This tour is offered in conjunction with Pedaltours, NZ and its Vietnam affiliate, Active Asia (formerly Eco Tours).  A minimum of 12 participants is required and the maximum is 24 participants.  The deposit is only 50% refundable after August 31, 2010  and other refunds are in accordance with Pedal Tours policies.  Evacuation insurance and a travel visa are required to bicycle in Vietnam.  Travel insurance is strongly suggested. Options for more travel before and after the tour are also available.  Contact the tour leader for more information.

 

 

HeartCycle is returning to beautiful Vietnam for the 2011 version of the very successful trip we made in 2008. Escape the winter doldrums and join us for two weeks of tropical biking and sightseeing on a trip that has it all. Bike the coast of the South China Sea, and enjoy your evenings at gorgeous 4 star beach resorts. Ride mountain passes to the old French summer resort of Dalat (Little Paris). Ride an elephant. Visit the 3,000 year old city of Hue on the banks of the Perfume River. Pedal through tiny fishing and farming villages, where the children still delight in the sight of the rare American tourist. Enjoy days of riding on mostly quiet roads that have little auto traffic. Take in the culture, history, food and shopping in cities that date back to 200 BC. How about 74 miles of mostly downhill? Really! Watch families of 4-5 riding on one motorcycle.

 

Cycling distances given are entirely optional; the support vehicles will be available at any time. Bike more or less as you prefer. Most days the distance is too great to bike the entire way and we will drive part way.  This tour is a combination of cycling, sightseeing and exploring.

 

DAY 1 – FEB. 23, 2011 – Arrive Hanoi

 

You will be met at Hanoi Airport. Please notify us of your arrival time and flight number and look for the driver with the Pedaltours sign. You will be driven to your hotel where you will meet the rest of our group. Today is designed to allow you settle in and relax after your journey. There will be time for a quick tour of the city and a leisurely dinner of traditional Vietnamese or French cuisine. Walk the Old Quarter, with its narrow streets where trades people can be seen working from their stalls. Visit some of Hanoi’s historical sights: the beautiful Hoan Kiem lake, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and Ho Chi Minh’s house, where he preferred to live simply. One Pillar Pagoda, a small but significant pagoda with a Buddhist representation of the world and the Temple of Literature, originally built in 1070.  The Water Puppet show is also recommended and very popular – it is best to prebook on arrival in Hanoi. Arrive a day or two early if you want to see more of this historic city, as we leave the next morning for our flight to Hue (tickets and arrangements are included in the trip cost).

 Our route will take us from north to south to take advantage of the prevailing tail winds. Although listed as an easy-intermediate trip, there will be multiple opportunities for the hard-core to add more miles. Many days will start with a morning ride, followed by lunch and a van ride to the start of the afternoon ride. The vans will take us past rough road, traffic and less interesting areas. If you want to ride all of that stuff, the guides will be happy to assist you. We will have one van and an on-bike guide for every 5-6 riders. A van will never be more than a few minutes away if you want water, snacks, repairs or a lift.

 

 

DAY 2 – FEB. 24 – Hue

   

We take the morning flight from Hanoi to Hue (1hr 15 mins.). Hue, (pop.286,000) built on the banks of the Perfume River, is steeped in 3,000 years of history. 

 In Hue we will meet the rest of our Vietnamese guides, all of whom speak excellent English. One is a former Vietnam cycling champion. The same fun guys we had last trip. Those renting bikes will be fitted before we do a local ride to the Citadel and the Forbidden City. Many will want to take advantage of the rental bikes provided by  PedalTours NZ for a group discounted rate of $250 per person. They are Trek Hybrid 7.5 bikes with 700 x 32 tires, and are well suited for this trip. You are welcome to bring your own bike, but be aware that there are several sections of unpaved (dirt) roads. A mountain bike with non-aggressive tires will work. A road bike with wide tires would be doable, but less desirable. A tandem with medium width tires did fine on the last trip. Do not bring your finest racing wheels.

