VeloAsia - Christmas in Dalat

Arrive Hanoi (December 15)
Arrive at war-era Noi Bai Airport outside of Hanoi where 30-year old MIGs still take off. A thousand year-old city, Hanoi was also the former French capital of Indochina which is reflected in it's dominant architecture along the tree-line boulevards. Now the political and cultural center of Vietnam, Hanoi holds guard of the country's ideals while Saigon rapidly pursues capitalism. Afternoon and evening or to stroll and soak up Hanoi's stoic atmosphere along Hoan Kiem Lake and ancient, yet lively Old Quarter or of course, rest from your overnight flight. Note: we encourage you to arrive early and join our optional kayak tour.	A Prayer at the One Pillar Pagoda
Day 1, Hanoi City Tour
Central Hoan Kiem Lake	City tour of Hanoi with long stop at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and serene One Pillar Pagoda followed by lunch at a popular children's vocational cooperative. Afternoon stroll through family homes in the Old Quarter — the most densely populated urban place on earth. A couple hours free to wander Hanoi's silk, art and other specialty shops before dinner. Orientation dinner at Vietnam's most elegant French-Vietnamese restaurant followed by a traditional, delightful water puppet performance. [Hanoi street photo]
Day 2, Hanoi to Hue
Morning airline transfer to the ancient Imperial Capital of Vietnam. Set on the tranquil Perfume River, Hue is Vietnam's most pleasant and picturesque city. While Saigon and to a lesser extent, Hanoi, have seen heavy growth in the last decade, Hue remains largely untouched. After breakfast we will test our bikes cycling along the Perfume River on our way through the high-walled Imperial Citadel, to the peaceful Thien Mu Pagoda. Dinner free to enjoy local delicacies such as crab soup, ban sao — Vietnamese "pancakes," and frozen creme caramel.	Only changing a flat...
Day 3, Hue
Riding in Hue	A succession of Nguyen Dynasty Emperors built grand tombs on a wide scale, scattering them around the hills surrounding Hue. and we will see two wonderful examples of Imperial architecture. We'll cycle from our restored hotel on the riverfront through Hue's beautiful countryside to the majestic Khai Dinh and Tu Duc Royal Tombs. Afternoon free to explore the giant, bustling riverfront market and other attractions, or rest up for our next day's journey.
Day 4, Hue to Hoi An
A full day cycling one of the most scenic routes in Vietnam. Our "long group" will depart Hue on bike early in the morning while the rest of us will wait to disembark closer or to the top of the Hai Van Pass. Our route passes by rural villages and the picturesque Lang Co Lagoon, then ascending the six-mile road over the Hai Van offering stunning views of the coast and a thrilling descent on the backside to the green rice fields and white-sand graveyards around Danang. After regrouping we will skirt around Danang on a side country road to Hoi An. Afternoon arrival at the peaceful Hoi An Hotel followed by dinner cooked by one of the best chefs in Vietnam, Miss Ly. A tour favorite, read more of Hoi An's history in this Asia Week Article.	Wind Beard
Day 5, Hoi An
A Matriarch at market	After breakfast in the serene courtyard, a walking tour of Hoi An, an ancient Japanese port of trade where rare wooden architecture remains in the setting of this small, pleasant town. Explore the ancient elegant pagodas, bustling riverfront marketplace and distinctive cuisine (the best traditional food in Vietnam), soak up the celebratory atmosphere and spend most of the day mixing in the festivities. Optional cycling to Cua Dai Beach on the South China Sea, cooking demonstration featuring local specialties by another of Vietnam's most talented chefs, or free time on your own for a boat excursion on the river. Plenty of time to also explore Hoi An's vibrant market.
Day 6, Hoi An to Qui Nhon
Depart early along the coast and past scenic rice villages. Lunch near a "secret" Cham sight superior to My Son. Regroup at Chu Lai, a former American military base. Coastal riding past rural rice villages canopied by swaying coconut palms on one side of the road and beach on other. Arrive at the beachfront Seagull hotel. Time to enjoy the tranquil waterfront (pictured below), before dinner at the hotel featuring lemongrass fish cooked in palm leaves.	Cruising near Hoi An
Day 7, Qui Nhon to Nha Trang
Quin Nhon Beachfront	Our ride from Qui Nhon to Nha Trang covers some of Vietnam's most scenic coastline, featuring deserted blue lagoons and stone promontories overlooking the waters below. Fishing villages dot the coast here, their bays filled with brightly colored boats. Not many travelers here, so lots of attention can be expected. Lunch at scenic Dai Linh Beach. Arrive at the Ana Mandara on the waterfront, one of the finest resort hotels in Asia. Evening free to explore the many seafood restaurants.
