3 Day Western Mountains Tour
HANOI — MAI CHAU — PHU YEN — HANOI
This 3 day 2 night tour explores the mountains west of Hanoi. The route traverses 4 different provinces and gives the rider an insight into the life of several ethnic minorities.
DAY 1 HANOI — PU LUONG — MAI CHAU
MINIMUM DISTANCE: 215 KM
After morning refreshments we set off and escape the hustle and bustle of Hanoi. The first mountains begin just outside Hoa Binh city. We will follow the well-paved highway before climbing up onto Pu Luong national park’s smaller roads. The reserve offers stunning scenery, pure mountain air and an insight to the lives of the local ethnic minorities that inhabit the area.
We make a very steep decent out of the park before heading along a fantastic but lesser known road that lies in between the parks two main protected areas. If time permits there is also the option to do a 30km detour to see some giant water wheels.
The ride continues along forested mountain roads before reaching the final destination for the evening, Mai Chau. In Mai Chau there is the option of a minority homestay or hotel accommodation. Dinner options include but are not limited to eating at a beautiful Thai minority restaurant or local barbecued fish and chicken in a minority village. Another option is to stay 15km away in Mai Hich.
DAY 2 MAI CHAU — PHU YEN
MINIMUM DISTANCE: 160 KM
After breakfast we head north toward the highway and climb again towards the Moc Chau Plateau. Our route leaves the highway and travels along picturesque mountain roads. The ride is shorter than the previous day but the windy back roads of the mountains take time to ride.
We descend sharply through pristine forest and stop at a waterfall that flows out of a limestone mountain. Moving on we pass through mountain farmland before traversing another large mountain to arrive at a ferry on the Song Da river. We cross the river and follow it to our destination for the evening Phu Yen.
DAY 3 PHU YEN — HANOI
MINIMUM DISTANCE: 160 KM
The return leg of this tour begins on some great hilly roads that are very well maintained. We ride along the outskirts of the Xuan Son National Park, passing tea plantations until the terrain flattens out and we cross the Song Da river once again.
On this day riders have the option of Visiting the Ba Vi Mountain National Park, the National Village for Ethnic Minorities or simply heading back to Hanoi directly. It all depends on your personal preference.
