If you’re flying into Hanoi today you will be met at the airport (outside the arrivals hall at GATE A1) and transferred to the group hotel. The afternoon is at leisure to start exploring Hanoi, with a group meeting being held in the hotel foyer at a time indicated in your final documents. In the evening we will enjoy a welcome dinner at a local restaurant, allowing you to meet your fellow travelers and sample specialty dishes of the north. After dinner, we have tickets to see a performance of Hanoi’s famous water puppet theater. Water Puppet Theatre was traditionally performed during the monsoon months when rice farming was not possible, becoming a very popular art form for local people, with the stories reflecting life in the Red River Delta. Water Puppet Theatre is an important vehicle for local people to pass down stories of daily life, culture and mythology to younger generations, and performances are extremely popular among locals and visitors alike. Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals:  D

After breakfast, you will take drive towards Ninh Binh. Cycle along the Van Long Nature Reserve. Next stop is Hoa Lu, which was the Vietnam’s capital of the Dinh and Early Le dynasties in the 10th and 11th century. The sanctuaries were built in the 17th century. You will see the stone pedestal of a royal throne, bronze bells and statues of the Emperors. You then cycle to Trang An for a boat trip to explore the caves of Trang An. A boating will take you through karts landscape, shallow rice paddies, green trees in fresh air will amaze you. You will ride back to the hotel and have dinner at local restaurant. Cycling distance: 40 km Overnight in Ninh Binh.

Meals:  B,L,D

This morning we drive towards the coast where we’ll board the traditional ‘junk’ boat that will be taking us through Halong Bay. Our overnight cruise through this magnificent natural environment will undoubtedly be a highlight of the trip. While onboard our boat today we’ll be cruising through this spectacular labyrinth of emerald waters studded with towering, jungle-clad limestone islands, eating fresh seafood and spending the afternoon swimming, kayaking and exploring some of the secluded beaches, caves and grottoes in the area. After coming back onboard for a sunset drink and delicious dinner we’ll spend the night aboard in our own private, air conditioned cabins with ensuites. Overnight aboard boat.

Meals:  B,L,D

In the morning, you continue with the cruise through different parts of Ha Long Bay, passing many islets and grottoes. You will reach the pier around noontime. From Ha Long, transfer back to Hanoi where you will have a little time for sightseeing relaxing. Then transfer to the railway station to take night train to Hue. The overnight accommodation aboard the train is four person sleeper cabins where you sleep in comfortable berths swaying to the timeless rhythm of the railroad. Overnight on train

Meals:  B,L

After check-in at our hotel, we’ll hop on our bikes and spend the day exploring the elegant imperial city of Hue, which served as the political, religious and cultural capital of Vietnam under the Nguyen dynasty from 1802 until 1945. Hue is famous for its grand imperial architecture: fortresses, citadels, palaces and pagodas, all set along the banks of the tranquil Perfume River. We’ll visit some of the city’s major landmarks, including the Imperial Citadel, the Forbidden Purple City, the Imperial Museum, Thien Mu Pagoda and the royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc. Cycling distance: 30 km Overnight in Hue.

Meals:  B,L

Today we cycle along small back roads, passing rice fields, fish farms, local markets and traditional craft villages. From Thuan An Beach we turn onto the scenic coastal road heading southward towards Hoi An. After 3 hours’ cycling we will reach Phuoc Tuong Pass, where our vehicle will be waiting to transfer us to nearby Lang Co beach for lunch. After lunch we head to the scenic spur of the Hai Van Pass for amazing coastal views and photo opportunities, before continuing on to Hoi An via Danang city. Alternatively, if the group would like to ride further, the option is there to continue riding along the coast road into Hoi An. Upon arrival, the afternoon will be free to relax or start exploring. Cycling distance: 30 km (with an optional additional 40 km) Overnight in Hoi An.

Meals:  B,L,D

Hoi An is an ancient port town and was home to one of Southeast Asia’s major international harbors from 17th to the 19th century. The city preserves hundreds of houses built of precious wood in its very own style. There is the Japanese quarter linked with a Chinese neighborhood by the famous Japanese Covered Bridge, which was constructed in 1593. The Chinese community of Hoi An founded many temples and Assembly Halls, which are worth visiting. In the morning, you could join couple hours riding with the guide to explore the quietest and peaceful villages where you can interact with locals to get to know more about their life Cam Thanh islet and cycling to Tra Que vegetable farm. In the afternoon, you will enjoy the walking tour to explore the ancient town of Hoi An. Cycling distance: 30 km Overnight in Hoi An.

