Day 1 – Arrive Saigon (D)
Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City. The day is free to prepare the bikes, recuperate from the flight or begin exploring this fascinating city, formerly known as Saigon. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Day 2 – Saigon Half day city tour B,L
After breakfast, enjoy a morning city tour of dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, takes in the former Presidential Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral. Great examples of 70’s décor. Interesting to see.

Free time in the afternoon to continue exploring. Perhaps a stroll around the city biggest marker called Ben Thanh. There is plenty for the visitor to buy, but the main attraction is the way in which the bustling market is still very much part of the city's life and economy. Dan Sinh Market (War surplus market) Nguyen Cong Tru St, full of replica US army gear. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city.

Day 3 - Saigon – Cu Chi Tunnels – Cai Be (25+km cycling) B,L,D
After breakfast transfer 30km out of Saigon to avoid the teeming traffic. Cycle back roads to the Cu Chi Tunnels, which were more than 250 km long and three levels deep, were important for the Viet Cong victory over the Americans as they allowed the Viet Cong to control a large rural area around Sai Gon. After visiting the tunnel, en joy lunch in a local restaurant near the tunnels. Continue cycling a great tarmac road to Trang Bang, from there cut across country by bike or bus towards Ha Nghia and Duc Hoa. Drive the last busy section to Cai Be. Overnight in a wonderful family run Mekong homestay.

Day 4 - Cai Be – Tra Vinh (47km) B,L,DBlack Hmong ethnic kids in Vietnam
Cycle along narrow country lanes and easy dirt tracks and trails. There is chance for exciting riding through tiny villages on gravel and clay tracks. This is biking at its most glorious-through tiny orchards, witness colourful life along the riverside, pedal past picturesque delta homes, pause to chat with welcoming villagers, clack across innumerable wooden bridges. Cross a narrow canal on a local sampan, before finishing at the main ferry for a refreshing boat trip across the expansive Co Chien River. Ride a final few km to the very pretty Khmer town of Tra Vinh. Overnight in Tra Vinh.

Day 5 – Tra Vinh – Cau ke – Can Tho (80km) B,L,D
A special ride today as much of the area is populated by Khmer people. The regional architecture is interesting and there are many Khmer temples to stop and admire en route. Cycle as much or as little as is preferred; the road is peaceful, narrow and very pretty all the way to Can Tho! Pedal to Ba Om Pond with its magnificent lotus flowers, and observe local women having their future predicted in the small temple nearby. En route, visit a local Buddhist Temple School and learn about the life of the students. Arrive finally at Can Tho, the Mekong’s largest town located at the confluence of the Can Tho and Hau Giang rivers. Overnight in Can Tho.

Day 6 – Can Tho Biking and exploration (30km or more if requested) – Saigon B,L
After enjoying an early morning breakfast visit the Cai Rang floating market then weave through teeming early morning market bustle along the banks of an active riverfront. Ride on a narrow paved road to Phong Dien floating market. Absorb the sights of endless cottage industries, timber merchants, coconut shredders, small docks loading/unloading rice, tiny vibrant markets. Continue by bike on the narrow lane to explore the hidden backwaters of the delta. Local lunch in town. In the afternoon return to Saigon.

Day 7 – Saigon – Danang – Hoi An B,DHoi An beach, Vietnam
Transfer to the airport to fly to Danang. Arrive Danang. We spend two nights in Hoi An, a living museum, Once known as Faifo, Hoi An was one of the orient’s major trading ports in the 16th and 17th centuries. After the Thu Bon River linking Hoi An to the sea silted up, ocean going ships were no longer able to sail into town and trade moved 30km up the coast to Tourane, known nowadays as Danang. Five kilometers from the centre of town is Cua Dai Beach, popular with both locals and visitors alike, for its sandy beach, warm sea and seafood stalls. Hoi An is known throughout Vietnam for its excellent seafood and it also boasts its own unique dishes such as Cao Lau, a delicious combination of noodles, pork, bean sprouts, mint and croutons.
Overnight in the 3 star hotel.

Day 8 - Hoi An B,L
Morning cooking class. Rest of day at leisure. The day is at leisure. Alternatively take an optional bike ride to My Son Cham towers located 70km from Hoi An or charter a local boat out to the beautiful Cham Island set in pristine seas and with a gorgeous deserted beach. Few tourists have yet visited this gem! Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 9 - Hoi An – Hue B,L
Morning drive to Hue over the pass of the ocean clouds. Hue is one of the main cultural, religious and educational centres of Vietnam. Hue became the nation’s capital under the Nguyen Dynasty when Emperor Gia Long, the first of the Nguyen emperors, chose the location for the imperial city in 1802. The city remained Vietnam’s capital until 1945, when Bao Dai, the last of the Nguyen emperors, abdicated. Many of Hue’s attractions are found along the banks of the romantically named Perfume River that flows through the centre of town. Hue is also famous for producing the best non la or conical hats in Vietnam and the place to buy these is at the enormous Dong Ba Market. On arrival take a cyclo to explore the remains of the Imperial Citadel. Overnight in Hue.