 

At dinner tonight we will be entertained with traditional music in the garden courtyard.

 

Lodging:                     B L & D

Saigon Morin Hotel, 30 Le Loi Rue, Hue City

Phone: 84.-54-3823-526  Fax: 84-54-3825-155

Email: sgmorin@dng.vnn.vn    Web: www.morinhotel.com.vn

Facilities: 4* star, in-house restaurant, bar, swimming pool.

Features: A grand old French Colonial style hotel by the Perfume River. Garden courtyard.

 

DAY 3 – FEB. 25 - Hue to Hoi An (pop. 76,000)  89 mi

Morning ride:                          25 mi

Afternoon ride:                       13 mi over Hai Van Pass

                                                Or 41 mi to Hoi An

 

We bike from town along a flat coastal road, through various fishing and agricultural villages.  You will have your first experience of the friendliness of the locals, especially the children.  Lunch is at Long Co Beach, an hour’s drive.  From here we tackle the Hai Van Pass, a very quiet road now that there is a tunnel (not open to cyclists).  The view from the top, and on the descent, is outstanding and well worth the effort. (The support vehicle will be there, of course, should you prefer to drive)  After a fabulous descent we reach Danang, where you might like to visit China Beach where American servicemen went for their R&R during the Vietnam conflict or a marble factory and view the exquisite workmanship.  We then we board the support vans to drive to Hoi An (you are welcome to bike if you wish). We have knock out accommodations while in Hoi An.

 

Lodging:                     B, L, D

Vinh Hung Resort, Hoi An

Phone (84)510 3910393 

Email: vinhhung.ha@dng.vnn.vn  Web: http://www.vinhhungresort.com/

Facilities: Restaurant, bar, tennis court, swimming pool, laundry service.

Features: A garden setting on the banks of the Vu Gia River and a short walk from the old town.

 

Day 4 – FEB. 26 - Hoi An. Rest Day

 

Today is a day at leisure to explore this delightful town (dating back to 200BC) with its street side cafes, artists and markets.  Explore the historic architecture of Japanese and French origin, take in the morning concert of traditional music or take an easy ride  to the fabulous Hoi An beach. There is much to see and do. There are wonderful pastry shops in the old town and excellent tailors who will make any garment to measure, including cycle jerseys, in a few hours. 

 

There is a wonderful cooking school in Hoi An. Let your guide know if you would like to book a cooking class.

 

Let your guide know if you would like a longer ride.

 

Lodging: B. Lunch & dinner not included today, there are several attractive riverside restaurants.

 

DAY 5 – FEB. 27 -    Hoi An to Quang Ngai (pop.108,000) 74 mi

                                    Morning Ride                                              25 mi

                                    Afternoon Ride                                           19 mi

 

We leave Hoi An on a delightful little road into the countryside where we will sample a slice of rural Vietnamese life.  Approaching Quang Ngai we take another lovely side road, passing a fishing village and a lively local market. The route includes 7 mi. of unsealed road; it is quite rideable but the support vehicle will never be far away.  The ride finishes at My Lai; you may wish to visit the memorial site.  

 

Lodging:                     B, L, D

Central Hotel, 784 Quang Rang St, Son Tinh , Quang Ngai

Phone 84.55.382 99 99 Fax. 84.55.382 24 60  Email: Central@dng.vnn.vn

Facilities: Air-conditioning, TV, restaurant, tennis court, swimming pool,

Features:   Modern style hotel in central location. (best available)

The Central Hotel is not of the same standard as the rest of the accommodation on this trip.  But please remember that it is the best available place to stay, the cycling is lovely between Hoi An and Quang Ngai and Quang Ngai and Qui Nhon, and it would be far too long a day to go all the way from Hoi An to Qui Nhon, even if you drove all the way.

