Tour Itinerary

 

CYCLING MAI CHAU (3 DAYS)

Grade:  Moderate Best Season: Year round

Trip Code: VACMC3

 

 

HANOI – HOA BINH – MAI CHAU – LAC VILLAGE – VAN VILLAGE – MAI CHAU – HANOI

Cycling in the north west highlands of Mai Chau is a great way to see this stunning part of Vietnam, offering both adventure and hill tribe life. The verdant and rugged mountain scenery of the Highlands provides a beautiful backdrop.  As we cycle we encounter Muong and White Thai inhabitants and are guests in their traditional stilt houses allowing us to see firsthand how these minority peoples live.  Our modern lightweight European bikes make exploring this part of the country an enjoyable and relatively easy experience and there is a support vehicle on hand if necessary.

 

Day 1:   Hanoi – Hoa Binh – Mai Chau (40km)

In the morning, we transfer by support vehicle to Hoa Binh town.  From here we are introduced to our bikes and start our ride to visit a village of Muong people.  After lunch we get back on our bikes and head up to Mai Chau.  As the road becomes very steep in parts we combine cycling with the support vehicle.  Our final destination today is the White Thai village of Lac.  Here we spend the night as guests of the Thai people in a traditional home stay built on stilts. (L, D)

 

Day 2:   Lac village – Van village (35km)

We leave Lac and cycle through some beautiful countryside en route to the village of Van. Along the way we pass through several Thai and Muong hamlets. In the afternoon, we cycle along the valley floor and are constantly surrounded by stunning scenery, arriving at Van village by late afternoon. Here there is time to explore this charming little village before dinner. The village is also home to the White Thai people, but unlike Lac it has remained completely unchanged by the advent of tourism. Tonight we will be their guests in one of their traditional stilt houses. (B,L,D)

 

Day 3:   Van village - Hanoi (35km)

Although we return to Lac we take a totally different route. Today’s cycling will probably be the hardest so far as we climb hills and descend into valleys.  As before we will pass through many Thai and Muong villages, where we will be greeted with smiles and quite possibly a degree of fascination!   Arriving in Lac around midday we once again take a well-earned lunch in the village.  There will be time for a little rest before we join our support vehicle for the return drive to Hanoi. (B,L)

 

 

TOUR COST  - all tour prices are subject to an Acceptance Payment/Deposit of £150

Cost per person based on twin share as per itinerary  VACMK3

One person travelling alone  US$441 (Excludes Acceptance Payment/Deposit of £150)

Twin Sharing Per Person   US$299 (Excludes Acceptance Payment/Deposit of £150)

Four persons Per Person  US$247 (Excludes Acceptance Payment/Deposit of £150)

 

 

ALSO AVAILABLE  - Best Season: Mainly year round

CYCLING Mekong Delta (3 days)   Grade: Moderate  Trip Code:  VACMK3

CYCLE NORTH EAST (5 days)   Grade: Challenging  Trip Code:  VACNE5

CYCLE HANOI TO HUE (8 days)  Grade: Moderate  Trip Code:  VACHH8

NORTHERN BIKE DISCOVERY (9 days) Grade: Challenging  Trip Code: VACNW

TRAILS OF VIETNAM (15 days)  Grade: Moderate  Trip Code: VACTOV  

NORTHERN VIETNAM MULTI-ADVENTURE   Grade: Moderate  Trip Code: VANVMA

(13 days)      

 

Payment.

 

1. On acceptance - £150 per person, Acceptance Payment/Deposit (non refundable) by cheque payable to “S W & M Miller”.

 

Your Contract for all tour arrangements is directly with our Associate Company in Vietnam to whom payment for the tour is made.

 

2. You pay eight weeks prior to arrival in Vietnam - or on Acceptance - 50% payable in US $, by Credit Card or International Bank Transfer, direct to Buffalo Tours

 

3. On arrival in Vietnam – the balance of 50% payable, in US $, by Credit Card or Cash.

 

Please Note:  A credit card charge may apply in certain countries.

 

Cancellation Charges

35 days prior to arrival a cancellation fee of US$200 per person will be applicable.
30 days notice of cancellation a fee of 25% of the total amount will be applicable.
25 days notice of cancellation a fee of 50% of the total amount will be applicable
Less than 25 days notice incurs the full amount.

Acceptance Payment non refundable

 

Cancellation Charges

35 days prior to arrival a cancellation fee of US$200 per person will be applicable.
30 days notice of cancellation a fee of 25% of the total amount will be applicable.
25 days notice of cancellation a fee of 50% of the total amount will be applicable
Less than 25 days notice incurs the full amount.

Acceptance Payment non refundable

 

 

Included in the Cost

· All hotel accommodation using home stay

· Any single room subject to supplement shown.

· Meals as indicated in the itinerary (B), (L) and (D)

· Use of mountain bicycles

· All transfers and transport

· Services of an English speaking leader throughout

· Sightseeing excursions as outlined in itinerary

· Reasonable supply of bottled water in ice box on vehicle

· Domestic economy airfares, indicated in the itinerary, are subject to change.

· Basic porterage at airports, rail stations and hotels (not tips).

· All currently applicable taxes.

· Where US$ are quoted the UK pounds price shown is for comparison only and is subject to change.

 

Excluded from the Cost

· Expenses of a personal nature such as table drinks, laundry, telephone calls, Internet charges, mineral water, tips, shopping etc.

· Any other meals or services not mentioned in the itinerary or ‘includes’ list.

· Any international airfares to India and Asia

· Any airport taxes where applicable in each country

· Any subsequent increase in airfares, fuel costs, monuments/sightseeing fees.

· Any other taxes subsequently introduced by Government, State or Tourist Ministry.

· Travel Insurance

· Visa Fees, if applicable, in any country

· Any Christmas, New Year and Gala Dinners