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Vietnam Cycling Tour
Tam Coc - Hoa Lu - Cuc Phuong National Park - 3 Days
Price from 502 US$
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| Day 1 - Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Tam Coc -
Hoa Lu (-/-/-)
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• Departing Hanoi early morning by private transport,
it is a 2½ hour drive to the rural town of Ninh Binh.
The Ninh Binh region is one of the most beautiful parts of Vietnam
with its dramatic scenery, historical intrigues, religious pilgrimage
sites and endangered animal sanctuaries. The town of Ninh Binh
itself does not overflow with alluring sites, but it serves
as an ideal place to venture out on small day trips.
• Arriving in Ninh Binh, you will discuss
the day’s activities whilst enjoying a cool drink. You
will then depart by car to Tam Coc. Ninh Binh’s rice fields
become other-worldly in the Tam Coc (Three Caves) area. The
mountains have earned the area the nickname “Halong Bay
without water”, a moniker borne out by the limestone karsts
which dominate the landscape. You will take a boat to and through
the caves, past spectacular cliffs, Lilliputian villages, and
lonely farming communities.
• Around Tam Coc there are some great restaurants
to enjoy some local food specialties. You may try ‘mien
luon’ (eel in noodle soup), ‘ca ghem muoi’ (local
pickled vegetable), or ‘thit de nuong’ (grilled goat)
for lunch (own account).
• After lunch, the guide will assist you with
your bicycles in preparation for your cycle tour of Hoa
Lu. The bicycle tour is a round trip of 24km through spectacular
scenery of rice fields, karsts mountains and quaint rural villages.
Leaving the restaurant, you will pass glowing lime kilns fed
by the mining of the lime stone mountains.
• Hoa Lu is the site of the former capital of
the Vietnamese state, post Chinese rule in the first millennium.
The site was chosen for its geographic location, which made
it virtually impenetrable and served as the capital from AD
968 until it was moved to present day Hanoi in 1011. Nothing
remains of the capital; however, the attraction is the raw beauty,
temples dating back to the 17th Century, the King’s Tomb
and the simple life of the farmers in the region.
• On completion of the cycle tour you will return
to your hotel and an opportunity to have a cool drink to
refresh. You may want to ask your guide for directions to Ninh
Binh’s local markets where you will see typical Vietnamese
trading without the tourists.
• Accommodation at Hotel in Ninh Binh |
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| Day 2 - Ninh Binh - Phat Diem/Kenh Ga
- Cuc Phuong Park (B/-/-) |
• Over breakfast you will meet and discuss the day’s
activities with your guide.
• Option 1 – Phat Diem: A 28km bicycle
ride will take you through striking rural scenery where you
will see rural churches of grand proportions and a rare Japanese
covered bridge. Once you arrive in the village of Phat Diem,
you will be able to take a break and cool drink in one of the
local cafes. The streets of Phat Diem are worth exploring for
their numerous sewing shops, a great local market and the majestic
Catholic Cathedral, which illuminates the surrounding streets.
Phat Diem Cathedral is the centre for Vietnamese Catholicism
and one of 30 churches in the area built by French Jesuits.
The cathedral blends Chinese with Western styles in its solid
grey stone and wood architecture. Its peaceful gardens and magnificent
bell towers attract thousands of Vietnamese Catholics from surrounding
dioceses. After your tour of Phat Diem it is a return drive
to Ninh Binh in your private transport.
• Option 2 – Kenh Ga: A 21km bicycle
ride will take you through striking rural scenery. Once you
arrive in the village of Kenh Ga your guide will organize a
private boat. Many travellers to Kenh Ga justifiably refer to
the area as “Halong Bay with rice fields”, but for
others, there’s no comparison; the magnificent natural
beauty of the town’s surroundings knows no equal. Still
largely undiscovered, Kenh Ga remains an amazing sight to explore
without getting lost in the flocks of tourists. Though the boat
tour is named after the floating village, the excursion captures
much more; it encompasses a trip past the spectacular limestone
mountains that jut out from the rice fields and the river that
gently meanders through them. While passing through the rivers
with their cliff-side homes, visitors are charmed by smiling,
waving children, and the occasional mother holding a baby while
paddling along with her feet. There is also an opportunity to
explore a water-carved cave with thousands of year of mineral
and rock formations. After your tour of Kenh Ga it is a return
drive to Ninh Binh in your private transport.
• After lunch (own account), drive 45km to
Cuc Phuong National Park. On the way you will pass pineapple
farms, ethnic minority groups, beautiful scenery and rural villages.
Arriving at the gates at Cuc Phuong NP you can take the opportunity
to view the informative Visitor Information Centre. Cuc Phuong
NP offers numerous hikes, ethnic minority groups, the Endangered
Primate Rescue Centre and rare wildlife.
• The late afternoon provides the best time to
take one of the short treks through the NP. Public treks
in Cuc Phuong include the ‘Ancient Tree trek’ or the
‘Thousand Year Old Tree trek’. These treks vary in
difficulty and depend on how active you are feeling. Your guide
will be able to provide you with information on difficulty.
• Accommodation at the National Park Guesthouse |
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| Day 3 -Cuc Phuong National Park - Ninh
Binh - Hanoi (b/-/-) |
• After breakfast you will drive to the ‘Cave
of Prehistoric Man’ where locals still pay homage to
prehistoric artifacts that have been found in the cave.
• Departing the National Park you will have
the rare opportunity for a guided tour of the Endangered Rescue
Primate Centre by one of the German zoologists. Inside reside
15 of Vietnam’s 25 species of primates including the extremely
rare Cat Ba Langur. The primates are brought to the centre for
rehabilitation before being set free in the National Park.
• Driving back to Ninh Binh we will return
through the spectacular scenery of Hoa Lu.
• Arriving in Ninh Binh you may have lunch
at a fine local restaurant (own account).
• After lunch, your private transport will
be waiting for your return drive to Hanoi.
• Arrive in Hanoi, drop off at your hotel (accommodation
in Hanoi not included).
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| USD p.p | Booking |
| Superior |  |
Our tour prices are inclusive of transfers and tours with experienced English speaking cycling guide, accommodation in shared twin rooms with air-condition and private bath room, meals as specified in the program (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner), entrance fees, bicycle rental, refreshment with tissue on cycling day.
Not included are personal insurance, optional tours, meals, other services than mentioned in the program, expenditure of a personal nature such as drinks, souvenirs, laundry, camera fees, gratuities etc, early check-in and late check-out, surcharges for compulsory gala dinners during festive seasons and peak season surcharges, which will be advised at time of booking.
NOTE: Cycling tours are organized for amateur cyclists using the good quality locally made mountain bike without amenities for professional cyclists.
Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
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| Hotel | Superior |
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| According to the itinerary | |
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