Vietnam

Paddle and Play

Mountain Biking, Hiking and Sea Kayaking

(12 Days)

Slide Show

Adventure junkies will revel in this trip to Vietnam, a geographically diverse country that offers some of the best playscapes in South East Asia. Our BikeHike Adventure kicks off in Hanoi, where we meander on foot and rickshaw around the bustling old quarter. We spend a few days on mountain bikes snaking along dirt roads that carve around steep mountains, through remote villages and alongside fertile meadows. To add a burst of cultural flavour we trek into the Giang Ta Chai to see the colourful Dzao hill tribe. The wow factor continues when we slip into sea kayaks and paddle amongst rugged limestone cliffs that rise out of the turquoise sea on Halong Bay. This 12-day ramble is loaded with culture, nature and adventure and is a sure bet to satisfy all of your adventure cravings.

Ask about our 3-4 day extensions to Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Trip Highlights

• Exploring the Old Quarter of Hanoi by Foot and Rickshaw
• Sea kayaking the turquoise seas of Halong Bay
• Mountain biking through remote hilltribe villages

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Hanoi

Upon arrival into the Hanoi airport a BikeHike Adventures representative will greet you and transfer you to a comfortable hotel. Depending on your time of arrival, you’ll likely have free time to relax, get adjusted and explore a bit of Hanoi’s bustling Old Quarter. In the evening you’ll meet your guide and enjoy a savory spread of Vietnamese dishes followed by a visit to the Water Puppet Theatre for a performance of this ancient traditional art form. (D)

Day 2: Hanoi (Hiking and Rickshaw Riding)

After a hearty breakfast we'll set off to explore some of Hanoi's historic sites, such as The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, The Ethnology Museum, One Pillar Pagoda and the 11th century Temple of Literature. After lunch, we’ll ride in rickshaws , touring the historic 36th Street Old Quarter--it's a shoppers and photographers delight as the streets are alive with shops and vendors making and selling everything imaginable. You’ll have free time to dine on your own and prepare for this evening's 9:30 pm night train to Lao Cai. The air-conditioned sleeping berths have 4 beds. (B,L)

Day 3: Lao Cai–Bao Nhai-Trung Do (Mountain Biking)

Our train pulls into Lao Cai between 6-6:30 am. We'll stop at a nearby restaurant to refuel with a hearty breakfast, then gear up and cycle 46 kms/25 miles from Lao Cai to Bao Nhai. The winding road is paved with slight to moderate elevation changes. This is a very colorful ride, bursting with cultural encounters. We'll pedal alongside commuting locals doubling up on banana seat bicycles. Afterwards we'll board a longtail boat for a relaxing float up the Chay River. This is a good opportunity to observe life along the river. We'll break for a picnic lunch in the 'Fairy Cave' then head back down river to the sleepy hamlet of Trung Do where we'll meet the Tay hilltribe people. They'll host us for dinner and an overnight with their warm and gracious hospitality. The accommodation here is basic, but the cultural experience is worth every moment. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Trung Do-Coc Ly–Bac Ha (Mountain Biking)

We begin early with breakfast in the village, then have time to wander around the village meeting the locals and photographing the mountainous and fertile landscape. From here we'll transfer by vehicle to the weekly market in Black Dzao Village. This experience is rich with culture as the Flower H'mong, Black Dzao, Tay and Nung Hill Tribes all gather for this important social and economic event. Once we've had our share of the market we transfer to our biking launch pad and pedal 18 kms/10 miles on a snaking rocky road. Our support vehicle follows closely for weary riders on the steep glute burning stretches. The hearty in the lot can attempt the ascent all the way to the top of the high pass of Bac La or catch a lift. Midday we reach our hotel in Bac La and break for lunch. Afterwards we'll hop back on our bikes and ride 8 km/5 miles around town with a stop in Ban Pho Village to have tea with an ethnic family. Our final leg on the bikes is a stretch of singletrack that winds through plum gardens, rice fields and past the mud homes of the local inhabitants. We return to Bac Ha for dinner and overnight at a comfortable hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Bac Ha – Lao Cai – Sapa (Mountain Biking)

After breakfast we have a short drive up to Lung Phin. Here we ditch the vehicle and hop on our bikes for a thrill-filled ride to Seng Sui, Lung Sui. This scenic loop is dramatic with staggering high mountains laced with rice paddies, corn fields and colorful Flower H'mong villages. The route is rated moderate, with a good mix of rolling hills and dirt and rocky roads. In Can Cau our support vehicle will await to transfer us back to Lung Phin. From here it's back on our bikes for the last stretch, a 12 km/6 mile glide on a paved road back to Bac Ha town. Late afternoon we drive to Sapa where we have the evening free to relax and explore the village and its market. Overnight in a comfortable hotel.(B,L)

Day 6: Sapa–Ta Van (Trekking)

After breakfast we'll hop into our jeep for a half hour journey to the trail head of our hike. Donned in our hiking boots, we'll set off for a two hour trek into Ta Van, the heart of Golden Stream Valley - a colourful village of the Dzay people nested at the foot of Fan Si Pan mountains. We'll refortify midday with a picnic lunch and then continue trekking, following the meandering river to the end of the valley and then winding up the mountainside to Ban Ho, a peaceful village where the Tay Hilltribe resides. We'll end in the home of one of the villagers, who will host us for the night in a traditional homestay. We'll enjoy a homecooked dinner and have the opportunity to interact with the host family and learn about their culture. Overnight in Ban Ho homestay. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Van Ho – Sapa (Trekking)

After breakfast and a farewell to our Tay hosts, we continue trekking through the spongy valley. We'll thread along dirt paths with beautiful views of the misty clouds hanging over the terraced rice paddies. Midday we'll break for a picnic lunch and then continue trekking until we reach the main road. Our driver and vehicle will meet us here and transfer us back up to Sapa. We pick up our gear from the hotel, then drive back down the mountain to Lao Cai. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure to relax and enjoy dinner in Lao Cai before taking the night train back to Hanoi. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Free Day in Hanoi

Our train reaches Hanoi at approximately 5:30 am. We’ll be greeted at the station and transferred to a cozy hotel with time to catch up on sleep and rest from our memorable northern excursion. Later in the morning we'll visit the outskirts of Hanoi where there are over 50 Handicraft villages, some being world renowned for their arts and crafts. We'll visit the some of the must see villages such as Bat Trang ceramic village, Van Phuc silk village, Dong Ky wood carving village and So noodle village where you can see the production of all of these local products. We'll return to Hanoi in the afternoon with the remainder of the day at leisure to relax, shop or enjoy some of the spa services Hanoi has to offer. Overnight in a comfortable hotel.

Day 9: Halong Bay (Sea Kayaking)

We depart at 5:30am this morning, driving 2 hours to the seaport of Hai Phong. We'll stop for breakfast along the way, then board the express boat to Cat Ba Island. From here we board a small boat for a 20-minute ride to our private base camp. We'll settle into our beach huts, take a refreshing dip in the sea, or a walk along the whitesand beach while our guides prepare a delicious spread of fresh local seafood and vegetable dishes. Afterwards we'll have a briefing on gear and safety, basic paddle strokes and our paddling route. Then it's time to slip into our sleek kayaks and set out for an afternoon of paddling. We'll return to base camp for a fresh water shower and a great dinner before retiring to our cozy huts for the night. (B,L,D)

Day 10: Halong Bay (Sea Kayaking)

Today is a full day of paddling, exploring the bay at a leisurely pace, with time to take a closer look at the amazing karsts. We’ll explore the labyrinth of caves that lead to stunning lagoons, paddle to floating villages to see this unique way of life, and stop to chill out at one of the many beaches here. We’ll be met by a support boat, which we’ll board for lunch, then return to the sea and spend the remainder of the afternoon paddling. The support boat will pick us up late afternoon to motor us back to the base camp for dinner. Overnight at our cozy base camp. (B,L,D)

Day 11: Halong Bay – Hanoi (Sea Kayaking)

Early risers can revitalize with a morning dip in the ocean before breakfast. We can enjoy a last paddle of the bay or merely hang on the beach and chill in a hammock with a good book. The paddlers return to base camp in time for lunch, then we all cruise back to Cat Ba Island, passing floating villages and markets along the way. We take the express boat back to Hai Phong then bus back to Hanoi, arriving in Hanoi at 7.30 pm. Overnight in a comfortable hotel. (B,L)

Day 12: Departure

We’ll pick you up at your hotel and transfer you to the airport for your journey home. (B)

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