This wonderful itinerary takes you over the Tram Ton (Heaven's Gate) Pass to explore the far side of Mt. Fansipan and the Hoang Lien Mountain Range. Often, when Sapa is shrouded in clouds and fog, this side is clear and blue. Descend through one of Vietnam's most picturesque and awe-inspiring valleys. The occasionally rocky road meanders along the base of the mountain range past old growth forest and through the villages of Thai, H'Mong and Lu ethnic minority people. This area sees few tourists, so expect plenty of curious faces and smiling children shouting "Hello!"

DESTINATIONS

• Sapa area, nestled valleys, mountainside roads, high passes

HIGHLIGHTS

• Explore the other side of Mount Fansipan
• Marvel at the Hoang Lien mountain range rising above you.
• Picturesque and inspiring valleys
• Villages of awesome Thai, H'Mong and Lu ethnic minority people

[Day 1] Hanoi – Lao Cai
Meals: N/A | Accommodation: cozy cabin on train

8.00pm: We depart Handspan's Sales Office at 80 Ma May Street by private coach to Hanoi Railway Station to catch the night train (soft sleeper with air conditioning) to Lao Cai.

[Day 2] Lao Cai – Sapa – Bike Than Thuoc
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner| Accommodation: guesthouse

Arrive in Lao Cai. The bus ride uphill to Sapa takes just over an hour, giving you a glimpse of the stunning vistas and impressive rice terraces. After breakfast, gear up for your exciting ride. 8.00am – It's a tough climb out of Sapa to Heaven's Gate, so your support vehicle will transfer you to the starting point at the Silver Waterfall. A 3km climb (30-60 minutes) over the stunning Tram Ton Pass (the highest in Indochina!) provides great views of the Hoang Lien Valley before a free-wheeling 26km (1.5 hours) glide down to Binh Lu Junction. Heading off the main road, we ride 20km of occasionally rocky roads at your own pace into Than Thuoc, a charming little tea town where you'll spend the night in a local guesthouse.

[Day 3] Than Thuoc – Bike Than Uyen
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner | Accommodation: guesthouse

Your support vehicle will transfer you up a steep mountain pass to the starting point for a 20km glide down to Than Uyen through valleys of old growth forest, tea plantations and rice paddies. After lunch in Than Uyen, spend a wonderful afternoon exploring singletrack trails and visiting villages of local ethnic minority communities, including the interesting Lu with their distinctively black teeth. Arrive back in Than Uyen for dinner and overnight stay in a local guesthouse.

[Day 4] Than Uyen – Van Ban – Lao Cai - Hanoi
Meals: breakfast and lunch | Accommodation: cozy cabin on train

Today brings a gorgeous 40km ride around the other side of the spectacular Muong Kim Valley. We ride at your pace, providing plenty of time to stop and take pictures of the local sights. Arrive in Van Ban for a late lunch before taking the support vehicle back to Lao Cai. Freshen up with a shower in Lao Cai before having dinner and boarding the 8.20pm night train back to Hanoi.
Tour ends around 5am the next morning at the Hanoi railway station

Note:
- If you arrive in Lao Cai on a Sunday morning, you can choose to save some time by taking the van to the top of the Pass, before gliding down to catch the Binh Lu Market.

PRICES (Valid from 01/01/2013 to 31/12/2013)

Price per person: 445 US Dollars
Supplement for single room occupancy: 18 US Dollars

*Price per person above is valid for a group of minimum 2 participants
**Discounted rates are available for larger groups; please contact our travel consultants at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Included

• Hotel in Than Thuoc, Than Uyen
• Meals as specified in the program
• Return train tickets Hanoi - Lao Cai in 4-berth cabin of wooden carriage
• Travel in an appropriate air-conditioned support vehicle with an experienced driver
• Mountain bikes and safety gear (currently using Trek 4500 bikes)
• The services of an experienced, English-speaking, first aid-certified guide
• All entrance fees
• VAT and other taxes

Not included

• Hotel in Hanoi
• Beverages, gratuities and personal expenses.
• Camera fees (if any)
• Insurance
• Surcharge in peak season (Christmas & New Year)