Vietnam Canoeing & Kayaking
From £1178 per person*
Hanoi to Luang Prabang by Mountain Bike
Overview | Mai Chau Route | Sa Pa Route
This exceptional adventure will take you through the dramatic, tribal, mountainous area of Northern Vietnam to the north and west of Hanoi before descending to the ancient Royal city and World Heritage site of Luang Prabang, located on the mighty Mekong River.
We have 2 alternative routes. One starts in the charming Hill Station town of Sa Pa, the main market town for a kaleidoscopic array of tribal minorities, just south of the China border, and crosses into Laos at Dien Bien Phu, scene of the last great battle between the French colonial rulers and the Viet Minh freedom fighters in 1954 which finally saw the end to colonial rule in French Indochina.
The other heads west out of Hanoi through the towering karst limestone valleys of Mai Chau, crossing into Laos at Vieng Xai. Here you will get the chance to visit the extraordinary labyrinth of caves that housed a secret city during the troubled years following the American-Vietnam War, home to the Pathet Lao government in waiting. This route also includes a day kayaking down the Nam Ou River that flows into the Mekong near to Luang Prabang.
The Hanoi to Luang Prabang rides are not for the feint of heart - we will be navigating small dirt roads and climbing never ending hills - but the views will always be breathtaking and there will be numerous encounters with fascinating and hospitable tribal people.
Support vehicles will be accompanying the cyclists to carry luggage, refreshments, spares and fatigued riders!
Notes
This cycle ride can be incorporated into a Symbiosis tailor made holiday to Laos and/or Vietnam that can be adapted and tailored to meet your dates, preferences and passions. Please contact one of our bespoke holiday planners to create the ideal itinerary for you.
Departure Schedule |
| Departs | Days | Itinerary | Price | Note | |
| Oct 14, 2012 | 12 | Sa Pa Route | £1178 | Confirmed | Enquire |
| Nov 25, 2012 | 12 | Sa Pa Route | £1178 | | Enquire |
Mai Chau Route
Day 1 | Hanoi
The group will be arriving throughout the day. Our hotel is set just a short distance from the vibrant old quarter in Hanoi, so a good starting point to stretch the flight weary legs. In the evening we will meet up for a group briefing on the adventure ahead and our first meal together. (D)
Day 2 | Hanoi | 25km
After a morning walk to see the buzz of activity taking place around the city, we drive to the far side of the Red River to take a ride through the countryside. We ride along the dykes that partly formed the defense strategy of Hanoi, but also protects from flooding. Most of the families in this area have lived in the same houses for generations. We enjoy a tradional lunch and then drive back to the city where we spend one more night. (BL)
Day 3 | Mai Chau | 40km
This morning we make an early start by car and head into the hills west of Hanoi. We pass through Hoa Binh and onto Mai Chau. Mai Chau is set in a picturesque valley with towering hills around it. Here, only 145meters above sea level live the ethnic tribe of the White Tai. We take an afternoon ride of the valley and will see rice cultivation in action as well as hand made bricks being fired in cottage kilns and farmers hard at work tending to their crops and livestock. We finish the ride at the Mai Chau Lodge where we enjoy a comfortable bed to prepare us for the challenging ride tomorrow.(BL)
Day 4 | Moc Chau | 95km
We start out on the bike today and start to climb our way out of the valley. We are on a well made road today and we pass through some industrious small towns as we enter the more remote regions of the north-west. We have a couple of nice descents as we near our destination for the afternoon, Moc Chau, a small town of little repute and a perfect place to enjoy some local interaction and real Vietnamese food.(BLD)
Day 5 | Sam Neua, Laos | 70km
After a hearty local breakfast we hit the road in the direction of Laos. We arrive at the border in the late morning and after clearing immigration we meet our Lao support crew who will have a picnic lunch waiting for us. In the afternoon, we push on for a few more hours before boarding our comfortable support vehicle and driving into the next town, Sam Neua. Lao is a small country with small towns and a small population. The persistent din of Vietnam will have faded by now and you will be left with only the roosters to wake you the next morning. (BLD)
Day 6 | Vieng Thong | Vieng Xai Caves
Today we drive to the Vieng Xai Caves. These huge caves were home to around twenty thousand Pathet Lao communist fighters during the secret war of Laos. This war, termed secret because the US was not supposed to be engaged in combat in neutral Laos, was all part of the larger geo-political events and changes of the sixties and seventies. While the communist forces were being bombarded from the air by the CIA funded Hmong Army, they used these caves as a refuge, complete with hospital, school and underground villages. In the afternoon, we will drive onto our next stop Vieng Thong. (BLD)
Day 7 | Nong Khiaw | 90km
Today, after a short drive, we have a challenging ride ahead of us as we ascend and descend numerous times. The scenery of limestone karsts and forests, punctuated by small rivers and villages will be the reward for meeting this challenge. We arrive into the lovely Nong Khiaw in the late afternoon and can relax in a riverside guesthouse with a stunning view and a cool drink. (BLD)
Day 8 | Nong Khiaw | Rest day or trek Muang Ngoi
Today is a day off the bikes. For those who would like to relax with a book by the river, the day is yours to do so. If you crave more action, then you can board a boat and travel up-stream to Muang Ngoi, a small village accessible only by river. Here you can trek into the forest and pass through some of the most remote villages you can imagine. Mentioned by many as the highlight of their travels in Northern Laos, this is an activity that comes highly recommended.
