Vietnam Challenge Trip
22 days/21 nights
Hanoi - Sapa - Fasipan Mount - Halong Bay - Lan Ha Bay - Hue - Hoi An - Kon Tum - Pleiku - Buon Me Thuot - Dalat - Mui Ne - Saigon
Vietnam challenge trip is special designed with the great combination of Mountain climbing, Kayaking, and cycling. The trip gives us chances to positive our physical fitness while appreciating the best parts of Vietnam and her people by exploring hidden charm of the country; from climbing to conquer Fansipan, the highest mountain peak in Indochina 4 days 3 nights camping in jungle, to sea kayaking in Halong Bay; from adventure cycling in the north along the coastal line to the central highland and down to south of Vietnam. This is great combinations of challenge trip.
Day 1 Arrival in Hanoi
Up on arrival we will be welcomed and transferred to the hotel. At 05:00PM, we have a briefing with our Tour Leader who will give you the necessary information before the trip. In the evening we will have dinner in a local restaurant with the opportunity to sample specialty dishes of Hanoi. Afterwards we will see the famous Water Puppet show at The Water Puppet Theater in Hoan Kiem Lake's bank. (D)
Day 2 Hanoi - Night train to Sapa
This morning we will visit the Ho Chi Minh complex which consists of: Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, His House on stilts, and the outside of the Presidential Palace, the One Pillar Pagoda and the impressive Temple of Literature. The remainder of the day is free to explore the Old Quarter. After a late check-out from our hotel and dinner, we will transfer to the train station for our overnight train journey to Sapa. (B, D)
Day 3 Sapa
Upon arrival in Lao Cai in the early morning, we drive the 35 km up to Sapa. Today we will be free to explore this colorful town. Later we visit the main market and walk to Ham Rong hill for some panoramic views of Sapa. (B)
Day 4 First peak to Fansipan (2,400 m)
After breakfast, we meet our local guide and porters, and then we will start our trip. A bus will bring us up to Tram Ton at 1,945m where our adventure starts with a trek through a beautiful forest. Our first day is just enough activity to warm up our muscles. After lunch break, we will continue to our first peak at an elevation of 2,400m where we have a little stream for a shower and flatland to set up camps for the night. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Base Camp - Fansipan Peak 3,143
Break camp after an early breakfast and start the final ascent arriving at the summit 3,143m above sea-level. Congratulations! You’ve got it! From this Highest Point of Vietnam there are stunning views to China to the North and Laos to the West. There is time for a well-earned rest before descending back down to Base Camp for the night. Overnight at the Base Camp. (B, L, D)
Day 6 Down the hill to Sapa
Today it’s downhill just about all the way. After lunch, we will arrive at the base around 02.00PM and head back to Sapa to for a beer or a massage or a nap – we deserved it! We will have a celebratory dinner at 05.00PM, before transferring to Lao Cai station for our overnight train back to Hanoi. (B, L)
Day 7 Hanoi - Halong bay
Arriving Hanoi in the early morning, today follows breakfast and refresh in the day room. We continue to Halong Bay. It takes 3 hours to get there with several coffee breaks. Tonight is our first night on boat. (B, L, D)
Day 8 Ha Long Bay – Lan Ha Bay
Today we will have approximately 6 hours of paddling time amongst some of the most stunning scenery Vietnam. Our tiny kayaks are dwarfed against the massive limestone peaks that tower above us as weave our way through the labyrinth of islets. From our previous overnight spot we kayak to the Dark Cave, and then make our way to beautiful beaches of Ba Trai Dao. Our today's destination is Lan Ha Bay where we will anchor at a quieter lagoon to spend the night.
(B, L, D)
Day 9 Lan Ha Bay – Ho Ba Ham – Van Gia – Hang Trong
Today is another great day of kayaking. Soaking the morning atmosphere of the bay, we kayak to visit a number of lagoons and caves. The highlight of the day is our visit to the floating village of Van Gia that provides us better understanding of the water life of the local fishermen. Our today's destination is the Trong Cave (B, L, D)
Day 10 Ha Long Bay - Hanoi
Following breakfast this morning, we kayak around Luon Cave before returning to Halong Bay harbor where we meet with our vehicle for the 3hour drive back to Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi. (B, L)
Day 11 Hanoi - Fly to Hue
We will flight to Hue in the early morning and transfer to our hotel. After breakfast we will meet our additional crew who will be driving the support vehicles. We are also introduced to our bicycle. We will receive a briefing on how to ride the bikes and how to handle the traffic in Vietnam. We will then set out for our first ride in to visit the old Imperial Citadel, the Forbidden Purple City, and the Imperial Museum before lunch. In the afternoon we cycle to the eccentric Tu Duc tomb. Time permitting we will then cycle to Thien Mu Pagoda. (B, L)
Day 12 Ride to Hoi An
We will drive out of the city then cycle on the highway through some little passes to Lang Co beach where we will have lunch. Afterwards we will drive to the top of the Hai Van pass, admiring the wonderful views as we go and as we free ride to Da Nang, then by bus to the charming old city of Hoi An. In the evening we will take a short walking tour through the old streets of Hoi An. (B, D)
Day 13 Hoi An
We will have a short walking tour round Hoi An to visit some of the beauty spots such as 200 year old Tan ky old house, Phuoc kien assembly hall, Japanese bridge…The high quality silk found in Hoi An can be made into clothes by local tailors within a couple of hours. You may even join a local cooking class to learn some of the sumptuous Vietnamese dishes. Plenty of distractions to keep you busy for a full day in Hoi An. (B)
Day 14 Hoi An - Kon Tum (Cycling around 85km)
Today is a more challenging day as we leave Highway 1 and head inland towards Quang Nam. We will cycle only part of today, along undulating roads with stunning photo opportunities. We will ride past many remote villages, tropical forests, over bridges and along quiet but scenic roads. Overnight in Kon Tum.(B, L, D).
