Join our classic cycling journey to explore highlight sites, more local tribe culture, and fewer challenges.
Arrive at Noi Bai Airport, be welcomed, and transferred to the hotel for check-in. at 1:30. Travel by vehicle with your guide to the Temple of Literature, a truly unique experience as it was the first university in Vietnam. The temple, dedicated to the revered Chinese scholar Confucius, offers a fascinating glimpse into the early 11th century. Uncover the teachings of Confucius and his four exceptional students. We then travel to the Ethnology Museum, which displays the traditions and customs of the country's 54 ethnic groups. The next visit is Ngoc Son Temple, a serene oasis on a small island in the middle of the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake. Here, you'll be captivated by the legend of an emperor, a magic sword, and a giant turtle that gave the temple its name.
In the morning, we'll transfer 1.5 hours to Hoa Binh Lake, where we'll start our first-day cycling and enjoying the lush countryside. We undulate on the back road to Hoa Binh Lake. It's about 25 - 30 km to view the panoramic view over the lake and peaceful local life. After lunch, a transfer takes us to Mai Chau, stopping at a scenic mountain pass to enjoy views of Thung Khe Valley with karst mountains and peaceful villages. Check in the Mai Chau Ecolodge.
Mai Chau is notably one of the most beautiful and rich cultures of hill tribe villages and scenic scenery. The valley offers many experiences for those looking for adventure on cycling holidays. Its landscape features less limestone and tends to be more hillsides and rice field terraces. After breakfast, we will spend a half-day exploring the verdant valley and its hillside villages. Ride through gorgeous sweeping views that appear down below, visit craftsmen of the White Thai ethnic group, and see how they create silverware and textiles in their homes. Explore the authentic countryside, follow the well-maintained paths, undulate on pathways to Mai Hich village- a new destination and an excellent place for a beaten-path experience cycling, and immerse in the traditional cultures and modern lifestyle of White Thai of Xam Khoe village. After lunch at the local home, we'll transfer to Phu Luong.
Pu Luong Nature Reserve, an adventure playground in Vietnam's north, is adorned with soaring limestone peaks, pristine forests, and deep rice terraces. Its rugged preserve is a new destination for those seeking a few days of thrilling trekking, hiking, cycling, or relaxation opportunities. After a leisurely breakfast, we'll go on exhilarating hiking adventures, explore the daily life of Ethnic minorities, and meet them in the lush farmlands and at their homes. The numerous trails through the valleys cross the sleepy rivers on suspension bridges, leading us into the forest, looking over the peaceful valleys, amazing rice terrace fields, stop at water wheels, and Hieu waterfalls. It is just a half-day of hiking, allowing you to immerse yourself in the ways of local lives and culture. There will be endless photo opportunities and delicious lunches at local homes before we return to the hotel by vehicle. Spend the rest of the day by the pool facing the lush valley.
After breakfast, we commence cycling from the hotel and stop at Dong Village, which includes nearly 100 traditional stilt homes. We stop to enjoy the stunning views: stilt houses along hillsides, winding rural roads through villages, and rice paddies. We'll continue riding on tracks, undulating farmlands, and forests to the Pho Doan-tribal market, where we break and see ethnic minorities come to every morning. We then gear up for gentle hills, pass the jungle forests, and down ride to the valley where the back roads join the main road. We'll have a lot to see along the way. We'll hop on our vehicle for a transfer to the next town for lunch. Afterward, we'll have another shuttle transfer to Ninh Binh.
Hoa Lu's countryside is the best location for a few days of relaxation and a little adventure into spectacular limestone mountains and stunning views. 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 its fantastic countryside is to combine activities: cycling and boat paddling. We pick up our bikes at the hotel and explore the hidden gem of Hoa Lu countryside, including Tam Coc & Bich Dong.
Cycling in Ninh Binh is a pleasure. You'll pass beautiful rice fields, small rivers, towering limestone cliffs, and buffalo and goats walking freely in the rural villages and sometimes over the country roads.
Rowing sampan paddling gives us the best moment: 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.
Visit Tam Coc and Bich Dong and climb the Hang Mua, a wonderful spot to enjoy the breathtaking landscapes of Hoa Lu—Ninh Binh. After lunch, we'll return to the hotel and spend the rest of the day by the pool or exploring the authentic rural areas independently.
Embark on a unique overnight cruise tour at Lan Ha Bay, a site that offers many activities. From swimming at the gentle beach to bamboo rowing boats, kayaking, snorkeling, and even experiencing the local life at floating and fishing villages, this tour is a blend of adventure and cultural immersion. With its stunning scenery and untouched sandy beaches, Lan Ha Bay is best experienced overnight on a cruise.
11:45 Passengers are transferred to Ambassador Signature Cruise (in Gia Luan Pier) by speedboat.
12:30 A short welcome briefing will be held at the Piano Lounge or at the restaurant.
12:45 Savor a lunch buffet whilst enjoying the majestic views of Lan Ha Bay's islands and islets.
15:00 Your first excursion is Viet Hai Village - a primitive and tranquil location with precious traditional cultural values. You will have a chance to explore features of the locals' daily life, visit fish lakes, bee houses, and ancient houses, or experience a fish foot massage. For guests not participating in the excursion, an afternoon tea will be served at the Piano Lounge. Guests can also stay onboard and opt for an afternoon of pampering at Spa* or relaxing on the sundeck while admiring Lan Ha Bay's magnificent scenery.
16:30 Experience the thrilling water slide on board and immerse yourself in the emerald sea.
17:30 At sundown, Ambassador Cruise will anchor overnight. This is the perfect time to enjoy cooking class or Happy Hour* and canapes at the Piano Lounge or on the sundeck (depending on weather conditions).
19:00 Savor a premium Michelin-standard dinner at the sundeck (depending on weather conditions) while being serenaded with live band music (the band is off Mondays).
21:00 After dinner, enjoy live music, drinks*, squid fishing, a spa treatment at Atelier de Beauté Spa*, or movies at your cabin.
6:00 Start your day with a Taichi session on the sundeck or at the Piano Lounge (depending on weather conditions).
6:30 Enjoy a light breakfast with coffee, tea, and freshly baked pastries. 7:00 Explore Dark and Bright Cave - a frog-jaw-shaped cave featuring marvelous sparkling stalactites on the arch-shaped ceiling in various shapes and sizes. Kayaking and sitting on a bamboo boat rowed by locals are the best options for tourists to admire the cave's interior (passengers can choose one of these free activities).
8:30 Full breakfast is served at the restaurant.
9:30 Bill settlement and check-out at the reception at the first deck.
10:15 After disembarking from Ambassador Signature Cruise, passengers will be transferred to Halong International Cruise Port by speedboat—lunch en route on the way back to Ha Noi.
If your schedule is not staying in Ha Noi City, continue by train for the flight. Please inform us of your flight details, and our team will drop you off at the Noi Bai Airport/ train station to continue your own journey! Tour Ends!