North Vietnam Family Explorer

Price from
US$ 1,250
Duration
5 Days / 4 Nights
Distance
162 km
Tour Code
VNM-VNF
Next departure
On Request
Number of Cycling Days3
Average Distance Per Day: 32
0
150 Km
Accommodation
Basic
5 Star
Total Cycling Distance162 kilometres
AccommodationIncluded
Bike HireIncluded
Single SupplementN/A
Child PricingUnder 5: free; Age 5-11: 15% discount
Client Rating (based on 4 reviews)

About this Cycle Tour

Want to experience Vietnam's village life in a remote setting? Learn how to cook sticky rice in bamboo? Get your hands dirty planting rice? Forget the babysitter and bring the kids along for 5 days of exploring and learning on this family friendly bike tour in Vietnam!

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Itinerary

Day 1

From your Hanoi hotel drive 4 hours to Mai Chau, a rural town in Hoa Binh province, southeast of Hanoi. The scenery is dotted with limestone karsts and ethnic highlanders of White Thai, Hmong, and Zao living in the small villages that we pass along the way. We stop at the top of a pass for a panoramic view of stunning Mai Chau Valley so you can get an overview of where we will be cycling. We start pedaling on small paths, past green rice paddies and local stilt houses, and of course meeting friendly local villagers. Taking a break at Hoa Ban Plus, a weaving centre and living complex for disabled women, gives us a chance to see the traditional handicraft of weaving in action, and we can even give it a try. We continue cycling on to our homestay overnight at Pom Coong village. We sleep in stilt bamboo house in an open dormitory-style room with shared facilities.

Day 2

After breakfast, we ride up to the hills along a dirt road frequently used by local villagers. As we climb, the valley views open up to boundless, spectacular scenery. A steep 2 km climb is rewarded with a 10 km downhill through rustic villages and lush terrain. A quiet paved road and a small trail leads us to the White Thai village of Buoc. We can take a short walk around and learn about local village life, visit a few households, and see where families cook and sleep. We help with preparing lunch by making “Com Lam”, traditional sticky rice in bamboo. With a belly full of local delights, we cycle back to Mai Chau and have the rest of the afternoon free.

Day 3

We drive one hour drive to Cho Lo where we then get on the bikes. A flat ride on country roads follows where we'll have to watch out for chickens crossing the road and give right of way to water buffaloes. A bowl of Pho, noodle soup, will hydrate and fill us. Be sure to add in the greens, herbs, spicy pastes, and a squeeze of lime to make the soup taste to your liking. A short transfer takes us uphill to Cuc Phuong National Park in Ninh Binh Province, the oldest national park in Vietnam and its most significant biodiversity site. Time to get wild! A guided tour of a rescue centre where monkeys and gibbons are being rehabilitated to return to the jungle will show you how many species there are in the jungle. After seeing the antics of the monkeys it's a short walk to the Carnivore and Pangolin Education Centre, where we'll learn about and see civets and the unusual pangolin with their protective armour of scales and long tongues for capturing ants and termites. The rescued animals are in well-designed, spacious enclosures, and the centre offers interactive displays to understand the threats to wildlife and learn about conservation. A fun and educational afternoon with wildlife!

Day 4

A feast for the senses today, from the sight of the towering karsts to the sound of the river to the taste of our self-cooked dinner. Cycling from our guesthouse, we go downhill before riding along a dyke that provides a flat and safe ride, to the town of Hoa Lu. An ancient capital of the Dinh and Le Dynasties, we step back in time and visit a 17th century temple built in the shape of a Chinese character. After lunch, we change from bikes to boats and relax and enjoy the amazing mountains that dominate most of the region. We are rowed through a cave by local sampan rowers who use their feet to oar and enter a green and fertile land. Back on land, we head to our resort amidst rice fields. Another hands on meal as we assist in the preparation, learning the best technique to roll fresh spring rolls, and then feast on our creations.

Day 5

A change of pace as we get our hands dirty. Cycling away from the karsts, we follow numerous rivers as they reach toward the coast. The scenery changes to flat plains as we cycle into the delta, a guaranteed flat ride. We take a break at Phat Diem Stone Cathedral, which has a unique blend of eastern and western architecture illustrated by its pagoda-styled roofs. We transfer to Bat Trang, a ceramic producing village that makes giant vases. Make your own souvenir tea cup or bowl using local techniques. Then it's time to head back to Hanoi for your onward travel.

Reviews

We completed the North Vietnam Family Explorer, was a fantastic trip supported by wonderful tour leaders. The riding was perfect for our family of 5 aged between 7 and 49 who are not regular riders. Riding was the best way to truly experience a country. Would thoroughly recommend.

Mark PolglaseJune 2024

We had a very wonderful time as a family on this trip, a lovely way to see a beautiful country and a great sense of achievement all round. The SpiceRoads team were great!

Sara WallerApril 2019

A great holiday for children and adults. Lovely guides, good quality cycles and interesting activities.

Sally James April 2018

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