SAPA TO HANOI IN 8 DAYS
SAPA TO HANOI, THE LONG WAY
This ‘base’ option is 8 days, but like all our rides, we can customise it for you: more rides, more rest days…. or perhaps less of something? You let us know and we’ll build the right tour for your group.
On this ride you will experience the full diversity of the magical northwest: from the highest pass in the nation, to small backroads snaking through ethnic minority villages; from the very best boutique mountain lodges, to the most welcoming of humble homestays.
This is one of the routes that first got us hooked on Vietnam riding - join us on a multi-day tour to discover why.
Day by Day
Day 1 Hanoi
No riding
In Hanoi you’ll have free time to explore before we meet up late afternoon for some drinks and then a group dinner to meet your guides and learn more about the tour. If you need help building your bikes, we will be on hand for that.
Day 2 To The Hills
35km | 1,300m
Our adventure in the northwest mountains begins with a transfer from your hotel in Hanoi to just shy of the border town of Lao Cai. Here it’s out of the bus and onto the bikes for the 35km climb up to your lodge accommodation. We’ll arrive in time to enjoy the area, farmed by the Hmong, Dao and other minorities for centuries.
Day 3 Sapa Loop
35km | 2,500m
We’ll say goodbye to your remote lodge, ride into Sapa town for a quick coffee stop, then get into the day’s loop starting with almost 30km of downhill. Then it’s on to discover some of the gorgeous back country with no shortage of climbing on the way home. Tonight we’ll enjoy the bustle of Sapa town, with Hmong-inspired cuisine.
Day 4 Sapa - Than Uyen
100km | 1,364m
Today starts with a climb out of Sapa town to the top of the famed Tram Ton Pass. Then it’s a screaming 20km descent and a gently undulating ride to Than Uyen, where we find our lodgings for the night at the District Guesthouse. This humble institution is usually only frequented by traveling cadres, and will give you a taste of what it was like in the good old days of Central Planning and ration cards.
Day 4 To Mu Cang Chai
80km | 600m
Today’s ride starts with some climbing, then we have a fairly easy ride through a beautiful gorge and past tiny Thai minority villages until we hit the Khau Pha Pass. We’ll turn off on this pass however and make our way along beautiful backroads to a backcountry lodge complete with awesome rice terrace views.
Day 6 To Nghia Lo
80km | 1000m
Another stunning day awaits us. We head back onto the Khau Pha Pass, a contender for the most picturesque part of our route. We’ll find some lunch on the way down before we complete the rest of the mostly downhill route to Nghia Lo. This town is a stopping point for Hanoites on the road and features a few creature comforts. We’ll seek out some honest frontier food and the awesome Bigken minikegs that seem to be all the rage in this friendly town.
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Day 7 To Quan Hoa
154km | 2500m
Today’s challenging route starts with an undulating back country road through a series of very pretty villages and over a small, but challenging pass. We will then cross a lake on a ferry before the serious climbing starts. Once we’ve conquered the tough ascent out of the Do River valley we’ll arrive in Moc Chau. From here, you can either jump in the van, or we can make it a huge 200k say and ride it all the way in - the good news however, is there is a 30k descent! Our destination is the ethnic minority Thai town . Tonight we’ll be rewarded for our efforts on this long leg with a stay in luxury at a lodge complete with a pool.
Day 8 To Hanoi
154km | 2500m
We leave Mai Chau via a quiet back road that follows a river framed by limestone cliffs and glimpses of distant mountains. After enjoying the views we’ll find lunch on the road, and then continue to a convenient point outside Hanoi, where we’ll get on the buses to relax and avoid riding in the Hanoi traffic. Tonight we’ll celebrate with a big meal - this can be something Western for those now hankering for some comfort food.
What’s Included
Basics
Breakfasts
Lunches
Dinners
Accommodation
Support
Bicycle guide
Mechanic support
Motorbike mounted ‘soigneur’
Van support
On the road
Velo Vietvan espressos
Water
Electrolytes
Fresh fruits
Other nutrition
Extras
Photography
Daily ride note stickers
Digital Ride Guide
GPX files
Cap
T Shirt
Want to book this tour, or customise it?
To book this exact tour for your group, just let us know your preferred dates and we can make it happen. The price is USD 2,500 per person for group of 4+.
Want to customise this tour? Make it harder, easier, or add rest days? Please get in touch and we can make it right for your group.
To start your booking, either send us a mail to ride@velovietnam.cc, or use the form below