
Hanoi to Luang Prabang Bicycle Tour 13 days
Hanoi to Luang Prabang Bicycle Tour 13 days This classic ‘out there’ cycling adventure takes us through Indochina’s most spectacular mountain scenery. Starting in Hanoi we take the overnight sleeper train to Sapa, a former colonial hill station close to the Chinese border. We spend a couple of days cycling around its beautiful valleys before we set off on a long traverse of some pretty wild country, that will eventually take us into Laos. Beyond the Tram Ton Pass (2000m), the highest road pass in Vietnam, we cross into a land known to the local Hmong people as ‘beyond the clouds’, with our route snaking its way between lofty passes and steeply terraced river valleys. Staying in a succession of traditional towns we’ll discover the ‘Montagnards’, the amazingly colourful minority tribes that continue to make their living amongst these high valleys and villages. We end our Vietnam journey at the remote and historical town of Dien Bien Phu.
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Vacation Style Holiday Type
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Asia
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Mountain-biking
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Activity Level Tough
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Group Size Medium Group
Hanoi to Luang Prabang Bicycle Tour 13 days
Routes: Ha Noi – Sa Pa – Dien Bien Phu – Luongprabang( Lao) 13day/12night ( Mixed off and Tarmac road, Trails, Single Track)
- Explore the beautiful valleys surrounding Sapa
- Daily encounters with a colourful mix of hill tribe people
- The remote Tay Trang border crossing from Vietnam to Laos
- The best backroads biking holiday in SE Asia
This classic ‘out there’ cycling adventure takes us through Indochina’s most spectacular mountain scenery, close to Vietnam’s border with China. Starting in Hanoi we take the overnight sleeper train to Sapa, a former colonial hill station close to the Chinese border. We spend a couple of days cycling around its beautiful valleys before we set off on a long traverse of some pretty wild country, that will eventually take us into Laos. Beyond the Tram Ton Pass (2000m), the highest road pass in Vietnam, we cross into a land known to the local Hmong people as ‘beyond the clouds’, with our route snaking its way between lofty passes and steeply terraced river valleys. Staying in a succession of traditional towns we’ll discover the ‘Montagnards’, the amazingly colourful minority tribes that continue to make their living amongst these high valleys and villages. We end our Vietnam journey at the remote and historical town of Dien Bien Phu. Crossing into the mountainous northern part of Laos, we will find ourselves in a country only recently emerging from its turbulent past, where it will feel as if we are riding back in time. Unused to meeting foreign tourists, the Laotians retain a rare and innocent charm. Here we mix our biking with a traditional longboat journey down the Ou River. Our adventure ends in Luang Prabang.
ADVENTURE CYCLING. Riding on a combination of quiet roads for every day, jeep tracks and village trails through a remote and rarely-visited mountainous region, this is a classic IET point-to-point journey. It is also a long and challenging trip that will suit fit and experienced riders. Starting out with a couple of easier rides, we get the legs going with some very achievable undulating rides around Sapa. With average daily ascents of 600 metres and descents of 800 metres this gets us in good shape for our route over the Tram Ton Pass with 1188 metres of ascent and 1725 metres of descent. Having built up to some challenging 100 kilometre days, our most challenging day of climbing is our ride into Muong Lay as we ascend and descend 2090 metres. With a combined total of 8500 metres of ascent and 10250 metres of descent is perfectly achievable in the time we have allowed. Support is provided for the vast majority of the trip by a combination of jeep, minibus and boat according to the condition of the road. BIKE HIRE AVAILABLE LOCALLY.
- Day 1 Meet at the group hotel in Hanoi. Dinner and overnight at the group hotel
- Day 2 Guided city tour of Hanoi, including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Sleeper train to Lao Cai.
- Day 3 Transfer to hill station of Sapa. Afternoon of rural riding and tribal encounters.
- Day 4 Cycle the dirt tracks and challenging hills of the Sapa Village Loop.
- Day 5 Road climb over the Tram Ton Pass (2000m). Superb 25km descent to La Chai.
- Day 6 A day of hilly riding through market towns to the riverside village of Muong Lay.
- Day 7 Another superb day of backroads cycling to the historic town of Dien Bien Phu.
- Day 8 Cycle the historic war memorial sites of Dien Bien Phu. Afternoon free for further exploration.
- Day 9 Cross te border into Laos. Cycle through tribal villages to the sleepy village of Muang Khoua.
- Day 10 A day to lean back and relax. Long boat journey down the Nam Ou River to Muang Ngoi.
- Day 11 Cycle fast flowing dirt trails through remote Lao action countryside to Nong Kiau.
- Day 12 Ride a long and challenging route to the historic UNESCO city of Luang Prabang.
- Day 13 Depart from Luang Prabang.
Our Accommodations:
When cycling we stay in friendly hotel, guesthouse or homestays. Some are more basic than others! Bear in mind that some of the places we overnight in are not on the standard tourist trail.In larger cities and towns, our hotels are generally more western style and are three or four hotels or resort. Please do not expect the same standard as you would your home.
Our Homestays:
Homestay in the villages is simple interm of bedding condition and ementies. We will sleep on beds or floor with mattress, clean sheet, pillow and mosquito nets. Toilet is usually western style.
Bicycle Advice
Suitable Bicycle. MTB, Touring Bike, Cyclocross/Gravel bike.
At JET we hold firmly to the opinion that using your own bike, the bike on which you feel at home and comfortable is the finest way to enjoy a cycling adventure.
Most kinds of bicycle, except light-weight racing bikes are suitable for this tour: touring bikes, mountain bikes, hybrids or cyclocross bikes are all fine. Road conditions vary from asphalt to gravel and some hard packed dirt tracks. Tyre’s from 35mm in width upwards will be fine but we recommend 40mm on 700c and 2” on 26” wheels as a minimum.
South East Asia is generally a warm place so the ability to carry one or two water bottles is essential (either on your bike or in a backpack). Our back-up vehicle carries water and tools although for those competent with tools bringing your own pump, puncture kit, and multi took is recommended as it would speed up repairs and minor adjustments. If bringing your own bike please bring along a few spare spokes that fit your wheels (please note that different wheels have different size spokes). If your bike has disk brakes or hub gears please bring any components that you feel may be necessary. We carry some spares for our hire bikes but we cannot guarantee that we will have any tubes other than 26” car type valves. Tyres and tubes other than 26” can be difficult to come by in many parts of the world so please make sure you have spares. If in doubt please ask at your local bike shop. A means of carrying your camera, sunblock etc is also useful – either an on-bike bag, handlebar or saddlebag for example, or a lightweight day-pack.
Recommendation: Although our hire bikes come equipped with a saddle if you have a saddle you use and are happy with it is strongly recommended that you use it on tour. If you use SPD type shoes please bring your own matching pedals. We are happy to fit these for you. You may also like to bring bar ends if you use them at home.
ESSENTIAL! Please be sure that your bicycle is in perfect condition before you leave home. Again, if in doubt please consult your local bike shop.
Rental Bicycles
If you wish to hire a bicycle for the duration of your holiday with us we can arrange for the hire of good quality cycles from our in-country agent. Typically these bikes are mountain bikes, often Trek 4 series or similar. Please request a hire bike at the time of booking, fields to do so are on the booking form. Payment for hire bikes can be made with the balance of the tour payment or in cash on arrival.
Rental Bicycle Recommendation. Although our hire bikes come equipped with a saddle if you have a saddle you use and are happy with it is strongly recommended that you use it on tour. If you use SPD type shoes please bring your own matching pedals. We are happy to fit these for you. You may also like to bring bar ends if you use them at home.
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