HEADING TO THE NORTH

DA NANG TO HA NOI

15 Days

Looking out as we stop at the top of Hai Van Pass. Time for a Vietnamese Coffee, please.

Day 1 Da Nang (Approx. 0 km)

Meet at 9:00 am for full tour briefing. Have your passport, rider’s licence, International Driver’s Permit and 3 month visa for Vietnam ready to enable the authorisation for you to ride legally in Vietnam. We will introduce you to your Royal Enfield Himalayan. There will be time to enjoy a Vietnamese coffee and the rest of the day to explore Ha Noi. We will then meet you at 6:00 pm for dinner and drinks

Day 2 Da Nang to Hue (Approx. 120 km)

Today we start from Da Nang, passing the beach as we climb the famous Hai Van Pass.

The corners have began as we climb Hai Van Pass.

Along the way we pass Lang Co oyster farms, Chan May Bay Beach and Cau Hai Lagoon. As we continue on our way to Hue, we pass The An Bang ‘City of Ghosts’ cemetery then in Hue we visit The Imperial Citadel. We overnight in Hue.

The Citadel in Hue.

Day 3 Hue to Lao Bao (Approx. 220 km)

We’ll take small back roads out of Hue and cross the beautiful Tam Giang Lagoon. Following the coast we’ll through small fishing villages and aqua-farming ponds to Vinh Moc. You’ll get a chance to see the incredible underground tunnel network at Vinh Moc village. The entire village lived underground for 8 years to escape the American bombing! A truly amazing place. We continue North to see the famous Hien Luong Bridge and visit the 17th Parallel marker. Passing through rubber plantations and pine trees we are in the former DMZ. Heading into the mountains we follow Route 9 and past the remains of many US Bases. We continue on to reach our destination Lao Bao.

Day 4 Lao Bao to Phong Nha (Approx. 240 km)

We’ll start the day with a visit to the Khe Sanh combat base. The longest battle of all the wars in Vietnam took place here and we can see tanks, helicopters, and planes still sitting on the runway as well as a small museum. Next, the road joins the Ho Chi Minh Trail West. One of the best roads in Asia for bikers, this road should be on everyone’s bucket list. We’ll ride through the coffee plantations and climb a 1,100 metre mountain pass in untouched jungle. In the seemingly endless mountains and jungle, you can find small wooden stilt house villages where the tribes live a peaceful traditional style. As we come to the start of the giant limestone Karst formation mountains we can stop for lunch in a small hill tribe town before more mountains, more views and more amazing riding are to come. Finally, we’ll enter Phong Nha National Park, a UNESCO Heritage area of natural beauty, where the historic Victory Road leads us down to the river to finish at the hotel.

Group riding is a great way to see the country and share the experiences.

Day 5 Phong Nha (Approx. 100 km)

Today is a rest day. You can book any one-day Phong Nha-based activity. It may be an excursion to explore the national park or one of the many options including trekking, bicycle rides, boat trip, buffalo ride or just have time out just relaxing by the pool.

Day 6 Phong Nha to Vinh (Approx. 220km)

We travel The Ho Chi Minh Road today on epic mountain roads and ride through the Da Deo Pass. The scenery can only be described as awesome. We pass remote villages and see what life is like outside the modern big cities of Vietnam. We arrive at Dong Loc junction, the start of the Ho Chi Minh Trail. This is one item now taken from your bucket list even if it wasn’t there. We stop to visit the Area 4 military museum then visit Ho Chi Minh Square and see the giant statue. The ride for today ends in Vinh City.

Day 7 Vinh to Mai Chau (Approx. 300km)

Having left Vinh City behind us, we ride pass coastal fish farms and shrimp ponds. The small fishing villages show us yet another way of life in Vietnam. Travelling through the countryside areas we reach Pu Luong National Park. The road continues and we follow past stepped rice terraces and through bamboo forests. Something we also don’t see at home are the chopstick factories which we pass. We have entered the Mai Chau Valley with its ethnic minority villages and the tribal markets within them. If time allows we can explore the market on foot.

The joy of hearing a single cylinder engine in action.

Day 8 Mai Chau to Nghia Lo (Approx. 220km)

Our riding adventure today takes us to Hoa Binh Lake then Tat Nang Waterfall. You may recognise the bushes on the side of the road as we pass tea plantations. We reach the Moc Chau plateau and travel over it. We arrive at the Da River and ride onto the ferry to cross the river. The local architecture has changed to wooden stilt house villages and the farmers’ stepped rice terraces. We have reached tonight’s stop at Nghia Lo.