Day 9 | Luang Prabang | Kayaking the Nam Ou
After so much excercise for the legs, today our upper bodies see some action, although, fairly gentle action. We kayak down along the Nam Ou River with its densely forested banks. Along the way children playing in the water will be surprised to see you and will yell out a warm Lao welcome. The river has some small rapids but anyone with basic skills in this area will be able to participate. We will come ashore late morning and find our lunch prepared before driving into Luang Prabang, world Heritage listed city, set on the banks of the Mekong River. This marks the end of our adventure. 
We will have a meal to celebrate the achievement of the ride. (BLD)
Day 10 | Finish
The tour concludes today. If you haven't had enough cycling, then join our Lao Lao tour and pedal your way to the Lao capital, Vientiane. (B)
Style: Fully supported cycling tour
Inclusions
- English speaking tour leader/Guide
- bike mechanic
- air-conditioned support vehicle
- accommodation on a twin/share basis
- most meals
- entrance fees
- kayaking
Bikes are not included. We would recommend that you bring your own for familiarity and comfort, but we also have good quality bikes for rent, if needed.
Group Size: Minimum 2, maximum 14.
Accommodation: 5 nights comfortable hotel, 4 nights guesthouse (all rooms have private bathroom).
Single Room Supplement
Single travellers do not have to pay any extra to join our trips - we will match you up with another same sex, single traveller. However, should you wish to choose to take a single room, we are happy to book rooms for you for an extra charge.
Single Supplement cost: USD340. We should point out that on rare occasions a single room may not be available, and in these instances you may need to share for a night or two - we will refund part of your single supplement in these cases.
Symbiosis can book any additional nights before or after the ride for you, plus any further activities for those lucky enough with time to spare!
Sa Pa Route
12 Days, 11 nights northern route via Sa Pa and Dien Bien Phu. Approx 780 km cycling.
Day 1 : Hanoi; night train to Lao Cai
We meet in Vietnam's capital of Hanoi. You have time to explore the city before we transfer to the railway station to catch the King Express Train. The train is a very civilised affair with compartments sleeping four and a carriage where you can buy food and refreshments.
Overnight sleeper train. D
Day 2 : Sa Pa
On arrival in Lao Cai we unload the bikes and rendezvous with our support vehicle. We then make the short transfer to the former hill station of Sa Pa where we will have breakfast. In the afternoon we have a ride to get those legs moving. We start the ride from Sa Pa and head downhill for almost 20 km. Once into the valley we hit some off road and some undulations and we 
pass many minority villages. Depending on time we can ride or transfer back.
Chau Long Hotel. Ride 40 km. B L D
Day 3 : Sa Pa Loop
Starting from the hotel we head off road to the village of Ta Phin. We then head out on a loop that traverses forested hillsides and takes in many of the minority villages of the Sa Pa area. 
The scenery is a good contrast to that of the first ride and it is a tad more challenging. There may be sections on this ride where you’ll have to carry your bike but they will not be long or difficult. Due to the nature of the trail the ride cannot be supported the whole way by jeep but there will be spots along the trail where we can rendezvous with the support vehicle.
Chau Long Hotel. Ride 35 km. B L D
Day 4 : Sa Pa ~ Tam Duong ~ Houi Ke ~ Than Uyen
Today we ride out of Sa Pa and do the 16 km road climb up to Tram Ton pass – the highest road pass in Vietnam at 2,000 m. We then have a 20 km descent into a beautiful valley. The countryside is truly wonderful as we pass tea plantations and all inhabitants are from minority tribes. At Houi Ke, we branch off left and continue cycling on winding roads to Khau Giang Pass. It’s a challenging ride up the pass, but it’s really worth effort as the scenery is dramatic. After the pass, we hop on the bus and transfer our weary legs to our overnight at the small and rustic town of Than Uyen at a simple guest house.
