13 Days Ho Chi Minh City Central Highland Cycling Tour with Beach and Mekong Delta

Challenge Cycling To Central Highland of Buon Me Thuoc-Pleiku-Kontum is the most expansive highland region in Vietnam. The landscapes here are pretty and imposing. To ride through the forests of rubber, pine trees, and plantations of coffee, tea, and mountains, passes, and villages of hill tribes hiding is an exhilarating experience. Meanwhile, the road from Quang Ngai to Qui Nhon, Nha Trang runs along the coastline and provides many interesting views: rice paddies with traditional farming, countryside, little towns with daily activities different from those in your nation, little schools for girls and boys walking / biking to and from schools.
TOUR ITINERARY

Day 1: Ho Chi Minh – Cu Chi Tunnel – Cao Cai Holy Temple
Day trip to Tay Ninh (by bike and by bus), visit Cao Dai temple, an unusual Daoist sect that combines different religions, such as Buddhism, Christianity, Confucianism, Taoism, Hinduism, and Islam. They worship many saints including famous authors and scientists like Victor Hugo and Louis Pasteur. A noon ceremony is the highlight of a visit to this place. Afternoon continue to Cu Chi underground tunnels, constructed and used by the Viet Minh and Viet Cong during the French and American wars. The tunnels attest to the ingenuity of the Vietnamese insurgents during the war. O/N in Saigon.

Summary

Cycling Distance: 50km cycling
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Liberty Hotel

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta

Day trip to Mekong delta (by bike and bus). Boat cruise on the Tien river (a branch of the Mekong river) to visit Thoi Son and Phung…islands. You have the opportunity to rowboats through small canals to visit orchards or gardens of bonsai and tropical fruit. Enjoy tea, honey, and fruit at a local farmer’s family. Late afternoon make yourselves familiar with the local bikes. O/N in Saigon.

Summary

Cycling Distance: 50km cycling
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Liberty Hotel

Day 3: Ho Chi Minh – Dak R’lap, Dak Nong
7:30 am starting cycling to the roads up hills or with slopes through coffee, tea, rubber trees plantations, and minority hamlets.

Summary

Cycling Distance: 70km cycling
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Tan Hung Phat Hotel

Day 4: Dac Nong – Buon Me Thuat
Ride to the small village of Dak R’lap along with the national highway # 13 then # 14 up to highland. The roads up hills or with slopes through coffee, tea, rubber trees plantations, and minority hamlets…O/N in Buon Me Thuot.

Summary

Cycling Distance: 70km cycling
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Damian Hotel

Day 5: Buon Me Thuat – Playcu – KomTum.
Morning visits to Dray Sap waterfalls by bike, then continue to ride to Kontum on highway # 14. Late afternoon, if time permits, visit the GiaRai hill tribe hamlet. O/N in Kon Tum.

Summary

Cycling Distance: 70km cycling
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Indochine Hotel

Day 6: KomTum – Quang Ngai
Morning more visits to the oldest wooden church and the orphanage. Then take highway # 24 to Quang Ngai. We think this day is most interesting when you go through Violet pass, voted one of the nicest passes in Vietnam, thanks to its romantic views. O/N in Quang Ngai.

Summary

Cycling Distance: 80km cycling
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: My Tra Riverside Hotel

Day 7: Quang Ngai – Quy Nhon
A side trip to the My Lai massacre site happened nearly 40 years ago but is still in question. Then turn to Qui Nhon on highway # 1 cycling along with the coast to Quy Nhon. This day on the plains. Along your way are rice paddies and sometimes salt fields. O/N in Qui Nhon.

Summary

Cycling Distance: 70km cycling
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Quy Nhon – Sao Viet Hotel

Day 8: Quy Nhon – Nha Trang
Cycling from your hotel to Song Cau town along the coast and going to Ca pass in between Qui Nhon and Nha Trang will provide you with very pretty views. Mountains meet the ocean creating picturesque landscapes. O/N in Nha Trang, a member of the club with the 29 cutest beach cities in the world. A mud bath is available for your option. O/N in Nha Trang.

Summary

Cycling Distance: 60km cycling
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hanoi Golden Hotel

Day 9: Nha Trang Boat to visit Island
Breakfast and to Oceanographical Institute, Boat cruise to islands: Hon Tre, HonTam for swimming or snorkeling. Scuba diving is optional. O/N in Nha Trang. ( Some water activities, drinks, and island tickets are not included ) .

Summary

Cycling Distance: no cycling
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hanoi Golden Hotel

Day 10: Nha Trang – Da Lat
Transfer 30 minutes to Dien Khanh ancient town, start to pedal easily on back roads in the morning, pedal past brick factories, and rice fields, and have lunch en route. In the afternoon, continue to pedal rolling hills, and cross the Truong Son mountain range to Dalat. Overnight in Dalat.

Summary

Cycling Distance: 80 cycling
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Dai Loi Hotel

Day 11: Da Lat City
Enjoy a half-day city tour by bike and by bus/van in the morning. Visit Bao Dai Palace and the old French railway station.Thien Vien Truc Lam pagoda . Lunch in town ride and passing by flower gardens and strawberry plantations.

Summary

Cycling Distance: 30 km cycling
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Dai Loi Hotel

Day 12 : Dalat- Phan Thiet – Mui Ne Beach
Transfer for an hour south of Dalat. Ride on rolling hills through a valley, mountain area, hydroelectric power station, and coffee plantations in the morning. In the afternoon, cycle down hill passing many minority villages and cashew gardens as we head to Phan Thiet.- Nui Ne beach

Summary

Accommodation: Hon Rom 1 Resort
Cycling distance: 80 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13 Mui Ne – Saigon

Start your last day of cycling on asphalt coastal roads from the countryside of Phan Thiet city to the beach and highway 1 before a transfer to Saigon in the late afternoon for check-in. End of tour

Summary

Accommodation: Lyberty Hotel
Cycling distance: 60 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch