vimexco
26-05-2012, 12:29 AM
Discover <a href="http://nichetravel.com.vn" target="_blank">northern Vietnam</a> and its people first hand. By cycling from the capital to the former Imperial city of Hue we can see life as it truly is for the Vietnamese. Along the way we encounter pastoral landscapes and sweeping panoramas as the rural population goes about its business of farming the rice paddies of the <a href="http://nichetravel.com.vn" target="_blank">Red River</a> Delta. We visit the visually stunning areas of Hoa Lu and the elaborate cave systems at Phong Nha before making our way through the war-ravaged DMZ and finally arriving in Vietnam’s cultural heartland city of Hue<br /><br />A main backpack with a reasonable daypack for any treks and day tours. Large suitcases are not advisable.<br /><br />Day 1: Hanoi – Ninh Binh(cycling distance 33km) (L,D)<br />Day 2: Ninh Binh - Thanh Hoa (80km) (B,L,D)<br />Day 3: Thanh Hoa - Vinh (60km) (B,L,D)<br />Day 4: Vinh - Dong Hoi (100km) (B,L,D)<br />Day 5: Dong Hoi - Phong Nha - Dong Hoi (90km)(B,L,D)<br />Day 6: Dong Hoi - Dong Ha - Vinh Moc - Dong Ha (63km) (B,LD)<br />Day 7: Dong Ha - Hue (78km) (B,L,D)<br />Day 8: Depart Hue (<img src="http://diendandulich.net/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="B)" border="0" alt="cool.gif" /><br /><br />Hotel information<br />Standard(3*)<br />Thuy Anh Hotel (Ninhbinh)<br />Thanh Hoa Hotel (Thanh Hoa),<br />Kim Lien Hotel (Vinh)<br />Cosevco Hotel (Dong Hoi),<br />Cong Doan Hotel (Dong Ha),<br />Duy Tan Hotel (Hue)<br />Luxury(4*)<br />Vanlong Resort (Ninh Binh)<br />Thanh Hoa Hotel (Thanh Hoa)<br />Phuong Dong Hotel (Vinh)<br />Sun Spa (Dong Hoi)<br />Cong Doan Hotel (Dong Ha)<br />Huong Giang Hotel (Hue)<br /><br />Tour price includes<br />-All accommodation at standard guest house<br />-Meals as mentioned<br />-English or French speaking guide<br />-Tours and transfers as mentioned by private air-conditioned vehicle<br />-Sightseeing fees and permits during guided time<br /><br />Tour price excludes<br />-Visas and airport departure tax<br />- Services and Meals and Drinks other not mentioned in itinerary<br />-Laundry, telephone calls and expenditure of a personal nature<br />-Tips and gratuities<br />-Travel Insurance (Compulsory)<br />-Pre and post trip accommodation in Hanoi<br />-Helmet<br /><br />Day 1: Hanoi - Ninh Binh(cycling distance 33km) (L,D)<br />In the morning we drive out of the City until we arrive at the town of Ninh Binh. From here we cycle to the picturesque setting of Hoa Lu. <a href="http://nichetravel.com.vn" target="_blank">Hoa Lu</a> was the capital city of Vietnam under the Dinh and Le Dynasties between 968 and 1009 and is also regarded as one of the most beautiful areas in northern Vietnam. We have the chance to explore the dramatic limestone cliffs by rowing boat at Tam Coc. We then return to Ninh Binh for the night.<br />Stay in Ninhbinh.<br /><br />Day 2: Ninh Binh - Thanh hoa (80km) (B,L,D)<br />Today we cycle 80km to the town of Thanh Hoa.<br />Stay in Thanh hoa<br /><br />Day 3: Thanh hoa – Vinh (60km) (B,L,D)<br />We drive for the first 85km to the town of Quynh Luu. From here we cycle to Dien Chau where we have lunch. In the afternoon we cycle to Cua Lo with its white sandy beach and the town of Vinh in Nghe An province. This area was home of Hochiminh President, who was born not far from here in 1890.<br />Stay in Vinh.<br /><br />Day 4: Vinh - Dong Hoi (100km) (B,L,D)<br />As with the previous day, we begin our journey by bus to the small town of Ky Anh. We then revert to peddle power to negotiate the <a href="http://nichetravel.com.vn" target="_blank">Ngang Pass</a>. This mountainous coastal area forms part of what is known as the "Great Devide Range" stretching from the Laos border to the sea along the 18th parallel. Our destination for tonight is the fishing port of Donghoi.<br />Stay in Donghoi.<br /><br />Day 5: Dong Hoi - Phong Nha - Dong Hoi (90km)(B,L,D)<br />Following breakfast we cycle 44km to the spectacular <a href="http://nichetravel.com.vn" target="_blank">Phong Nha cave</a>. The cave is probably the most beautiful and certainly the largest in Vietnam. The cave lies in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and UNESCO recently designated the area as the country’s fifth World Heritage Site. The park has some beautiful limestone formations, grottoes and caves as well as many 1,000m plus unexplored peaks. After having explored the cave we return by bicycle to Dong Hoi along part of the famous Ho Chi Minh Trail.<br />Stay in Dong Hoi.<br /><br />Day 6: Dong Hoi - Dong Ha - Vinh Moc - Dong Ha (63km) (B,LD)<br />Today we continue south along Highway 1 using both our bicycles and our support vehicle. We reach the town of Dong Ha where we stay for the night. In reaching Dong Ha we pass through the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), scene of some of the bitterest fighting during the American War. Here we will visit <a href="http://nichetravel.com.vn" target="_blank">Vinh Moc tunnels</a> to see at first hand how the Viet Cong fought. The stretch of tunnels runs for nearly 3km and have not been altered for the tourists’ benefit.<br />Stay in Dongha.<br /><br />Day 7: Dong Ha - Hue (78km) (B,L,D)<br />Today we drive to the former Imperial capital and cultural centre of Vietnam, Hue. After all check-in formalities are done, we set out our bike and explore this ancient city.<br />Stay in Hue.<br /><br />Day 8: Depart Hue (<img src="http://diendandulich.net/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/cool.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="B)" border="0" alt="cool.gif" /><br />The tour ends after breakfast.