Day 10 - Hue – Hanoi – Lao Cai B,L,D
Half day Hue tour to visit Thien Mu Pagoda and mausoleums of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh. Return to town for lunch at a local restaurant before transferring to the airport for the 2.40pm flight to Hanoi. Arrive Hanoi and transfer to the centre of town. In the early evening take a walking tour of the old Quarter before driving to the restaurant for dinner. At about 7.30pm transfer to the train station for the overnight train to Lao Cai. Overnight on board train in 4 berth cabins with soft mattress and clean bedding.

Day 11- Lao Cai – Sapa trekking B,LRoad to Sapa, Vietnam
Arrive Lao Cai in the early morning, transfer up a mountain road, winding along terraced hillsides to Sapa, a former French hill resort and home to some of Vietnam's most colourful ethnic groups. Having breakfast in Hoa Sua restaurant Trek remote Muong Hum Valley. It takes almost 2 hours to get to Muong Hum - a small & traditional beautiful market situated among ethnic villages. The market deeply shows the typical cultural features of Vietnam's remote areas. Leave the market and transfer by Russian jeep to Sapa. Along the way, stop to visit a cave called Muong Vy or "ThuyTien", an alternative visit to a local village of the Black H'mong and then return to Sapa in the afternoon. Overnight in Sapa.

Day 12 - Sapa – Seo Trung Ho B,L,D
Begin by taking a short transfer from Sapa town, driving south into the Sapa valley. Start trekking by descending into the H’mong village of Lao Chai. Here you are able to explore and experience the daily life of the village. Cross a suspension bridge and walk through rice paddy fields to the Giay ethnic minority village of Ta Van. Ta Van is surrounded by stunning scenery and has some beautiful views of rice paddy fields. From here you will begin an ascent of the mountain slope for 6km and cross a pass, from where there are magnificent views. Eventually arrive at the Black Hmong village of Seomity and camp for the night. There is a stream nearby which is great for bathing after a long day on the trail.

Note: Approx: ,5 hour driving, 4 hours trekking, 1 hour lunch
Do not drink river water. Overnight in tented camp. 8km

Day 13 - Seo Trung Ho – Ta Trung Ho B,L,DRed Dao ethnic boy in Vietnam
The trek today leads through beautiful rice paddies and across old suspension bridges. There is one hour of hard uphill to negotiate today. Stop enroute to visit a small school at the peaceful village of Den Thang. Continue trekking on demanding terrain to the village of Ta Trung Ho. This is a Red Dao ethnic minority village and is our destination for overnight. Both the valleys and the village are unused to the presence of foreigners so we are encouraged to tread gently. The accommodation here is the poorest on the trip so be prepared! Overnight in homestay.

Note: Accommodation: Local house) Approx: 6 to 7 hours trekking, 12km

Day 14 - Ban Ho – Sapa – Lao Cai B,L,D
You will now be at the fringe of the rain forest by the Hoang Lien Son Mountain National Park range. Fansipan, the highest peak in Indochina with its 3143 m, is located in this mountain range. Trek uphill for a couple of hours before descending to the Red Dao village of Nam Toong, where the group will have lunch in a local school Continue trekking to Ban Ho – a delightful village located at the edge of a turquoise coloured fast flowing river. From Ban Ho our jeeps will be waiting to transfer up out of the valley to Sapa. Overnight in well deserved luxury at the four star Victoria Sapa hotel.

Note: Approx, 4-6 hours trekking 10km

Day 15 - Hanoi - Halong Bay B,L,D
Arrive Hanoi in the early morning, transfer to a good local restaurant for breakfast before departure for Halong bay. Enjoy the journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life. Upon arrival in Halong city, boarding on a shared wooden boat for a cruise among the 3, 000 spectacular limestone islands. The boat is one of the more traditional varieties that sail through the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a fresh seafood lunch on board while the captain heads out for the horizon. Visit Dinh Huong Island and others, stop to wander around the impressive Sun Sot Cave famed for its remarkable stalactites and stalagmites. Continue the cruise stopping at Titov beach for the night. Dine on board. Overnight on board Bai Tho Junk.

Day 16 - Halong - Hanoi B, L
After breakfast and an early morning swim, continue the cruise past rock formations named after their shape. Paddle from Luon cave toward islets in shape of Tortoise, Man's head, Virgin cave. Cruise out to Bai Tu Long Bay around Bai Tho Mountain and head back to dry land. Have lunch on board. After lunch transfer by private air conditioned vehicle back to the hotel in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi

Day 17 - Depart Hanoi B
At leisure until departure for onward flights.

"This itinerary may alter due to local conditions, the strength of the group and other unexpected circumstances. We will do our very best to adhere to the set itinerary, however we cannot be held responsible for any last minute changes that might occur. In all such circumstances, your biking or trekking guide will have the final say."