BIKING 7days/6nights HA NOI to SA PA to DIEN BIEN PHU
Highlight: Sa Pa District is located in Lao Cai Province, north-west Vietnam, and 350 km north-west of Hanoi, close to the border with China. The Hoang Lien Son range of mountains dominates the district, which is at the eastern extremity of the Himalayas. www.vietnambiketours.com This range includes Vietnam's highest mountain, Fan Si Pan, at a height of 3142m above sea level. The town of Sa Pa lies at an altitude of about 1600 m. The climate is moderate and rainy in summer (May—August), and foggy and cold with occasional snowfalls in winter.
Sa Pa is a quiet mountain town and home to a great diversity of ethnic minority peoples. The total population of 36,000 consists mostly of minority groups. www.vietnambiketours.com Besides the Kinh (Viet) people (15%) there are mainly 5 ethnic groups in Sapa: Hmong 52%, Dao 25%, Tay 5%, Giay 2% and a small number of Xa Pho. Approximately 7,000 live in Sapa, the other 36,000 being scattered in small communes throughout the district.
Most of the ethnic minority people work their land on sloping terraces since the vast majority of the land is mountainous. Their staple foods are rice and corn. Rice, by its very nature of being a labour intensive crop, makes the daily fight for survival paramount. www.vietnambiketours.com The unique climate in Sapa has a major influence on the ethnic minorities who live in the area. With sub-tropical summers, temperate winters and 160 days of mist annually, the influence on agricultural yields and health related issues are significant.
The minority people can only yield one crop of rice annually, which leads to food shortfalls in many communes at specific times. www.vietnambiketours.com This shortage of food contributes to malnutrition and other related health problems. The climatic conditions also contribute to many health issues including coughs, colds, and bronchial and respiratory problems that are commonplace throughout the community.
Brief Itinerary:
Day1: Arrive Ha Noi - Overnight train to Lao Cai (D)
Airport transfer to Ha Noi capital, exploring the old city on your own and meet at the hotel for trip briefing.
Our van drive you to the train station for catching atrain at 9:00 pm to Lao Cai. Overnight on travel train.
Day2: Sapa - Supan Valley afternoon ride (20km cycling) (B,L)
Arrive Lao Cai in early morning, transfer to Sapa for breakfast, short rest and time to fit bike before riding into the Sapa Valley.
Overnight in Sapa.
Day3: Sapa - Ta Phin Loop ride full day (30km cycling) (B,L)
Cycle off road track to the village of Ta Phin, www.vietnambiketours.com when the ride will be more challenging in a loop across a steep and forested hillsides and minority villages.
Overnight in Sapa.
Day4: Sapa – Tam Duong (Phong Tho) – Pa So (80km cycling) (B,L)
Cycle shortly uphill as warm up to the Tram Ton Pass, before starting a long descent ride to Binh Lu
Ride a truly off the beaten track (jeep track) mixed of hard pack gravel and clay to Tam Duong and Pa So. Overnight in Pa So.
Day5: Pa So – Sin Ho - Lai Chau (now Muong Lay) (45km cycling) (B,L)
Take a brutal ride this day to Lai Chau and Sin Ho and get a reward of truly spectacular views.
The ride is on the main road, uphill and tarmac downhill, mixed of gravel and hard pack clay. Overnight in Lai Chau.
Day6: Lai Chau – Tuan Giao - Dien Bien Phu (90km cycling) (B,L)
Take a hardest but challenging ride this day to Tuan Giao and Dien Bien Phu, on a rough tarmac terrain all the way, www.vietnambiketours.com but you will be rewarded with the stunningly beautiful scenery and untouched remote villages.
Overnight in Dien Bien Phu.
Day7: Dien Bien Phu – Hanoi (no cycling) (B,L)
Take a half morning tour exploring the historical sites of Dien Bien Phu. Late morning flight to Hanoi and transfer into town. End of tour.
Inclusive of:
Air conditioned bus/van
Truck to carry bikes
English speaking biking/trekking tour guide
Entrance fees/Jeep for tour
Train ticket Ha Noi - Sapa
Airport transfer in/out
Pick up & drop off at your hotel
Meals as mentioned (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)
Bike/Helmet/Tool kit/First aid kit/Mechanic/Doctor(10 travelers)
Water, snacks, cold towers, soft drinks and fresh fruits for cycling day
Accommodation
Flight from Dien Bien Phu to Hanoi
Exclusive of:
Travel insurance
Personal expenses
Departure dates: Daily
Group size is minimum 2 and maximum 10 travelers.
TOUR PRICE: Rates vary frequently. Please contact us to get the best possible price based upon your travel period and specific touring needs.
