also means crossing the ancient Champa kingdom – known to have existed from the 4th Century to the 14th Century, from My Son holyland to the Cave Kingdom of Phong Nha. Within a week of this trip you will see 5 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Vietnam as well as many other spectacular sites.
The Dynamic beaches in Danang, the ancient trading town of Hoi An colorfully lit by lanterns at night, the mysterious My Son Holyland, the spectacular Hai Van mountain pass, the unique Imperial city of Hue, the DMZ of Vietnam, the hidden Cave Kingdom of Phong Nha, the exotic capital of Hanoi and the misty Ha Long bay. All in one journey.
BRIEF ITINERARY:
Day 1: Sai Gon – Da Nang – Hoi An
Day 2: Hoi An – My Son – Hoi An (38 miles / 61 km)
Day 3: Hoi An – Hai Van pass – Hue (38 miles / 61 km)
Day 4: Hue ((25 miles / 40 km)
Day 5: Hue – DMZ – Phong Nha – Dong Hoi – Hanoi (38 miles / 61 km)
Day 6: Hanoi
Day 7: Hanoi – Ha Long bay
Day 8: Ha Long bay – Hanoi
Day 9: Hanoi - Departure
DETAILED ITINERARY:
Day 1| Sydney/Melbourne - Saigon – Danang – Hoi An (D)
Upon arrival at Saigon International airport, you board a connecting flight to Danang – the gate to Central Vietnam. You are greeted by our team. Transfer to Hoi An for welcome dinner followed by team briefing and info. about the routes and rules of the game. Overnight in the ancient town of Hoi An.
Destination: Hoi An ancient town
Meal: Dinner
Cycling: NO – flying is enough for today!
Day 2| Hoi An – My Son holyland – Hoi An (B/L/D) – The countryside
After taking a walking tour of the Old Quarter of Hoi An, you cross the Thu Bon river by local boat, then start cycling through rice fields, traditional villages making mattresses and rice paper to My Son holyland. Stroll amongst the jungle to explore the ruined Cham temples before enjoying an exclusive lunch at the site. My Son is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is home to many mysterious brick temples dating from 4th -14th centuries.
After lunch choose to pedal back to your hotel in Hoi An or take the van transfer to maximize your shopping and exploration time in this ancient trading town.
Dinner under lanterns in the Old Quarter of Hoi An.
Destination: My Son holyland
Meal: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Cycling distance: 38 miles / 61 km
Day 3| Conquering the Hai Van pass (B/L/D)
Check-out of the hotel in Hoi An and get the biggest day of cycling started! Warming up on the flat coastal roads along the My Khe beach of Danang before climbing 7miles and descending 7miles - the Hai Van mountain pass which Jeremy Clarkson of TOPGEAR praised as “a deserted ribbon of perfection — one of the best coastal roads in the world”. A well deserved ice-cream break on the summit of Hai Van awaiting you. Now enjoy the thrilling descent with spectacular views of Lang Co bay. Beach break and lunch.
Transfer to Hue Imperial city to check-in to your hotel. Refueling with a one-hour traditional Vietnamese massage (complimentary). Dinner and overnight in Hue.
Destinations: Danang, Hai Van pass, Hue
Meal: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Cycling distance: 38 miles / 61km (Longer option: 50 miles / 80 km…contact us for more details)
Day 4| Cycling Hue Citadel (B/L/D)
After breakfast, we’ll depart to visit the vivid daily life of the local people at Dong Ba market. This market, not far from Hue Citadel, is the city’s biggest and you can see what people eat and buy on a daily basis. Keep riding to visit The Citadel – home to the Emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945). Leave the Citadel, pedalling along the Perfume river to An Hien Garden house – typical of Hue’s ancient architecture house. You are welcomed with fruits and tea from the host upon arrival. Then onto Thien Mu pagoda, one of the great symbols of the city, followed by incense stick & conical hat making villages; the tomb of Emperor Tu Duc and lunch at the garden house restaurant.
Back to the hotel in the afternoon. Free time at leisure. Royal Dinner. Overnight at hotel.
Destination: Hue Imperial city
Meal: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Cycling distance: 25 miles / 40km
Day 5| Hue – DMZ - PhongNha – Hanoi (B/L/D) – Explore the legendary trails
Van transfers you to the Cua Tung beach to start the final cycling challenge. Go along the coastal lines to reach Vinh Moc tunnel – also known as the legendary ‘Underground city’ during the American War in Vietnam. Local people stayed underground for nearly 2,000 days without sunlight in order to keep their homeland in one of Vietnam’s most serious battlegrounds.