Day 8, Nha Trang
Vietnam's finest oceanfront city. Optional half-day boat excursion to nearby islands and a marine reserve. Snorkeling and swimming over the coral reefs in warm, clear water, followed by sunbathing and grilled seafood lunch. Also option of city cycling tour, including Lon Song Pagoda and Po Nagar Cham ruins. Evening free to walk along the beach, have a massage or swim in the warm surf. Arranged dinner featuring shrimp spring rolls, fried squid with pineapples, steamed crab, fresh fish and other seafood delicacies.	Fishing boats of Nha Trang
Day 9, Nha Trang to Dalat
Christmas Eve	Morning bus shuttle past historic Cam Ranh Bay to Phan Rang - location of a large a Cham ruin, Thap Cham, and most of the remaining, original inhabitants of Vietnam - the Chams. Cycling from Thap Cham along the flat to the six-mile climb up Ngoan Muc Pass (which some of us will do in the bus) into the beautiful pine forests of the Central Highlands around Dalat. Small villages and strawberry, carrot and other crops line the empty road passing into Dalat. Cycling "escorts" are common here. Overnight at the majestic Sofitel Dalat Palace, restored in perfect detail and one of the finest hotel in Asia with expansive views of Dalat valley. Special Christmas Eve dinner and accommodation at the luxuriously restored French-colonial hotel, the Dalat Sofitel Palace.
Day 10, Dalat
Dalat - a beautiful colonial hill-station with cooler weather and some very interesting and sites, such as Vien Thuc's Pagoda, Bao Dai Palace and the Valley of Love. The gem of Vietnam, Dalat was where the French came for relief from the heat of Saigon - hundreds of well-preserved colonial villas cover the hills. Also a center for exotic game hunting - even Teddy Roosevelt had a villa here. Ride to see the Valley of Love and other local attractions including waterfalls and lakes. Afternoon city tour of the central marketplace, Dalat Cathedral, the artist community and numerous cafes. Evening free to partake of the many restaurants in town.	Dalat Lake
Day 11, Dalat to Bao Loc/Saigon
	Our morning begins with a twisting six-mile descent from Dalat through pine forests to the rolling and gradually falling road to Saigon. We'll pass by numerous coffee, tea, banana and rubber plantations planted in the rich, red earth that marks the Central Highlands as the place where Vietnam's finest tea fields and crops unique to Vietnam, like strawberries grow abundantly. We'll also pass by the ubiquitous churches in this unique and predominately Catholic area of Vietnam. Just outside of Saigon, the rubber trees originally planted by the French Colonialists are still harvested. Accommodations at restored historic hotel on the Saigon River. Saigon from above image. Dinner on your own at one of the many restaurants nearby the hotel.
Day 12, Saigon
Saigon. Half or full-day city tour of the vibrant Cholon Bin Tay market, nearby pagodas, the Saigon River front and several historical sites. Afternoon free for cyclo ride or sightseeing and shopping with guide. Farewell dinner near the Saigon River. Overnight at the Caravelle, overlooking the central square. (B,L,D)	Saigon City Hall
Depart Saigon (December 28)
Angkor Thom	Farewell and transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for return flight home or continue on one of our tour extensions such as the Mekong delta or the temples of Angkor.in neighboring Cambodia (a short one-hour flight on the way to Bangkok).
Cycling Ability Intermediate to advanced cyclist in terms of skills with bike handling and comfortable cycling roads typical in a developing country. If you have NOT traveled in a developing country on bicycle before, you should begin in Vietnam (consider our Thailand or Myanmar tours). Although we do our best to skip busier sections and take advantage of side roads, you should feel comfortable riding with some amount of traffic. We would be glad to put you in contact with past travelers, of all abilities, if you would like feedback Landcost Your tour fees cover almost everything, including comprehensive pre-tour packet, all airport transfers and internal travel specified, including domestic airline and air-conditioned vehicles, deluxe-class accommodations, bilingual guide, emergency medical and air evacuation insurance (through AEA/SOS International), entry fees to performances, attractions and sites, meals according to itinerary, purified bottled water, and snacks and refreshments en route, full mechanical support, 24 x 7 in-country office support, and tour souvenirs Airline Discount pricing through our airline consolidators. Please call for specific pricing. Also click here for Vietnam Airline Travel Information. If you want to use your miles, Cathay is a member of One World Alliance which includes American Airlines. Note Vietnam reaches far beyond the historical and scenic sites we offer on this itinerary and we encourage exploration on your own at anytime during the tour. We may also modify the itinerary often to improve the quality of our or by necessity. Delayed flights, adverse weather, booking errors, and other conditions that may be beyond our control all play havoc with our careful preparations. Guides Cycling guide Lam Van Nguyen has lead VeloAsia tours for over six years. Cultural guides are native of the area visited (in Hanoi, for example, your guide would be from Hanoi). Guides are critical to the quality of your tour, in Vietnam there are but a handful of capable ones specializing in cycling with the needed skills. Ours have a minimum of five years experience leading cycling tours. We would be happy to put you in contact with past travelers regarding your guide.