Meals:  B

Today, we cycle on small road to explore the real life styles of the local people. We will pass several fishing villages, and beautiful rice paddy fields. We start riding from our hotel on the back roads to discover the natural beauty of Thu Bon River to reach Tam Ky town for lunch. After lunch, you take a short bus ride to Chau O. On this ride you'll travel through villages where the people love to say hello and give you a friendly wave. Then continue to Sa Ky Port, My Khe beach and the well-known hamlet of My Lai. Here, there is the evocative memorial for those villagers who died in the horrific massacre during the Vietnam War. The My Lai site is a small rural settlement, surrounded by simple thatched huts, quilted rice paddies and farmers with conical hats going about their day to day routines. The mood is set by these peaceful and tranquil surroundings despite the deep scars of the past. After visiting the memorial and museum you can either continue riding (depending on the time of day) or take our support bus to Quang Ngai where you'll spend the night. Total Cycle distance: approx 60kms Overnight: Quang Ngia

Meals:  B,L,D

Today is a more challenging day as you leave Highway No.1 and head inland towards Quang Nam. You will cycle only part of today, along with stunning photo opportunities. You will cycle to the foot of Violac Pass (1,000m high above sea level and 76km long). From here, you transfer to Mang Den and cycle downhill. You will properly keep riding past many remote villages, over bridges and along quiet but scenic roads. Cycling distance: 70 km Overnight in Kon Tum.

Meals:  B,L,D

From Kon Tum, you take the early drive to Chu Se town, passing Pleiku city. Stop on the top of Chu Se Pass, cycle down the pass, continue riding up and down some small hills, on the flat grounds through some busy towns and have lunch at Ajupa town. After lunch, you continue enjoying more fabulous rides through large coffee, rubber and dragon fruits plantations as well as the hill tribe villages. You finally reach your destination, E Adrang town. You then transfer by bus to Buon Ma Thuot city - the largest town in the Western Highlands, and the capital of Dak Lak Province. Cycling distance: 65 km Overnight in Buon Ma Thuot.

Meals:  B,L,D

Today is an exhilarating day as we cycle from the mountains of Buon Ma Thuot towards the coast to the beach resort of Nha Trang. We cover a lot of ground today, but most of the distance is downhill. As you head away from the rainforest-covered plateau towards the coastal plain, you’ll pass through hill tribe hamlets and thick forests, home to diverse wildlife including elephants. We’ll stop for lunch en route and travel the final stretch by vehicle, a chance to soak up the scenery of turquoise lagoons dotted with fishing boats and prawn farms. Tonight you may like to head out for a seafood feast at one of the beachfront restaurants. Cycling distance: 60-90 km Overnight in Nha Trang.

Meals:  B,L

Today is a day of leisure (no cycling!) and postcard-perfect natural beauty as we cruise the tropical waters and islands around Nha Trang. There will be time for swimming and snorkeling, or simply relaxing on the beach with a cold drink. A fresh seafood lunch will be served on our boat before we head back to Nha Trang, where the rest of the day will be free at leisure. Overnight in Nha Trang.

Meals:  B,L

This morning is free at leisure in Nha Trang before our flight to Ho Chi Minh City. If time permits, you might like to enjoy a well-earned massage! Upon our arrival in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), we transfer to our hotel. With a population of 6 million, this is the largest and busiest city in Vietnam and much of daily life takes place on its busy streets, which are lined with shops, stalls and vendors spilling out onto the footpath. The rest of today is free to rest or start exploring the city. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Meals:  B

This morning we drive to the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, a twisting network of narrow underground tunnels and rooms that the Viet Cong used as its military base and living quarters during the Vietnam War, at its height the tunnel system stretched from Saigon all the way to the Cambodian border. The system including tunnels, trap doors, living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories and caches, field hospitals, command centres and kitchens. We’ll learn about the Viet Cong’s life underground as well as being able to explore the system by foot, before driving back to Ho Chi Minh City for an afternoon of sightseeing. One of the city’s main sights is the Reunification Palace, an outstanding example of 1960s architecture that is steeped in modern history. It was here that the Vietnam War ended dramatically in 1975 when the city of Saigon fell after a North Vietnamese army tank crashed through the palace gates, from which point the city was known as Ho Chi Minh City. Other major landmarks include the Notre Dame Cathedral, an imposing neo-Romanesque Catholic cathedral built in the late 19th century; and the Saigon Post Office, a classic French colonial building bearing a giant portrait of ‘Uncle Ho’ and many grand architectural details. If time permits, the city’s War Remnants Museum offers an excellent collection of grim artifacts and photographs from the Vietnam-American War. Ben Thanh Market is an enormous sprawling covered marketplace that is packed to the gills with everything from fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood and sweets; to suitcases, clothing and white goods; to traditional lacquer ware, handicrafts and kitschy tourist trinkets. Bargaining is key here, but even if you’re not shopping, it’s a dazzling spectacle to photograph. Tonight we’ll join our Vietnamese guide for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Meals:  B,D

The morning is free in Ho Chi Minh City where our journey concludes. If you are flying home today you will be transferred to the airport in time for your departure.

Meals:  B