THE HO CHI MINH TRAIL
VIETNAM

Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City​
18th November - 2nd December 2019

- £3200 per rider
- £2700 pillion/Jeep passenger
- £400 single supplement 

​Places available

TO MAKE A BOOKING

Difficulty 3
​90% road 10% off-road

THE
​ADVENTURE

From North to South Vietnam on a motorcycle, what better way to see a country that has been ravaged by war but still has an immense natural beauty and enlightened culture.

The Ho Chi Minh Trail Rider adventure takes you on a historic journey through some of the most infamous areas of Vietnam, from Hanoi in the north across the Demilitarisation Zone to Ho Chi Minh City in the south each stop has a story to tell.

Ride along the Ho Chi Minh Trail an infamous trail used by the North Vietnamese Army during the conflict to transport troops and arms to the South without being detected.

​Take to your bike on this fully supported and guided adventure through Vietnam and marvel at how a country with so much beauty can reveal a dark past.
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HIGHLIGHTS

​Hanoi is a vibrant full on city that has to be explored. Stay in the Old Quarter of the town where you can sample the street traders food and night market or visit the downed B52 American Bomber in the middle of one of the cities lakes.

Overnight Sleeper train to Dong Hoi - That evening we will catch an overnight sleeper train to Dong Hoi in the Central Highlands province of Vietnam, unload the bikes and following breakfast we hit the trails as our adventure begins.

Vinh Moc Tunnels - A impressive network of underground tunnels, Vinh Moc is the remains of a Vietnamese village that in response to American bombing went underground. With two kilometres of tunnels over three levels its hard to believe that more than ninety families continued to live and work underground whilst the American bombs fell.

The Airbase at Khe Sanh offers a window into the year long battle and see even today abandoned C130 transporter plane still on the runway.

Ride past Hill 937 or Hamburger Hill as it is now known. 

Explore the evocative walled city of Hue, situated on the Perfume River and see first hand how conflict has scarred the landscape, the bullet ridden Citadel holds many secrets.

The Hai Van Pass is a ribbon of tarmac that has history, stunning vista's and is one of the best roads in Vietnam, just ask Top Gear.

​Day off at the coastal town of Hoi An, time to kick back enjoy this vibrant coastal town with obvious Japanese and French influences.

​Overnight in Vung Tau, a French colonial town that is now a popular coastal resort that draws many visitors from Ho Chi Minh City. With its long, sandy coastline and mountain backdrop make for some great pictures whilst riding along deserted beaches.
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Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) wander through tiny streets and follow the insence to the many temples of the city. Listen to the stories of a generation who witnessed the city in turmoil during the conflict or just relax and watch life pass by.​

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ITINERARY
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​18th November - Leave the UK for Hanoi
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20th November - Day one: Arrive Hanoi
Arrive around midday into Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam which is known for its centuries-old architecture. We stay in the chaotic Old Quarter of the city with its quirky tall buildings and street traders the pace of life will amaze you. Tonight we will go to the Minsk Bar to meet the team and to enjoy our first beer overlooking the city.

21st November - Day two: Hanoi to Dong Hoi on the overnight train
After breakfast the day is your own. Check out the downed B52 Bomber in the lake, the War Museum or the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. We will meet late afternoon to check out the bikes before they get loaded onto the Night Train. After dinner we also board the train and bed down for the night. Arrive at Dong Hoi the next morning around 7:30am.

22nd November - Day three: Dong Hoi to Khe Sanh 
After breakfast we head toward the Vinh Moc Tunnels along the coast. These tunnels provided shelter to local farmers and fishermen that wanted a safe hiding place, so to avoid the US bombardment. 

23rd November - Day four: Khe Sanh to Hue
Another great day on the bikes as we first stop at the Khe Sanh Airbase to reflect and then head south past Hamburger Hill to the Walled City of Hue (pronounced Whey)  
   
24th November - Day five: Hue to Hoi An
After a late start to visit the Citadel we ride ride along the Hai Van Pass, as seen on Top Gear, a mountain road with scenic beauty that will amaze you and together with its twisting roads will challenge any rider. The pass was controlled by the U.S army during the American war and what remains of the base, are still visible and open to explore. After a short coffee break we descend down the mountain and following the coastal road, which will bring us to Hoi An, where we stay overnight.

