A Cultural Bike Tour of Mai Chau, Pu Luong & Tam Coc

Destination

Vietnam

Starts in

Ha Noi

Ends in

Ha Noi

Tour code

VCT: SBT- 3D- HAN

Levels

Easy

Duration

3D/2N

Styles

Semi Bike Tours

Price

USD $765.00 765.00

No of cycling days

2

Group size

02 - 12

Average distance per day

20 km

Age to ride

12 - 70

Average climbing

Update soon

Bike hire

$28.00

Total cycling distance

53 km

E-bike hire

$105.00

Accommodation

3 - 4 star hotels

Single supplement

$185.00

Trade busy streets for rice fields, mountains, and winding rivers. This 3-day journey takes you deep into the heart of Vietnam’s countryside—where every turn reveals a new landscape, a new culture, and a new story. From the peaceful valley of Mai Chau, to the untouched beauty of Pu Luong Nature Reserve, and the dramatic limestone scenery of Tam Coc—this is Vietnam as you’ve never experienced it before. Head off the beaten path into Pu Luong—one of Vietnam’s best-kept secrets. This nature reserve is a paradise of terraced fields, jungles, and peaceful villages. End your adventure in Tam Coc, often called “Halong Bay on land.” Towering limestone cliffs rise from golden rice fields, creating a landscape like no other.

Vietnam Cycling Tours’ friendly and professional team will pick you up at your accommodation at 8:00 am and whisk you away from the bustling, energetic streets of Hanoi into the lush, tranquil valley of Mai Chau. Stop for a relaxing coffee break and take in the breathtaking, panoramic views of Thung Khe Pass.

Upon arriving on the outskirts of Mai Chau, you will begin entering the valley and ride through charming stilt-house villages, experiencing the authentic day-to-day lives of the local people in this remote mountain region. You will take a break at the home of a White or Black Thai family in Lac Village and enjoy a delicious home-cooked lunch.

In the afternoon, explore the picturesque and peaceful villages of Mai Ha and part of Mai Hich Village, passing through beautiful valleys and terraced rice fields. Visit local homes, admire talented weavers at their looms, and experience the rich, time-honored customs of the ethnic minority communities. Later in the afternoon, we will take a scenic one-hour transfer to Pu Luong.

Pu Luong Retreat

Lunch

Water

Snacks

Fruits

4 hrs

24 km

+229m

-352m

+8.40%

-6.70%

Paved - rural paths

After a leisurely, refreshing breakfast, we’ll take a short, scenic transfer to the Muong Kho village’s entrance, where we hop on our bikes and begin a picturesque ride toward Kho Muong village. After capturing several stunning photographs, we continue cycling along gentle rolling hillsides, soaking in breathtaking landscapes as we pass through charming, remote villages en route to Pho Doan, before riding further to a quaint local hamlet. You’ll have the option to enjoy a rewarding hike along a lush jungle trail leading to the enchanting Hieu Waterfalls.

Along the way, engage with friendly villagers in their authentic daily activities and admire the spectacular scenery—from vibrant rice terraces and iconic bamboo waterwheels lining the streams to shaded, cascading waterfalls tucked within the forest. After exploring this captivating area, we’ll enjoy a delicious local lunch at a nearby restaurant, and have a support vehicle transfer you back to the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax—perhaps with a refreshing swim in the pool.

Pu Luong Retreat

Breakfast

Lunch

Water

Snacks

Fruits

Support vehicles

19 km

+876m

-593m

+24.20%

-15.90%

Rural paths

5 km

Today we'll set off at 8:00 am for a 3-hour shuttle to Ninh Binh, where we have lunch at one of the best restaurants. We'll continue the day to explore Tam Coc, Bich Dong, and Hoa Lu. The major highlights in Ninh Binh are relatively close to each other, such as Mua Cave, Tam Coc, Trang An, and Hoa Lu- the capital of Vietnam from 968 to 1009. The best way to explore the highlight sites and their fantastic countryside is to combine activities: cycling and boat paddling.

After lunch, we take 1.5 hours sampan rowed boat, enjoy stunning scenery as the sampan boat moves slowly on peaceful rivers that snake through cave formations, and farmers tend their fields amongst limestone mountains. We then embark on a unique pleasure bike ride. As you pedal, you'll be treated to the sight of beautiful rice fields, small rivers, towering limestone cliffs, and rural villages where buffalo and goats roam freely. We'll conclude the journey with a visit to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, and have a shuttle to transfer you back to Ha Noi in the late evening. Tour Ends!

