vietnam explorer hanoi to ho chi minh city (saigon) 16 ... · vietnam explorer . hanoi to ho chi...

VIETNAM EXPLORER Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

16 Days / 15 Nights

Superior accommodation

ITINERARY

Custom Tour for The

Vietnam is a fabulous cultural experience – we stay at very comfortable lodges and resorts and cycle mostly on quiet roads. Our tour takes in the imperial city of Hue, historic Hoi An, the beach resort of Nha Trang, Dalat, once a French spa resort, and Ho Chi Minh City. Cycling distances given are entirely optional. The support vehicle will be available at any time. Most days the distance is too great to cycle the entire way and we will drive part way. This tour is a combination of cycling, sightseeing and exploring. This tour is offered to supporters (and friends) of The WAVE Foundation. It’s open to male and female riders. A deposit will secure a spot on the tour. Please fully review the cancellation policy before signing up.

PEDALTOURS VIETNAM PEDALTOURS VIETNAM PEDALTOURS VIETNAM PEDALTOURS VIETNAM PEDALTOURS VIETNAM PEDAL

Cycling distances given are entirely optional. The support vehicle will be available at any time

MEETING DAY / DAY ONE: Hanoi Mon, 15 February 2016

Meet tour group 3.00pm in hotel lobby You will be met at Hanoi Airport (Please notify us of your arrival details and look for the driver with the Pedaltours sign). Today we will meet for a brief meeting before heading off on a short sightseeing tour of the Old Quarter, with its narrow streets where trades people can be seen working on the pavement. In the evening there will be a Water Puppet Show before dinner. Meals: D Lodging: Super Hotel Hanoi Old Quarter 3A Phan Dinh Phung street, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi Phone: +84 439 271 888, www.superhotelhanoioldquarter.com Facilities: Restaurant, bar, wifi, laundry Features: A 3 star hotel, located in the heart of Hanoi in the Ancient Quarter. A short walk to Dong Xuan Market, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, and a ten minute stroll to Hoan Kiem Lake. Day Two: Hanoi to Hue (pop. 286,000) Tue, 16 February 2016 We take a flight from Hanoi to Hue (c.1hr 15 mins). Hue, built on the banks of the Perfume River, is steeped in 3,000 years of history. Here we will meet our cycling guide and fit you to your rental bike, or unpack your own and then explore the Citadel and Imperial City by cycle. The Imperial City which is UNESCO world heritage site was the home of Vietnam's last royal dynasty, the Nguyen Dynasty (1802 - 1945). Despite being severely damaged in conflicts with both French and US forces, the citadel remains Hue's most popular and most important historic site. At dinner tonight we will be entertained with traditional music in the garden courtyard of your beautiful and tastefully restored hotel dating from 1901.

Meals: B, L, D Lodging: Saigon Morin Hotel 30 Le Loi Rue, Hue City Phone: +84.54 382 3526, www.morinhotel.com.vn Facilities: 4* star, in-house restaurant, bar, swimming pool, internet, hairdryers. Features: A grand old French Colonial style hotel by the Perfume River. Garden courtyard.

http://www.superhotelhanoioldquarter.com/

http://www.morinhotel.com.vn/



Day Three: Hue to Hoi An (pop.76,000): 148 km / 93 mi Wed, 17

February 2016 Cycling distance: Up to 100km / 62 mi Morning ride: 40 km/25 mi Afternoon ride: 21 km/13 mi over Hai Van Pass

