Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350 TICO Ontario Registration No: 50022848

Discover Central Vietnam by Bike (2020-2021)

Guided

9 Days/ 8 Nights

Photo credit all photos: Judy Andrew Piel

Vietnam offers cyclists a host of remarkable riding opportunities, and this tour takes full advantage of that. As you make your way from the energetic city of Ho Chi Minh along the coast to UNESCO World Heritage Sites and stunning natural wonders, through mountains and countryside to Hoi An, you’ll experience everything from historic monuments and citadels to small fishing villages, the caves of Phong Nha, and countless rice fields. Explore Hue’s Imperial City, cycle the scenic Hai Van Pass, and check out the ruins of My Son as you visit these must-see locations as well as authentic off-the-beaten-track spots. You’ll see all the beauty and learn much of the history of Vietnam. Hop on your bikes and join us for this ultimate Vietnam experience. Take a food tour of Saigon to discover the complex flavors of Vietnam.Explore the stalagmites and stalactites of the Phong Nha cave with a trek through the National Park. Discover the UNESCO World Heritage Imperial City of Hue for a day of historical immersion. Cycle through the peaceful countryside of Hoi An to the ancient ruins of My Son.

OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. - 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 – Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 www.okcycletours.com Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350 TICO Ontario Registration No: 50022848

DAY 1 WELCOME TO SAIGON Meal: D

Welcome to the fascinating city of Ho Chi Minh, also known by its former name Saigon, famous for ending the Vietnam War when it fell to the North Vietnamese in 1975. In addition to its historical significance, Saigon is Vietnam's most populated city, full of activity and home to classic examples of French colonial architecture and an innovative culinary scene. We will meet in our hotel at 4 pm for a briefing and introduction before heading out on a special nighttime tour of the best food Saigon has to offer. This night will delight foodies and skeptics alike, with a stop for drinks at a local cafe, tasting of a variety of specialties at two different restaurants, a visit to a coffee shop with live music, and a taste of Vietnamese nightlife at a local bar. Don’t forget to bring your appetite!

DAY 2 FLIGHT & RIDE TO CHAY LAP Riding: 35km Meal: BLD

This morning we’ll head to the airport for a short flight to Dong Hoi. Your guide will pick you up at Dong Hoi airport, then a transfer to Phong Nha where we will start our biking adventures. Phong Nha is a pleasant town surrounded by national park and the Son River, we’ll spend our morning pedaling through its bright river valley. After lunch, we’ll ride to Chay Lap where we’ll stay in the night at a farm homestay amidst towering hills and lush greenery. This is a unique opportunity to delve into Vietnamese culture in this rural setting of untouched farming land.

DAY 3 CAVING & FREE AFTERNOON IN PHONG NHA Meal: BL

Head underground into the mysterious Phong Nha cave and underground rivers that make up this UNESCO World Heritage Site. The day’s cave exploration requires an hour of trekking, but the unique rock formations of the Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park are ample reward for your efforts. We’ll make our way along the stalagmites and stalactites, past the beautiful reef and sandbank, to the spectacular underground lake.

The afternoon and evening are free for you to enjoy a drink by the pool at our farmstay, or explore this incredibly fertile and unspoiled area nestled far from the bustling cities and crazy tourist scenes of much of this Southeast Asian country.

DAY 4CYCLE & TRAIN TO HUE Riding: 30km Meal: BL

Our day starts with a laid-back train ride to Hue and a scenic bike ride through the countryside will help warm up the legs. We’ll pass friendly locals hard at work, a variety of animals grazing in their pastures, and the peaceful surroundings of this rural area. Pedal past the peaceful Tam Giang lagoon tucked into the landscape like something out of a movie! Tonight make your own way around the historical city of Hue.

DAY 5 CYCLE HUE Riding: 30km Meal: BLD

A day of historical exploration awaits as we hop on our bikes and cycle to some of the highlights of this ancient city. We’ll visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Imperial City for a tour of its citadel and grounds, then head to the sacred tombs of former Vietnamese emperors, such as the opulent 19th century Tu Duc tomb along the river. This evening we will enjoy dinner in a private home, with the chance to taste proper Vietnamese cooking and hear the stories of this delightful family.

DAY 6CYCLE HAI VAN PASS TO HOI AN Riding: 50km Meal: BLD

Today we’ll transfer out of Hue to the starting point of our ride. Make sure to get a good stretch before you pedal along the Hai Van Pass. This 21 kilometer stretch of road, with 10 kilometers of steady, achievable climbing, traverses part of the Truong Son mountain range of Vietnam, and as it winds its way through the mountains, the route provides spectacular views of the coast down below.

Have your camera at the ready to snap some pictures of this idyllic blue and green scenery as you rest along this climb. We’ll pedal to an ancient Buddha statue set on a headland near Da Nang City before transferring the rest of the way to Hoi An. Once in the city, we’ll take to the streets for a walking tour of the Old Town and a wonderful dinner together there. OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. - 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 – Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 www.okcycletours.com Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350 TICO Ontario Registration No: 50022848

DAY 7 HOI AN COUNTRYSIDE RIDE Riding: 25-45km Meal: BL

Early this morning you’ll have the option to kayak along the Thu Bon river as the sun rises above the city of Hoi An. If you can get yourself up, the experience is totally worth it! Later we’ll pedal across the river into the countryside, passing through small traditional villages, onto dirt pathways past family farms and rice fields, exchanging smiles with workers along the way.

