Guide

All group trips are accompanied by one of our group leader or local representative. The aim of the group leader or local representative is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced group leader or local representative however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your group leader or local representative is new to a particular region or training other group leader or local representative. Your group leader or local representative will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense, you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious, and social aspects. At Intrepid we aim to support local guides who have specialised knowledge of the regions we visit. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your group leader or local representative can recommend a local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.

Meals

10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners

Transport

LONG TRAVEL DAYS: There are some long travel days and some of the transport can be quite cramped and without air-conditioning. OUR BIKES - VIETNAM: In Vietnam we use a mixture of Giant Rincon Disc 1 and Giant Rincon 2 Disc bikes for sizes Small to Large. For size Extra Small we use the Giant Talon 4. These bikes are mountain bike-style with flat bars, front suspension, 24 gears and hydraulic disk brakes. For more specific information please see https://www.giant-bicycles.com/int/rincon-disc--gi--2019 SUPPORT VEHICLE: On the cycling section of this trip there will be a support vehicle as secondary transport for travelling longer distances, avoiding hazardous areas to cycle, as a backup should we have any incidents and of course an option for those that would prefer not to cycle for an hour or a day. These vehicles range from a minivan in most regions up to a full sized coach or overland vehicle in others. Your main luggage is transported in the support vehicle. Private minibus , Bicycle , Boat

Accommodation

The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation. Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we’re arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn’t always possible which means we won’t be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available. WINDOWLESS ROOMS: Some hotels in South East Asia have windowless rooms, or windows that don’t necessarily have a view. This is often due to high population density in large cities, however local building standards also do not require rooms to have windows. We do request rooms with windows, however they aren’t always available. Hotel (5 nights), Homestay (3 nights), Lodge (2 nights)

Others

Lam Thuong- Community Village Walk Lam Thuong – Waterfall hike Sapa - Lao Chai to Ta Van trek & Homestay Sapa - Ta Van to Su Pan trek Hanoi - Old Quarter Walking Tour Hanoi - West Lake bike ride Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Complex Mai Chau - Pom Coong Village visit & traditional lunch Mai Chau - Cycling Mai Chau to Ninh Binh cycling Cat Ba Island - Kayaking

Not included:

Insurance

Insurance is not included. Travel insurance is required for this tour. Please make sure you are adequately covered. If you require travel insurance, TourRadar has partnered up with World Nomads to provide a hassle-free experience. More information can be found here (https://www.tourradar.com/travel-insurance).

Others

Other activities and services not included

Flights

International flights are not included

Optional

Hanoi - Village Discovery by Bike Urban Adventure - USD33 Hanoi - Hanoi Street Food By Night Urban Adventure - USD31 Hanoi - Citadels, Karsts & Cycle Urban Adventure - USD88 Hanoi - Hanoi Highlights Urban Adventure - USD40 Hanoi - Hanoi Street Food By Night Urban Adventure - USD31 Hanoi - Village Discovery by Bike Urban Adventure - USD33 Hanoi - Citadels, Karsts & Cycle Urban Adventure - USD88 Hanoi - Hanoi Highlights Urban Adventure - USD40

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Day 1: Hanoi
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 1: Hanoi

Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins in Hanoi with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, why not head out and discover Hanoi at your own pace. Take a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple, start sampling the delicious street food or visit the Museum of Ethnology to find out more about the homes and lives of Vietnam’s ethnic communities. After the welcome meeting, you might like to join your group for an optional dinner at one of Hanoi’s fantastic restaurants or streetside eateries.
Day 2 Day 2: Lam Thuong Community Stay
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 2: Lam Thuong Community Stay

After breakfast this morning, escape the city and board a private minibus to the small village of Lam Thuong – a community-based tourism project designed to empower and bring positive impact for Vietnam’s ethnic minorities. When you arrive, head out on a walk through the village to a traditional 50-year-old Tay home to learn about the Tay people’s culture. Then, head straight out on a hike to a waterfall with a local from the community guiding you through the jungle. After the hike, you’ll enjoy a home-cooked dinner with your hosts using local ingredients. Tonight you’ll stay in one of the village’s stilt houses with beautiful views across the valley.
Day 3 Day 3: Hiking In Sapa/Lao Chai
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 3: Hiking In Sapa/Lao Chai

Start the day early and drive to the town of Sapa, the starting point for today’s trek. You’ll stop for lunch and photo ops along the way before arriving in Lao Chai. From here, join your local guide and start your hike into the heart of the Vuon Quoc via Hoang Lien State Park, trekking through the dramatic landscapes of rural Vietnam on a trek to Ta Van. Along the way, you’ll pass by terraced farms ripe with corn and rice, over brooks and through villages. When you arrive in the small village, sit down for a well-earned home-cooked dinner and settle into your local family homestay.
Day 4 Day 4: Hiking In Su Pan
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 4: Hiking In Su Pan