Or 60 km/37 mi to Hoi An We cycle from town along a flat coastal road, through various fishing and agricultural villages. You will have your first experience of the friendliness of the locals, especially the children. Lunch is at Lang Co Beach, an hour’s drive. From here we tackle the Hai Van Pass or “Ocean Cloud” Pass (496m), a very quiet road now that there is a tunnel (not open to cyclists). The view from the top, and on the descent, is outstanding and well worth the effort. (The support vehicle will be there, of course, should you prefer to drive.) After a fabulous descent we reach Danang, where we board the support vehicle to drive to Hoi An (you are welcome to continue to cycle if you wish). You may like to visit China Beach (My Khe Beach) where American servicemen went for their R&R during the Vietnam /American War or a marble factory and view the exquisite workmanship. Meals: B, L, D Lodging: Vinh Hung Resort, Hoi An Phone +84 510 3910393, www.vinhhungresort.com Facilities: Restaurant, bar, tennis court, swimming pool, laundry service. Features: A garden setting on the banks of the Vu Gia River and a short walk from the old town. Day Four: Hoi An Rest Day Thu, 18 February 2016 Today is a day at leisure to explore this delightful UNESCO world heritage town (dating back to 200BC) with its street side cafes, artists and markets. Much of the town was developed between the 16th and 19th centuries when Hoi An was a thriving port for Chinese, Dutch, French, Japanese, Portuguese and Arab merchants. Explore the historic architecture of Japanese and French origin and perhaps take in the morning concert of traditional music. There is much to see and do. (There are wonderful pastry shops in the old town and excellent tailors who will make any garment to measure, including cycle tops, in a few hours). In the afternoon you may like to take a gentle ride (c.10km return) to fabulous Hoi An beach. Let your guide know if you would like a longer ride There is a wonderful cooking school in Hoi An, let your guide know if you wish to book a cooking class. Meals: B Lodging: Vinh Hung Resort, Hoi An

http://www.vinhhungresort.com/



Day Five: Hoi An to Sa Huynh: 234km/ 146 mi Fri, 19 February 2016 Cycling distance: 82 km / 51 mi

We drive out of Hoi An town for about 45 minutes (25km) to the start of cycle section on Highway 1. The country side is pancake flat with green fields and we will sample a slice of rural Vietnamese life-look out for villagers harvesting rice. We start cycling (about 50km) on a quiet road hugging the coastline before a half hour vehicle transfer to Tam Ky for lunch. After lunch, an hour vehicle transfer (42km) from Tam Ky to Chau O Town. From here, we veer towards the coast to start our ride on country roads through Saky fishing village to My Lai. The route includes 12km of unsealed road; it is quite rideable but the support vehicle will never be far away. The ride finishes at My Lai at 4:00 pm; you may wish to visit the massacre memorial site (1968). Please discuss with your guide in the morning whether you wish to tour this site. We then continue driving 60km to Sa Huynh resort. Meals: B, L, D Lodging: Sa Huynh Resort Km+985, highway 1, Hamlet Tan Loc-Pho Chau, Duc Pho, Quang Ngai Province. Phone +84 55 386 0311 http://sahuynhresort.com.vn Facilities: Restaurant, outdoor pool, spa, souvenir shop Features: Leaning against the Truong Son mountain range, running along the white sand beach, surrounded by pine forests Day Six: Sa Huynh to Quy Nhon (pop 260,000): 133 km / 83 mi Sat, 20 February 2016 Cycling distance: 88 km / 55 mi We drive to Tam Quan town (15km) to commence cycling on an attractive minor road through rice paddies, salt making flats, mountainous area and later past shrimp farms. We will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant on the way. After lunch, continue riding to Tuy Phuoc town where we meet our vehicle and driving 30 km to Quy Nhon city. We will arrive between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm.

Meals: B, L, D Lodging: Royal Hotel Quy Nhon Nguyen Hue Street, Qui Nhon. Phone +84 56 3747 100, www.royalquynhon.com Facilities: Spa. restaurant, fitness centre, tennis courts Features: Located in the centre of Quy Nhon city with a charming painted marine location.

http://sahuynhresort.com.vn/

http://www.royalquynhon.com/



Day Seven: Quy Nhon to Tuy Hoa (pop.202,000): 129 km / 81 mi Sun, 21 February 2016 Cycling distance: 70 km / 44 mi

Transfer 20 minutes out of the city for the start of ride at Café shop in Dieu Tri village. From here, we start cycling (about 60km) on a delightful quiet road to Me Trang café, though cassava and sugar cane plantations. A picnic lunch will be served when we arrive at Me Trang café. After lunch, continue riding 10 km to Chi Thanh town before reaching highway 1 where our vehicle will transfer us (about 29 km) to Tuy Hoa city. Meals: B, L, D Lodging: CenDeluxe Hotel 02 Hai Duong Street, Tuy Hoa city, Phu Yen Phone +84 57 3 818 818, cendeluxe.com Facilities: Restaurant, bar and lounge, swimming pool, fitness centre Features: 5 star hotel, located in the business and entertainment district of Tuy Hoa City.

