Vietnam: Hike, Bike & Kayak Tour by Intrepid Travel

11 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

12 peopleMaximum group size

15 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Moderate

Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Starts

Hanoi, Vietnam

Ends

Hanoi, Vietnam

Highlights

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.

Itinerary

Ready for an active adventure through Vietnam’s most striking landscapes? This 11-day tour invites you to hike, bike, and kayak your way from bustling Hanoi to tranquil Sapa, Mai Chau’s lush valleys, and the turquoise waters of Cat Ba Island. Along the way, you’ll trek scenic trails, cycle past rice paddies and mountain views, and paddle through the serene beauty of Lan Ha Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Spend nights in rural homestays, sharing stories and meals with local families, and immerse yourself in the rhythms of village life. Highlights include a cycling journey through Mai Chau and Ninh Binh’s breathtaking valleys, invigorating hikes in Sapa, and a night at a waterside resort in Cat Ba. Cap off your journey with a return to Hanoi for a well-earned taste of its renowned street food scene.

Perfect for active travelers, this trip’s unique selling point is its blend of immersive outdoor exploration and authentic cultural encounters, offering a dynamic, hands-on way to experience Vietnam’s natural beauty and local traditions.

day 1 - Hanoi

Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins in Hanoi with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, why not head out and discover Hanoi at your own pace. Take a walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and visit Ngoc Son Temple, start sampling the delicious street food or visit the Museum of Ethnology to find out more about the homes and lives of Vietnam’s ethnic communities. After the welcome meeting, you might like to join your group for an optional dinner at one of Hanoi's fantastic restaurants or streetside eateries.

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 2 - Lam Thuong Community Stay

After breakfast this morning, escape the city and board a private minibus to the small village of Lam Thuong – a community-based tourism project designed to empower and bring positive impact for Vietnam’s ethnic minorities. When you arrive, head out on a walk through the village to a traditional 50-year-old Tay home to learn about the Tay people's culture. Then, head straight out on a hike to a waterfall with a local from the community guiding you through the jungle. After the hike, you'll enjoy a home-cooked dinner with your hosts using local ingredients. Tonight you'll stay in one of the village's stilt houses with beautiful views across the valley.

included:Lam Thuong- Community Village Walk, Lam Thuong – Waterfall hike

accommodation:Homestay

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 3 - Hiking in Sapa/Lao Chai

Start the day early and drive to the town of Sapa, the starting point for today’s trek. You’ll stop for lunch and photo ops along the way before arriving in Lao Chai. From here, join your local guide and start your hike into the heart of the Vuon Quoc via Hoang Lien State Park, trekking through the dramatic landscapes of rural Vietnam on a trek to Ta Van. Along the way, you'll pass by terraced farms ripe with corn and rice, over brooks and through villages. When you arrive in the small village, sit down for a well-earned home-cooked dinner and settle into your local family homestay.

included:Sapa - Lao Chai to Ta Van trek & Homestay

accommodation:Homestay

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 4 - Hiking in Su Pan

This morning you’ll trek to Su Pan before taking some time to rest your feet on a bus ride back to Sapa. In the afternoon, the group returns to Hanoi, giving you a chance to rest, take a nap or play some road trip games with your fellow travellers. When you arrive back in Hanoi, maybe seek a bird's eye view of the city from one of the popular rooftop bars or stop street side for dinner and unwind with one of the famed iced coffees.

included:Sapa - Ta Van to Su Pan trek

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 5 - Cycling in Hanoi

Vietnam's capital is best explored on foot, so this morning your group will head out on a city walking tour. See the final resting place of Vietnam's revered revolutionary at Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and Museum before stopping by the Temple of Literature. Although the shrine was originally built in the 11th century and is therefore considered to be the city's oldest temple, the current structure and shrine to Confucius date back to the 18th century. This afternoon, jump on a bike for a leisurely cycling trip around Hanoi's West Lake. Tonight you’ll have free time to grab some Bahn Mi or Bun Cha (noodles with grilled meat) for dinner.

included:Hanoi - Old Quarter Walking Tour, Hanoi - West Lake bike ride, Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Complex, Hanoi - Temple of Literature

