Motorcycling Northwestern Trails

Day 1: Ride to Mai Chau

Leave Hanoi around 8.30am, we ride our motorcycles west to Mai Chau, an area of beautiful landscape and home to the Thai ethnic minority. We will ride on road No6 passing expansive rice paddies and scenic villages. We will have a stop for refreshment before tackling 70km of undulating road with great view of mountains and valley. Lunch on the way. Then  we continue to Mai Chau. We ride straight to Pom Coong, a peaceful village of White Thai ethnic minority where we have dinner and spend our night in a traditional stilt-house of a Thai family.

Summary
Riding: 170km
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Home-stay

Day 2: Ride up to Son La

Breakfast at the home-stay before we embark on a beautiful ride up north to Son La. The road is in good condition and the scenery is stunning. We may take frequent stops to visit minority villages of H’mong, Black Thai,… or to take photos. Lunch will be in local restaurant en route. The highlight of our ride today could be the tea plantations in Moc Chau Plateau, where you find the best green tea in Vietnam grown along the roads on hillsides. We reach Son La in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight in Son La.

Summary
Riding: 187km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 3: Descend valley of Dien Bien Phu

It is true to say “the further you go up north the faster you heart rate”. Today the ride is greater with more winding road, longer passes, more colorful minority groups and more stunning scenery. Like yesterday, we may have interesting stops to visit villages and take photos. Lunch en route in local restaurant. The highlight of today ride could be the impressive pass of Pha Din.

Pha Pin means Heaven-Earth, and according to local legend, it was the frontier between Heaven and Earth. Pha Din is some 1,000m above sea-level. Climbing and descending the slopes with their many bends and deep gorges is a really an unforgettable experience. We reach Dien Bien Phu in the afternoon around 4pm. Upon arrival we cound ride around to explore the town. Dinner and overnight in Dien Bien Phu.

Summary
Riding: 170km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel

Day 4: Riding along Nam Na River to Tam Duong

After breakfast we will start our 225 km ride along stunning gorges and Nam Na River. On the way we will have interesting stops to visit H’mong and Dzao villages. Lunch in Lai Chau. We would reach Tam Duong around 4.30 pm. Dinner and overnight in hotel in Tam Duong Town.

Summary
Riding: 225km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation:  Hotel

Day 5: Ascend Sapa

The ride today is the highlight of the whole trip. Climbing the highest pass in Vietnam, the Tram Ton Pass. Lunch in local restaurant en route. We will reach Sapa in the noon time. Sapa is the former hill station for the French colonists hundred years ago. Today Sapa is the paradise for trekking lovers thank to its beautiful trekking routes, stunning terraces, colorful minority groups and the highest mountain in Indochina, the Mt. Fansipang. Dinner and overnight in Sapa.

Note: The weekend market (Sunday market) in Tam Duong is very interesting with lots of colorful ethnic minorities. If this day is Sunday the market will be included in the program and we would reach Sapa around 3pm.

Summary
Riding: 180km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:  Hotel

Day 6: Trekking in Sapa – Night train to Hanoi

Breakfast in the hotel. We will take a jeep ride downhill to Muong Hoa valley. Today we enjoy the most beautiful trek route in Vietnam. We will trek on dirt path through pine forest, terraces and H’mong villages. En route we stop to visit minority villages, schools and have picnic lunch by river. In the afternoon we walk to the pick-up point to take a jeep transfer back to Sapa. Private transfer to Lao Cai for the night train back to Hanoi.

Summary
Trekking: 4hrs, downhill
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation:  Night train (AC, soft sleeper cabin)

Day 7: Arrive in Hanoi

Arrival in Hanoi early in the morning (5am). Tour finishes.

Note on client safety: We reserve the right to deviate from this itinerary for any reasons, including road and weather conditions, frequency of visits to a village, or for any other factor which may influence client safety.

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 All Inclusive Tour Package Cost:

Note: Rates are valid until December 30th, 2010 by MinMax Travel Co., Ltd. All rates are quoted per person in U.S Dollars. Rates are net and inclusive of service charges and 10% VAT.

* At the time of quotation, MinMax Travel reserves the right to adjust prices to take account of unusual movements in currency markets, hotel and transport costs as a result of inflationary price pressures in oil and other commodity markets.

* If, at the time of booking, any HOME STAY & HOTELS are fully booked, we will endeavour to find accommodation of a similar standard elsewhere. If the only available accommodation is of a higher or lower standard, we will revise the price accordingly and consult you immediately.

 Tour Prices Inclusive:

* Support vehicle
* One-way train ticket Laocai - Hanoi (AC, soft sleeper) 
* Minsk motorbike 125CC
* Helmet
* Gasoline on tour
* English or French speaking guide
* Mechanic (only for group from 6 passengers)
* Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary (based on twin shared)
* Homestay permission
* Meals as indicated in the itinerary
* Water & Snacks
* First-aid kit
* Entrance fees & Sightseeing fees

Tour Prices Exclusive:

* Travel insurance
* Visa
* Air-ticket
* Tips
* Personal expenses

NOTE:

Note: The price is subject to change according to each period of time. Please contact our travel consultants expert for the best price

* Our support vehicle is for emergency and for your safe riding in Vietnam - Most of other tour operators do not offer that. Our trip cost, hence, is a bit high for that reason.

WHAT TO BRING:
 
* Sun Block, Wide brim hat, Camera + Film, Comfortable shoes, Rain gear, Warm clothes, Insect, Repellentand Original Passport...

HOW TO START:

* MinMax Travel is a fully escorted tour and best-available all year round; the only thing you need to prepare in advance is the international air-ticket from/to your country.

* If you don’t have enough time to complete visa before your departure, we will help you to obtain Vietnam Visa on arrival easily (getting visa at the airport, on your arrival)