BIKING 15days/14nights HA NOI to SAIGON

Highlight: Water Puppetry is a distinct Vietnamese art which had its origins in the 10th century. In Water Puppetry a split-bamboo screen obscures puppets which stand in water, and are manipulated using long poles hidden beneath the water. Epic story lines are played out with many different puppets, often using traditional scenes of Vietnamese life. The puppets are made from quality wood, such as the South East Asian Jackfruit tree. Each puppet is carefully carved, and then painted with numerous successive layers of paint to protect the puppets.

Despite nearly dying out in the 20th century, Water Puppetry has been recognised by the Vietnamese Government as an important part of Vietnam's cultural heritage. Today, puppetry is commonly performed by professional puppeteers, copy at www.vietnambiketours.com, who typically are taught by their elders in rural areas of Vietnam. It is now extremely popular with tourists, and is performed at the National Museum in Ho Chi Minh city and in specialist theatres. In 2007 a Water Puppet troupe toured the USA to acclaim.

Brief Itinerary

The tour takes 15 days and we take time out of the saddle every three days or so to explore all the main sites along the way. Copy at www.vietnambiketours.comWe use train and boats and of course we have a fully equipped, air-conditioned support bus with us at all times so tired riders can rest in comfort whenever they wish.

The tour is led by an experienced Vietnamese cycle guide. Plus we supply detailed route notes and maps so that you will enjoy maximum freedom while riding.

There are no technical sections and the tour is suitable for riders of every level of experience. Some of the long rides will test experienced cyclists and due to the excellent nature of our support keen riders can happily blast off at their own pace.

Day1: Arrive Ha Noi (D)

Arrive in Hanoi. At leisure to discover the Old quarter. Overnight in Ha Noi.

Day2: Hanoi city tour (B,L,D)

City tour of Hanoi with visits to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his stilt house and One Pillar pagoda, Temple of Literature. Copy at www.vietnambiketours.com, Afternoon exploring of Hanoi's silk, Ngoc Son temple at the heart of Hoan Kiem lake.

In the evening, we enjoy the water puppet show. Overnight in Ha Noi.

Day3: Ha Noi - Hue (B,L)

Leisure time until check out, flight to Hue. Arrival in the ancient Imperial Capital of Vietnam.

We will fit our bikes cycling along the tranquil Perfume River to the Citadel and onto the peaceful Thien Mu Pagoda. Overnight in Hue.

Day4: Hue city (40km cycling) (B,L)

Cycling through Hue's scenic countryside to the majestic Khai Dinh and Tu Duc Royal Tombs. Afternoon explore Dong Ba market and other attractions or rest up for the next day's journey.

Diversion can also be a countryside loop 25km with a photo stop at Thanh Toan covered bridge. Overnight in Hue.

Day5: Hue - Hoi An (100km cycling) (B,L)

A day ride on along the coast, lunch break at picturesque Lang Co beach. An ascent of the Hai Van Pass with stunning views, www.vietnambiketours.com, of the coast and a thrilling 7-mile descent from the top to the green rice fields around Da Nang, which we will skirt by on our way to Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day6: Hoi An tour (B,L)

City tour of Hoi An: Japanese covered bridge, Old Japanese-Chines houses, Elegant Chinese temple, riverfront marketplace.

Afternoon cycling around countryside and to Cua Dai Beach for swimming. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day7: Hoi An - Quang Ngai (60km cycling) (B,L)

Depart early along the coast and past scenic rice villages. We pass Chu Lai, a former American military base. Copy at www.vietnambiketours.comLate afternoon visit a historical site: MyLai (massacre). Overnight in Quang Ngai.

Day8: Quang Ngai - Qui Nhon (50km cycling) (B,L)

Early coastal riding followed by lunch at the golden sands of Sa Huynh beach - which is also a nice place for a dip in the cooling South China Sea. Afternoon cycling past rural rice villages canopied by swaying coconut palms.

We visit a Cham tower before taking our bus to the hotel. Overnight in Qui Nhon.

Day9: Qui Nhon - Nha Trang (100km cycling) (B,L)

Vietnam is most scenic coastline, featuring deserted blue lagoons and stone promontories overlooking the waters below.

Fishing villages, colored boats, mountain pass above the sea etc. Lunch and swim at scenic Dai Lanh beach. Overnight in Nha Trang.

Day10: Nha Trang boat trip (B,L)

Soft cycling in the morning to Ponagar Cham towers and Long Son pagoda. Or option to boat trip.

Lunch at local restaurant. Afternoon free for relaxing. Overnight in Nha Trang.

Day11: Nha Trang - Da Lat (100km cycling) (B,L)

Morning transfer out of city to Dien Khanh old citadel. Ready to climb up hills into the beautiful pine forests, lunch break on the way.

We keep on up and down hill through vegetables, tea and coffee plantation to Da Lat. Overnight in Da Lat.

Day12: Da Lat city (B,L)

Dalat is a beautiful colonial hill-station with cooler weather and some very interesting and sites: Hang Nga crazy house, Vien Thuc Pagoda, DaLat railway station, Truc Lam pagoda and Tuyen Lam reservoir.

Overnight in Da Lat.

Day13: Da Lat to Bao Loc - Saigon (90km cycling) (B,L)

Twisting six-mile descent from DaLlat through pine forests to the rolling and gradually falling road to Saigon.

We'll pass by numerous coffee, copy at www.vietnambiketours.com, tea, banana and rubber plantations planted in the rich, red earth that marks the Central Highlands as the place where Vietnam's finest tea and coffee. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

Day14: Saigon tour (Ho Chi Minh City) (B,D)

City tour of the vibrant, chaos China town - Binh Tay market, War museum. Afternoon visit French style Post office and Notre Dame Cathedral. Bicycle packing or last shopping. Farewell dinner.

Day15: Ho Chi Minh city departure (B)

Free at leisure until transfer out to the Tan Son Nhat airport for your onward flight.

Inclusive of:

Air conditioned bus/van

Truck to carry bikes

English speaking cum biking tour guide

Entrance fees

Local flight from Ha Noi - Hue

Boat trips

Airport transfer in/out

Pick up & drop off at your hotel

Meals as mentioned (B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner)