Destinations cycling route:  Lao Cai – Bac Ha- Coc Phai – Hoang Su Phi –  Thong nguyen –Xuan Minh – Hanoi.

The hill tribes of Northern Vietnam are now so well-known and have been photographed so many times that you might think you already know them. But the truth is that these tribes, who still live in their traditional ways, are only found in the most remote areas of South East Asia. Northern Vietnam is still relatively new to travellers, but it's definitely one of the best places left to witness the culture of these wonderful people.
This beautiful, unspoilt region is home to a huge variety of hill tribes, many of whom don't even speak the national language and live a traditional, simple life based on farming.
You'll be blown away by the 12 Day Mountain Bike tours in Northern Vietnam – they're some of the most amazing in South East Asia! Every day is a new adventure! We'll be climbing and descending the various altitudes of the Northern Vietnam, soaking in different terrains, gradients, vistas, and climates along the way. This is a ride you'll never forget! Even if the memory of burning leg muscles doesn't stick with you, your amazing photos will definitely do the trick.
We'd love to have you join us on our tour! You'll have a great experience cycling on single track trails, beaten tracks, and dirt roads on terraced fields winding on the slopes, hills, and valleys that have captivated many visitors when they come to this land.
Every late May and early June, when the rainy season begins, it's also the time when an entire area of northern Vietnam gets a gorgeous new coat of iridescent colour under the sun. The fields are so neat and wind their way up and down the hillsides and slopes of the mountains, and they really take visitors from all over the world by surprise! Come and see for yourself how amazing the human hand is at work! When summer turns to autumn, it's also the time when the rice is ripe. You'll see a splendid and beautiful yellow North Vietnam like in a picture! On these occasions, visitors can't wait to arrange a time to admire and experience the scenery and people here. Snail Adventure Tours Co., Ltd is proud to be your company!
We've got some amazing programmes lined up that'll not only keep you safe and happy on your journey, but also help you tick off some of your bucket list items!
Join us on our 12-day, 11-night mountain bike tour of Northern Vietnam and challenge yourself, experience the incredible scenery, admire the magical sights and enjoy the adventure of a lifetime!

Day 01: Hanoi Arrival and Transfer to Sapa Cycling Tours

Welcome to Hanoi! We're so excited to have you here. We can't wait to greet you with a warm welcome, either at the airport or at your hotel. We're off to Lao Cai via the new highway, where you'll be able to enjoy the stunning scenery of northern Vietnam through the window. And now for something really special! We'll have lunch en route. After lunch, we'll continue on to the Lao Cai border city! Get ready for an amazing day! We'll take a quick break to explore the city and take pictures of the border gate before we start our ascent up Sapa Hill Top Town. When we arrive in Sapa, we'll check in and then enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.
Summary:
Activity: Picking up andTransferring 
Accommodation: Sapa Clay House
Meals:L/D
Transferring distance: 380 Km

Day 02: SaPa   Mountain Bike Sau  Chua – Ta Phin – Tram Ton – Cat Cat – Sapa

Once you've recharged your energy at the hotel, it's time to set off on a brand new cycling adventure! We'll be starting from the hilltop town of Sapa, where we'll cycle and descend into the stunning Muong Hoa Valley. Here, we'll turn off onto a single track trail, winding amongst bamboo strips and lush canopy forests until we reach the charming Sau Chua village in the north-east of Sapa.
Get ready to be blown away by the incredible scenery, unspoilt nature and misty valleys, and rugged mountains! And now for something really special! We continue on single track, passing a rustic Hmong village, until we reach a junction where we turn off onto a secondary road. This road winds its way between rice terraces, botanical and herbal gardens, and even a ruin Catholic church!
Get ready for an amazing challenge! We're going to ascend to the ruin church and then descend on the single track to Taphin village. The incredible Ta Phin village is a typical village of the Red Dao ethnic minority in Sapa.
Once we reach Ta Phin village, we get to spend our time visiting and exploring the unique cultural activities and customs of the Red Dao people, which is really exciting!
After meeting some lovely local people, we hop back on our bikes to tackle the hilly road, which winds its way through a canopy forest and rice terraces to O Quy Ho – the highest pass in Vietnam! Get ready to be blown away by the incredible view of the Muong Hoa Valley, which you'll get to soak in during your cycling adventure! Then it's time for the best bit! You get on your bike and start descending into the Sapa Valley, taking in the fantastic scenery of mountains and rice paddy fields along the way to Sin Chai and Cat Cat Village. Upon arriving in the village, we get to cycle and challenge a short, steep and adventurous pass, weaving amongst the mountainside all the way up to Sapa town!  If you want to save your energy, we've got just the thing for you! We'll arrange for a supported vehicle to transfer you back to the hotel.
Summary:
Activity: Picking up andTransferring 
Accommodation: Sapa Clay House
Meals:L/D
Transferring distance: 45 Km
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43697573