 

 

 

DAY 6 – FEB. 28 - Quang Ngai to Qui Nhon (pop 260,000) 111 mi

                        Cycling section:   50 mi

 

We drive to Tam Quan to commence biking on an attractive minor road.  It includes 2 steep (c. 10%) climbs, and excellent coastal views.  We drive the final 19 mi. to our seaside resort.

 

Lodging: B, L, D

Royal Hotel, Nguyen Hue Street, Qui Nhon.

Phone 84.56.3747-100   Fax 84.56.3747-111 Email: rehoanghqn@vnn.vn

Facilities: A 4* resort. Restaurant, 2 pools, tennis courts, bars.

Features: Overlooking the beach, with fishing boats in the bay.

OR  Seagull Hotel

 

 

DAY 7 – MAR. 1 - Qui Nhon to Nha Trang (pop.315,000)           145 mi.

      Dieu to Tri to Chi Thanh:                                      45 mi

                              Tuy Hoa to Ca Pass:                                              25 mi

 

Nine miles from town – you may wish to drive this – we take a delightful quiet road up a gentle valley and then down to Chi Thanh; it includes 10 mi. of unpaved road. The afternoon ride includes great coastal biking before reaching the hwy again and driving into the city. 

 

There may be time to visit an ancient Cham Tower, a relic from the ethnic people who once ruled this part of Vietnam.

 

Lodging:                     B, L,D (Dinner is at a BBQ restaurant)

Novotel Nha Trang, 50 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang

Phone (84.58)625-6900    Fax. (84.58) 352-3335  Email: info@novotel-nhatrang.com

Web:  http://www.novotel.com/gb/hotel-6033-novotel-nha-trang/index.shtml

Facilities: Comfortable rooms, swimming pool, spa, restaurant and bar.

Features: New hotel opposite a superb beach, several restaurants & a good source of ‘kem’ (ice cream).

 

DAY 8 – MAR. 2 - Nha Trang   Rest day

 

Today there is the option of a boat trip to the islands. You will visit a fishing village and be rowed ashore in Vietnamese round boats. There will be time to swim and snorkel, so bring your suit. A stop will be made at the Oceanographic Institute and Tri Nguyen Aquarium; lunch will be at a lovely bamboo restaurant on an offshore island, returning to Nha Trang mid afternoon.

 

Lodging:         B,   Dinner is not included; there are many restaurants close by.

Novotel Nha Trang, 50 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang

Phone (84.58)625-6900    Fax. (84.58) 352-3335  Email: info@novotel-nhatrang.com

http://www.novotel.com/gb/hotel-6033-novotel-nha-trang/index.shtml

 

 

DAY 9 – MAR. 3 - Nha Trang to Buon Ma Thout  (pop187,000)            115 mi

                        Cycling section:  37 mi (or further if you wish)

 

Today we bike through the mountainous Central Highlands. A feature is the long houses of the Edeh and M’Nong people (the two main ethnic groups in the Central Highlands).

 

Lodging:                     B, L,D

Dakruco Hotel, 30 Nguyen Chi Thanh St, Buon Ma Thout, Daklak Province

Phone: (84 500) 875325

New (2008)  4 star hotel in the city.

Faciltiies: Restaurant, bar, spa, gym, swimming pool, tennis court

 

 

DAY 10 – MAR. 4 - Buon Ma Thout to Dalat  (pop.130,000) 124 mi                  

Cycling section: to Lien Son:              47 mi

An uphill but good cycling day

 

We bike on a very attractive road through a wonderful variety of scenery – through hills and broad valleys as we head for Lien Son, the summer palace of the late Emperor, with its sweeping views of Ho Lak and the surrounding countryside.  We also stop at an ethnic village, with its long houses and may have the opportunity to have a ride on working elephants.

 

Lodging:                     B, L,D

Mercure Dalat, 7 Tran Phu Street, Dalat

Phone: 063.3825 777  Fax: 063.3825 888

http://www.accorhotels.com/gb/hotel-2037-mercure-dalat-du-parc/index.shtml

Facilities: An attractive, refurbished 3* hotel in the French colonial style with modern facilities. Email and internet, restaurant, bar.

