Family biking tour in Vietnam

Bicycle tours are a great way for families to explore the world together. Together you get a feel for a new terrain, the sights and smells, history, culture, and people--experiences that aren't always possible from a train or rental car.

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D)

Welcome to Vietnam!
Meeting & greeting at the airport and transfer to hotel for check in and tour briefing. Let’s have an overall view of the capital by walking tour, our tour guide will guide around the Old Quarter of Hanoi, stop at Ngoc Son Temple located on the Hoan Kiem Lake (the “Sword” Lake). Late afternoon we will enjoy a unique fascinating show of Water Puppetry, a traditional stage art of Northern Vietnam. Dinner with Vietnamese cuisine as an warm welcome. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Biking in Ninh Binh (B/L)

In the morning, you’ll transfer to Ninh Binh. Just 100 km South of Hanoi, Ninh Binh is a province of astounding natural beauty with limestone peaks whose splendour is often said to surpass that of Ha Long Bay. It is even often referred to as "Ha Long Bay on land." You will start cycling from Dich Long Bridge and bike on the dyke of Van Long Nature Reserve. You will see caves, green rice fields, limestone peaks and the rural life of the locals. Your final biking destination of this morning will be your hotel. Check-in at hotel then have lunch in local restaurant. In the afternoon, you’ll bike a short road to Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex. A small boat will take you along the river visit to visit cave complex: Sang Cave, Toi Cave, Ba Giot Cave, Nau Ruou in mystery and wildness, see scenery of mountain and rivers. Back to Ninh Binh for the night.
Day 3: Ninh Binh – Biking in Cuc Phuong National Forest – Ninh Binh (B/L)

Today you spend the full day in Cuc Phuong National Forest (following a short transfer by van to the Cuc Phuong National Park) you will visit the Primates Rescue Center. You will then cycle up hills further into the jungle (18km), which is a challenging ride, but worth it once you find yourself in the middle of the jungle, listening to the musical sound of the local birds. The bus will transfer you back to the hotel for the night. Having a picnic lunch en route then trek through the dense grass jungle to see giant ancient trees and can enjoy the serenity of the flora and fauna. The bus will pick you up after a long day of activities then transfer to hotel for the night.
Day 4: Ninh Binh - Mai Chau – Biking though terrace field - Homestay (B/L/D)

After breakfast at hotel, you’ll be transfer to Mai Chau. Along the way you’ll get to gaze upon picturesque landscapes and countryside villages. When arriving Lac tribe, you will get in a local house-on-stilts and enjoy fresh lunch with tasty local dishes cooked by the Thai women. By talking to the hosts and visiting their house, you will discover the unique architecture and its significances. In the afternoon, let’s go for a biking trip through along Mai Chau and get refreshed by the wonderful air along with stunning landscape of mountains and paddy terraces. Dinner and overnight at homestay.
Day 5: Mai Chau - Hanoi (B/L)

Get up and have a walk around Lac & Pom Coong villages, and observe skillful Thai women weaving pretty brocade on looms with their own specific designs. Transfer back to Hanoi. En route, you’ll stop for a short break in bamboo tends of the locals, enjoy fresh corns and the magnificent scenery of mountain ranges. Lunch in Hoa Binh City and arrive Hanoi in the afternoon. Check-in hotel and overnight.
Day 6: Hanoi - Halong Bay (B/L/D)

If you wish to see how the Hanoi people rise and shine in the morning, wake up early and run to a lake close by your hotel, you can join an exciting scene of hundreds of locals, passionately attentive in their morning exercises of Tai-Chi quan, jogging, martial arts, classical dance and so on.
We journey east through the rich farm land of the Red River Delta to Halong Bay, Vietnam’s greatest natural wonder. Arriving around 12:00, we board a nice junk and set sails. From the comfort of the junk, we’ll spend the day exploring this incredible setting and discovering the many islands and islets found in the bay made famous in the film Indochine. You can challenge yourself with kayaking, swimming, and even fishing. In the evening when the boat is anchored in the middle of the stunning lagoon, we enjoy a wonderful seafood meal. Spend the night aboard.
Day 7: Halong Bay - Hanoi - Night train to Sapa (B/L)

Wake up to fresh coffee and a wholesome breakfast before cruising back to the shore. En route the junk weaves through strange-shaped rock formations that invite comparisons from fighting cocks to dragons and even further! After brunch we disembark and return to Hanoi. In the evening, you’ll transfer to HanoI Railway Station for train to Lao Cai. Overnight on train.
Day 8: Lao Cai - Visiting colorful color market at Coc Ly – Sapa (B/L)

After having breakfast, you will travel by car from Lao Cai Railway Station. The ride is relatively flat from Lao Cai. It will take you through rural area. The road is rougher for the last 30km. You arrive in Coc Ly by the time where the market is the most crowded.
Coc Ly market locates by the Chay River, which flows from China. Every Tuesday morning, minorities from surrounding villages such as Flower Hmong, Black Zao and Tay, gather to sell and buy their products. After visiting the market, you travel by boat downstream. Along the ride, you can enjoy magnificent sight of the beautiful caves and life on the riverbank. You will have lunch on a beach or later in a village.
The trip will also offers you a visit to Trung Do village of Tay minority, where you can stop by a traditional Tay house for a cup of tea. You will go further downstream until you arrive to Bao Nhai Bridge. Here you get on the car for the journey to Sapa. Check-in at hotel and overnight in Sapa.
Day 9: Sapa - Biking to Lao Chai Ta Van – Sapa – Lao Cai – Night train to Hanoi (B)

After breakfast, You head out from Sapa by going downhill to the villages. The ride takes you into one of the most beautiful valleys of the area. From Lao Chai you turn in a dirt trail, which sneaks through rice paddy terraces and villages, home to different hill tribes such as Black Hmong, Giay. You will have time to stop by a local house as well as enjoy excellent views over huge rice paddy terraces. You will later arrive in Tavan, where the car returns you to Sapa.
In the afternoon, The Silver Waterfall is located about a half hour from Sapa town which offers stunning views over surrounding mountains and lush forests belonging to Hoang Lien National Park. You are advised to stop by a farm for a cup of tea and talk with people to understand their local life. Then we continue our drive uphill to the Heavens Gate, the highest stretch of road in Vietnam as well as the provincial border of Lao Cai and Lai Chau provinces. Enjoy fantastic view over the valley before transfering to Lao Cai then take night train back to Hanoi. Overnight on train.
Day 10: Hanoi – Departure (B)

Welcome at the station early in the morning. Mini hotel for refreshment and breakfast will be arranged upon request. Car and tour guide will picked you up at the station then transfer to the airport for a flight departure.