Day 03: Sapa  Bike Tour O Linh Ho -Lao Chai – Ta van  – Su Phan – Ban Ho – Sapa

After recharging our energy for an active day, we set off on our bikes from the hotel, descending into the stunning Muong Hoa Valley to explore all the incredible highlights of Sapa today!   
Sapa Valley is home to some of the most magnificent rice terraces, colourful hill tribe villages and breathtaking scenery you'll ever see! You'll leave the hustle and bustle of the Sapa tourist area behind and hop on your bike to start descending into the Sapa Valley. You'll be treated to fantastic scenery of mountains and rice paddy fields along the way! After leaving Sapa town behind for a while, you make a turn and follow a dirt road to the Black Hmong village of Y Linh Ho Village. Here, you turn on to a concrete road and cycle on a scenic road winding along bamboo strips, rice terraces and ethnic minority villages into Lao Chai. This is where you will enjoy a coffee and tea break and have time to explore the village.
Once you've had a chance to refuel, it's time to hop back on your bikes! You'll be cycling through a mix of terrains, including paved roads, off-the-beaten-track routes, single tracks, and dirt roads. You'll even cross a suspension bridge to reach Lao Chai – Ta Van Village. Along the way, you'll have the chance to meet and chat with the friendly locals. Or you can even visit their home to learn more about their fascinating way of life and culture!  And then, back on the bridge to the paved road, we go! Onwards to Su Phan and down to Ban Den and Ban Ho villages for a picnic lunch.
Once we've had a chance to recharge our batteries, we'll get back on our bikes and cycle through the village to the rivershore. We'll cross the bridge and then ascend to Ban Den centre.
And now for the fun part! From here, we have two awesome options: Now for the fun part! Option 1 is to continue cycling 18 km on an asphalt road, winding along hillsides and rice terraces up to Sapa town. Option 2 is... And now for the best bit! We'll be taking a transfer by supported vehicle back to Sapa town.
Summary:
Activity: Cycling from Village –or Transferring back to Sapa
Accommodation: Sapa Clay House
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance: 45 Km
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43697600

Day 04: Sapa  Cycle Tour Muong Hum – Yty

Y Ty is situated at an impressive altitude of over 2,000 metres, nestled in the mountains. Its peak reaches a magnificent 2,660 metres, and the cloud cover adds a touch of mystery to the landscape. The sun may not have many places that shine all day, but when it does, it shines for 12 glorious hours! Y Ty is the perfect place to explore winding trails and then sink into the forest, surrounded by lush green leaves. The house in the clouds is an incredible sight to behold! When you arrive at Y Ty, you'll feel like you're entering another world, a whole other planet!
Make sure you have a hearty breakfast at the hotel before you set off. We set off on an amazing journey to Yty on a tarmac road and a single track trail. Get ready for an amazing cycling adventure! We'll start from the hotel and ride up to the Catholic church. Then, we'll turn off onto a village road that leads to flower and vegetable farms. Get ready to be blown away by the absolutely stunning scenery and the Fansipan mountain range on your left! Once we arrive at the T-junction, we'll regroup and then ride on the tarmac road that leads to O Quy Ho! And then the real adventure begins! We continue to conquer the long climb to Ban Khoang. The incredible scenery, lush forest and charming hill tribe villages that you'll discover on your descent to Muong Hum will take your breath away! You've got to check out the Sunday market in Muong Hum! We're back on our bikes again, ready to take on another cloudy pass! You'll be blown away by the incredible, untouched natural beauty as you cycle through Den Sang, Nhieu Co San, Ngai Tro and Y Ty. And there's more! You'll have a great chance to hunt for clouds and explore the stunning rice terraces on the hillside.  And the best part is that you'll get to meet and chat with some really interesting local people along the way! When you arrive in Yty township, you'll be able to relax and enjoy the scenery. Treat yourself to some delicious hot tea with honey while you admire the incredible cloud formations hanging over your head! You'll get to stay overnight in a guest house or homestay!
Summary: 
Activity: Cycling
Accommodation: in Yty Ecolodge/ Homestay
Meals: B/ L/D
Cycling distance: 71 Km

