17 Days Hanoi Cycle To Halong Bay - Sapa

17 days guided cycling tours from Vietnam to Laos. Ride to see Indochina's most spectacular mountain scenery. Challenge yourself to cycle across the mountains of Laos and northern Vietnam, and be rewarded with an experience of a lifetime. Starting in either Vientiane (18 days) or Luang Prabang (12 days), this epic journey comes to rest in Hanoi, Vietnam. This is a compact, challenging ride through an intriguing part of Laos to the north of Vietnam. We set off from Vientiane and ride our way through this amazingly green mountain range with small communities of Hmong and Khmu hill tribes dotted throughout. Very light traffic adds to the enjoyment and allows us to really enjoy the downhills. This is sure to be a memorable trip across the most scenic mountain range in Southeast Asia, with views for miles, and some really satisfying riding.

Tour Itinerary
Dates & Prices
Tour Map
Photos Gallery

Day 1: Hanoi – Mai Chau (B,L,D) (70km cycling)
Hanoi cycle to Mai Chau village along the mountain range culminating, Arrival in Mai Chau village. Home-stay in a Thai house. O / N in Mai Chau.

Day 2: Mai Chau – Cuc Phuong National Park (90km cycling) (B,L,D)
After breakfast transfer to Cholo Market in Man Duc villages and a full day cycling from Man Duc to Vu Ban village on single roads. Overnight in Cuc Phuong National Park guest house.

Day 3: Cuc Phuong – Tam Coc cave (B,L,D) ( 70Km cycling )
Following breakfast, We start cycling from the gate of Cuc Phuong Park to recharge your energy for 12km cycling to the center of the park. We will start again around 9 am and make a couple of stops along the way to visit the Cave of Ancient Man. We continue another 55 km cycle to Hoa Lu for lunch and then start cycling to visit the two remaining temples of the ancient citadel of Hoa Lu. (12km), just passing scenes of local village life and rice paddies. At midday enjoy a long lunch break near Hoa Lu. We continue with a 1-hour cycle to Tam Coc. O / N in Tam Coc Villiage. Hotel.

Day 4: Tam Coc cave – Hai Phong ( B,L,D) ( 50Km cycling )
After breakfast we embark on a boat trip in Tam Coc, passing through the picturesque landscape of rice fields surrounded by limestone formations with magnificent caves. We will cycle to visit Bich Dong pagoda, and Thai Vi temple and then start to pedal through the rich farming land of the Red River Delta to Hai Phong.. O / N in Haiphong city . Hotel

Day 5: Hai Phong – Cat Ba island ( B,L) ( 30Km cycling )
Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning we transfer 15 km from your hotel and then take the public ferry to Cai Hai island continue cycling from the ferry and to the hotel in Cat Ba. The remainder of today is free to relax on a beach and free for walking and relaxing. O / N in Cat Ba. Hotel

Day 6: Cat Ba – Ha Long Bay on boat ( B,L,D) ( 25Km cycling )
Breakfast at the hotel. Starting cycling from the hotel to Gia Luan wharf to take a ferry to Ha Long city. Arriving in Halong Bay around noon. Board a traditional wooden junk and begin your exploration of magical Halong Bay, one of Southeast Asia’s premier tourist destinations. An excellent, fresh seafood lunch and dinner will be served on the boat. Overnight onboard the comfortable and charming junk cruise. O / N on Cruise. Junk Cruise

Day 7. Halong – Hanoi ( B, L ) ( 30km cycling )
Wake up early in the morning to enjoy the aquamarine water of the bay at its best. After breakfast and a swim, the junk will cruise quietly through spectacular limestone formations to Bai Tu Long. Enjoy this more isolated bay’s spectacular and unique islands and pay a visit to the Luon and Surprise caves. Return to Halong harbor after lunch for transfer back to Hanoi. Cycling along Duong river and overnight in Hanoi. Hotel