Day Eight: Tuy Hoa to Nha Trang (pop.315,000): 150 km / 94 mi Mon, 22 February 2016 Cycling distance: 52 km / 32.5 mi

Drive out of Tuy Hoa city about 15 km to Tuy Hoa airport. Here we start cycling on quiet road to Vung Ro Bay then up to the top of Ca Pass (about 35 km). You will have a chance to enjoy jungle and bay views on both sides of the road up the pass. Have a short break at Vung Ro Bay for photographs and a recharge of energy levels before heading to the top of Ca Pass. Then we drive to Dai Lanh for lunch before transferring to Nha Trang city. Our last ride is about 17 km through Nha Trang city to the Novotel hotel for our overnight stay.

You will share the road with many local cyclists- the school children often doubling up on their bikes. Nha Trang has a split personality – as a bustling commercial city blessed with a beautiful beach and as a western tourist resort with hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops. Our hotel overlooks a magnificent swoop of beach and ocean dotted with islands. Meals: B, L, D Lodging: Novotel Nha Trang 50 Tran Phu St, Nha Trang Phone +84 58 625 6900, www.novotel.com/gb/hotel-6033-novotel-nha-trang/index.shtml Facilities: Comfortable rooms, swimming pool, spa, restaurant and bar, wifi in room. Features: New hotel opposite a superb beach, several restaurants & a good source of ‘kem’ (ice cream).

http://www.vietstarresort.com/

http://www.novotel.com/gb/hotel-6033-novotel-nha-trang/index.shtml

http://www.novotel.com/gb/hotel-6033-novotel-nha-trang/index.shtml



Day Nine: Nha Trang Rest day Tue, 23 February 2016 Today there is the option of a boat trip to the islands. There will be time to swim and snorkel, so bring your ‘togs’. Lunch will be at a lovely bamboo restaurant on an offshore island, returning to Nha Trang mid afternoon. There will be an opportunity to have a manicure or a relaxing massage while on the boat. There may be time to visit an ancient Cham Tower, a relic from the ethnic people who once ruled this part of Vietnam. Meals: B, L Lodging: Novotel Nha Trang

Day Ten: Nha Trang to Buon Ma Thuot (pop187,000): 225 km / 141 mi Wed, 24 Feb 2016 Cycling section: 82 km / 51mi Morning ride: 40 km / 25 mi Afternoon ride: 42 km / 27 mi Today we cycle through the mountainous Central Highlands. A feature is the long houses of the Edeh and M’Nong people (the two main ethnic groups in the Central Highlands). We drive 18 kms from the city to begin cycling on quiet roads, past sugar cane farms towards Dat Set village, which has a local market and on an undulating route around a national park. After lunch there is a climb to the Phuong Hoang Pass before a final drive to the town of Buon Ma Thuot. Buon Ma Thuot is known as the coffee capital of Vietnam, a country that is second only to Brazil for its coffee exports. Meals: B, L, D Lodging: Dakruco Hotel 30 Nguyen Chi Thanh St, Buon Ma Thout, Daklak Province Phone: +84 500 875325. www.dakrucohotels.com Facilities: Restaurant, bar, spa, gym, swimming pool, tennis court Features: New 3 star hotel in the city.

http://www.dakrucohotels.com/



Day Eleven: Buon Ma Thout to Dalat (pop.130,000) 157 km/ 98 mi Thu, 25 February 2016 Cycling section: 126 km / 79 mi. An uphill but scenic cycling day Morning ride: 60 km / 38 mi Afternoon ride: Up to 66 km / 41 mi

