This
wonderful
itinerary takes you over the Tram Tom ("Heaven's Gate") Pass to explore the
other side of Mt.
Fansipan
and the Hoang Lien Mountain Range. Often when
Sa
Pa
is shrouded in cloud and fog, this side is
clear and blue. Descend through one of ’s most picturesque and inspiring
valleys. The partially rocky road meanders along the base of the mountain range
past old growth forest and through the villages of Thai, H’Mong and Lu ethnic
minority people. This area sees few tourists, so expect plenty of curious faces
and smiling children shouting “Hello!".
Road Surface This tour
follows not well-surfaced roads and up ,down the hills
Support One
or two 16-seat air-conditioned buses converted to take bikes and bikers.
Group Size Minimum
2. Maximum 16.
Staff All groups will be led by a Vietnamese cycling guide plus drivers and assistants
for all groups.
Accommodation We have 2
nights in local guest house_ basic , all rooms have private facilities as
a minimum and we always choose hotels with charm and character whenever
possible.
Food Meals included as in itinerary
Day 1.Hanoi_ night train to Lao Cai
At
20.30, pick up from your hotel and transfer to Ha Noi Railway Station to
catch the night train (soft sleeper with air conditioning) to Lao Cai.
Day 2. Lao Cai _ Sapa_ Than
Thuoc . (B/L/D), biking 46 km
Early arrive in Lao Cai. The bus ride uphill to
Sa Pa
takes an hour, giving you
a glimpse of the stunning vistas and impressive rice terraces. After breakfast,
gear up for your exciting ride. 8h30 - It’s a tough
climb out of
Sa Pa
to Heaven's Gate, so your support vehicle
will transfer you to the starting point at the Silver Waterfall. A 3km climb
over the stunning Tram
Ton
Pass
(the highest in Indochina
) offers great views of the
Hoang
Lien
Valley and Fansipan before
a free-wheeling 26km (1.5hrs) glide to Binh Lu Junction. Heading off the main
road, ride 20km of occasionally rocky road to Than Thuoc, a charming little tea
town where you'll spend the night in a local guesthouse.
(Note: The
guest house in Than Thuoc is very basic but clean.)
Day 3. Than Thuoc_ Than
Uyen. (B/L/D), biking 30 km
The support vehicle will transfer you up a steep
mountain pass to the starting point to glide 20kms down to Than Uyen through
valleys of old growth forest, tea plantations and rice paddies. After lunch in
Than Uyen, spend a wonderful afternoon exploring single track trails and
visiting villages of local ethnic minority hill tribes, including the
interesting Lu with their distinctively black teeth. Arrive back in Than Uyen
for dinner and overnight in the local guesthouse.
Day 4. Than Uyen_ Van
Ban_ Lao Cai, night train to Hanoi, (B/L/D), biking 40 km
A 40km ride around the other side of the
spectacular Muong Kim Valley provides plenty of time to stop and take photos of the
local sights. Arrive in Van Ban for a late lunch before taking the support
vehicle back to Lao Cai. Freshen
up with a shower and dinner in Lao Cai before taking night train to Hanoi.
5am -
Tour ends at Ha Noi Railway Station.
Inclusion:
All transportation and transfers and support vehicles
