13 DAYS, CYCLE NATURE, PEOPLE, CRAFT AND EXOTIQUE BEACH

Itinerary

ITINERARY IN DETAILS:

DAY 1 : ARRIVAL HANOI
Arrival in Hanoi, transfer to hotel. At leisure.
Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

DAY 2:  HANOI CITY TOUR (B)
After breakfast a half-day city tour to visit prime attraction of  Hanoi. The beautiful Hoan Kiem Lake, the final resting place of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum set deep in the bowels of a monumental edifice that has become a popular local and foreign pilgrimage. Ho Chi Minh's house, a stilt house built in the style of the ethnic minorities, where Ho Chi Ming lived simply between 1958 and 1969. One Pillar Pagoda a small but significant pagoda with a Buddhist representation of the world and the Temple of Literature originally built in 1070. Afternoon free to shop and explore Hanoi 's old quarter at leisure.

Note: HCM Mausoleum is closed Mondays and Fridays. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

DAY 3: HANOI -  THAY VILLAGE - DUONG LAM VILLAGES ( B,L,D 40km ride)
Breakfast and head out on  the outskirts of Hanoi
before beginning your cycle ride to the Tay Phuong pagoda, visit old houses, temple and traditonal villages of puppetry. Continue our way browsing lush rice filed toward Tay pagoda. Cycle the country side to ancient village DuongLam. Visit old houses and meet with people.

DAY 4: DUONG LAM VILLAGES - PERFUME PAGODA ( B,L,D 55km ride)
Breakfast cycle ride ancient villages of Duong lam to the Perfume Pagoda, it includes a 3 hour boat trip along the scenic waterways, rice fields and villages. The Pagoda itself is at the top of a steep walking path. It is built into limestone cliffs of the Huong Tich Mountains (Mountain of Fragrance). It is a famous shrine for Buddhist
pilgrims

DAY 5:  PERFUME PAGODA - VANLONG - CUCPHUONG (B,L,D 50 km ride)
After breakfast we set out on our small country  roads and water canal trails to cycle to Vanlong, the natural reseves. We enjoy the row boat ride and marvel the
limestone outcrop before riding toward the rain forest of Cucphuong national park.

DAY 6: CUCPHUONG NATIONAL PARC -  TAMCOC (B,L,D 45km ride)
Ninh Binh. Often described as the  Halong Bay on the land,Ninh Binh is a peaceful settlement with long  waterways rich with paddy fields stretching through the mountains. It is  superb landscape for cycling exploring by boat with a 2 hour boat trip  through the rice field canals.

DAY 7: TAMCOC - PHAT DIEM - HAIHAU (B, L, D 55km)
Ninh Binh to Phat Diem - 35km Biking. Phat Diem is the site of a cathedral, remarkable for it's vast dimensions and unique Sino-Vietnamese architecture. The vaulted ceiling is supported by massive timber beams and the main alter a single block of granite. It has a huge bell tower and nearby is a 19 century covered bridge.

DAY 8: HAI HAU EXOTIQUE BEACH ( B,L,D, 50km ride)
An early morning start to pedal  through the rich farming land of the Red River Delta to Hai Hau district. Opportunity to learn  various kinds of popular medicinal plants and their effects on the daily life. In particular, you will be examined free of charge by the well-known and experienced oriental doctors as well as consulted about the use of medicinal plants in the treatment of common diseases. Riding a bicycle to exotique beach. Photographing and enjoying beautiful views on the road. On arrived, visit
the salt-marsh, participation to harvest the salt with the inhabitant. Bathing in the sea and sporting together with local inhabitants.

DAY 9: HAIHAU - HALONG ( B,L,D,75km ride)
Breakfast and en route toward fishing making villages  then continue our journey to Ha Long  bay. Views of sailing junks navigating past over 3,000 limestone
islands and out crops jutting out of the clear and emerald water of the bay are nothing short of spectacular. Overnight in Ha Long.

DAY  10: HALONG BAY - CATBA ISLAND - BOAT CRUISE (B,L)
Ha Long Bay boasts one of Vietnam's  most impressive scenic sights. After a short transfer from the town, we embark on a cruise out to explore the world natural heritage dotted with some thousands of rock formations. Along the way we will anchor for a leisurely swim in a secluded cove and a seafood lunch.

Overnight in Cat Ba island.

DAY 11: CATBA ISLAND BIKING (B,L 45km ride)
The primeval forest and the tranquil  town make Cat Ba Island oneof Vietnam's delightful places. We spend a half  day cycling in Cat Ba, visiting the national park, the central market and the fishing port. The reminder of today is free to relax on a beach.
Overnight in Cat Ba island.

DAY 12: CATBA -HAIPHONG - HANOI (B,L,60km ride )
In the early morning we  take public ferry back to Hai Phong. Disembark  then we transfer to Phohien and ride along the dike and Red River
to Hanoi. Visit old house, traditional villages, and orphanage centre. Visit Pottery village and arrive to Hanoi. Evening enjoy traditional herbal foot massage.
Overnight in  Ha Noi.

DAY 13: DEPARTURE (B)
At leisure.
Transfer to Noi Bai Airport  for your departure flight