After renewing our energy with a snack, we’ll cycle on towards the ruins of My Son: another UNESCO World Heritage Site. Once we’ve arrived, we’ll have the chance to wander through these ruins built by the Cham people who were originally Hindu and later evolved to practice Islam. The Cham kingdom was eventually conquered by the Vietnamese and then the Khmer, but the ruins of this sacred sanctuary remain in good shape, though covered in moss. We will transfer from My Son back to Hoi An.

DAY 8CYCLE TAM KY Riding: 50km Meal: BLD

This morning we will transfer an hour to the small, provincial city of Tam Ky before beginning our bike route that brings us back along the coast towards Hoi An. Take a peek above the handlebars, and catch a glimpse of headstones and graves that dot the landscape along the sand dunes and waterways. Once we’ve reached the Cua Dai bridge that spans the Thu Bon River, we’ll take a boat back to ancient Hoi An. Tonight let’s make the most of our last Vietnamese meal together at our farewell dinner.

DAY 9TOUR CONCLUDES Meal: B

Our tour concludes today with a transfer back to the Da Nang Airport.

Route

220 Km riding. The riding on this bike tour is achievable for anyone who rides occasionally as a commuter or recreationally on the weekends. Most of the roads are paved back roads and concrete pathways with minimal traffic. There are often sea breezes to keep the temperature down a little. Hai Van Pass is a sustained climb of 10km with a lovely descent of the same length immediately after. The gradient is not overly steep, and once you find a rhythm, it is actually an enjoyable ride with some great views. There are a few other small hills, but we always return to sea level, so the up is a nice trade-off for the down.

Dates:

March 28- April 5, May 9-17, June 20-28, Aug 1-9. Nov 14-22, Feb 20-28 2021, March 27-April 4 2021, May 9-17 2021, July 3-11 2021, July 32-Aug 8 2021, Nov 13-21 2021

Price

$2400 US person double occupancy

$800 Deposit

$890 Single room option

There is no surcharge for single travelers - we will match you with another same-sex single traveler. If you want a single room there is an optional upgrade that you can book.

Included:

 Top quality, well maintained Cannondale Quick 1 Disc mountain bikes in a full range of sizes are included in your tour. Handlebar bags for your personal possessions and a reusable sports bottle are also provided.

 The hotels we use are a great, and sometimes unexpected, part of this tour. In the larger cities and established tourist centers we use stylish and supremely comfortable hotels and resorts, while in the smaller and more out of the way areas we stay in the best available accommodation, which is often simple yet always well run, clean and comes with air- conditioning and a private bathroom.

 An experienced English speaking, local leader will host you on this trip who is well spoken, very knowledgeable, and charming. For tours of 7+ people, an assistant guide will accompany the group to allow for flexibility and ensure attention to service & detail.

 Our leaders are often cited as being the main highlight of the tour. We use local guides who have a passion for their country and are always well informed on topics ranging from history, politics, cuisine and importantly local customs and cultures. Our leaders will take pride in introducing you to every aspect of their country and will help you to connect with the villagers you meet along the way. They will also look out for your safety and comfort at all times.

 An air-conditioned backup support vehicle is always available in case you want a break from riding, and to carry your luggage.

 The international profile of Vietnamese food has increased over the last two decades with very good reason. A cuisine that has evolved with the culture and landscape of Vietnam provides for an astounding level of variety from south to north. Each town and city has its own subtle twist on iconic dishes and some of their own creations. Our leaders are passionate about their food and look forward to taking you on a culinary adventure in unison with your cycling adventure. They will accommodate all dietary requirements. Included meals are listed in the day by day itinerary, and drinking water is always included with meals. Any soft or alcoholic drinks are not included and will be at your own expense.

 Energy bars and local snacks are provided to keep your energy levels up for the riding, and clean water and electrolyte drinks are always available to keep you well hydrated.

 Souvenir Cycle Jersey and water bottle

 This tour is guaranteed for a minimum of just 4 travelers. And we limit the group size to only 14 travelers so that you get all the attention you want in an intimate group.

 There is no surcharge for single travelers - we will match you with another same-sex single traveler. If you want a single room there is an optional upgrade that you can book. OK Cycle & Adventure Tours Inc. - 666 Kirkwood Ave - Suite B102 – Ottawa, Ontario Canada K1Z 5X9 www.okcycletours.com Toll Free 1-888-621-6818 Local 613-702-5350 TICO Ontario Registration No: 50022848

 On this tour we provide Wahoo ELEMNT bike computers for additional navigational support. These are the latest in user-friendly navigation tech from Wahoo Fitness. With Wahoo devices you will be able to track your progress and monitor your route. Beyond their basic setup, the geek-cyclists will find Wahoo ELEMNTs to be excellent data mining devices allowing to measure almost any aspect of the ride.

Bikes: Included Hybrid

Top quality, well maintained Cannondale Quick 1 Disc mountain bikes in a full range of sizes are included in your tour. Handlebar bags for your personal possessions and a reusable sports bottle are also provided.

E-bike upgrade $245 US

Simple to use and a pleasure to ride, the Trek Conduit+ pedal-assist bike expands touring possibilities for all riders, and anything that enables people to explore more of the world by bike is a great thing in our books! An upgrade can be purchased for this trip, availability is limited and on a first-in basis.

THIS IS A PARTNER TOUR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT US