OVERLAND MAGAZINE
​EXPLORE VIETNAM
NORTHERN VIETNAM
​
​Hanoi  to  Hanoi 
25th September - 6th October 2021
 
- £1999 per rider
- £400 single room supplement
- £1499 per pillion

5 places available
​

Difficulty 4
30% road
​70% broken road

TO MAKE A BOOKING

Overland Magazine Summer Event 2021

THE
​ADVENTURE

We have partnered up with the guys from Overland Magazine to bring you this special offer adventure in Vietnam. Not only do you get to travel  around the mountains of Northern Vietnam we will also ensure entry to the Overland Summer Show in Oxfordshire.

Venture along some of the more remote routes in Northern Vietnam, take on the Happiness Road from Ha Giang to Bao Lac and discover why this part of Vietnam is known for its beauty and jaw dropping scenery. High peaks turn into limestone pillars known as Karsts, experience this wonderful country from the saddle of your bike.

The RAMS Explorer Adventure is a ten day adventure that follows the Chinese border along switchback mountain passes, through endless waterfalls and to incredible mountain vistas. This is a traditional Vietnamese experience, riding through a communist country known for its local hill tribe people still wearing dress worn by generations of ancestors.

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 Border - 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.

​The Happiness Road - is a 200kms stretch of hairpin bends stretching from Ha Giang to Meo Vac. The road was constructed in 1959 mainly by the local people using shovels and hoes and it took six years to complete because of the extreme terrain the road navigates, a must for a motorcyclist.

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 deck of the homestay or head across the lake on one of the boats.

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ITINERARY

25th September - Leave for Vietnam

26th September - 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 the team before you sample the delights of this bustling city.

27th September - Day Two: Hanoi to Lao Cai aboard the Night Train
After breakfast the day is your own or you can join us on our city tour to check out the downed B52 Bomber in the lake, the War Museum and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Lunch is at the famous Obama Cafe where the Bun Cha and Egg Coffee is good enough for the former US President. Tonight we head to Hanoi Train Station to begin our adventure.
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28th September - Day Three: Lao Cai to Sa Pa Village (120km’s)
After breakfast we fuel up the bikes and head into the mountains or the Tonkinese Alps. Small broken roads and stone paths takes us to lunch at Ta Van, but check out the minority hill tribe people who are working the land around the village. Tonight we stay in Sa Pa Village in the shadow of Fanspian, at 3146 metres is the highest mountain in Indochina. 
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29th September - Day Four: Sa Pa Village to Xin Man (180km’s)
As we head down the mountain tracks from Sa Pa we again return to Lao Cai to marvel at the Chinese trading posts and border crossing. Small pushbikes laden with goods come into the town from across the river in China to trade at the local markets of Vietnam. We leave Lao Cai along the river on single broken road as we ride into back into the hills.

30th September - Day Five: Xin 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.

1st October - Day Six: Ha Giang to Dong Van (165km’s)
Huge peaks shadow our ride as we wind our way to the start of the Happiness Road through endless valleys along the river to Dong Van. Tonight we sample the Vietnamese Hot Pot, a local dish that is fun as well as tasty. 

2nd October - Day Seven: Dong Van to Bao Lac (80km’s)
A late start today as we arrange 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 have the option to ride the famous sky road goat track but only for those who have a head for heights.

3rd October - Day Eight: Bao Lac to Ba Be Lake  (160km’s)
After breakfast its straight on the bikes and into a small  broken 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 waterfalls and some optional river crossings. We aim to arrive at Ba Be Lake early enough to take one of the boats on the lake. Tonight is a BBQ overlooking the lake.

4th October - Day Nine: Day off Ba Be Lake
Today is yours to do what you please. We have the option to jump on one of the boats at take a ride to the waterfalls or cave systems around the lake or if you are missing the bikes then we can dust them off and go and explore the National Park around Be Be. If you prefer to sit with a book overlooking the lake with a constant supply of coffee then we can arrange this too.

5th October - Day Ten: Ba-Be Lake to Hanoi (210km’s)
Following a an early start on the bikes we continue to head south through the National Park to Hanoi. Hanoi is a huge city with scooters, bikes and pedestrians coming from all angles, don't worry because you should be seasoned Vietnamese riders by now, confident in the rules of the road.

6th October - Day Eleven: Arrange to leave the city late so you can pick up those Vietnamese gifts to take home.

If you fancy extending your stay then why not talk to RAMS about Halong Bay, Hoi An and Cambodia.

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KEY FEATURES
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FLIGHTS FROM HOME - 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. 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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DEPART FROM HANOI - Arrive home

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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: Tarmac roads, some easy to moderate switchback mountain sections. Broken roads which can be challenging. 

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​DIFFICULTY 4: Moderate difficulty road riding with some broken sections which is suitable for pillions.

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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 - Old Quarter, Crashed B52 memorial, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

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BIKES

Kawasaki or Honda 250 Enduro bike is included in the overall cost however we want you to be comfortable on the bike therefore reduced height and suitable for pillion bikes are available. We also have a selection of Suzuki DRZ400’s Honda XR400’s and 650cc machines - please enquire.

Honda CRF 250 L 

Kawasaki KLX250

PRICE £1999 per rider
£400 single supplement
​
Pillions welcome
​£1499 per pillion

Tours available for groups or as individuals

Includes: 

• ​Motorcycle Mounted Guide(s) and Mechanic(s).
• ​Entry to the Overland Magazine Summer Event 2020
  
• 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

ACCOMODATION

CUISINE

BOOKINGS

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