This morning you’ll trek to Su Pan before taking some time to rest your feet on a bus ride back to Sapa. In the afternoon, the group returns to Hanoi, giving you a chance to rest, take a nap or play some road trip games with your fellow travellers. When you arrive back in Hanoi, maybe seek a bird’s eye view of the city from one of the popular rooftop bars or stop street side for dinner and unwind with one of the famed iced coffees.
Day 5 Day 5: Cycling In Hanoi
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 5: Cycling In Hanoi

Vietnam’s capital is best explored on foot, so this morning your group will head out on a city walking tour. See the final resting place of Vietnam’s revered revolutionary at Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and Museum before stopping by the Temple of Literature. Although the shrine was originally built in the 11th century and is therefore considered to be the city’s oldest temple, the current structure and shrine to Confucius date back to the 18th century. This afternoon, jump on a bike for a leisurely cycling trip around Hanoi’s West Lake. Tonight you’ll have free time to grab some Bahn Mi or Bun Cha (noodles with grilled meat) for dinner.
Day 6 Day 6: Cycling In Mai Chau
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 6: Cycling In Mai Chau

Leave Hanoi behind this morning and jump on your bike for a cycling trip to the Mai Chau Valley. There are some great photo opportunities along the way, including the viewpoint of Mai Chau – home to a variety of minority groups with their own unique cultures and languages. You’ll also have the opportunity to help local farmers plant rice seeds into the fields! Arrive in Mai Chau and head to the village of Pom Coong, where your local guide will introduce you to your hosts for lunch, and provide information on the region’s people, lifestyles, customs and culture. This is a great opportunity to experience the local area, chat with your hosts and gain a real insight into life in this region. After lunch, you’ll have some free time before saddling up for another cycling trip to the nearby villages. Back at the homestay tonight, relax with a cold drink while watching the sun set over the mountains.
Day 7 Day 7: Cycling In Ninh Binh
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 7: Cycling In Ninh Binh

After breakfast this morning, you’ll set out again on your bike on a cycling trip from Mai Chau to Ninh Binh – a region well known for its lush green valleys, karst mountains and conservation areas. Ride through more paddy fields, testing your riding skills (or suspension) with shallow potholes and passing farmers drawn by water buffalo. After a day riding through green fields, small villages and waterways, you’ll have a free evening to recharge.
Day 8 Day 8: Cat Ba Island
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 8: Cat Ba Island

Catch a bus this morning from Ninh Binh to Hai Phong, then jump on a ferry to Cat Ba Island. This island sits at the southeastern edge of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay. Lan Ha Bay, where Cat Ba can be found, is part of Ha Long Bay but with the additional attraction of white-sand beaches. When you arrive, check in to your peaceful hilltop accommodation and soak up a free afternoon by taking it easy in a hammock. Alternatively, you can opt to keep your heart rate up with a hike or a trip to the beach.
Day 9 Day 9: Kayaking Around Cat Ba Island
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 9: Kayaking Around Cat Ba Island

Explore the waters and limestone karsts of Lan Ha Bay on a full-day boat trip today. Get up close to the karsts on a short kayak paddle in the still waters beside the tree-clad outcrops – Ha Long Bay’s World Heritage designation was extended to the Cat Ba archipelago due to its similar aesthetic of turquoise water and junk boats that are a quintessential picture of Vietnam – and, there are less tourists here, too! You’ll have lunch aboard the boat, with plenty of opportunities for a cheeky selfie. Spend a second night on Cat Ba Island tonight, with the evening free to visit the local restaurants and bars.
Day 10 Day 10: Hanoi
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 10: Hanoi

Say goodbye to Cat Ba Island this morning and head back to Hanoi. Arrive in the late afternoon and make the most of your free time – maybe head down to the markets for some last-minute souvenir shopping or visit one of the city’s many museums or historical sites. The Fine Arts Museum and Hoa Lo ’Hanoi Hilton’ Prison are good options. In the evening, why not head out for a farewell dinner with your group and toast the end of this amazing active adventure.
Day 11 Day 11: Hanoi
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Day 11: Hanoi

There are no activities planned after breakfast today and your adventure comes to an end. You’re free to leave at any time after check out. If you’d like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation. There’s plenty to see if you’d like to continue exploring Hanoi or further afield – maybe hop onto an Urban Adventure tonight and discover more of Hanoi’s street food scene.

11 days tour

Vietnam: Hike, Bike & Kayak (9 Destinations)

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Vietnam: Hike, Bike & Kayak (9 Destinations)

Day 1: Hanoi

Day 2: Lam Thuong Community Stay

Day 3: Hiking In Sapa/Lao Chai

Day 4: Hiking In Su Pan

Day 5: Cycling In Hanoi

Day 6: Cycling In Mai Chau

Day 7: Cycling In Ninh Binh

Day 8: Cat Ba Island

Day 9: Kayaking Around Cat Ba Island

Day 10: Hanoi

Day 11: Hanoi

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