Day 15 Kon Tum - Pleiku (Cycling around 49km)
This morning we take our bus out of Kon Tum before we start to cycle. We spend a pleasant day on gentle rolling hills passing numerous small villages and rubber plantations. Pleiku is situated 600km from Saigon and 200km from Buon Me Thuot. Overnight at Pleiku hotel (B, L, D).
Day 16 Pleiku - Buon Me Thuot
Today's part- cycle is on an excellent road, Highway 14, taking in 197kms of undulating and scenic uplands. We pass by coffee plantations and national parks on our way to the largest town in the Western Highlands, and the capital of Dac Lac Province. Overnight Trang Loi Hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 17 Buon Me Thuot - Dalat (183 km)
We leave Buon Me Thuat early in the morning by bus out of the biggest coffee city in Vietnam. Our way today is fantastic road with little traffic. The road is narrow but quite good, the view, with its vast coffee and rubber plantations will make you lose yourself in nature. Overnight at the hotel. (B, L)
Day 18 Cycle around Dalat (Cycling around 40km)
Today there is a cycle tour round Dalat's historical villas and a visit to an ethnic minority village, a crazy house and King Bao Dai's palace. The rest of the day is at leisure so you can go to Dalat market where you can try very different coffee at one of the coffee shops overlooking Xuon Huong Lake. Overnight at the hotel (B)
Day 19 Dalat - Mui ne (Cycling aroun 85km)
Today we begin on the bus for a short distance before commencing our cycle ride down the coastal route. This offers wonderful ocean views with a climb on quiet roads through rolling hills and remote Cham villages. After lunch we will continue on cycling to Mui Ne. Overnight at the hotel. (B, L)
Day 20 Mui Ne - Ho Chi Minh City
The morning is at leisure. This afternoon we will drive by bus to Ho Chi Minh city (about 4hours) Overnight at the hotel. (B)
Day 21 in Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) - Cu Chi Tunnels
Early this morning we will travel to the Cu Chi tunnels, about a 2hour driving. These tunnels are part of a network stretching a length of 250km. They enabled resistance fighters to move around unobserved. Visitors can go down into a section of the tunnels which have been maintained. In the afternoon there is free time for last minute shopping in Saigon before leaving Vietnam. Overnight at the hotel (B, D)
Day 22 Depart Ho Chi Minh
Trip will conclude after breakfast. If you are departing Vietnam today you will receive a transfer to the airport. (B)
Included
English Speaking tour leader and group medical kit (other languages upon requests)
All hotel accommodation in Vietnam on a twin-share, bed and breakfast basis.
Luxury junk boat in Halong bay with all meals.
Meals detailed in the itinerary (Breakfast = B, Lunch = L, Dinner = D)
A/C transfers and transportation.
Flight ticket Hanoi-Hue
A/C train ticket from Hanoi to Sapa (4 berth in 1 cabin)
Mountain bicycle with mechanic (Trek bike)
Sightseeing excursions as outlined in itinerary
Pump, bike tools, spares tubes.
Spare bike
Cold water box, small fresh towel.
Mineral water drinking.
Seasonal fruits.
Snacks
Tent with sleeping bag, 3 nights in total
All equipments and facilities for long trek to Fansipan Peak
Permission for Fansipan trek.
Porter for luggage transfer up and down.
Kayaking (mention in tours program)
Excluded
International airfares
Travel insurance and bike helmet (compulsory)
Items of a personal nature
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks
Mineral water beyond that supplied
Optional excursions
Additional transport required due to any emergency situation
Personal expenses such as telephone and laundry bills
Visa fees
Departure taxes
The Bicycles
For this trip we use the Trek bike performance bicycles made by English. The bicycles have 24 speeds and a lightweight steel alloy frame designed for road cycling. Other features include LRS (Low Ratio Suspension) and excellent damping capacity, both of which help to absorb vibration and shocks for a smoother, more comfortable and enjoyable ride. The bicycles are available in a number of <myspace>size</myspace>s.
Trip cost and further information please contact us: info@vietvisiontravle.com
