11 Days | Cycle through rice paddies and villages, hike valleys and kayak turquoise waters of UNESCO islands
![An Intrepid Travel group celebrating after completing a hike in Sapa, Vietnam.](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/bltac1f9ee61004ff35/63c9b9fd9666761fbc26c0b6/TVXA_vietnam_sapa_pax-group_landscape.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Group of Intrepid travellers and leader with happy faces cycling in Ninh Binh](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt8fcc13662f2a7e36/65b322d358c309f9bfe42a40/Intrepid_Travel-Intrepid_Vietnam23_Ninh-BInh-cycling-group_agp_0389.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Travellers taking in the sights of the landscape in Sapa, Vietnam on an Intrepid Travel trip.](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt0741785a115a3135/63c9ba0764be785e3161b953/TVXA_vietnam_sapa_pax_landscape.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Group leader and other travellers riding through a town on an Intrepid Travel trip in Vietnam.](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt5edcbe2a288873fd/63c9ba0d41c89b1e40fddef5/TVXA_vietnam_mai-chau_cycling_pax.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![Traveller kayaking around the coast of Nam Cat Island, Vietnam on an Intrepid Travel trip.](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/bltca3a1faf719f3978/63c93b53abb5441cfbc67c55/TVXA_vietnam_nam-cat-island_pax_kayaking.jpg?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
The spectacular valleys and mountains of Vietnam were simply made for active exploration. On this 11-day adventure, you’ll put on your hiking shoes and get ready for an immersive journey that gets away from the bright lights of Hanoi and under the skin of Vietnam's bucolic countryside. In between trekking and cycling through lush landscapes, you’ll stop in at local villages and learn about traditional life, spending the night in rural homestays. After cycling through the valleys of Mai Chau and Ninh Binh and getting your heart rate up on Sapa’s hiking trails, you’ll head to UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cat Ba Island and kayak across the turquoise waters of Lan Ha Bay. Spend a night in a waterside resort in the bay and make the most of every sunset, before heading back to Hanoi and indulging in street food.
Trip overview
![Map of Vietnam: Hike, Bike & Kayak including Vietnam](/v3/assets/blt0de87ff52d9c34a8/blt1cf6b65533bd686c/64f76826ac0dd7bead25ef0c/tvxa_2023.gif?branch=prd&width=75&quality=35&blur=1&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
- Start
- Hanoi, Vietnam
- Finish
- Hanoi, Vietnam
- Theme
- Multi-active
- Destinations
- Vietnam
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Original
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- TVXA
- Kayak around limestone karsts and explore the secluded lagoons and caves of Lan Ha Bay – the lesser visited but just as beautiful sister of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay.
- Hike through the picturesque valleys surrounding Sapa and visit local communities on a full-day active adventure – the best way to get to know a place is on two feet, after all!
- Cycle out to Mai Chau and on through the world-renowned karst landscapes to Ninh Binh. This area is known for its lush valleys and natural beauty.
- Explore Hanoi with ample free time to indulge in street food, get to know the locals at streetside eateries and hunt down one of the famed Vietnamese iced coffees.
- Spend some time in homestays, relaxing after full day cycling and hiking trips with traditional home-cooked meals and time to soak up the sunset form a hammock – this is the best chance to get to know the locals!
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, World Bicycle Relief. Donations provide school kids, health workers, and farmers in far-out areas with bicycles that provide access to education, healthcare, and income.
- This trip has a number of activities to get your pulse going. While prior training for each activity is not necessary, a moderate level of fitness will help you to get the most out of all the activities.
- The hike in the hills of Sapa is approximately 10 km (6.2 mi) in total, on sometimes steep and uneven terrain.
- You’ll spend two days on your bike, riding to Mai Chau and Ninh Binh, with approximately 60 to 70 km of cycling each day. The cycling in these areas is relatively flat, and you’ll have time to get used to your bike in Hanoi before departing.
- There are 3 nights in a homestay on this trip in Khau Pha, Sapa and Mai Chau. Accommodation will be in multishare rooms with simple bedding and shared bathroom facilities. While accommodation is simple, the warm welcome and home-cooked meals will be comforting after a day of exercise.
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025
Inclusions
10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 3 dinners
Private minibus, Bicycle, Boat
Hotel (5 nights), Homestay (3 nights), Lodge (2 nights)
- Traditional Thai Cloth making demonstration
- Khau Pha Community Village Walk
- Khau Pha Community Village Homestay
- Sapa - Lao Chai to Ta Van trek & Homestay
- Sapa - Ta Van to Su Pan trek
- Hanoi - Old Quarter Walking Tour
- Hanoi - West Lake bike ride
- Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Complex
- Mai Chau - Pom Coong Village visit & traditional lunch
- Mai Chau - Cycling
- Mai Chau to Ninh Binh cycling
- Cat Ba Island - Kayaking
- Hanoi - Hoa Lo 'Hanoi Hilton' Prison - VND50000
- Hanoi - Fine Arts Museum - VND30000
- Hanoi - Street Food Experience Urban Adventure - USD40
- Hanoi - Crowd-free Morning Highlights of the City - USD89
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for train tickets. Fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases, you will be required to cover the cost of issuing new tickets.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 2 (Sapa homestay) and Day 6 (Mai Chau homestay) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. Bicycle hire is included in your trip price. Please advise your height at time of booking so as we can organise a suitable sized bike.
4. Helmets are compulsory and we do not allow anyone to ride without one. You can bring your own to ensure fit and quality, or purchase one that meets international safety standards on the ground. Your leader can assist with this.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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