Vietnam: Hike, Bike & Kayak (9 destinations)

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. 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.