Day 05: Yty  Bike Ride U Mu Sung – Lung Po – Bat Xat – Lao Cai

Once we've recharged our energy at the ecolodge, we'll be back on our bikes for a short but sweet challenge: a pass to the peak where we'll take in a panoramic view of the Y Ty Valleys. Then, it's on to the misty valley with an amazing route: Ngai Thau – A lu Ngai Tro – A Mu Sung, Lung Po. We'll ride along the frontier line between Vietnam and China to admire the picturesque scenery. And there are even more amazing sights along the way, like the incredible rice terraces that line the road! You'll also get to visit Lung Po, where the Red River meets Vietnamese soil. We then continue our ride along the magnificent Red River, all the way to Trinh Tuong Commune. Here, we have the incredible opportunity to admire the traditional architecture of the Ha Nhi hill tribe people's houses.  Then it's off to Lung Pho Commune for a delicious lunch! After lunch, we get back on our bikes and ride along the river to Bat Xat and Lao Cai city!
Summary: 
Activity: Cycling 
Accommodation: Lao Cai Red Riverside****
Meals: B/ L/D
Cycling distance: 88 km

Day 06: Lao Cai – Muong Khuong – Bac Ha Bicycle Tour

Start your day with a hearty breakfast at the hotel, then get ready for an early departure to the incredible Muong Khuong Sunday Market! Muong Khuong is a truly special place. It's a frontier district of Lao Cai province, sharing a border with the wonderful Yunnan province. It's home to 14 different hill tribe peoples, with the Hmong being the majority. 
Cycling and attending the vibrant Sunday Muong Khuong market is an incredible way to experience and explore the untouched regions and rich, long-standing culture of the Hmong people. And there's more! You'll also get to capture some truly fascinating landscapes and colourful people on the way to the market. Once we've finished at the market, we'll set off on our bikes to explore some villages. You can cycle at your own pace, chat with the locals or show the kids your pictures! We'll be starting our day with an ascent of 7 km to the summit, followed by a descent to the Chay River. Then, we'll be taking on a 35 km climb to the summit – it's going to be an incredible challenge! Today is going to be a great day for all of us! We ride along the incredible frontier road between Vietnam and China, which leads to the amazing Bac Ha town. On the way, we enjoy the breathtaking scenic beauty of the Chay River and rice terraces on the hillsides.  And then, after an invigorating lunch, we'll continue on our journey! And now for the grand finale! We're on our way to conquer the last pass before descending to Bac Ha Town.
Summary: 
Activity: Cycling 
Accommodation: Bac Ha Legend Home Eco
Meals: B/ l/D
Cycling distance: 75 Km
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42859079
Distance:    75.5 km
Elevation:    + 2787 / - 2616 m

Day 07:   Bac Ha  Lung Phinh – Ta Cu Ty – Ban Lien – Bac Ha Bike Tour

Today is an absolutely amazing day! It's full of highlights and cultural values as we cycle through rice terraces and around villages.  Get ready to be blown away by the incredible scenic beauty, unspoiled nature and colourful hill tribal villages! 
After a hearty breakfast to recharge our batteries, we'll set off on our single track trail and dirt path adventure! We'll cycle along a challenging hill road, passing charming villages and breathtaking rice terraces on our way to Ta Cu Ty village.
Get ready to be immersed in a magical world of breathtaking landscapes in the northernmost region of Vietnam! And now for something really special! We're going to gear up and challenge ourselves with a 12 km ride from Tan Xuan to the top of Ban Lien pass. Once we reach the mountain slope, we'll embark on an exhilarating descent to Ban Lien village for a picnic lunch.
Once you've had a chance to recharge, it's time to get back on your bike and tackle another 10 km of steep passes! Winding its way along mountain and tropical forest, this route will take you to the pinnacle of the mountain. And the views from the top are absolutely breathtaking! You'll be rewarded with panoramic sights into the dreamlike valley of Nam Khanh.
And now for the grand finale! We're in for a treat with our last stage of the cycling day, a long and thrilling descent to the dam of the hydro power plant, followed by a short but sweet ascent to the undulating road leading to Bac Ha Town.
Summary:
Activities:Cycling from village - Hotel
Accommodation: Bac Ha Legend Homes Eco
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance: 59 Km
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42361133
Cycling distance: 59 Km
Distance:    59.8 km
Elevation:    + 1719 / - 1963 m

