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Venture along some of the best 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 Enduro 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. Are you up for the challenge? |
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 deck of our homestay or head across the lake to the An Ma temple. Mountain Enduro Trails - each day we have selected a series of trails from easy to challenging for you to explore but beware expect the unexpected. Ban Gioc Waterfalls - These triple drop 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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15th September - Leave UK 16th 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. 17th September - 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. 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. 18th September - 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. We try our first off-road section, a steep incline that can be challenging when wet. Tonight we stay in Sa Pa Village in the shadow of Fansipan, at 3143 metres is the highest mountain in Indochina. 19th September - Day Four: Sa Pa Village to Xi Man (180km’s) As we head down the mountain tracks from Sa Pa 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 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 back into the hills and sample a challenging rocky off-road section over one of the high peaks. 20th September - 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. We will be giving you a sand trail to test those skills and after coffee its one of the hardest trails of the ride, jungle, streams and drops, definitely one for the confidence rider. In Ha Giant we get to ride through the hotel on our bikes, a great opportunity for a photo but remember no wheelies in reception. 21st September - 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. 22nd September - 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. If the weather is dry there is a great off-road trail that leads to a bamboo boat crossing. 23rd September - 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. 24th September - 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. 25th September - 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. 26th September - 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 tarmac roads with some easy to moderate switchback mountain trails. Broken roads with challenging off-road sections.
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 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.
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Honda CRF 250 L
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Kawasaki KLX250
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PRICE £2200 per rider
£400 single supplement
No pillions
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Tours available for groups or as individuals
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Excludes:
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