​VIETNAM EXPLORER
VIETNAM 
​
​Mai Chau  to  Hanoi  
Laos Border and North West Vietnam
17th - 28th September 2024
 
- £2495 per rider
- £450 single room supplement
- Not suitable for pillion passengers

Places available

OPTIONAL EXTRAS:
Ha Long Bay - three days, two nights
£450 single
​£550 Twin/double share
Extra night(s) in Hanoi -£65 per night
*prices are based on per room.

Difficulty 6
40% broken road
30% Tarmac road
​30% trails

TO MAKE A BOOKING

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THE
​ADVENTURE

Northwestern Vietnam is a region of unparalleled natural beauty and cultural diversity. Nestled along the border with Laos and China, it's characterised by majestic mountain ranges, terraced rice fields, and lush valleys. The landscape is dominated by the Hoàng Liên Son Range, home to Fansipan, the Indochina Peninsula's highest peak.

Indigenous ethnic minority groups, including Hmong, Dao, and Thai, inhabit the area, preserving unique traditions and colourful clothing. Travellers explore vibrant markets, ride through remote villages, and immerse ourselves in the rich tapestry of cultures, all while enjoying the stunning vistas and cool, crisp mountain air that this region offers.

The Explorer Vietnam adventure retains many of the qualities that are often lost with mass tourism, an area that encapsulates the timeless quality of rural life. We take to our motorcycle to discover how Vietnam has remained untainted riding the trails as they rise in the steep folds to the high plateaus.

​With the rainy season just behind us, the trails may get technical, but it is all part of the adventure right?

HIGHLIGHTS

Hanoi which 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.

Set in an idyllic valley, surrounded by Limestone Karsts, Mai Chau seems a million miles away from Hanoi's hustle. Emerald rice terraces scar the landscape for as far as the eye can see being as they are tended by local farmers.

Remote villages with Hill Tribe people on hillsides with no tourists.

Sa Pa is a remote hill station, close to the Chinese Border that is becoming a hotspot for visitors, trekkers and motorcyclists.

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ITINERARY

17th September - Day one: Leave UK

18th September - Day two: Arrival in Hanoi.
We will meet you at Hanoi Noi Bai Airport and where our bus will take you directly to the centre of Hanoi. 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.

19th September - Day three: Hanoi to Mu Waterfall
After a leisurely breakfast, we collect our bikes and head out of the city into the Vietnamese countryside, as we head towards the beautiful multitiered cascading waterfalls at Mu. Tonight we stay at a Homestay with the sound of the falls in the distance.

20th September - Day four: Mu Waterfall to Pu Luong
​As we leave the waterfalls behind we then head into the Pu Luong Nature reserve and you'll see why the ethnic Black Thai people made this enchanting valley their home. The slow pace in Pu Luang is a striking contrast to life in the capital just a few hours away Endless mountains, remote trails and fertile jungles are on todays agenda. 

21st September - Day five: Pu Luong to Mai Chau
Welcome to Mai Chau Valley, a rural valley where you will find towering cliffs and a unique culture in the bucket loads. Mai Chau is a traditional Vietnamese town made up from a patchwork of rice fields, stilted houses and babbling streams. On the way from Hanoi we will stop at Thung Khe Pass, a rest stop with small smokey food shacks and awesome views of the white cliffs and the valley below.

22nd September - Day six: Mai Chau to Ta Xua
Surrounded by mountains and rice paddies as we head from the flat land of Mai Chau along Hoa Binh Lake to the trails.

23rd September - Day seven: Ta Xua to Nghia Lo
Today we head towards Ta Xua, or as it has now been called the Dinosaur Spine trail. This small trail crests the hills around the small town of Ta Xua, not one for the feint hearted.

24th September - Day eight: Nghia Lo to Tu Le
Back on the bikes and into the hills as we wind our way around the Limestone Karsts hills to one of the most picturesque routes in Vietnam, The route now heads north towards the peaks of Sa Pa

25th September - Day nine: Tu Le to Sa Pa
As we continue north through and over the hill trails we head towards SaPa, a charming town located in the northern part of Vietnam, near the border with China. It is situated in the Lào Cai Province of the country and is known for its stunning natural beauty, including lush terraced rice fields, misty mountains, and a rich cultural heritage. Tonight we head into town for dinner overlooking Fansipan, the highest mountain in Indochina.

26th September - Day ten:  Sa Pa to Lao Cai
A rest day to perhaps head up Fansipan, Indochina's tallest peak or just to kick back and relax and this evening we are heading to Lao Cai to catch the train to Hanoi. The overnight sleeper train has become a part of a RAMS trip in Vietnam.

27th September - Day eleven: - Lao Cai to Hanoi
​We arrive back in Hanoi, head to the hotel and get that shopping to take home.

28th September - Day twelve: - Hanoi and fly home

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KEY FEATURES
​

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 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: Some broken road sections along the tarmac roads, some sections of mountain trails.

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​DIFFICULTY 6: Easy road with broken sections however some trails may be muddy. Suitable for experienced riders. 

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MOTORCYCLES:  Honda CRF250's or Kawasaki KLX250 as standard or you can upgrade your machine to fit. See bikes below

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​REST DAYS:
SAPA: - Kick back and relax
HANOI: - Old Quarter, Crashed B52 memorial.

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BIKES

The Honda CRF250 Kawasaki KLX250 or KLX150 are included in the overall cost however we have the option for you to upgrade to a larger capacity machine.
​We do have a selection of bikes with reduced saddle height

Kawasaki KLX 250

Kawasaki KLX230

Honda CRF250

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.
• ​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. 
• 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.
• Passes or permits incurred as part of the trip.
• 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

BOOKINGS

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