COASTAL SCENERY

(14 days, 13 nights)

Day 1: Arrive Hanoi.

Arrive in Hanoi. At leisure to discover the Old quarter.

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (B,L)

City tour of Hanoi with visits to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, his stilt house and One Pillar pagoda, Temple of Literature. Afternoon exploring of Hanoi's silk, Ngoc Son temple at the heart of Hoan Kiem lake. In the evening, we enjoy the water puppet show. Overnighting in Hanoi.

Day 3: Hanoi to Hue (B,L,D)

Leisure time until check out, flight to Hue. Arrival in the ancient Imperial Capital of Vietnam. We will test our bikes cycling along the tranquil Perfume River to the Citadel and onto the peaceful Thien Mu Pagoda. Overnighting in Hue.

Day 4: Hue ~40 km (B,L)

Cycling through Hue's scenic countryside to the majestic Khai Dinh and Tu Duc Royal Tombs. Afternoon explore Dong Ba market and other attractions or rest up for the next day's journey. Diversion can also be a countryside loop 25 km with a photo stop at Thanh Toan covered bridge. Overnighting in Hue.

Day 5: Hue to Hoi An ~140 km (B,L)

A long day ride on highway 1 along the coast, lunch break at picturesque Lang Co beach. An ascent of the pass with stunning views of the coast and a thrilling 7-mile descent from the top to the green rice fields around Da Nang, which we will skirt by on our way to Hoi An. Overnighting in Hoi An.

Day 6: Hoi An (B,L)

City tour of Hoi An: Japanese covered bridge, Old Japanese-Chines houses, Elegant Chinese temple, riverfront marketplace. PM cycling to Cua Dai Beach for swimming. Evening enjoy the full moon night promenade in Hoi An. Overnighting in Hoi An.

Day 7: Hoi An to My Lai/Quang Ngai ~120 km (B,L)

Depart early along the coast and past scenic rice villages. We pass Chu Lai, a former American military base. Late afternoon visit a historical site: My Lai (massacre). Overnighting in Quang Ngai.

Day 8: Quang Ngai to Qui Nhon ~175 km (B,L)

Early coastal riding followed by lunch at the golden sands of Sa Huynh beach - which is also a nice place for a dip in the cooling South China Sea. Afternoon cycling past rural rice villages canopied by swaying coconut palms. We visit a Cham tower before taking our bus to Seagull hotel. Overnighting in Qui Nhon.

Day 9: Qui Nhon to Nha Trang ~230 km (B,L)

Vietnam’s most scenic coastline, featuring deserted blue lagoons and stone promontories overlooking the waters below. Fishing villages, colored boats, mountain pass above the sea etc. Lunch & swim at scenic DaiLanh beach. Overnighting in Vien Dong Hotel.

Day 10: Nha Trang (B,L)

Soft cycling in the morning to PoNagar Cham towers and Long Son pagoda. Lunch at Banana split café. Afternoon free for relaxing.

Day 11: Nha Trang to Dalat ~220 km (B,L)

Morning bus past Cam Ranh Bay to Phan Rang - visit Poklong Garai Cham towers. Ready to climb up Ngoan Muc pass (which some of us will do in the bus) into the beautiful pine forests, lunch break on Dran pass - great view of Da Nhim reservoir. We keep on up and down hill through vegetables, tea & coffee plantation to Da Lat. Overnighting in Da Lat.

Day 12: Da Lat (B,L)

Dalat - a beautiful colonial hill-station with cooler weather and some very interesting sites: Hang Nga crazy house, Vien Thuc’s Pagoda, Da Lat railway station, Truc Lam pagoda and Tuyen Lam reservoir. Overnighting in Dalat.

Day 13: Dalat to Bao Loc/Saigon ~300 km (ride 120 km) (B,L)

Twisting six-mile descent from Dalat through pine forests to the rolling and gradually falling road to Saigon. We'll pass by numerous coffee, tea, banana and rubber plantations planted in the rich, red earth that marks the Central Highlands as the place where Vietnam's finest tea and coffee. Overnighting in in Saigon.

Day 14: Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) (B,L)

City tour of the vibrant, chaos China town - Binh Tay market, War museum. Afternoon visit French style Post office and Notre Dame Cathedral. Bicycle packing or last shopping. Farewell dinner.

Day 15: Depart Saigon (B)

Morning transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for departure flight.

B: Breakfast.
L: Lunch.
D: Dinner.