The 14-day Marvellous Northern Vietnam Bicycle Tour is your gateway to some of the most unique and incredible landscapes and cultural diversity in Vietnam! You'll get to do so much more than just ride a bike and admire the gorgeous scenery! And there's more! You'll also get to conquer some pretty spectacular passes that are hidden in the morning mist, wind around the mountainside, and cross through some truly dreamy valleys.
 In just 14 days of cycling in northern Vietnam, we had the incredible opportunity to conquer 788 km of steep passes, charming villages, lush valleys, and vast green rice fields.
Our incredible Vietnam mountain bike trip begins in the remote and beautiful frontier district of Muong Khuong in Lao Cai. Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime! We'll be cycling on the border belt road, where we'll get to see the daily life of Vietnamese and hill tribal people, and soak in the breathtaking landscapes of the country's top region – it's going to be incredible!
We'll also get to pedal through the valleys and visit the idyllic Hmong village nestled in the old forest, untouched by modern civilisation – how amazing is that? It's an absolutely magical experience!
We're currently away from the Northwest Highlands, but we'll be back in the capital soon – can't wait! Then it's on to the mountains and the nature reserve, where we'll find more hidden beauty. It's so lovely to be able to breathe in the fresh air and immerse ourselves in the melodious melody of nature. There's nothing quite like biking through the primeval forests or slowly cycling on the shady village roads – they're truly great experiences on this journey of ours!

Day 01: Lao  Cai – Muong Khuong – Bac Ha

Good morning! Welcome to Lao Cai! The Hanoi–Lao Cai Express Train will arrive at the station bright and early, and our wonderful team and driver will be there to greet you. We'll head to a cozy local restaurant for breakfast together. Once we've had a chance to recharge our batteries, we'll be heading off bright and early to the wonderful Muong Khuong Sunday Market. 
Muong Khuong is a lovely frontier district of Lao Cai province, which shares a border with the beautiful Yunnan province. It's home to 14 different hill tribe peoples, with the Hmong being the majority. Cycling and attending the colourful Sunday Muong Khuong market is a truly unique and brilliant way to experience and explore the untouched regions and the long-standing culture of the Hmong people. And there's another lovely thing: you'll have the chance to capture some truly fascinating landscapes and colourful people on the way to the market.
After a lovely visit to the market, we'll start our first day of cycling in the beautiful Far North of Vietnam. We'll be following the border to challenge ourselves with the first tough and rough slopes of the mountain before descending to the wonderful Lung Khau Nhin Market.
We'll actually get to meet and conquer the second incredible pass from Lung Khau Nhin to Cao Son and Ta Thang commune, which is 20km long! But the scenery and landscapes along the route will really get your heart racing with excitement!  Once we get to the top, we'll have a picnic lunch and relax.
Once we've had a chance to recharge our batteries, we'll be rewarded with a lovely descent along a narrow road, past a cliff mountain and the Chay River, all the way to the Coc Ly bridge. You'll be blown away by the magnificent and extraordinary nature in the north of Vietnam! 
We've got another great day of cycling ahead of us! We'll be taking on the last 10 km on a beautiful scenic route and experiencing village life on our way to Bac Ha town. Once you arrive at the hotel, treat yourself to a refreshing cold beer or soft drink to help you unwind after your journey.
Summary: 
Activity:Transferring and Cycling tours
Accommodation: sao Mai Hotel***
Meals: B/ l/D
Cycling distance: 75 Km
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42421587
Distance:    75.4 km
Elevation:    + 2800 / - 2632 m