Day 9 Nghia Lo to Sa Pa (Approx. 230km)

We ride from Nghia Lo and travel through the Mu Cang Chai district with more ethnic minority villages perched on the sides of steep valleys where their crop is grown on stepped rice terraces. Another pass to ride through today, O Quy Ho Mountain Pass at 2,035 metres. In this landscape you will find waterfalls and we will stop at The Silver Waterfall. Remember to concentrate on your riding as the amazing views may take your attention. Today’s ride ends at Sa Pa town where tomorrow you will have time to explore.

Day 10 Sa Pa (Approx. 0 km)

Today is a free day to explore the town and visit the local markets. If we didn’t have time yesterday, today you’ll have the option to visit the world’s longest cable car ride to the top of Fan Si Pan Mountain at 3140 metres, the highest point in Vietnam.

The view from the cable car between Sa Pa and the Fan Si Pan summit.

Day 11 Sa Pa to Bac Ha (Approx. 170 km)

To start the day, a steep winding road leads us off down the mountain to the busy border town of Lao Cai where we can stop at the busy Chinese border gate. Following the border, the road twists and winds along the high peaks and steep valleys. You will see more stepped rice paddies and tiny wooden houses halfway up the slopes. We’ll wind along the side of the giant Chay River Dam and then head towards Bac Ha town, which is famous for its hill tribe markets. Here the many different tribes of the area can be found bartering and swapping their goods.

Day 12 Bac Ha to Ha Giang (Approx. 180 km)

Our riding today will take us along steep mountain roads with a visit to the Palace of King Hoang A Tuong. After which we follow the Chinese border which offers us great views. There are many hill tribe villages to be seen as we ride into Ha Giang province.

What puddles?

Day 13 Ha Giang to Dong Van (Approx. 210 km)

Being in the Ha Giang province, the limestone Karst formation mountains are the most impressive in the country, our road takes around, over and through them which gives us an amazing ride. The Ma Pi Leng Mountain Pass is surely one of the best roads in Vietnam. Along the way, we’ll make many stops to look out over the steep cliffs and into the high valleys. A climb of over 1,500 metres will take us to Dong Van town. Here we will visit the old French fort set on top of a high cliff. The stairs are steep and many but it’s worth it for the panoramic views of the area.

Day 14 Dong Van to Ba Be Lake (Approx. 240 km)

Today we head south on small roads through steep cliffed mountains. As we continue we will head into Ba Be National Park and make our way to the wooden stilt house we will stay in. We may have time to jump on a boat to explore the lake. Waterfalls, caves, jungle and the mountains make this a truly beautiful place.

So different to riding at home.

Day 15 Ba Be Lake to Ha Noi (Approx. 230 km)

Breakfast at the lakeside. Leaving the lake, we have hills and countryside for the first half of the day. In the afternoon you’ll gradually see the towns get bigger and the roads more crowded, but we’ll take the easiest route back to the city and go to The Royal Enfield showroom. Finishing our riding outside of the city centre we take a taxi into Ha Noi city

Royal Enfield Himalayan 410cc

2021 Tour dates being released soon

15 Days – Heading to the North – Summary & Pricing.

  • Start: Da Nang
  • Finish: Ha Noi
  • Distance: Approx. 2,660 km’s
  • Motorcycle: Royal Enfield Himalayan (410cc)
  • 1 Rider / 1 Bike / 1 Room: From USD 4,745.00 approx AUD 7,300.00 per person.
  • 2 Riders / 2 Bikes / 1 Room: From USD 4,309.00 approx AUD 6,630.00 per person.
  • Price for Pillion Passenger: From USD 3,519.00 approx AUD 5415.00 per person.

Details and approximate conversion as at 23 February 2020.

What’s Included:

  • 14 Nights accommodation
  • Experienced English-speaking tour guide
  • Good quality, top condition motorbike
  • All Meals while on tour
  • Snacks, water & soft drinks while on tour
  • First aid kit
  • Accommodation fees during tour
  • Entry fees, tolls and other ‘on the road’ fees
  • Waterproof jacket & pants (if required)
  • 15L dry bag (if required)
  • Pick up & return to hotel (or airport)
  • Adventure & excitement
  • Groups of 6 or more include support van
  • Groups of 8 or more include tour medic

What can be added to your tour: (Please contact us for pricing)

  • Private room (our standard price is based on twin room)
  • Support Van (if not already included)
  • Helmet (EU or DOT Standard certified)
  • Motorbike Jacket (Lightweight, mesh style – with back, elbow & shoulder protection)
  • Lightweight motorbike gloves
  • Pre & Post tour accommodation (we can assist with hotel recommendations)

What you need to provide:

  • Appropriate riding clothing (no open toe footwear)
  • Alcoholic drinks (if you enjoy)
  • Personal Travel Insurance
  • Motorbike Licence
  • International Driving Permit
  • Personal expenses
  • Tips
  • Visa – as required
  • Smiles & laughs

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