Phuong Nhung Hotel. Ride 90 km. B L D
Day 5 : Than Uyen - Tuan Giao
Following an early breakfast we start to ride from our hotel. As we go over three passes today – Muong Mun, Huoi Long and Meo Hoa – the day will entail plenty of ascents and descents and of course stunning views along the way. It is advisable to wear discreet riding shorts today as we’ll be passing through many ethnic tribal villages. The villages also are great photo opportunities, so be sure to have your cameras handy.
Tuan Giao Guesthouse. Ride 114 km. B L D
Day 6 : Tuan Giao ~ Dien Bien Phu
It is impossible to count the number of hill climbs and descents on today’s ride, but the reward is being in a remote area with a chance to see many ethnic tribal villages that very few foreigners visit.
Day 7 : Dien Bien Phu
After all those hills your legs deserve a rest and what better place to do it than in the history-rich city of Dien Bien Phu. We’ll visit the war museum which has interesting displays about the climactic battle of the First Indochina War between French Union forces and Vietnamese Viet Minh communist revolutionary forces. From March until May 1954 the Viet Minh pounded the French positions, killing up to 3,000 men, though it's estimated that the Viet Minh lost more than twice that number. The massive French defeat effectively ended the war. There’s also a local market to explore. Dinner is on your own tonight.
Him Lam Hotel. B
Day 8 : Dien Bien Phu ~ Muang Khoua
Today we say goodbye to Vietnam and hello to Laos. We start the day with a gentle 3 km warm up before the road starts to rise. The trail twists and turns for 24 km before we hit the Laos border and complete immigration formalities. We’ll swap crews and begin the journey to the crossroads town of Muang Khoua on dirt roads. The ride is beautiful as we cross streams and cycle through remote villages mainly comprised of Red or Black Thai ethnic tribes. The trail is also mainly downhill, a welcome respite from the hills in Vietnam. Tat Muang Khoua is built on a steep hillside at the confluence of two rivers, offering plenty of great viewpoints.
Sinaly Hotel. Ride 104 km. B L D
Day 9 : Muang Khoua ~ Udom Xai
More of a mixture in scenery today, as we start with jungle that gives way to rice paddies, creating a pleasant scenery change. The road again rises and falls and has some small climbs, but nothing too strenuous. We ride along broken road and dirt tracks which double as thoroughfares for the local people (the population here is made up of an astonishing 23 ethnic groups), so we share the trail with all manner of colourful vehicles and livestock – a glimpse of real rural life in Asia. Towards the end of the day we have a long down hill into the town of Udom Xai (also known as Muang Xai), which has a large market where the various languages of the area mingle along with the smells of the produce
Dansavanh Hotel. Ride 96 km. B L D
Day 10 : Udom Xai ~ Nong Kiau
We are now in the central highlands of Laos and there are some spectacular views across the rugged mountain landscape in an area that suffered extraordinarily heavy bombing during the Secret War against the Americans in the early 1970s. The morning sees us climb over 1000 m into the mountains to Hmong villages in a region that few people ever visit. In the afternoon we have a breathtaking descent through some of the region’s last remaining rainforest. Although this is a hard day, it is also very rewarding as the views and sense of nature are nothing short of breathtaking. You’ll have the option to skip the last 30 km along the river valley to Nong Kiau. Whether you choose to cycle or ride in the van, we’ll end at our comfortable and charming guesthouse that overlooks the river.
Nong Kiau Riverside. Ride 105 km. B L D
Day 11 Nong Kiau ~ Luang Prabang
The last long ride of the tour! Cycling an undulating road we head west along the Nam Ou River, which makes for a very scenic ride. After about 30 km we get to Pakbeng, where we transfer by private van as we rode this section the day be- fore. Returning to our bikes we head south to the historic town of Luang Prabang. This road follows the Nam Ou River and has some interesting villages along with the way. The road undulates the whole way with a couple of short climbs of 1 to 2 km, but they are not steep.
Ancient Luang Prabang. Ride 115 km. B L D
Day 12 : Luang Prabang
The morning is free to explore the beautiful city of Luang Prabang before onward travel.
Departure Schedule |
| Departs | Days | Itinerary | Price | Note | |
| Oct 14, 2012 | 12 | Sa Pa Route | £1178 | Confirmed | Enquire |
| Nov 25, 2012 | 12 | Sa Pa Route | £1178 | | Enquire |
* NOTE. Prices indicated on this website are shown as a guideline only and may be subject to currency fluctuations, banking fees and other changes outside our control. Pricing information is available in
other currencies.