Day 02: Bac Ha – Ta Van Chu  - Sin Chen – Si Ma Cai

Once we've had a chance to recharge our energies at the hotel, we'll be back on our bikes to tackle the rough and narrow road leading to Ban Pho village. There, we'll get to observe the beautiful architecture of the Hmong houses and see what daily life is like in this fascinating village.
We're so excited to continue our mountain bike tours in the Far North! We'll be riding on a concrete road with a rough and tough slope of a hillside, which will wind its way around the village and valleys. Then it's downhill all the way to the deep valley of Hoang Thu Pho. You'll be back up again before you know it, though, as we're heading to Ta Van Chu village. There you'll get to admire the plum gardens and pear plantations. You'll also get to experience a single track trail and dirt road that winds through plum gardens and rice fields, as well as past local homes and inhabitants of the villages.  Once we've got our gear ready, we'll head out along a local trail for about 12km to Quan Than San. Then we'll turn left onto a single track trail to Nan Sin summit.
We'll then be heading down 12 km on a single track trail and a beaten track to Sin Chen Market and Si Ma Cai township. You'll get to experience the real daily life and enjoy a lovely picnic lunch in the warm hospitality of your Flower Hmong hosts during this wonderful homestay experience.
 Once we've had a chance to recharge our energies, we'll hop back on our bikes and cycle on the secondary road and village road, which will take us back to Can Cau and Lung Phinh commune. When you arrive in the village, you'll have the chance to relax and enjoy a delicious dinner at a local farmstay.
Summary:
Activities: Cycling and transferring
Accommodations:Legend Home Eco
Meals: B/L/D
Cycling distance: 81 Km    
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42421631
Distance:    81.0 km
Elevation:    + 2821 / - 2818 m

Day 03:Lung Phinh – Ban Gia – Ta Cu Ty – Ban Lien – Bac Ha

What a truly wonderful day it is! It's full of amazing sights and cultural experiences as we cycle through the rice terraces and around the villages.  Take in the breathtaking scenery, the untouched beauty of nature, and the vibrant hill tribal villages. After a hearty breakfast to recharge our batteries, we'll set off on a lovely single track trail and dirt path. We'll cycle along a challenging hill road, passing charming villages and stunning rice terraces, all the way to Ta Cu Ty village.
We're going to take you on a journey into a magical land and show you some truly breathtaking scenery in the north of Vietnam. We'll keep gearing up and challenge ourselves with a 12 km stretch from Tan Xuan to the top of Ban Lien pass. Once we reach the top of the mountain, we'll take a little break and enjoy a picnic lunch in Ban Lien village.
After that, we'll get back on our bikes for another 10 km of challenging but beautiful riding. We'll wind our way up the mountain and through the tropical forest, and then we'll reach the top! From there, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking scenery and a gorgeous view of the Nam Khanh valley. Our last stage of the cycling day is a long and lovely descent to the dam of the hydro power plant, and then an ascent again, just a short distance away, to an undulating road leading to Bac Ha Town.
Summary:
Activities:Cycling from village - Hotel
Accommodation: Legend Home Eco
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance: 59 Km
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42361133
Distance:    59.8 km
Elevation:    + 1719 / - 1963 m

Day 04: Bac Ha – Nam Khanh – Na Det – Trung Do – Lao Cai - sapa

After breakfast, we'll head to the biggest, most colourful and impressive market in the Vietnam mountainous area. After a lovely two hours at the market, we're ready to get back on our bikes! We'll be riding from the farm stay up to the hillside and corn farm, then on to Nam Det village. From there, we'll turn onto a single track that leads to an asphalt road, taking us to Tan Duong Section.
We'll have lunch along the way, so you can enjoy a tasty meal on the go! After lunch, we'll be ready to hit the road again! Our lovely shuttle bus will take you through some gorgeous scenery and through some lovely, traditional hill tribe villages on the way to Lao Cai city. 
After a well-deserved rest and some gentle cycling in the beautiful North West of Vietnam, we'll be heading to the lovely hilltop town of Sapa. We gear up our bikes in Lao Cai city and set off on our next adventure! We'll be following the riverbank of the Red River upstream to Ban Vuoc.  You'll love the gentle cycle on the tarmac road and asphalt road, where you can enjoy beautiful views of China and Vietnam. When you arrive at the section, turn left on the secondary road and enjoy a 23-kilometre ascent to the lovely O Quy Ho village.
Summary:
Activities:Cycling from village - Hotel
Accommodation: Legend Home Eco
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance: 59 Km