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 6 - Cycling in Mai Chau

Leave Hanoi behind this morning and jump on your bike for a cycling trip to the Mai Chau Valley. There are some great photo opportunities along the way, including the viewpoint of Mai Chau – home to a variety of minority groups with their own unique cultures and languages. You’ll also have the opportunity to help local farmers plant rice seeds into the fields! Arrive in Mai Chau and head to the village of Pom Coong, where your local guide will introduce you to your hosts for lunch, and provide information on the region's people, lifestyles, customs and culture. This is a great opportunity to experience the local area, chat with your hosts and gain a real insight into life in this region. After lunch, you’ll have some free time before saddling up for another cycling trip to the nearby villages. Back at the homestay tonight, relax with a cold drink while watching the sun set over the mountains.

included:Mai Chau - Pom Coong Village visit & traditional lunch, Mai Chau - Cycling

accommodation:Homestay

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 7 - Cycling in Ninh Binh

After breakfast this morning, you’ll set out again on your bike on a cycling trip from Mai Chau to Ninh Binh – a region well known for its lush green valleys, karst mountains and conservation areas. Ride through more paddy fields, testing your riding skills (or suspension) with shallow potholes and passing farmers drawn by water buffalo. After a day riding through green fields, small villages and waterways, you’ll have a free evening to recharge.

included:Mai Chau to Ninh Binh cycling

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

day 8 - Cat Ba Island

Catch a bus this morning from Ninh Binh to Hai Phong, then jump on a ferry to Cat Ba Island. This island sits at the southeastern edge of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ha Long Bay. Lan Ha Bay, where Cat Ba can be found, is part of Ha Long Bay but with the additional attraction of white-sand beaches. When you arrive, check in to your peaceful hilltop accommodation and soak up a free afternoon by taking it easy in a hammock. Alternatively, you can opt to keep your heart rate up with a hike or a trip to the beach.

accommodation:Lodge

meals:1 Breakfast

day 9 - Kayaking around Cat Ba Island

Explore the waters and limestone karsts of Lan Ha Bay on a full-day boat trip today. Get up close to the karsts on a short kayak paddle in the still waters beside the tree-clad outcrops – Ha Long Bay's World Heritage designation was extended to the Cat Ba archipelago due to its similar aesthetic of turquoise water and junk boats that are a quintessential picture of Vietnam – and, there are less tourists here, too! You’ll have lunch aboard the boat, with plenty of opportunities for a cheeky selfie. Spend a second night on Cat Ba Island tonight, with the evening free to visit the local restaurants and bars.

included:Cat Ba Island - Kayaking, Cat Ba Island - Boat trip on Lan Ha Bay

accommodation:Lodge

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch

day 10 - Hanoi

Say goodbye to Cat Ba Island this morning and head back to Hanoi. Arrive in the late afternoon and make the most of your free time – maybe head down to the markets for some last-minute souvenir shopping or visit one of the city's many museums or historical sites. The Fine Arts Museum and Hoa Lo 'Hanoi Hilton' Prison are good options. In the evening, why not head out for a farewell dinner with your group and toast the end of this amazing active adventure.

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 11 - Hanoi

There are no activities planned after breakfast today and your adventure comes to an end. You're free to leave at any time after check out. If you'd like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation. There's plenty to see if you'd like to continue exploring Hanoi or further afield – maybe hop onto an Urban Adventure tonight and discover more of Hanoi's street food scene.

meals:1 Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

Hotel (5 nights), Homestay (3 nights), Lodge (2 nights)

Meals

10 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 3 Dinners

Transport

Private minibus, Bicycle, Boat

Guide

An expert tour leader

Included Activities

Lam Thuong- Community Village WalkLam Thuong – Waterfall hikeSapa - Lao Chai to Ta Van trek & HomestaySapa - Ta Van to Su Pan trekHanoi - Old Quarter Walking TourHanoi - West Lake bike rideHanoi - Ho Chi Minh ComplexHanoi - Temple of LiteratureMai Chau - Pom Coong Village visit & traditional lunchMai Chau - CyclingMai Chau to Ninh Binh cyclingCat Ba Island - KayakingCat Ba Island - Boat trip on Lan Ha Bay

What's Excluded

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