Day 8 : Hanoi cycle to Yen Bai ( B, L, D )
Pick up at your hotel at 7:30 and transfer by vehicle to Trung Ha bridge and cycle to Yen Bai along the red river bank. Stop on the way for lunch in Phu Tho town. Visit a local market. Arrive late afternoon. Stay 1 night.
Accommodation: Hotel
Cycling distance: 80 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Yen Bai cycle to Sapa ( B ,L ,D )
After breakfast. A demanding, hilly, day along the mountain and river range culminating with the ascent of the spectacular, visiting the Vietnam & China border gate if time permitting. Stay for 2 nights.
Accommodation: Hotel
Cycling distance: 80 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Sapa Cycling to Village ( B )
A day off the bikes to explore Sa Pa an old French hill station, in a spectacular location close to the Chinese border. This morning we will cycle beautiful downhill to the villages of Lao Chai and Ta Van village ( Red Dzao and H’mong people ). Cycling uphill 12 km back to your hotel. Afternoon free to explore Sapa on your own.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
Biking: 25km
Meals: Breakfast

Day 11: Sapa Cycle to Lai Chau ( B, L, D )
Breakfast and start cycling from your hotel for a 12 km challenge for a route back over the Tram Ton pass to Binh Lu junction and follow the road 4D northwest and downhill to Tam Duong for lunch and continue cycling to Lai Chau. O / N in Muong Thanh hotel .
Distance: 85 km
Ride: 85 km on good quality asphalt road
Meal: Breakfast , L = Lunch , D = dinner
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 12: Lai Chau Cycle to Muong Lay ( Old Lai Chau ) ( B, L, D )
Cycle to old Lai Chau via the Hang Tom suspension bridge, following the Nam Na through spectacular gorges and Black Dao villages. A long day with some climbs. Stay 1 night.
Distance: 120 km
Ride: 80 km on good quality asphalt road, transfer 40 km.
Meal: Breakfast , L = Lunch , D = dinner
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 13: Muong Lay Cycle to Dien Bien Phu ( B, L , D )
Our full day in Vietnam. Cycle to Dien Bien Phu – 104 kms. Dien Bien Phu was the scene of the historic French defeat in 1954. Stay 1 night. O / N in Hotel.
Distance: 104 km
Ride: 80 km on good quality asphalt road, transfer 24 km.
Meals: Breakfast , L = Lunch , D = dinner
Accommodation: Resort

Day 14: Dien Bien Phu to Muang Khua, Laos ( B, L, D )
We depart Dien Bien and cross into Northeast Laos at the Tay Trang border gate. This is the least populated section of Laos. We continue on to Muang Khua on the banks of the Nam Ou river.
Distance: 160 km
Ride: 80 km on a dirt road, transfer 80 km.
Meal: Breakfast , L = Lunch , D = dinner
Accommodation: local guest house

Day 15: Muang Khua to Odomxai ( B ,L ,D )
This is a scenic lightly traveled road to bustling Odomxai. Odomxai seems to be undergoing a renaissance. Lots of construction and activity in the town these days. They have an airport here also (with less than daily service). We stay at the nicest place in town.
Distance: 110 km
Ride: 70 km on a dirt road, transfer 40 km.
Meal: Breakfast , L = Lunch , D = dinner
Accommodation: local guest house

Day 16: Odomxai to Pak Mong ( B ,L ,D )
A tough climbing day at the start and then rolling hills with magnificent scenery before a 29 k Descent to Pak Mong.
Distance: 100 km
Ride: 70 km on good quality asphalt road, transfer 30 km.
Meal: Breakfast , L = Lunch , D = dinner
Accommodation: local guest house

Day 17: Pak Mong to Luang Prabang ( B ,L )
On to the historic and enchanting city of Luang Prabang. We follow the banks of the Mekong river before entering the city proper. It’s also possible with advance planning, to bike the 20k in the opposite direction to Nong Khiaw and then take a boat down the Nam Ou River. This will take you right by the Pak Ou caves at the confluence of the Nam Ou and Mekong Rivers. End The Tour.
Distance: 100 km
Ride: 40 km on good quality asphalt road, transfer 60 km.
Meal: Breakfast , L = Lunch , D = dinner
Accommodation: Hotel