Day 05: Sapa – Back Road – Tram Ton – Seo My Ty

After a lovely breakfast at the hotel, we'll set off on our three-day Sapa mountain bike tour! We'll start by transferring uphill to Heavens Gate (Tram Ton Pass), the highest pass in Vietnam. Just look at that incredible view over the Muong Hoa Valley! You'll get to soak up this breathtaking scenery during our cycling trip. Then it's time to hop on your bike and start your descent into the Sapa Valley! You'll be treated to some truly fantastic scenery along the way, including mountains and rice paddy fields. Once you've had your fill of Sapa town, it's time to hit the road again! You'll make a turn and follow a dirt road to the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai.  From there, the road will take you to a lovely village that's home to the Giay tribe. You'll have a lovely coffee and tea break in a local house, where you can also explore the village at your leisure.
We'll then continue our journey on some lovely asphalt roads and concrete roads, which will take us to Seo My Ty. We'll also get to enjoy some beautiful scenery as we cycle on dirt roads and broken roads, which will test our endurance as we tackle some challenging hills. But the scenery is absolutely amazing! We'll get to Seo My Ty at noon! Enjoy a lovely picnic lunch and take in the breathtaking view of the crystal-clear lake.
Once we've had a chance to recharge our energy, we'll be ready to cycle along the lake to our lovely campsite for tonight.  Leave your bikes on land, and come on in! We'll wash away the tiredness and hardness in cool water. We'd love for you to join us for some kayaking on the lovely lake!
Summary:
Activity: Transferring and cycling tours
Accommodation: Seo My Ty Ecolodge
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance: 46 Km

Day 06: Seo My Ty – Thanh Phu – Nam Cang

Wake up to the sound of nature! We greet the new day with a warm cup of coffee or ginger tea with honey. Imagine immersing yourself in the dawn shining behind the sloped mountains, through the clouds, and reflecting on the peaceful lake surface. It's a truly vivid picture!
After breakfast, we're ready to hit the road again! Today we're taking on the second day of the Sapa cycle tour, this time on back roads and single track trails leading back to Ta Van village. Once we get to the village, we keep riding on the concrete road that leads to the suspension bridge. It's a bit of a challenge, but it's totally worth it! We then ride on the main road for over 1 km, which takes us to Thanh Phu section. From there, we turn into the village and head towards Lech village of the Red Dao minority. The views along the way are absolutely magnificent! You'll get to have lunch with a lovely local family!
Here you'll leave your bikes and take a short walk on a dirt road to visit a traditional Red Dao family. It's a wonderful opportunity to experience the culture of the minority villagers who are living the same life as their ancestors hundreds of years ago! Once you're back at the parking lot, you'll hop on another bike ride to the new Lech village. There, you'll have a longer break where you can learn how the women embroider, which is a great way to combine learning with tourism. The last stage of today's cycling adventure is a descent to Nam Cang village, where you'll find an eco-home stay and dinner waiting for you tonight!
Summary:
Activity: Cycling from village - Village
Accommodation: Nam cang Ecolodge
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance: 46 Km

Day 07: Sin Chai – Suoi Thau – Gia Phu  - Hanoi

Get up nice and early to take part in some fun local activities or just wander around the village to enjoy the beautiful, tranquil surroundings. Enjoy a delicious breakfast of traditional pancakes and banana cake, accompanied by a cup of soothing herbal tea with your host. We'll then set off on our last day of cycling from our homestay, passing through quaint villages, rice terraces, streams, and even a buffalo road that leads to Nam Cang, Nam Sai, and Suoi Thau. We'll have lunch in Suoi Thau, where we can enjoy a well-deserved break.
We then continue our journey on a lovely undulating route, with a beautiful steep pass at the end of the distance to Xuan Giao Section. You'll be blown away by the incredible scenery, the stunning limestone mountains and the peaceful hill tribe villages. Once we've finished our ride and reached the end of the line, we'll load up our bikes and head back to Hanoi via the new highway. It'll take us about four hours. We'll be finished with our service right after we get to your hotel. We're so happy you've chosen to join us on our bicycle tour in Sapa!
Summary: 
Activities: Cycling 
Accommodation: The Light Hotel
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance: 55 Km