More uphills and downhills on the single road through pepper plantations and onto the 17th Parallel - Ben Hai river, the DMZ (demilitarized zone) of Vietnam from 1954-1972. Lunch break.
Pedal along the country roads through the rubber plantations to get to the starting point of the Ho Chi Minh Trail which was first constructed in May 1959. Pay your respects by visiting the War Cemetery – home to over 10,000 soldiers who made sacrifices for their fatherland. Cycling stage has been completed!
Drive along the Ho Chi Minh Highway to Phong Nha Ke Bang National park, then enjoy a boat trip to see Phong Nha Cave – one of the very first caves in the Cave Kingdom. Later, drive to Dong Hoi City, named ‘the Rose city’ during the French colonial period of Vietnam. Enjoy a steambath & massage to refresh before a celebratory dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight on the train to Hanoi in the soft-sleeper cabin
(SE20: 21h30 – 08h00+).
Destinations: DMZ (17th parallel, Vinh Moc tunnel), Ho Chi Minh Trails, Phong Nha cave
Meal: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Cycling distance: 38 miles / 61 km
Day 6| Hanoi – The historical Capital (B/L/D)
Welcome to Hanoi capital! After breakfast, you will be touring the 17th largest capital in the world- visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and Residence, One-pillar Pagoda and ‘The Hanoi Hilton’ – Hoa Lo prison. A Water Puppet show in the evening will tell you about the Vietnamese countryside.
Overnight at the hotel in Hanoi.
Destination: Hanoi capital
Meal: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Cycling distance: no more cycling!
Day 7| Hanoi – Ha Long Bay (B/L/D) – Mystical cruise
After breakfast, scenic three-hour drive from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay. Board and check-in with a welcome drink, then the cruise starts through Cho Da, Dinh Huong, Ga Choi and Hoa Cuong limestone islets while a lunch is served on board. Following this is a visit to Sung Sot Grotto, the ‘Cave of Surprises’, before taking a swim in Titov Beach or Soi Sim Beach’s pristine waters. The vessel then cruises further still to reach its overnight anchorage location near Ho Dong Tien or Luon Cave.
Enjoy the sunset from the sundeck or while swimming, then dinner is served on board. The evening is devoted to relaxing in the peaceful setting, or to experience night fishing on the deck.
Overnight on board.
Destination: Ha Long bay
Meal: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 8| Ha Long Bay - Hanoi (B/L/D)
Early wake-up for a breakfast amongst stunning scenery, then a small boat will take you to visit Luon Cave. Back on board, the cruise heads to Tuan Chau pier. Transfer by tender to Pelican & Image cafe. Lunch is served on board while the cruise goes back to Ha Long city to disembark at noon. Return to Hanoi. Overnight at the hotel.
Notes: The cruise itinerary may change due to the weather and tide.
Destination: Hanoi
Meal: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 9|Hanoi – Departure (B)
Breakfast, free time until check-out. Transfer to Noi Bai International airport for your departure flight. End of an unforgettable journey…
Destination: somewhere over the rainbow
Meal: Breakfast
TOUR PRICE: AUD* per person
Group sizes that don’t exceed 14 guests on a scheduled departure
|
No of traveller / Category
|
2
|
Single supplement
|
|
DELUXE
|
2,435
|
375
|
Notes: (*): AUD = 20.000VND
HOTEL LIST:
SERVICES INCLUDE
- Accommodation based on TWN/DBL sharing room with daily breakfast at listed hotels or similar
- Transfer & back-up by private vehicles
- Air tickets (Sydney/Melbourne – Saigon; Saigon – Danang; Hanoi – Sydney/Melbourne) included taxes & fees
- Train ticket Dong Hoi – Hanoi in sleeper cabin
- Cruise in Ha Long bay
- Expert guides with extensive local knowledge, who go above and beyond to cater to your every need
- Bike transportation between sites, spare parts and helmets if requested
- Bike hire (Mountain bike with front suspension: TREK/ GIANT)
- Bike mechanic
- A 60-minute Vietnamese traditional massage ticket in Hue
- Local fruits, snacks and bottled drinking water (5 litres per biker per cycling day), cold towel
- Ice-cream
- First Aid Kit
- Meals indicated in itinerary (B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner)
- All entrance fees as indicated in itinerary
- Complimentary pre- and post-travel planning assistance
NOT INCLUDED
Alcoholic drinks & drinks at meals + Optional visits + Personal expenses
Personal travel insurance
Tips for guide, driver, boat crew & hotel porters.
Meals not indicated in the itinerary.
Other services not mentioned in the package above.
We strive to consistently to amaze, surprise, and delight. For this reason, each itinerary may be subject to slight modifications. Contact us to speak with a destination specialist for the most up to date tours.
