KARST RIDER
VIETNAM
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​Hanoi  to  Hanoi - North Vietnam 
30th September - 11th October 2024
 
- £2495 per rider
​- £1995 per pillion
- £450 single room supplement
- Suitable for pillion passengers

Places available

OPTIONAL EXTRAS:
Ha Long Bay
Extra night(s) in Hanoi -£65 per night
*prices are based on per room.

Difficulty 4
70% mix of smooth/broken road
​30% easy trails (optional)

TO MAKE A BOOKING

THE
​ADVENTURE

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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

​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

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ITINERARY

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​30th September - Leave UK

1st 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 meet up for dinner and meet the team.

2nd October - 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.
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3rd October - 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.
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4th October - 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.

5th 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.

6th 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)

7th October - 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.

8th October - Day Eight: Bao Lac to Ba Be National Park. (180km’s)
After breakfast it's straight onto the bikes and into the Bao Lac Gorge, huge limestone cliffs tower around with a sixteen turn switchback pass at the end. Switchback roads lead to Ba Be National Park where this evening we invite local villagers to perform a traditional dance, maybe they will ask you to join them.

9th October  - Day Nine: 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.

10th October - Day Ten: 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.

11th October - Day Eleven: Leave Hanoi

Options:
Extend your stay and join us for three days in Halong Bay aboard a classic Vietnamese boat. 

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KEY FEATURES
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FLIGHTS FROM UK (not included) - Hanoi International

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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. 

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DEPART FROM HANOI (not included) : Arrive Heathrow London

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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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ROAD CONDITIONS: Some broken road sections in mainly smooth tarmac road. Optional sections of trail riding if required. 

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​DIFFICULTY 4: Easy road with broken sections with some road riding. Suitable for novice riders and seasoned confident riders with experience. 
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MOTORCYCLES:  Honda or Kawasaki 250cc Enduro style bike as standard or you can upgrade your machine to fit. 

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​REST DAYS: - Hanoi and Ba Be Lake

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BIKES

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Kawasaki KLX 250

​Honda CRF 250L

Honda CRF Rally suitable for pillion passengers 

Kawasaki KLX 230 reduced seat height

PRICE £2900 per rider, £2500 per pillion
£500 single supplement
Pillions welcome

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).
• Fuel for the bikes
• Meals – breakfast, lunch and dinner unless otherwise specified.
• Accommodation on a twin share basis.
• Train tickets 
• Third party and Public Liability Insurance ​
• 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. 
• Fully comprehensive motorcycle insurance, excess $500
• Airport pick-up and drop off, unless arriving/departing independently of the main group.
• Branded tour T-shirt and Buff.

Excludes: 

• Any alcohol consumed during the course of the tour by the participant.
• Any accident damage caused to a participant's motorcycle while on tour. All accident damage costs must be paid by the participant up to the sum of $500 (insurance excess)
• 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

ACCOMMODATION

CUISINE

BOOKINGS

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