Day 08 : Hanoi –  Hoa Binh - Lac Village  

Once we'd recharged our energy at the hotel, we set off again, this time heading into the hustling and bustling city behind us. Our trusty vehicle took us southwest of Hanoi to Luong Son. Welcome to Luong Son, the gateway to the outstanding mountainous area of northern Vietnam! Upon arrival, we'll start our Northern Vietnam bicycle tours riding through undulating tarmac roads with stunning views of mountains, valleys, sugarcane farms, and rice paddies. We'll make a little stop along the way to grab some food and drink at a lovely local restaurant. After lunch, we hop in a short transfer to the bottom of Thung Khe pass, where we'll pick up our bikes again and ride 34km along the Da River. Get ready for some truly breathtaking views! You'll be treated to a gorgeous landscape dotted with Muong and Thai villages nestled under the shade of trees. The local school kids and their adorable buffalo and cow friends will surely brighten your day with a friendly "Hello!" as you make your way back to their homes. We'll take a quick break for a photo op or a little refreshment before we head down to Mai Chau village. When we arrive in Mai Chau in the late afternoon, we'll cycle to the lovely Mai Chau Valley for the night. After a refreshing shower and a delicious dinner with traditional Thai food, we'll enjoy a special Thai dance music performance.
Summary: 
Activity: Transferring and Cycling
Accommodations: Homestay , Hotel, Ecolodge or Bungalow
Meals: L/D
Total Cycling Distance: 75 Km

Day 09: Mai Chau – Buoc

You'll be woken up early in the morning by the sweet sounds of birds and chickens, and you'll be treated to a delicious Thai traditional cake for breakfast with hot coffee and tea. After a delicious breakfast, we'll set off on a lovely bike ride through different villages on a mix of good single track paths that link from villages to others. The views are absolutely stunning as we ride past and cross lush rice paddies. This area is unique because it has fan palms, which are grown specifically for roofing. We'll also get to see some lovely hot springs, cross some suspension bridges and follow the contours around some beautiful terraced rice fields. We're going to stop for lunch with a lovely local family along the way. After a lovely lunch, we'll cycle back along some beautiful single tracks and buffalo trails through rice terraced fields and a gorgeous bamboo forest. We'll also stop by a lovely bamboo chopstick production workshop. Then, we'll cycle back to Mai Chau town. When you arrive, Take some time to relax by yourself. We'll have dinner together and then you can stay overnight in a lovely hotel or eco homestay.
Summary:
Activities: Cycling and Visiting
Accommodation: Onsen Retreat
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance: 56 Km

Day 10:  Mai Chau  cycle to the gem of Pu Luong

We're so excited to continue our Mai Chau – Pu Luong bicycle tours in Northern Vietnam! We'll be cycling through the stunning Mai Chau Valley, which is full of beautiful Thai and Muong villages nestled between rice terraces and paddies. We start our day early, cycling from our lovely homestay on some lovely single track paths that link one village to another. It's such a lovely way to start the day, watching the peaceful villages come to life! It's so interesting to think about how they've been living here for hundreds of years! As we ride further into the centre of the villages, we'll have the chance to meet and chat with some lovely local people along the way. 
Our trip continues on a gorgeous route with absolutely breathtaking scenery and sights! We'll even stop along the way to observe how they make chopsticks from bamboo.
We then have the wonderful opportunity to enjoy a lovely ascent through Pu Luong Nature Reserve, where we can admire the breathtaking scenery, fascinating outcrops of limestone mountains and the incredible Pu Luong panoramic beauty. We'll stop for a lovely picnic lunch on the summit. Once we've had a chance to recharge our batteries, we'll continue cycling and head back down to Don Village for a quick check-in. We'll have dinner together in Don Village, where we'll also be staying overnight.
Summary:
Activities: Cycling and Visiting
Accommodation: Pu Luong Boutique Garden
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance: 70 Km