Features: Close to centre of town and lake.

 

DAY 11 – MAR 5 – Dalat  Rest day

 

 

Dalat, at 4868 feet above sea level, is a temperate region dotted with lakes and waterfalls and surrounded by evergreen forests. Once known as “Little Paris”, this was once a French hill station. The surrounding hills provide Vietnam with the more temperately grown flowers and fruit and vegetables such as strawberries, carrots and apples.

 

In the morning we visit a silk embroidery village, the “Crazy House”, with its weird architecture, and the Art Deco summer palace built for former emperor Bao Dai in 1933.  The afternoon is free for you to explore: Dalat is an excellent area to explore by foot or bike.  You may wish to bike around Xuan Huong Lake, or take the cable-car to the Zen Pagoda. A half day tour to an ethnic village is an optional extra – please ask your guide to arrange this.

 

Lodging:  B

Mercure Dalat, 7 Tran Phu Street, Da Lat

Phone: 063.3825 777  Fax: 063.3825 888

 

 

DAY 12 – MAR. 6 - Dalat to Mui Ne: (near Phan Tiet) ( pop.169,000)   103 mi

                                  Ta In to Mui Ne                                          74 mi (mostly downhill)

                                   picnic lunch to Mui Ne                        35 mi  

 

We descend the Prenn Pass, then take a minor road, with superb views, through isolated country, to a K’Ho, ethnic minority village where we have lunch.  From here we continue to descend gently to the coast and our overnight stay at the beautiful Bamboo Village resort on the golden sand Mui Ne.

 

Lodging: B, L, D

Bamboo Village Beach Resort, km 11.8, Ham Tien, Phan Thiet City  OR similar

Phone 84 62 3847-007; Fax: 84 62 3847-095 Email: bamboo_village@hcm.vnn.vn

www.bamboovillageresort.com

Features: Attractive resort set in tropical gardens and with private beach

Facilities: Restaurant, poolside bar, swimming pool, outdoor jacuzzi, laundry service.

 

 

DAY 13 – MAR. 7 -  Mui Ne to Loc An  63 mi

 

Quiet roads take us to the coastal desert reserve at Phuoc Buu.  Lunch will be at La Gi.  In the afternoon there will be more coastal riding as we bike beside large sand dunes and plantations of the bizarre looking Dragon fruit.

 

Lodging:         B, L, D

Loc An Resort

Address Xa Loc An, H. Long Dat, t. Ba Ria – Vung Tau

Ph 084 3886-377 fax 0084 3685-031, locanresort@hcmc.comnetnam.com.vn  www.locanresort.com

Features:  Comfortable small hotel, built on the banks of the Ray River.

Facilities:  Licensed bar and restaurant, swimming pool, with a hotel punt available to cross the river to the ocean beach.

 

 

DAY 14 – MAR 8 - Loc An Beach to Saigon            

                                    Cycling section:  37 mi

 

We bike by rubber, cashew nut and black pepper plantations. On reaching a roadside temple we load up to avoid the busy highway into Ho Chi Minh City.

There is the option of not biking today in order to spend more time in Saigon.

 

 

Lodging:                     B, L, D

Grand Hotel

8 Dong Khoi St, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City

Phone:84.8.38230163  Fax: 84.8.38235781. Email: grand-hotel@fmail.vnn.vn

www.grandhotelsaigon.com

Facilities:  Satellite TV, Swimming pool, fitness centre, laundry.

Features: A comfortable character hotel with a French flavour.

The hotel is centrally located, close to good shopping, a local market and a selection of restaurants.

 

 

DAY 15 – MAR 9 - DEPARTURE

             

 

The tour finishes after breakfast this morning. We will gladly take you to the airport should you depart this morning.  

 

Tour leader – Jim Berry

 

For further information contact Jim Berry at 303-779-3607 or 303-880-4282 or jimberry@qwest.net.