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Venture along some of the best broken roads and optional easy trails in Northern Vietnam, discover an impressive vastness of mountain ranges, high mountain peaks and remote villages, experience the adventure of this wonderful country all from the saddle of your bike. The RAMS Adventures Karst Rider Vietnam Tour follows the Chinese border along trails made by generations of Vietnamese villagers crossing forests, streams and mountains in order to survive. Stunning passes, roads cut into the mountains and huge drops make this ride spectacular and literally breath-taking. Enduro motorcycles, jaw dropping scenery and a warm culture that you will love. |
HIGHLIGHTS
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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. Sa Pa - 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. Halong Bay (optional extra) - is a mesmerising natural wonder renowned for its breathtaking beauty. Its emerald waters are studded with thousands of towering limestone karsts topped with lush vegetation, creating a stunning seascape. The bay offers tranquil cruising, hidden caves, and unique floating fishing villages, making it a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a top destination for travellers seeking a serene and picturesque escape |
ITINERARY
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19th November - Leave UK 20th November - 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 meet up for dinner and meet the team. 21st November - Day Two: Hanoi to Lao Cai aboard the Night Train After breakfast the day is your own, or if you fancy joining us, we'll show you around Hanoi. Check out the downed B52 Bomber in the lake, the War Museum and Hanoi Hilton prison, with the best Bun Cha and egg coffee for lunch. After dinner we head to the railway station and board the Night Train to the Chinese Border, bed down for the night dreaming of riding your bike in Vietnam. Arrive at Lao Cai the next morning around 6:00am. 22nd November - Day Three: Lao Cai to Sa Pa 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 Sa Pa pass, a ribbon of tarmac draped over the mountains with incredible switchbacks and elevation changes and then ride it. Tonight we stay in Sa Pa Village, a small trading post with many markets and tourist shops to explore. 23rd November - Day Four: Sa Pa Village to Coc Pai (200km’s) As we head down the mountain tracks from Sapa we again return to Lao Cai for lunch at the Chinese trading post and Border Crossing. Locals pushing suitcases laden with goods come into the town from China to trade at the local markets. We leave Lao Cai along the river border on single broken roads as we ride into back into the hills. 24th November - 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 November - 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 November - Day Seven: Dong Van to Bao Lac (160km’s) 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. Today you will ride the famous Sky Road goat track but only for those who have a head for heights. A small trail takes us to the Bamboo Boat, pulled across the river by a local as we head into the small market town of Bao Lac. 27th November - Day Eight: Bao Lac to Ban Gioc (160km’s) The route from Bảo Lạc to Bản Giốc Waterfall, taking in the spectacular "Sixteen Bend Pass" is one of the most scenic, remote, and thrilling rides in northern Vietnam. This region lies deep in the Tonkinese Alps, right by the Chinese border, and showcases dramatic limestone karsts, deep valleys, and hill tribe villages. 28th November - Day Nine: Ban Gioc to Ba Be National Park. (210km’s) After breakfast it's straight onto the bikes as we hit the route from the Waterfalls to Ba Bể Lake, it is a journey that will take us through northern Vietnam’s most remote and scenic landscapes. It takes us deep into Cao Bằng Province, across rural highlands, past limestone peaks, and down into the lush jungles surrounding Vietnam’s largest natural lake, Ba Be. 29th November - Day Ten: Ba-Be National Park day off A lazy day if you want or you can come with us and jump onto a small boat and explore the tiny bays, waterfalls and caves around the lake, but first a breakfast of pancakes, fruit and honey overlooking Ba Be Lake. 30th November - Day Eleven: Ba-Be Lake to Hanoi (160km'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 through tiny villages until we hit the traffic of Hanoi, now there’s an experience. Tonight we say goodbye to our new Vietnamese friends. 1st December - Day Twelve: Hanoi to Ha Long Bay (by minibus) 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. 2nd December - Day Thirteen: Ha Long Bay (by boat) After a breakfast on board we have the chance to buy gifts from the pearl farms and visit the caves as the boat continues to sail around the bay, failing that just kick back and enjoy the sun deck. 3rd December - Day Fourteen: Halong Bay to Hanoi (by minibus) After saying goodbye to our friends on board the boat we head back to Hanoi for one last night in the city. 4th December - Day Fifteen: Hanoi Get those last minute gifts and then to the airport at 21:00 5th December - Day Sixteen: Leave Hanoi at 00:40 |
KEY FEATURES
FLIGHTS FROM HOME (not included) - Hanoi International
RIDING MECHANICS: All tours have a team of mechanics who will ride with the group to allow maximum time on the bikes. 
DEPART FROM HANOI (not included): Arrive Home
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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ROAD CONDITIONS: Some broken road sections in mainly smooth tarmac road. Optional sections of trail riding if required.
DIFFICULTY 4: Easy road with broken sections with some road riding. Suitable for novice riders and seasoned confident riders with experience.
MOTORCYCLES: Honda or Kawasaki 250cc Enduro style bike as standard or you can upgrade your machine to fit.
REST DAYS: - Hanoi and Ba Be Lake |
BIKES
Kawasaki KLX 250
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Honda CRF 250L
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Honda CRF Rally suitable for pillion passengers
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Kawasaki KLX 230 reduced seat height
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Tours available for groups or as individuals
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