8 Days
Overview
Nowhere in Vietnam is there such variety of landscape and richness of culture in such a compact area as in the central provinces of Quang Nam and Quang Binh. Geographically, climatically and historically, this is the region of Vietnam where north and south clash. As a result, Central Vietnam has got it all:
from long, sandy beaches to dramatic, forest-cloaked mountains; from low-rise, centuries-old boulevards to high-rise, modern metropolises; from the sounds of the jungle to the sounds of the sea, from Vietnam’s famous roads to the remote and untrodden Ho Chi Minh Trail.
This loop tour begins in Hoi An, the only city in Vietnam that survived the war and now protected by UNESCO. We spend the first night wandering the ancient, cobbled stone streets. The following day as we make our way out of Hoi An, be sure to enjoy the many unique scenery as we make our way pass green jungles, rushing rivers and iconic Vietnamese rice fields. As we reach Prao, the roads become dusty and red as we encounter some single tracks. Next, we venture through the Ashau Valley, stopping into the small village of A Lui for lunch, riding pass the famous military combat base before ending our day in Khe Sanh.
Venturing back into the jungle greenery and up into the famous Phong Nha province, home to Hang Son Doong, the world’s largest cave. We’ll spend a rest day at a the beautiful Phong Nha Farmstay and get lost in the twists and turns, that climb higher into the clouds and around the national park.
Now turning south, we creep closer back towards the coast of the South China Sea. Today is a longer day as we head into the ancient city of Hue – a mesmerizing area in central Vietnam that was the seat of Nguyen Dynasty emperors and the national capital from 1802 to 1945. On our last day, we ride through the famous Hai Van pass and enjoy a seafood lunch in Lan Co before arriving back to Hoi An.
Summary
- Start and End in Da Nang (Da Nang international airport)
- Ride on a mix of 80% narrow, asphalt trails and 20% single tracks
- We will average 280km and we will ride an average of 60km/hour
- This is an Adventure Tours suitable to Beginners
Highlights
- Spend an evening walking through the UNESCO Heritage town of Hoi An
- Visit the outdoor war museum in Khe Sanh
- Go for a boat ride and tour the famous Phong Nha Cave
- Stay at the eclectic Phong Nha Farmstay with views of the rice fields
- Stop into the ancient city of Hue
Itinerary Breakdown
Pre-Ride Briefing & Welcome Dinner in Hoi An
On Arrival Day you will meet our Tour Leader will meet you at your hotel at a pre-arranged time. Around 7 pm we will meet for a riders’ briefing, then head out to one of the specially picked local restaurants to get you started on your Vietnam adventure.
Hoi An – Prao
Altitude Change
Leaving the city heading east, a couple of villages pass through, then it’s a beautiful couple of hours meandering along the valley wall for hours as you follow the river north. Snaking your way up and down the valley, you can see how the environment changes as you head up the Ho Chi Minh Trail, just breathtaking.
Prao – Khe Sanh
We tank up and make our way due north east from Prao to A Lưới, echoing the Lao border, is one of the best stretches of road in Vietnam.
The twists and turns along the Ho Chi Minh road will get your blood going, there are a couple of good mountain climbs, a series of looping switchback curves that will have you grinning like a Cheshire cat.
It’s an extraordinary ride and the views over the unbroken jungle canopy are sensational. What’s more, we’re likely to have the road and the landscape all to ourselves: it’s not unusual to go through the 100km stretch without seeing another person or bike.
There are always places to grab a coffee, a bite to eat, the odd military base, temple or pagoda to check out, but the real attraction of this section of the Ho Chi Minh Trail is the trail itself. Truly a joy to ride.
Khe Sanh – Phong Nha
Game Day – Twists and Turns
We tank up in Khe Sanh before heading north, as we won’t see any signs of civilization for quite some time — save the road itself. The day starts a little slow, there are some Vietnam War era relics to visit as you leave town. The stretch of road to take you up to the Trail are some of the best in the world for twists and turns. If you thought yesterday was a good time (and it was!), today will blow your mind.
Averaging a corner every 200m for over 200 kilometers. You will never forget this road! Coming into a National Forest, seeing the densest jungle you can imagine creating this beautiful green corridor to follow, it is an exhilarating ride like no other.
Phong Nha Loop
Explore the Area
There is so much to see, caves to explore, A National Forest to wander through, windy curvy roads to ride and a river’s edge to sit on and enjoy a cold drink. The list goes on, take your pick and enjoy the day, you will not be lacking for choices and experiences to be had.
Phong Nha – Hue
Sights, Sights and more sights
Hue – Hoi An
Ride back to the Old Town
Today we can ride some open road, soak up the ocean breeze and cruise toward the world renown Hai Van Mountain Pass. A 21km stretch of beautifully twisty curvy tarmac with the ocean on one side of you and a wall of greenery on the other. By late afternoon we arrive back to Hoi An, enjoy a cool bevy and watch the lanterns float down the river in Old Town, no better way to finish a great day of riding.
Book your flights out of Da Nang at anytime – Airport transfer is included !
Price calculator
Suitable bikes are 300cc+
What’s Included
Airport transfers
7-Nights Single Room from the night before tour departure to the night you arrive back to Hoi An
Small, experiential and local places
Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be in restaurants with the local cuisine
(not including alcohol)
Experienced Lead Rider & Guide
Premium Big Bike
Fuel , Full Luggage & Accessories
Personal Travel Insurance for Rider & Passenger
Motorbike Accident & Theft Insurance
Group size: 4-6
Pre-Ride Advice
24/7 Logistical Support
Boat Rides, Entrance tickets & permits to remote areas
Not Included :
Riding gear: Full-face helmet, protective jacket, pants, boots, gloves & rain gear
Refundable security deposit for motorcycle rental USD 1,500.00
Airfare and Visa for Vietnam
Alcoholic beverages
FAQ
You will require at least one large (70L) duffel bag to transport your riding gear. Which you will then wear. You will also need a smaller (40L) pack to transport your personal items. ART will be supplying a 40L North Face dry backpack that will mount on the luggage racks of your bike.(China Eastern allows 2 pieces of checked baggage free of charge)
Dry bags or dry duffels are recommended. Some bikes will be outfitted with Givi hard/waterproof/detachable saddlebags for convenient transport of roughly 15kg of on board cargo capacity. For most persons this is more than enough. ART will offer storage of any excess baggage not deemed necessary for your tour.
We recommend getting a local SIM while travelling in Vietnam; they are affordable, USD $10 per month gets you unlimited data and calls.
There are several carriers to choose from Viettel, Mobiphone and Vinaphone are the most popular. You will need to show your passport in order to purchase a SIM, although there are services at the airport that waive this step. A.R.T recommends Viettel as having the most coverage.
Don’t forget to unlock your phone prior to leaving your home country. Cell phones in general are affordable in Vietnam.
- Google Maps
- Maps.me (Google maps alternative, provides offline maps)
- Currency Converter (XE Converter)
- Google Translate
- Skype – Calls, messaging
- WhatsApp – Calls, messaging
- Messenger
- Rever – Motorcycle Maps, GPS, Navigation Planner
- Geo Tracker – GPS Tracker for distance travel
- Viber – Calls, messaging
We recommend no more than 15kg of gear. Your guides will carry most of the safety equipment, personal items should easily come in under that weight. We will provide storage for extra gear at A.R.T base of operations.
If you’re planning a one-way trip, please contact us in advance, shipping can be arranged.
Each tour has it’s dynamic and flexibility is what we strive for. If unforeseen circumstances arise, we will discuss our options and bring them to the group. Every circumstance is different and has a solution.
Anything is possible.
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