Vietnam is a country full of originality, overwhelming nature and mysterious monuments of times gone by. It is a country full of contrasts, with bustling, vibrant cities and rural districts where time seems to have stood still. Experience 2 weeks of Oriental flair and discover by bike and boat this fascinating country at the other side of the world.

Explore the rocky fairytale world of the famous Ha Long Bay sailing on a traditional junk and get in close touch with this unique landscape by bike and kayak. Admire the lush green rice fields and meet the friendly water buffaloes, visit colourful temples and pagodas and let the emerald-green waters of the South China Sea and the incredible cave formations enchant you. In Central Vietnam you can explore the impressive monuments of the Vietnamese emperors as well as the historical town of Hoi An - a World Heritage site - and in South Vietnam the expansive water labyrinth of the Mekong Deltas.

Arrival at Hanoi airport. There, a transfer bus is waiting to take you to your hotel in the heart of the old city centre. Despite its 3 million inhabitants, Hanoi appears provincial and traditional. The historical OldTown quarter is considered one of the best preserved in all of Southeast Asia. On your first walk through the lively colourful streets the Asian flair will impress you. You  meet your fellow travellers during our first dinner together. Overnight at the hotel.

After breakfast the bus is ready to take you along extensive rice plantations to Van Don Island. After lunch you make your first biking tour on Van Don. Along dirt paths you cross the heavily wooded centre of the island and then reach the coastal road which offers you a first glimpse onto the bizarre rock world of Bai Tu Long Bay. Later you check in on your junk and enjoy the first crossing on the classic wooden boat with the wooden carved dragon at the prow.

In the morning your boat takes you to the island of Tra Ban where you bike on narrow paths through the green rice fields, see the water buffaloes so typical for Viet Nam and on the other side meet up with the boat. During lunch on board, a brief crossing takes you to Quan Lan Island. On your second bike tour of the day you explore this island famous for its brilliant white sand and the extensive, totally untouched beaches.

You spend the morning on board and enjoy the unique beauty of Bai Tu Long Bay. During the crossing you pass the famous "floating villages" which give you a close insight into the traditional life of the fishing families. In the afternoon you explore this craggy fairytale world by kayak - the best way to reach caves, lagunes and quiet bays. The lookout at Titop Island offers you in the evening the unforgettable view onto the natural wonders of Ha Long Bay.

This day begins with a visit of the "Amazing Cave", one of the largest and most beautiful caves in Ha Long Bay - and it really does deserve its name. Let the beautifully lightened limestone formations work their magic on you before the boat takes you across Lan Ha Bay. From there starts another kayak excursion that takes you to a picturebook beach for lunch. After lunch you have plenty of time to swim in the emerald-green sea. In the late afternoon you cross on your boat back over to Ha Long Bay.

Early in the morning the boat pulls anchor and after 2 ½ hours you reach Cat Ba Island. Here you take leave of your ship and its charming crew and then bicycle along quiet roads to Cat Ba National Park. You leave your bikes there and start on foot a fascinating guided tour through this protected primary forest where, aside from the wild untouched flora, the giant brilliant butterflies are most impressive. Afterwards you bicycle to the Cat Ba Sunrise Resort where you let the day fade out at the private hotel beach. Overnight at the hotel.

The morning bike tour takes you along the panoramic coast of the island to the western end of Cat Ba where a small ferry takes you across to Cat Hai. You cross this completely level island on a narrow asphalt road, passing extensive salt flats. At the other end you come to the ferry that takes you back to the mainland. From there a bus drives you back to Hanoi. In the afternoon you have the opportunity to watch the traditional water puppet theatre in the Vietnamese capital.

In the morning you fly from Hanoi to Hue which is prettily located between hills and rice fields at a bend of the Perfume River. The spiritual heart of Vietnam beats here, in more than 300 temples and pagodas. In the afternoon you bicycle through this ancient imperial city to visit the expansive citadel with the "Forbidden Purple City" which was once exclusively reserved for the Ngyen dynasty.

The day begins with a spectacular boat trip on the Perfume River and along the way you visit one of the large imperial grave monuments. After lunch on board you will be transferred to Hoi An. Along the way you make a swimming break at Lang Co Beach and afterwards cross the Cloud Pass. Hoi An, in the past the most important harbour town of Southeast Asia, has a lovely old centre inviting you for an evening stroll. Overnight at the hotel.

The sightseeing tour of Hoi An, which is a World Heritage site, is the highpoint of this morning. Your tour-guide shows you this picturesque little town with its historical buildings, many dating back to the 16th century and having survived changing fortunes virtually unscathed. In no case should you miss the old market at the banks of the Tu Bon River. In the afternoon you bicycle to the old pottery village of Thanh Ha where you can admire the artistic dexterity of the Vietnamese potters and try your own hand at pottery making. Overnight at the hotel.

Early in the morning you transfer to Da Nang and fly to Ho Chi Ming City, formerly Saigon. The city is the vibrant heart of the south. On a guided tour through the rapidly growing metropolis you visit the town hall, the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Reunification Palace and the War Remnants Museum commemorating the Vietnam War. Overnight at the hotel,

After breakfast transfer to Can Duoc where you board your ship, which takes you first on an interesting cruise along the Cho Gao Canal and then on to the Mekong River. Along the route you can admire the luxuriant flora of the Delta and enjoy glimpses into the local life so closely interwoven with the river. In the afternoon you tie up at My Tho and explore Thoi Ton Island where you can enjoy exotic fruits and all sorts of handicrafts. In the evening the ship takes you to Cai Be where you spend the night.

In the morning you cross over to Vingh Long Island and under palm-shaded paths you cycle around the island. You continue by boat to Traon Island where you have once more the opportunity to explore the surroundings by bike. Later on you enjoy the excellent cuisine on board and the wonderful evening atmosphere in the water labyrinth of the Mekong Delta.

During breakfast the ship takes you to Can Tho, where you transfer to a small boat taking you to Cai Rong, the most famous floating market of the Delta. Make sure to have your camera at the ready before getting caught up in the unique atmosphere of the merchants on their gaily painted boats. The following cruise through the small tributaries of the Delta completes your visit in the south. After lunch on board of the Conchinchine you check out and are transferred back to Ho Chi Mingh City. Saturday evening individual return flight from Ho Chi Mingh City or additional overnight at the hotel.

Alterations
On account of unpredictable wind and weather conditions as well as organisational requirements we reserve the right to change routes.

Recommendations (Level1-2)
The cycle routes require a certain level of fitness which one should have required by regular cycling trips. The bike routes have a length of approx. 25 / 16 mi. and lead through hilly or mountainous areas and will be crossed without time constraints. The roads are mainly asphalted, but good accessible natural roads are crossed as well.

Children
We believe that only children in a good physical condition and of a minimum age of 10 and with previous bicycle tour experience are able to master the bike-tours on their own strength. Please note that the minimum height for a rental bike is 1.40 m (4.6 ft.)

Hotels
In Hanoi, on Cat Bay Island, in Hue and Hoi An (Central Vietnam) and in Saigon you spend the night in very good 3 - 4 star hotels.

Catering
The price includes full board which at all stations of the journey comprises local and regional cuisine.

Participants

• Minimum 10 participants
• Maximaum 18 participants