Day 08: Bac Ha  Ride Coc pai – Ban Phung

After a blissful night of rest and relaxation in the loving arms of the Creator, the whole group was awoken by the sounds of Mother Nature. It was a truly magical moment! Many childhood memories suddenly rushed back, filling the poet's soul with joy and wonder.
After a hearty breakfast to fuel up for another day of adventures, we'll be picked up by our support vehicle to avoid the steep pass at Lung Cai junction.
And now for something really special! We're going to warm up and cycle on the village roads, winding along the mountain slopes and valleys, and across golden terraces like silk strips across the hills.
And there's nothing more rewarding than riding a bike and stopping to capture the incredible views with photos that will last a lifetime! We continue our adventure with more breathtaking scenery as we wind through ethnic villages and terraced fields, recognised as cultural heritages of Vietnam.
After an amazing exploration of the terraced fields, our group is back on bikes, racing down the river-side slopes and cliffs to reach our lunch spot! After a delicious lunch, the whole group relaxes and rests.
In the afternoon, we continue our journey to discover the endless beauty of the Northeast mountains in Vietnam. At the end of our incredible journey, Hoang Su Phi awaits us with a 10-degree slope that leads to the high point of Ban Phung village, where we'll meet the fairy tonight!
Summary:
Activities:Cycling from village - Hotel
Accommodation: La Chi Phong Ecolodge
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance: 73 Km
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42859028
Distance:    72.4 km
Elevation:    + 2213 / - 2088 m

Day 09: Ban Phung – Vinh Quang – Thong Nguyen  Cycle Tour

Ban Phung is an absolutely amazing place, situated at an incredible altitude of over 1500 metres! It is blessed with absolutely breathtaking, majestic and lyrical natural scenery that will take your breath away! The terraced fields surrounding the village are an absolute delight to behold, no matter the season! When the rice is ripe, it's a sight to see! The whole village is transformed into a magnificent, golden wonderland, creating a truly magical natural picture!
Every morning, the terraced fields are still adorned with a thin mist, which adds another layer of poetic beauty to the scene – it's absolutely magical!
Get ready for another incredible day full of amazing experiences! Make sure you fully charge your phone, camera and memory card so you can capture the magical scenery here! You'll want to remember every incredible moment!
After a delicious breakfast to fuel up for another day of incredible adventures, our group set off on a thrilling new cycling adventure downhill to the main road. From there, we continued on the main road to the junction and turned right onto the village road, ready to conquer the next challenge and see what amazing sights and sounds await us! Get ready for the incredible steep slopes, weaving through the terraced fields and walking on the green roads covered with plants and flowers to Phin Ho Village!  
After lunch, we're back on the trail! We'll be winding our way along the hillsides and through the charming little village of Thong Nguyen Commune. And here, you can take pictures of the most incredible clouds, or watch the misty valley below – it's absolutely breathtaking! The last leg of the journey is an amazing reward for all of us today! After an amazing day conquering the steep pass, we get to drop down to our resting point!
Summary:
Activities:Cycling from village - Hotel
Accommodation: Ecovillage
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance: 73.5 Km
Elevation: +2735M – 2693M
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45683488

Day 10: Thong Nguyen – Ho Thau – Vinh Quang

Just imagine spending a night in the vastness of heaven and earth, breathing in that fresh air and watching the mists floating on the dreamy valleys every morning! It's a truly memorable experience.
After a delicious Vietnamese-style breakfast to recharge your batteries, it's time to hop on your bikes for a new adventure! We'll be cycling down a single track trail, meandering through terraced fields and peaceful villages in the early morning, and crossing small streams that lead to irrigation canals for the golden rice fields nestled in the hills.
Guess what! Today is another special day in our cycling journey to discover the golden season of Hoang Su Phi. We spent almost the whole day cycling through the core area of the rice fields, with fields stretching from the top of the map all the way down to the valley. It was such a treat to see these extremely majestic and lyrical natural pictures! We followed the big road up a steep hill for 14km to the Nam Khoa Heaven Gate. This part is absolutely gorgeous! You'll be blown away by the thick rainforest and narrow terraced rice paddies on steep hill sides.
We'll take a quick break before heading down another big dirt track for almost 10 km along the Nam Khoa Valley to the junction of the Nam Khoa River. As you cycle through the area, you'll be treated to some truly stunning scenery. You'll pass by small villages like Zao and Nung, surrounded by tea farms, plantations, and terraced rice paddies stretching along both sides of the valley. It's a truly breathtaking sight!
When you get to the junction of the Nam Khoa River, turn left and follow a narrow single dirt track that winds its way up and down steep hillsides for 8 km to Ban Luoc.
Summary:
Activities: Cycling from hotel to Hotel
Accommodation: Ho Thau Eco Village/ Tay Con Linh Hotel
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance:  67 km/