Day 11: Pu luong – Tam Coc

After breakfast with the lovely folks at the resort, it's time to say goodbye! We're off on our Pu Luong – Tam Coc bike tour, setting off from the resort on our way to Pho Doan, the township of Pu Luong Nature Reserve. If we're lucky, we'll get to visit and take photos at the vibrant tribal market before crossing the bridge. We'll then ride through the nature reserve's buffer zones, past sugarcane fields and corn farms, dotted with Thai and Muong tribes villages, until we reach Cam Luong. We'll be rewarded by spectacular scenery and the chance to meet some friendly local villagers! We reach the Ho Chi Minh Trail at noon, and it's a beautiful day! After a tasty lunch at a local restaurant in Kim Tan town, we'll hop back on our bikes for a lovely cycle through lush forest and stunning rice fields.
As you ride through the villages and across the rice paddies, sugar cane and cassava farms, you'll be treated to some truly stunning views! The cycling continues on to Dong Giao, where you'll find a pineapple plantation where you can enjoy fresh pineapple from local farmers selling on the side road. We then ride out of the plantation and on to Tam Diep Township, where we'll transfer to Tam Coc.
Summary:
Activities: Cycling and Visiting
Accommodation: Tam Coc  La Montagne Resort
Meals:B/L/D
Cycling distance: 70 Km

Day 12: Tam Coc – Tranh An – Bai Dinh – Tam Coc

What a wonderful day we're having on our Northern Vietnam bicycle tour! We're spending the whole day cycling and taking in the serene beauty and stunning scenery of Trang An and Tam Coc rice fields. We set off on our bikes from the hotel and cycle along a lovely back road to Tam Coc. From there, we hop on a boat for a two-hour trip to explore three incredible grottoes. The first, second and third grotto are connected by breathtaking scenery in the open air – it's truly a sight to behold! Then we get to ride through some truly breathtaking natural beauty, including Trang An, Bai Dinh Temple and Kenh Ga Floating Villages. We'll have lunch in a lovely local restaurant in Kenh Ga.Once we've had a chance to recharge our batteries, we'll cycle on village road and concrete path through rice paddy fields back to Tam Coc.
Summary
Activitiy: Cycling and Transferring
Accommodation: La Montagne Resort
Meals: B/L/
Total Cycling  distance: 75 Km

Day 13: Tam Coc – Ha Long bay. 

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, we'll set off on our adventure to Halong Bay! We'll spend three and a half hours on the bus, taking in the breathtaking scenery of the Red River Delta. We'll make a little stop along the way for some well-deserved refreshment. We then continue our journey to Halong Bay. Upon arrival, we do a quick check-in on the boat and then set off to explore nearly two thousand different islands on the bay. You also have a chance to visit an incredible cave where you can learn about the history of the tectonic age and the process of earth formation. We then have lunch and dinner on the cruise.
Activitiy: Transferring from Hotel -  Ha long Bay
Accommodation:  on Night Cruise
Meals: B/L/D
Total transferring distance: 180 Km

Day 14: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Departure. 

A Get up nice and early to enjoy the absolutely stunning scenery and pristine nature! Join in with morning Thai Chi on the sundesk for 30 minutes. Enjoy a hearty breakfast on the boat before we set off to explore the amazing cave for 45 minutes. You'll love exploring the legendary world inside, which is full of amazing stalagmites and stalactites! And there's more! Each image has an amazing story behind it. Once we've finished exploring the cave, we'll head back to the boat to check out and settle the bill. Then it'll be time for us to set sail back to the port. Our lovely diver will be waiting to meet you again and take you back to Hanoi. We'll make a quick stop along the way for a little something to refresh you. Then it's on to Noi Bai International Airport, where you'll catch your next flight. We hope you enjoyed our service! We're so grateful you chose to join us on this once-in-a-lifetime holiday!

Activites:Visiting grottoes
Taking Transfer Airport at 16h:00 ( 4pm) to catch international Flights)

Note: Hotels  are subject to change due to availability. In that case we will choose equivalent  hotels
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 ( 13 breakfast, 14 Lunches, 14 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
Boat Trip in Tam Coc or Trang An 
Night Cruise on Halong Bay
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.