Overview
Cycle tour the areas surrounding the Red River Delta, the original heartland of Vietnam prior to the expansion that took the Vietnamese people far south to the Mekong.
This region to the West of Hanoi, that includes Mai Chau and Ninh Binh is rich in not only Vietnamese culture but also that of the various minority tribes that inhabit the area.
Bike touring here is achievable and enjoyable, passing through limestone karst landscapes and terraced rice fields, but without the sustained climbing of the more remote Sapa area. Enjoy this off-the-beaten-track bike exploration with plenty of satisfying cycling, cultural adventures, and scenic views.
150 Km riding. The terrain is a mix of undulations and a few slightly more sustained climbs of up to 3km. For the most part, though, there are both ups and downs and all are fun. Of course, there is some flat ground also.
Traveling in a group of 6 or more people? Contact our team about special group pricing for our on-request tours.
Pedal-assist E-bikes are an available option on this tour for $140.
This is an ‘On Request’ bike tour - We understand active travelers value flexibility and we do our best to accommodate every request. Simply propose your travel dates, bring one or more companions and you will receive our standard price - no private tour markups.
Highlights
Take in the dramatic limestone karsts from a paddleboat on the sparkling water of the Van Long Nature Reserve.
Hike to the Mua Caves for some breathtaking scenery.
Cycle into the Mai Chau Valley with gorgeous sweeping views appearing down below.
Visit craftsmen of the White Tai ethnic group and see how they create silverware and textiles in their homes.
Day to Day
Ninh Binh is a province just outside Hanoi in the Red River Delta. It is known for is green valleys limestone karst mountains and nature reserves.
Leaving Hanoi in the morning, we ease out through the rush hour traffic and into the open countryside. After around two hours in the car, we'll find a place to start riding on quieter, back roads through the villages and rice fields. As we continue pedaling on, the townships become more village-like and the people often start to become a little more engaging, typical of non-city dwellers the world over.
Our first stop today is the Mua Caves where we make a small hike up to the top of a small hill to get a panoramic view of the area. Following the first of many delicious lunches, we'll check into the hotel and have a quick rest.
Late afternoon we'll take a walk at Van Long Nature Reserve where we can enjoy a pleasant ride on a rowboat out through the glassy flat lake, surrounded by karsts and caves. Out here you may spot some very rare species of langurs who are considered one of the world’s most endangered primates, and gliding along on the boat is a great way to enjoy the sunset.
Our destination today is Pu Luong Nature Reserve, a beautiful area with a mix of pristine forest and cultivated rice terraces of the Thai and Muong people. Even better it is far from the tourist crowds.
Our day first begins with a transfer along the Ho Chi Minh highway to our riding point, where we'll mount the bikes to explore our surrounds. The ride starts with a little undulation, which will wake the legs up, and we'll continue through a varid landscape of rice fields and stunning karst mountains.
The scenery today is particularly nice and as you are on very quiet roads, so you get more opportunity to take it all in. You'll be cycling by small hill tribe communities where the ladies are often dressed in their colourful, traditional garb and the kids are eager to call out hello as you roll by.
After a fantastic day of exploring we'll have one last challenge with a decent climb up to our accommodation for tonight, a lovely and comfortable mountain retreat.
We start out today on a hillier, but still quite achievable, route than the last few days.
The landscape through here features less limestone and tends to be drier, while in the valleys rice is grown on seemingly every square inch and even on the hills, at times using rice field terraces. This will still be a beautiful day of cycling, and soon approach the stunning Mai Chau Valley by pedaling over one last pass. As you pedal, take a look at the verdant valley lined with thickly forested mountains and the towns nestled against them down below. The valley itself is a welcoming place and comfortable lodging in the heart of the valley amongst the rice paddies await as your evening's accommodation.
This morning’s ride is more about cultural exploration than actual riding. We'll visit some of the White Tai ethnic families who call the valley home and have various small workshops set up under their homes where they craft silverware and textiles. We'll also visit a traditional brick kiln and perhaps try our hand at rice planting.
Back at the accommodation, you have some free time before we drive back to Hanoi, arriving mid-afternoon. The bike tour concludes on arrival in the city or at the airport if you are departing that afternoon.
WHAT MAKES US STAND OUT
GRASSHOPPER STYLE
Thanks to our experience and knowledge of Vietnam, we have crafted a unique cycling route that takes you through beautiful scenery and interesting cultural stops while satisfying your sense of adventure. We do our best to get you off the beaten track to where true exploration happens with our expert local guides along for the ride to make this an unforgettable tour experience.