Day 11: Vinh Quang – Tung San – Thuong Son – Ban Me  - Ha Giang Cycling Tour

Hoang Su Phi is one of the most untouched regions of Vietnam, and communities have lived in total isolation from mainstream society until very recently – it's a truly magical place! At an average elevation of 800 m above sea level, this area boasts high mountains, deep valleys, streams and forestland, making it an area of outstanding natural beauty and unspoiled traditional life. Today we're taking on the incredible challenge of cycling over the 'Heaven Gate 2' mountain pass at an elevation of +895m, en route to Tan Minh. The pass offers absolutely stunning views beneath a wide open sky!
Then it's time for the best part! Follow the tarmac for 25 km heading north, then turn right onto a dirt track that winds its way uphill to the Tay Con Linh, the second highest mountain range of Vietnam. For the next 2 hours, you'll be treated to incredible views as you make your way to the top of the pass! You'll get to stop and visit some small villages of the Zao peoples, and then enjoy a well-deserved lunch break at the top.
Once you've recharged your energy for the day's adventures, hop back on your bikes and descend into a new paved road, winding along a stunning stream, amongst wild nature and later impressive terraced rice fields for nearly 3 hours to Thuong Son commune of the Nung and Zao ethnic.
Summary:
Activities: Cycling from hotel to Hotel
Accommodation: Ha Giang Wing Bungalow
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance: 74km/ `126 Km
Elevation gain at: 4,340M + 32.3% - 4,869M – 27.8%
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45745786

Day 12: Ha Giang  Bicycle Tour Tuyen Quang – Hanoi

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, we said goodbye to the incredible passes and hilltop. It was time to get back on our bikes and cycle through the beautiful lowlands of Ha Giang province. We followed a scenic route and saw some breathtaking scenery as we rode along winding roads, rivershores, village roads, and hillside paths to Tan Quang. We had lunch at a local restaurant, and then we got to recharge our energies before loading up our bikes on a truck and heading back to Hanoi.
Summary: 
Activity: Cycling  from Hotel – transfer to Hanoi.
Accommodation.
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance: 76 Km
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42595331
Distance:    76.8 km
Elevation:    + 1404 / - 1440 m

Note: Hotels  are subject to change due to availability. In that case we will choose equivalent  accommodation

Meals: if you have any specific food requirements ( vegetarian, vegan, food allergies) please inform us in advance so that we can provide notice to our restaurant, tour guide, our partners so that they can server you better. If you are a food lover, Snail Adventure tours can be your culinary guide and provide you opportunity to savor tempting local food and world famous – dishes.

Tour included in:

English speaking cycling guide ( other languages upon requests)
Accommodations are based on double/ twin occupancy
Meals details in itineraries ( 11 breakfast,1 1lunches, 11 dinners)
A/C transfer/ and transportation
Van or bus supported during the cycling times.
Truck supported for the group size from 6 and above.
Trek mountain bikes – 4300  with disc brake and  helmets
Sightseeing excursions as outlined itineraries
Bike tour pump, bike tools, spares tubes, spare bikes
First aid kit
Cold water box, small fresh towel.
Mineral water for drinking
Fruit and snack for cycling days

Tour excluded in:

International airfare
Travel insurance
Items of personal nature
Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks in meals
Mineral water beyond that supplied
Optional excursions
Additional transport required due to any emergency situation
Personal expenses such as telephone, laundry bills.
Visa fee
Departure  tax
Tip for team and guide

Creating Unique Touring Experiences:

 All the touring itineraries on this website have been carefully crafted by our in-country management teams and represent a series of experiences we can certainly recommend. However, we understand that every travel experience should be as unique and individual as each traveler. Our consultants are waiting to hear from you so that we can tailor or custom design a Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar tour to your individual specifications.