THE ADVENTURE
|
The RAMS Northwestern Vietnam Tour has an impressive vastness distinguished by mountain ranges, Paddy field terraces and cultural diversity. As we venture toward the Chinese boarder we enjoy the ethnic minority villagers with their traditional dress, working the fields as they welcome us to the area. Always keen to stop and look at the strangers who have come to their village, intrigued by the size of the bikes and the riders. Stunning passes, roads cut into the mountains and huge drops make this ride spectacular and literally breathtaking. Vietnam will delight you with its traditions, its idyllic scenery and majestic mountain ranges |
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 the Chinese Boarder - That evening we will catch an overnight sleeper train to Lao Cai in the northwest province of Vietnam, unload the bikes and following breakfast we hit the trails and head into the mountains. Sapa - In unsurpassed natural surroundings, visit cultural sights of great importance and watch the ethnic villagers fill the air with their traditions and colourful outfits as they wave and smile as we pass through. Marvel at the the mountain passes and look down the valleys toward the Chinese Boarder as we traverse each road cut into the rocks. Weave through the endless tracks as we climb to the sky through the clouds in search of the next amazing landscape. Ba-Be National Park - Explore Vietnam's largest National Park where you find nestled in the rainforest the magnificent lake of Ba-Be with its waterfalls and cave network make it a must for any visitor. Get wonderful views and amazing photos across the province from the top Ba-Be tower or head across the lake to the An Ma temple. Overnight Cruise around the islands of Ha Long Bay - Watch the endless boats weave through the thousand island network of Ha Long Bay which was featured in BBC's Top Gear Vietnam Special. Ban Gioc Waterfalls - The waterfalls probably hang on a wall in a Chinese takeaway near you however seeing and hearing the falls up close is something that stays will you forever. |
ITINERARY
|
19th October - Leave UK 20th October - Day One: Arrival in Hanoi Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam and 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. 21st October - Day Two: Hanoi to Lao Cai aboard the Night 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 Lao Cai the next morning around 6:30am. 22nd October - Day Three: Lao Cai to Sapa Village (120km’s) Time to get on the bikes and start the adventure. We ride out of Lao Cai and soon turn off on to the mountain trails. Small broken roads and stone paths take us high with our first chance to see the scale of the surrounding landscape. Lunch at Ta Van, but check out the minority hill tribe people. View the Sapa pass, a ribbon of tarmac draped over the mountains with incredible switchbacks and elevation changes and then ride it. Tonight we stay in Sapa Village, a small trading post with many markets and tourist shops to explore. 23rd October - Day Four: Sapa Village to Xi Man (180km’s) As we head down the mountain tracks from Sapa we again return to Lao Cai for lunch at the Chinese trading post and Boarder Crossing. Small pushbikes laden with goods come into the town from China to trade at the local markets. We leave Lao Cai along the river boarder on single broken roads as we ride into back into the hills. 24th October - Day Five: Xi Man to Ha Giang (160km’s) Today is the day of waterfalls, switchbacks and long drops. Roads are a great mix of smooth tarmac, broken trails and hill tracks to the town of Ha Giang. Here we get to ride through the hotel on our bikes, a great opportunity for a photo but remember no wheelies in reception. 25th October - Day Six: Ha Giang to Dong Van (165km’s) Huge peaks shadow our ride as we wind our way through endless valleys along the river to Dong Van. Tonight we sample the Vietnamese Hot Pot, which involves a noodle soup, some raw ingredients and a small cooker on the table, great fun with plenty of rice wine. Chúc sức khoẻ (cheers) 26th October - Day Seven: Dong Van to Bao Lac (80km’s) We each buy the inner line permits that allow us to enter the next province. You may notice the mountains start to change shape, huge limestone boulders seem to have some symmetry to each other as we weave around their bases, stunning. 27th October - Day Eight: Bao Lac to Ban Gioc (120km’s) After breakfast its straight on the bikes and into a small off-road section which takes us through some tiny bamboo villages. The Villagers are always welcoming to strangers with a cup of hot green tea and maybe a glass of rice wine, my advice is stick to the tea. On arrival at Ba-Be we jump on a small boat and explore the tiny bays, waterfalls and caves around the lake. The accommodation is basic but wait until the morning you will have a treat with the sun rising over the lake. 28th October - Day Nine: Ban Gioc to Ba-Be Lake (240km’s) As we ride through the mountain passes its an endless line of switchback corners which seem to continue for miles until we head off the tarmac onto broken roads. We are treated to the Ban Gioc Waterfalls, an area that is on the Chinese boarder, stunning vast and dramatic. Tonight we stay overlooking the falls. 29th October - Day Ten: Ba-Be Lake to Hanoi (200km’s) Following a trip to the awesome Ban Gioc Caves we hit the trails immediately with some of the best riding in Vietnam. After lunch you see the mountains reduce in size and disappear as we enter the city of Lang Son. 30th October - Day Eleven: Hanoi to Ha Long Bay (165km’s) With an early start we take breakfast and head south to catch the overnight boat around Ha Long Bay. The bay is a famous World Heritage Site and a Vietnamese Junk is the best way to see the 2000 limestone pillars rising from the waters. We have lunch on board the boat and then head to a nearby island to explore the bays by kayak or just kickback on the beach. Tonight after watching the sunset on deck we enjoy a beautiful dinner before retiring to your cabin. 31st October - Day Twelve: Ha Long Bay to Cat Ba Island (by boat) After a breakfast on board we have the chance to buy gifts from the pearl farms and then head to Cat Ba Island for a day off the bikes. 1st November - Day Thirteen: Cat Ba Island to Hanoi (120km’s) Back on the bikes for one last time as we try and “sneak” back into Hanoi using some of the best back roads in Vietnam. We will ride on the Dyke walls, through the tiny villages until we hit the traffic of Hanoi, now there’s an experience. Tonight we head back to the Minsk Bar for farewell drinks with our new Vietnamese friends. 2nd November - Day Fourteen: Leave Hanoi |
KEY FEATURES
FLIGHTS FROM UK - Hanoi International
RIDING MECHANICS: All tours have a team of mechanics who will ride with the group. Each evening the bikes are then worked on the ensure they are in tip top condition for the next days ride.
FLIGHTS FROM UK - Hanoi International
DEPART FROM Hanoi - Arrive Heathrow London
|
ROAD CONDITIONS: Mainly tarmac roads with some easy to moderate mountain trails.
DIFFICULTY 4: Easy road riding which can be suitable for pillion passengers. Some easy to moderate trail riding however there are alternative routes if required.
MOTORCYCLES: Honda XR250's as standard or you can upgrade your machine to fit. See bikes below
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
|
REST DAYS:
HANOI - Old Quarter, Crashed B52 memorial, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
HA LONG BAY - Kayaking, swimming and Squid fishing
CAT BA ISLAND - Pearl Farms, or just kicking back and relaxing at the resort
HANOI - Old Quarter, Crashed B52 memorial, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum
HA LONG BAY - Kayaking, swimming and Squid fishing
CAT BA ISLAND - Pearl Farms, or just kicking back and relaxing at the resort
BIKES
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.
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 £2700 per rider
|
Tours available for groups or as individuals
Includes:
Excludes:
|
Click here to download information pack
|
