During the French colonial period, hill stations, or small towns, were established in the central highlands and other high altitude regions of Vietnam to provide an escape from the high heat of summer. The most popular and well known of these, as well as best preserved, is Dalat. Located under an hour flight's time from Saigon, Dalat retains much of it's French architecture, including a cathedral, post office, and hundreds of villas that dot the forested hills around the town's central lake area.
Tour Itinerary: Day 1: Saigon - Dalat This morning we take a short flight to Dalat, located northwest of Saigon. After arrival in Dalat (right), we'll check into our central hotel and then begin cruising the wide boulevards and small hills through the picturesque town. Pausing at the large central market, we'll see the many vivid crops of flowers, fruits, tea, coffee and other specialty crops that the area is known for. Mileage: 6 miles. All meals are included. Day 2: Dalat After a delicious banquet breakfast, we'll head out to experience the fantastic mountain biking Dalat offers, beginning our 12-mile ride out of town on smooth roads and then single track that passes through picturesque terrain of colonial villas, lakes, pine forests, small flower and vegetable farms, and a remote Chil minority village. We'll break on a mountain top for a fresh picnic lunch, savoring views of the area before biking on towards Tiger Falls on more fabulous, undulating single track. From Tiger Falls we ride the ten or so miles back to Dalat on a sealed road. Late afternoon free for recovery massage. In the evening, we'll wander and dine in the busy central downtown area. Mileage: 26 miles. All meals are included. Day 3: Around Dalat After a brief climb out of Dalat, today's ride is a thrilling single track downhill ride of over 30 miles passing through beautiful pine forested hills, lakes and picturesque small farms dotting the valleys. We'll pause in Ta Nung to visit and share refreshments with a local family before spinning awhile more before our lunch break. After lunch ambitious riders can ride back to Dalat on sealed road and for mere mortals, our support van will drive us back to the city. After another healing massage, late afternoon stroll downtown for a delicious dinner of fresh local vegetables, fruits, soups, and grilled meat. Mileage: 42 miles. All meals are included. Day 4: Dalat to Mui Ne Today we'll rise early for a long day on the mountain bikes, beginning with a magnificent, twisting 23-mile descent from Dalat to Duc Trong. After a refreshment break, we'll transfer by van a half hour onto Di Linh, passing numerous coffee, tea, banana and rubber plantations planted and the rich, red earth that marks the Central Highlands as the place where Vietnam's finest tea and coffee is grown. After a quick "depth charge" coffee in Di Linh, we'll mount on our bikes again, and cycle up and down the first 10 miles of our ride. Stopping to check our brakes, we then begin another thrilling downhill, descending over 30 miles on narrow track through the Gia Bac hilltribe village, and through the tropical forest to Ma Lam. After another flat and easy 25 miles to go on flat road to Mui Ne Beach. Total Mileage: 63 or 87 miles. Day 5: Mui Ne. Relaxing today, sitting by the pool of our beach resort, or an option cycling to fishing villages and over sand-dunes (18 miles). Photo stop at Mui Ne fishing village, then cycling back to our resort. Afternoon pack up bike box followed by a beachfront farewell dinner. Total mileage: 18 miles. Includes: (B), (D). Day 6: Mui Ne to Saigon. After breakfast, transfer by van to Saigon. Having tamed the central highlands, let us help you box your bike for your flight home. Transfer to Tan Son Nhut Airport for return flight home. Includes: (B). Notes:
Also see tour packages in: Asia Vietnam Outdoor: Land Rambler Bicycle Touring Cultural Journey Email it to a friend: Click here to email this vacation to a friend |
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