We cycle on a very attractive road through a wonderful variety of scenery – through hills and broad valleys we head for Lien Son, the summer palace of the late Emperor, with its sweeping views of Ho Lak and the surrounding countryside. We also stop at an ethnic village, with its long houses and may have the opportunity to have a ride on working elephants. Although there are some rough roads, this is an excellent day’s cycling with bamboo forests, rice paddies, coffee plantations and water buffalo en route. Meals: B, L, D Lodging: Dalat du Parc 7 Tran Phu Street, Dalat Phone: +84 63.3825 777, http://www.dalatresorts.com/index.php/en/duparchoteldalat Facilities: An attractive, refurbished 3* heritage hotel in the French colonial style with modern facilities. Email and internet, restaurant, bar. Check out the marvellous, elaborate old elevator. Features: Elevated location close to centre of town and lake. (This hotel does not have air-conditioning, but Dalat enjoys milder temperatures than coastal Vietnam.)

Day Twelve: Dalat Rest day Fri, 26 February 2016 Da Lat, at 1,475 metres above sea level, is a temperate region dotted with lakes and waterfalls and surrounded by evergreen forests. Once known as “Little Paris”, this was once a French hill station. The surrounding hills provide South Vietnam with the more temperately grown flowers and fruit and vegetables such as strawberries, carrots and apples. In the morning we visit a silk embroidery village, the “Crazy House”, with its weird architecture, and the Art Deco summer palace built for former emperor Bao Dai in 1933. The afternoon is free for you to explore: Dalat is an excellent area to explore by foot or cycle. You may wish to cycle around Xuan Huong Lake, or take the cable-car to the Zen Pagoda and temple. Meals: B Lodging: Dalat du Parc

http://www.dalatresorts.com/index.php/en/duparchoteldalat



Day Thirteen: Dalat to Mui Ne: (near Phan Tiet, pop.169,000): Sat, 27 February 2016 Cycling section: 80 km / 50 mi

Morning ride: 30km / 18.7 mi Afternoon ride: 50 km / 31.2 mi We descend the Prenn Pass, then take a minor road, with superb views, through coffee plantations and isolated country, to a K’Ho, ethnic minority village where we have lunch. Hydro schemes have forced the relocation of some ethnic villages. From here we continue to descend gently to the coast with expansive views of sand dunes. Our overnight stay is at a beautiful resort on the golden sands of Mui Ne Beach. Mui Ne is a very popular tropical beach, lined with many resorts, and known for kite-surfing and windsurfing. Meals: B, L, D Lodging: Unique Mui Ne Resort 20 B, Nguyen Dinh Chieu St, Ham Tien, Phan Thiet Ph: +84 62 3741 617, www.muineuniqueresort.com/ Facilities: Restaurant, rooftop bar, swimming pool, spa, fitness centre, wifi, in house art gallery Features: 4-star beachside resort with architecture a combination of traditional Vietnamese and contemporary luxury. Day Fourteen: Mui Ne to Loc An: Sun, 28 February 2016

Cycling distance: Up to 121 km /75 mi Morning ride: 62 km / 39 mi Afternoon ride: 59 km / 37 mi Quiet roads take us to the coastal desert reserve at Phuoc Buu. Lunch will be at La Gi. In the afternoon there will be more coastal riding as we cycle beside large sand dunes and plantations of the bizarre looking Dragon fruit (often a feature of hotel breakfast buffets). Watch out for stray cows meandering along the roadside.