Breakfast

Lunch

Water

Snacks

Fruits

10 km

Flat - rural paths

Destination

Vietnam

Starts in

Ha Noi

Ends in

Ha Noi

Tour code

VCT: SBT- 3D- HAN

Levels

Easy

Duration

3D/2N

Styles

Semi Bike Tours

Price

USD $765.00 765.00

No of cycling days

2

Group size

02 - 12

Average distance per day

20 km

Age to ride

12 - 70

Average climbing

Update soon

Bike hire

$28.00

Total cycling distance

53 km

E-bike hire

$105.00

Accommodation

3 - 4 star hotels

Single supplement

$185.00

Tour inclusions

Private A/C vehicle takes up all cyclists, luggage
Truck to carry all bikes, spare bikes, helmets
2 nights: double room/ twin room
All entrance fees, boat ride
B= Daily breakfast, L= 3 Lunches
Daily snack, cold water, soft drinks, facial tissues
Pick up/ drop off at hotel
English speaking guide throughout the tour

Tour exclusions

Bike & E-bike hire
Personal travel insurance
Other personal expenses
Single supplement
Drinks are not included with any meal

Bike info

Trek Marlin 6, sizes: S, M, L, XL

Giant ATX, sizes: S, M, L, XL

Support Vehicles

A 16-seater van fits 4 passengers, luggage, and bikes

A 18-seat van carries 6 people, luggage, and bikes

A 29-seat minibus, and 1 truck to support a group of 13–18 cyclists

A 29-seat minibus, plus a van and a truck, to support a group of 13–18 cyclists

Full Itinerary

Vietnam Cycling Tours’ friendly and professional team will pick you up at your accommodation at 8:00 am and whisk you away from the bustling, energetic streets of Hanoi into the lush, tranquil valley of Mai Chau. Stop for a relaxing coffee break and take in the breathtaking, panoramic views of Thung Khe Pass.

Upon arriving on the outskirts of Mai Chau, you will begin entering the valley and ride through charming stilt-house villages, experiencing the authentic day-to-day lives of the local people in this remote mountain region. You will take a break at the home of a White or Black Thai family in Lac Village and enjoy a delicious home-cooked lunch.

In the afternoon, explore the picturesque and peaceful villages of Mai Ha and part of Mai Hich Village, passing through beautiful valleys and terraced rice fields. Visit local homes, admire talented weavers at their looms, and experience the rich, time-honored customs of the ethnic minority communities. Later in the afternoon, we will take a scenic one-hour transfer to Pu Luong.

Pu Luong Retreat

Lunch

Water

Snacks

Fruits

4 hrs

24 km

+229m

-352m

+8.40%

-6.70%

Paved - rural paths

After a leisurely, refreshing breakfast, we’ll take a short, scenic transfer to the Muong Kho village’s entrance, where we hop on our bikes and begin a picturesque ride toward Kho Muong village. After capturing several stunning photographs, we continue cycling along gentle rolling hillsides, soaking in breathtaking landscapes as we pass through charming, remote villages en route to Pho Doan, before riding further to a quaint local hamlet. You’ll have the option to enjoy a rewarding hike along a lush jungle trail leading to the enchanting Hieu Waterfalls.

Along the way, engage with friendly villagers in their authentic daily activities and admire the spectacular scenery—from vibrant rice terraces and iconic bamboo waterwheels lining the streams to shaded, cascading waterfalls tucked within the forest. After exploring this captivating area, we’ll enjoy a delicious local lunch at a nearby restaurant, and have a support vehicle transfer you back to the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to relax—perhaps with a refreshing swim in the pool.

Pu Luong Retreat

Breakfast

Lunch

Water

Snacks

Fruits

Support vehicles

19 km

+876m

-593m

+24.20%

-15.90%

Rural paths

5 km

Today we'll set off at 8:00 am for a 3-hour shuttle to Ninh Binh, where we have lunch at one of the best restaurants. We'll continue the day to explore Tam Coc, Bich Dong, and Hoa Lu. The major highlights in Ninh Binh are relatively close to each other, such as Mua Cave, Tam Coc, Trang An, and Hoa Lu- the capital of Vietnam from 968 to 1009. The best way to explore the highlight sites and their fantastic countryside is to combine activities: cycling and boat paddling.

After lunch, we take 1.5 hours sampan rowed boat, enjoy stunning scenery as the sampan boat moves slowly on peaceful rivers that snake through cave formations, and farmers tend their fields amongst limestone mountains. We then embark on a unique pleasure bike ride. As you pedal, you'll be treated to the sight of beautiful rice fields, small rivers, towering limestone cliffs, and rural villages where buffalo and goats roam freely. We'll conclude the journey with a visit to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, and have a shuttle to transfer you back to Ha Noi in the late evening. Tour Ends!

Breakfast

Lunch

Water

Snacks

Fruits

10 km

Flat - rural paths

Custom and private tour

At Vietnamcycling we can tailor-make your adventure exactly how you want it. Whether it is tweaking an existing itinerary, booking a standard tour on a different date, or creating your own unique one! With over a decade of experience in developing tours you can be assured that every element of your tour will be carefully personalized to your wishes, needs and budgets.

Build your itinerary