Itinerary:
Day One - Hanoi Arrival
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel for a check in. Stay overnight in Hanoi.
Day Two - Hanoi Motorcycle Tour to Phu Yen (Son La) (L, D)
In the morning you will start your motorbiking tour by leaving Hanoi on dyke roads to avoid the heavy traffic and breaking out of the delta plains. Then head out of Hanoi skirting along Red River to Son Tay and then ride through peaceful countryside to Phu Yen mountain town (a district of Son La Province in the Northwestern region of Vietnam), as a stop-over for a night. Stay in a guest house.
Day Three - Phu Yen Motorcycle Tour to Than Uyen (Lai Chau) (B, L, D)
In the morning, you keep motorbiking across Lung o pass before heading up on Road 32. After lunch you will ride through the Mu Cang Chai massif, almost as high as the Fansipan. From the top, it offers one of the most beautiful views of North Vietnam. The ride is challenging but very rewarding. Stay overnight in a hotel.
Day Four - Than Uyen Motorcycle Tour to Sapa (Lao Cai) (B, L, D)
Motorbike straight towards the main Fansipan Mountain range. There is also the option for a very challenging back route which takes you through several river crossings. The massive mountain range dominates the road until finally you must make a splendid climb up from Binh Lu and up to the top of the highest road pass in Vietnam (Tram Ton Pass).
Crossing into Lao Cai Province at over 2,000m the views looks out over the main range for miles and miles, before you descend to the mountainous Sa Pa valley. Sa Pa is located in Lao Cai Province, north-west Vietnam, and 350km north-west of Hanoi, close to the border with China. Stay overnight in hotel.
Day Five - Sapa Motorcycle Tour to Luc Yen (Yen Bai) (B, L, D)
Take the motorbikes down from Sapa to Lao Cai City and then have a coffee-stop on the bank of Nam Thi River, which is Vietnam, which is Vietnam - China Border. Enjoy your coffee while taking the view to China.
Head to Road 70 before turning to Luc Yen on Road 152. Go through palm forest all the way to Luc Yen and stay in a family in the Tay territory. It's a great home stay and the hosts are very welcoming.
Day Six - Luc Yen Motorcycle Tour to Vu Linh Village (Thac Ba Lake, Yen Bai) (B, L, D)
Get on the road, take a half-day ride to their Dao friends' village of Vu Linh, which is by the side of Thac Ba lake, the biggest man-made lake in Vietnam. This artificial lake has an area of 23,400 ha and 1,331 islands and hills with diverse ecological environments.
After lunch, take the boat ride, stop by an island for swimming and discover the particularities of this area: the way villagers paddle their boats, the exotic and odd animals living around, the quiet and peaceful beauty of this huge lake, and the lifestyle of the Dao among the thousands of islets. Have dinner with the hosts.
Day Seven - Vu Linh Village (Thac Ba Lake) Motorcycle Tour to Hanoi (B, L)
After breakfast, ride southeast on Highway 2 and then branch off to the sleepy town of Phu Tho. Follow the edge of the Red River along the dyke, almost to the point where it merges with the Black River after which they flow together to Hanoi.
By now you are very much in the lowlands of the delta plains and the north's main agricultural areas. Harvest time here is a sea of activity. Crossing the Black River by bridge, you will pass Hanoi through Son Tay and then return to Hanoi on the highway. You should be back to Hanoi before rush hour.
Day Eight - Flamingo Cruise (B, L, D)
Their shuttle bus with tour guide will pick you up at your hotels. Stopover in Hai Duong city where you can experience their hand-made Vietnamese handicraft products. Arrive in Tuan Chau Marina Pier (Tuan Chau Island) followed by activities.
Board Flamingo Cruises for departure, welcome drink will be served and cruise briefing, safety instructions, check in cabins by Cruise Manager. Great lunch is served while passing by islets, through Hoa Cuong floating village. Explore Halong Bay passing by Soi Sim Beach, Coconut Three Island. Then arrive in the area of Surprising Cave. Kayaking and swimming or climbing up to the mountain and getting a complete view of Halong Bay at Titov Beach.
Join their cooking class on the sun-deck. See how to make the fresh/fried spring rolls and mix fish sauce. Enjoy sunset party with fruits and wine. Under the magnificent night sky, their luxury set menu dinner is served with a variety of Vietnamese and Asian foods. Join the squid fishing on the boat with their crews. You can enjoy the squid cooked with assistance from the chef, or laze around with their happy-hour drinks at the bar. Stay overnight on Flamingo Cruise.
Day Nine - Halong Bay - Hanoi (B, L, D)
Tai Chi class on the sun-deck. Have breakfast with tea, coffee and bakeries on board. Visit the surprising cave (Hang Sung Sot) discovered by the French in 1901. Opened for tourists since 1936, now it is a must-see and a symbol for geology value of Halong.
Check out at 9.30am, then relax on the sun-deck or inside the restaurant to enjoy the bay's scenery. Enjoy a traditional Vietnamese lunch while cruising back to the pier. Disembark at Tuan Chau Pier. Their car will be at your disposal to pick you up then drive back to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi.
Day 10 - Hanoi - Departure (B)
Have breakfast at the hotel. You have free time by yourself to have more experiences in Hanoi until the transfer to the Hanoi airport to catch a flight back home. End of trip.
*B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner
Includes:
- Motorbike(s) (Honda or Yamaha)
- Helmet(s)
- Driving gears
- Gasoline on tour
- English speaking guide
- Accommodation as indicated in the itinerary (based on twin or/and triple shared)
- Homestay permission
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Entrance fees and sightseeing fees
- Two-night accommodation at three-star hotels in Hanoi - (Essence D'Orient, Noble Boutique hotel)
- On arrival pickup airport transfer with guide
Excludes:
- Travel insurance
- Visa
- Air ticket
- Tips
- Personal expenses
