Biking Hidden Paths of Mai Chau & Ninh Binh

This trip offers a great opportunity to see the two area of outstanding nature beauty: the North West highlands of Mai Chau and the limestone mountains of Ninh Binh. Biking is a great way to see this fascinating and visually stunning part of Vietnam, offering both physical activity and the unique opportunity to observe a way of life that has changed little over the centuries. As we ride in Mai Chau, we encounter Muong and White Thai minorities. Over here, we are guests in their traditional stilt houses. It's good chance to see firsthand how these minority peoples live. In Ninh Binh, we explore the beauty of “Halong Bay on the rice fields” on bikes.

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Duration: 4 days/3 nights

Tour Code: MVAT08

Price from: US $ 650.00 Pax

Tour Valid: Until December 30th, 2013

Highlights: Awesome scenery - Tam Coc - the "Halong Bay on the rice fields" - Homestay in Thai village & Traditional foot massage: Hanoi - Mai Chau - Ninh Binh - Hanoi - A 4-day tour with various terrains, interesting home-stay and awesome scenery.

• Day 1 - Overland to Mai Chau/bike to Buoc Village

  Place Transport: Car
  Meals: Lunch - Dinner

  Leave Hanoi at 8am. We will drive to Mai Chau- the gateway to the impressive mountainous area of northern Vietnam. The drive will be very nice with stunning view of mountains, valleys, sugarcane farms and rice paddies. We would have a stop en route for refreshment. Upon arrival in Mai Chau, we'll have a lunch stop in Pom Coong- a village of Thai ethnic minority. We will have lunch in a local house. After lunch, we'll embark on a biking on village road to Buoc- a village of Thai minority group. We will have dinner and stay overnight in a traditional stilt-house of a Thai family.

  Day 2 - Bike on back road to Mai Chau

  Place Transport: Bicycle
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

  We'll have breakfast in the home stay and then we'll start biking on beautiful country road through scenic villages of Thai minority. We will have lunch in a local house in Xo village. After lunch, we'll continue riding to Pom Coong village. Dinner and overnight in Pom Coong Village.

  Day 3 - Bike/drive to Ninh Binh

  Place Transport: Bicycle
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner

  Breakfast and free at leisure to cycle around in the Mai Chau valley or shopping for Thai handmade fabric. Lunch in Mai Chau. After lunch, drive to Ninh Binh and stop on the way for a beautiful ride through country side. Stay overnight in Ninh Binh.

  Day 4 - Bike/sightseeing of “Halong Bay on the rice field”/Drive back to Hanoi

  Place Transport: Car
  Meals: Breakfast - Lunch

  Biking from the hotel to Hoa Lu- the first capital of Vietnam date back from 8th century. Visit the temples and climb some hundred steps to the top of a mountain for a great view over the “Halong Bay on the rice field”. After that, bike through an amazing area of limestone mountains uprising on rice paddies. After 1hr riding, reach to Tam Coc. Lunch in local restaurant and then enjoy an interesting rowing boat trip on river to explore the Halong Bay on the rice paddies. Drive back to Hanoi. The trip ends.

  The Tour Inclusion:

  - 03 Nights Accommodation in home- stay with daily BKF.

  - Pick-ups and transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle as specified in the itinerary above (Please note: pick-ups will be by a guide and driver or, where a guide is not necessary, a driver only. All unaccompanied drivers will be briefed in advance, and will carry a mobile phone to ensure smooth transfer arrangements)

  - The services of experienced English-speaking guides as indicated in the itinerary (please note: guides will be on hand from pick-up until guests' return to their hotel or reaching their destination). Free days or part days will not include the services of a guide unless requested and included in the final itinerary.

  - Where necessary, entry fees for all visits as mentioned in the program

  -Meals (as specified in the itinerary) in the best local restaurants, or picnics where no suitable restaurant is available.

  The Tour Exclusion:

  - International flight tickets and airport tax.Visas

  - Dinners, except as specified above.

  - Drinks, gratuities and personal expenses.

  - Surcharge for peak season (if any) & Other not mentioned in the above detail program.

  Additional Information

  Importance note- The itinerary is just a sample of our Vietnam tours; we'll be pleased to design similar programs with dates and itinerary customized to your personal preferences in Tailor Made Tours section. Rates may vary frequently. Please contact us to get the best possible price based upon your travel period and specific touring needs.

  What to bring ?
  - Sun Block, Wide brim hat, Camera + Film, Comfortable shoes, Rain gear, Warm clothes, original Passport...

  How to start ?
  - MinMax Travel is a fully escorted tour and best-available all year round; the only thing you need to prepare in advance is the international air-ticket from/to your country.

  - If you don’t have enough time to complete visa before your departure, we will help you to obtain Vietnam Visa on arrival easily (getting visa at the airport, on your arrival).