25th November- Day six: Hoi An day off
This beautiful coastal town offers Japanese and French influences in both its cuisine and architecture. Get your suits, shirts and shoes made as the town is famous for its tailors.        

26th November - Day seven: Hoi An to Plei Kan
We are now in coffee growing territory so take time to enjoy a cup of Vietnamese Coffee.

27th November - Day eight: Plei Kan to Plei Ku
As we bounce off the Laos boarder we head further south to Pleiku which was rebuilt in the 1980's after total devastation during the American War.

28th November - Day nine: Plei Ku to Ban Don Nestled next to the Serepok River, Ban Don is on the edge of the Yok Don National Park. Elephant trekking is a must. 

29th November - Day ten: Ban Don to Da Lat  
We head to Central Highland and reach the City of Love, Dat Lat. It is a popular destination for both locals and the French, due to its extraordinary beauty, majestic waterfalls and evergreen forests. It has always been a pleasant oasis for those that wanted an escape from the lowlands’ high temperatures.

30th November - Day eleven: Da Lat to Mui Ne
The tour continues with enchanting emerald green waters and scenic fishing boats that look like tiny gems all along the way

1st December - Day Twelve: Mui Ne to Vung Tau
Leaving Mui Ne we continue along the coastal road south with the ocean on our left. toward the penisular town of Vung Tau, a busy town with the ocean on all three sides.

2nd December - Day Thirteen: Vung Tau to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Back on the bikes for one last time as we try and “sneak” into Ho Chi Minh City using back roads to avoid the infamous Vietnamese traffic. Tonight we take dinner and farewell drinks with our new Vietnamese friends. 

3rd December - Day Fourteen: Ho Chi Minh City and return to the UK

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KEY FEATURES
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FLIGHTS FROM UK 
Ha Noi International

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DEPART FROM HO CHI MINH CITY 
Arrive Heathrow London

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RIDING MECHANICS:
​All tours have a team of mechanics who will ride with the group to allow maximum time on the bikes. Each evening the bikes are then worked on the ensure they are in tip top condition for the next days ride.

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REST DAYS:
HA NOI - Old Quarter, Crashed B52 memorial, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
HOI AN - Island hopping, boating
HO CHI MINH CITY- Immense history with evidence of a dark past

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ROAD CONDITIONS: 
​Mainly tarmac roads with some easy to moderate mountain trails. 

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MOTORCYCLES:  
​Honda XR250's as standard or you can upgrade your machine to fit. See bikes below

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DIFFICULTY 3: 
​Easy road riding which can be suitable for pillion passengers. Some easy to moderate trail riding however there are alternative routes if required.

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All tours have a British MEDICAL TEAM riding on the trip travelling with you, so any medical assistance required is given immediately with no delays - 24 hours a day

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The Honda XR250 is included in the overall cost however we have the option for you to upgrade to a larger capacity machine.
​Upgrades are per rider per trip.

Honda XR 250 - Included 
Kawasaki KLX 250 - £110  
Honda CRF 250 - £110

Honda XR 400 - £80
Suzuki DRZ 400 - £80

Honda XR 650 - £110
Suzuki DR 650 - £110

PRICE: £3200 per rider
£2700 per pillion/jeep
​£400 single supplement

Tours available for groups or as individuals

Includes: 

• Motorcycle Mounted Guide(s) and Mechanic(s).
• One or two UK based Medics riding with the group (depending on size of group). 
• Meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner unless otherwise specified.
• Accommodation on a twin share basis. 
• Tickets and passes to all locations
• Support vehicle(s).
• Luggage transportation from each accommodation.
• Motorcycle rental and transportation of bikes to start of the event and from the end of the event. 
• Regular wear and tear to the motorcycles of both rider and guide. 
• Airport pick-up and drop off, unless arriving/departing independently of the main group.
• Fuel for the motorcycles.
• Branded tour T-shirt and Buff.

Excludes: ​

• Any alcohol consumed during the course of the tour by either guide or participant.
• Any accident damage caused to a participant's motorcycle while on tour. All accident damage costs must be paid by the participant.
• Expenses incurred that are not listed as part of the itinerary.
• Any airplane flights. 
• Medical treatment or evacuation of a participant either as a result of being on tour or not as a result of being on tour. 
• Medical or evacuation insurance.
• Cost of transferring deposit money

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