Meals: B, L, D Lodging: Carmelina Resort Address: Phuoc Than, Xuyen Moc District, Ba Ria Vung Tau Tel: (84-64) 399 15588, http://carmelinaresort.com/ Facilities: Licensed bar and restaurant, swimming pool, spa, fitness centre Features: Located on beautiful grounds, on Ho Tram Beach

http://www.muineuniqueresort.com/

http://carmelinaresort.com/



Day Fifteen: Loc An Beach to Saigon: 144 km / 90 mi Mon, 29 February 2016 Cycling section: 64 km / 40 mi A scenic day’s cycling as we bike by rubber, cashew nut and black pepper plantations. You may see large flocks of ducks being herded across rural roads. On reaching a road side temple, we load up to avoid the busy highway into Ho Chi Minh City. Saigon is Vietnam’s largest (pop. 5 million) and most cosmopolitan city and was renamed Ho Chi Minh City after reunification, as a tribute to Ho Chi Minh, founder of the Vietnamese Communist Party and president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam from 1946 until his death in 1969. The heart of the sprawling city is District 1, where your hotel is located. Celebrate your ride with a group farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Meals: B, L, D Lodging: Grand Hotel 8 Dong Khoi St, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City Phone: +84 8 38230163, www.grandhotelsaigon.com Facilities: Satellite TV, Swimming pool, fitness centre, laundry, hair dryers, wifi. Features: A handsome, comfortable character hotel with a French flavour. The hotel is centrally located, close to good shopping, a local market and a selection of restaurants.

Day Sixteen: Saigon Tue, 01 March 2016 The tour finishes after breakfast this morning. We will gladly take you to the airport should you depart this morning. If you wish to extend your stay you may wish to visit some of the following:

Notre Dame Cathedral: built between 1877 and 1883 in neo-Romanesque form with a 40m tower. Various pagodas and temples Ben Thanh Market – a big arts and crafts and food bazaar. Be prepared to bargain hard and watch

for pickpockets. The War Remnants Museum – a sobering reminder of the futility of war. Reunification Palace – built in 1966 to serve as a presidential palace and where the first Communist

tanks in Saigon rushed on 30 April 1975 when Saigon surrendered. Further afield are the Cu Chi tunnels, also dating from the Vietnam War.

We hope you have enjoyed your holiday and wish you a safe journey home.

http://www.grandhotelsaigon.com/



You may like to leave the following accommodation list with friends or relatives.

VIETNAM EXPLORER Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

16 Days / 15 Nights

Superior accommodation

ITINERARY especially for The Wave Foundation

DAY DATE LOCATION ACCOMMODATION PHONE 1 15 Feb 16 Hanoi Super Hotel Hanoi Old Quarter +84 439 271 888 2 16 Feb 16 Hue Hotel Saigon Morin +84 5 4382 3526 3 17 Feb 16 Hoi An Vinh Hung Resort +84 510 3910393 4 18 Feb 16 Hoi An Vinh Hung Resort +84 510 3910393 5 19 Feb 16 Sa Huynh Sa Huynh Resort +84 55 386 0311 6 20 Feb 16 Qui Nhon Royal Hotel Qui Nhon. +84 56 3747100 7 21 Feb 16 Tuy Hoa CenDeluxe Hotel +84 57 3 818818 8 22 Feb 16 Nha Trang Novotel Nha Trang +84 58 625 6900 9 23 Feb 16 Nha Trang Novotel Nha Trang +84 58 625 6900 10 24 Feb 16 Buon Ma Thuot Dakruco Hotel +84 500875325 11 25 Feb 16 Da Lat Dalat du Parc +84 63 3825777 12 26 Feb 16 Da Lat Dalat du Parc +84 63 3825777 13 27 Feb 16 Phan Tiet Unique Mui Ne Resort +84 62 3741 617 14 28 Feb 16 Loc An Carmelina Resort +84 64 399 15588 15 29 Feb 16 Saigon Grand Hotel +84 8 38230163 16 01 Mar 16 Depart



