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Venture along some of the best broken roads and optional easy enduro trails in Northern Vietnam, discover an impressive vastness of mountain ranges, high peaks and remote villages, experience the adventure of this wonderful country all from the saddle of your bike. The RAMS Karst Rider Vietnam Tour follows the Chinese boarder 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. 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
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7th October - Leave UK
8th 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 and then jump on the overnight train to Lao Cai 9th 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. 10th 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. 11th 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. 12th 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. 13th 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) 14th 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. Today you will ride the famous Sky Road goat track but only for those who have a head for heights. 15th October - Day Eight: Bao Lac to Ban Gioc (220km’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. Great trails give way to the daddy of all waterfalls at Ban Gioc on the Chinese Border, tonight we sleep overlooking the falls. 16th October - Day Nine: Ban Gioc to Ba-Be Lake (180km’s) Following a an early start on the bikes we head along the border, following the river we soon head back into the hills for more mountain trails. 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. 17th 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. 18th October - Day Eleven: Leave Hanoi |
KEY FEATURES
FLIGHTS FROM UK - Hanoi International
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.
DEPART FROM HANOI - Arrive Heathrow London
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 - Old Quarter, Crashed B52 memorial, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum |
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 150 reduced seat height
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PRICE £2200 per rider
£400 single supplement
Pillions welcome
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Tours available for groups or as individuals
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Excludes:
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