COSTS: 7 – 8 Cyclists US$3,910 pp (twin share basis) 9 – 10 “ US$3,660 pp “ 11 -12 “ US$3,440 pp “ 13 – 14 “ US$3,350 pp “ 15 - 16 “ US$3,075 pp “ 17 – 18 “ US$3,045 pp “ 19 – 20 “ US$2,980 pp “ (This represents a discount of up to 22.5% on our scheduled tours for 2014/15 for the same high standard of lodging.) Single room supplement: US$775 pp Re=Bike hire: US$325.00pp (New Trek Hybrid Bike) If some would like to share but we do not have a roommate, there will no additional charge for a single room. INCLUDED: Accommodation as specified (3 and 4* hotels) Three good meals a day except where specified Snacks whilst biking. Transport in comfortable air-conditioned minibuses Local cycle mechanic and guide with good command of English Vietnam map, plus daily maps with profiles, one per cyclist Airport pick-up and drop-off if entire group travels together EXCLUDED: Alcoholic beverages Airport taxes Laundry Sightseeing other than specified Cycle hire


HaLong Bay Deluxe Tour

-An Optional add on, pre-cycle tour

3 Days / 2 Nights

Superior Accommodation

ITINERARY especially for The Wave Foundation

Vietnam is a fabulous cultural experience. Hanoi, especially the Old Quarter, deserves a full day. You may wish to arrive in Hanoi early to visit some of Hanoi’s historical sights: the beautiful Hoan Kiem lake, Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and Ho Chi Minh’s house, where he preferred to live simply. One Pillar Pagoda, a small but significant pagoda with a Buddhist representation of the world and the Temple of Literature, originally built in 1070 is also well worth a visit. We are happy to reserve additional hotel accommodation for you.

COSTS: 5 -6 persons US$380 pp (twin share basis) 7 – 8 “ US$355 pp “ 9 - 10 “ US$345 pp “ Single supplement: US$120pp – this is applicable to any person who is travelling alone

TOUR INCLUDES • A night in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, plus dinner • A rickshaw tour of Hanoi • Private transfer to Halong Bay • Breakfast, lunch and dinner • A night on a deluxe junk (with own ensuite) • Sea kayaking • Brunch on the final day • Private transfer back to Hanoi


Day One / Meeting day You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. You will meet your guide in the hotel lobby at 4pm. There will be time for a city rickshaw ride around Hanoi's ancient quarter. The Old Quarter is also known as the 36 streets and guilds and is a bustling area of narrow streets, home to thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. Originally each of the street’s names was related to the products being sold there: e.g. Hang Dao was the street where silk-dyers worked while others were home to apothecaries or metal workers etc. Dinner is included tonight. Meals: D Lodging: Super Hotel Hanoi Old Quarter 3A Phan Dinh Phung street, Ba Dinh district, Hanoi Phone: +84 439 271 888, www.superhotelhanoioldquarter.com Facilities: Restaurant, bar, wifi, laundry Features: A 3 star hotel, located in the heart of Hanoi in the Ancient Quarter. A short walk to Dong Xuan Market, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, and a ten minute stroll to Hoan Kiem Lake. Day Two : Halong Bay Transport (private transfer) to Halong on the coast, a popular holiday resort for local people and also the departure point for your boat journey to Halong Bay World Heritage Park. En route we will stop at an embroidery factory and pottery. Halong Bay is one of the most spectacular and romantic of all Vietnam’s natural wonders. From the emerald waters 3,000 islands rise steeply to create a dramatic seascape. Said to be the ‘dragon descends into the sea’. An overnight boat trip (with the option of sea-kayaking) through this magical land is included. Breakfast, lunch and dinner included today. Lodging: Overnight on deluxe junk with en-suite cabins. Day Three : Hanoi In the morning you will enjoy stops at various grottoes and caves. Brunch is served on board before returning to shore and our journey back to Hanoi.

VIETNAM


Halong Bay

DAY DATE LOCATION ACCOMMODATION PHONE 1 27 Nov 15 Hanoi Super Hotel Hanoi Old Quarter +84 439 271 888 2 28 Nov 15 Halong Bay Deluxe junk (boat) 3 29 Nov 15 Return to Hanoi

vietnam explorer hanoi to ho chi minh city (saigon) 16 ... · vietnam explorer . hanoi to ho chi...

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