9 Day Premium Tour

Feb 1st-9th Special Event Tour
9 DAY PREMIUM TOUR
Tour Code: 9DPT-15
Welcome to the Cycle Torque 9 Day Premium Tour. On this 9 day road trip we’ll explore the heart of untamed Central Vietnam. Navigating the mountainous ‘spine’ of the country, we’ll pass through spectacular, untouched scenery and former battle sites from the ‘American War’. Twisting mountain passes take us deep into remote mountains and rainforest. Save for a couple of army outposts, wild animals and waving hill-tribe children, we’ll have the roads almost entirely to ourselves. The 280km Western Ho Chi Minh Road is Asia’s best-kept motorbiking secret: we’ll be riding the whole length of it; twice! Cruising this road-less-travelled on one of our Lifan motorcycles will be an experience you’ll never forget. We’ll take it at a relaxed pace with plenty of time to stop and take it all in, including a visit to the recently discovered largest cave system in the world. The tour itinerary below gives you a flavour of what you’ll experience on this incredible ride. For more information regarding tour inclusions and price see the additional details listed at the end of this itinerary outline.
TOUR PRCE: $2,970.00 AUD

TOUR ITINERARY OUTLINE:
DAY 1:
Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An (by air):
An early morning flight takes us up the coast to Danang. From here we transfer to the ancient port town of Hoi An. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hoi An is Vietnam’s most enchanting town. A trading post since the 15th century, Hoi An’s streets are lined with old shops, storehouses and temples, built by Japanese, Chinese and European traders. We’ll soak up the charming atmosphere on Hoi An’s riverside and sample some of the tasty local specialities. A riders’ briefing at 2pm is followed by a gentle ride along the coastal road linking Hoi An and Danang. The long beach here – known as ‘China Beach’ to the Americans during the war – is fast becoming a world-class destination for global high-earners. With the South China Sea to the east and mountains to the west, this short ride will whet our appetites for the journey ahead of us. We’ll be back in Hoi An in the evening to witness the beautiful sight of lanterns floating on the river and illuminating the ancient streets. OVERNIGHT: Hoi An  

DAY 2:
Hoi An to A Luoi: 180km
Our first full day on the road is a fabulous ride, taking us from the densely populated coast all the way up to the sparsely inhabited Annamite Mountains. From Hoi An’s old town we make our way across shimmering seas of rice paddies, where farmers work the fields with wooden machinery, as they have done for hundreds of years. Moving further westwards, the jagged foothills of the Annamite Mountains appear on the horizon. As the road climbs higher, fields and crops become forests and jungle; towns become villages; brick homes become wooden huts. We join the Ho Chi Minh Road, and head north. This road was once part of the famous military supply line between North and South Vietnam, during the ‘American War’. Back then the route wasn’t much more than a dirt path through the jungle, but today it’s a meandering thread of tarmac, leading through sublime scenery. This is the first section of more than five hundred glorious kilometres that we’ll be spending on the Ho Chi Minh Road. The 100km ride from Prao to our night stop at A Luoi is a motorbiker’s dream: hairpin bends and switchbacks lead up and down thickly forested mountains and valleys. And best of all, there’s hardly any other traffic to spoil the fun. OVERNIGHT: A Luoi

DAY 3:
A Luoi to Khe Sanh: 100km
Continuing on the Ho Chi Minh Road from A Luoi, we pass by some of the bloodiest battle sites of the ‘American War’. Clearly visible from the road, Hamburger Hill rises from the valley, its slopes still treeless from all the bombing and defoliants dropped on it during the 1969 battle. We’ll have plenty of time to stop and look around, including meeting local people who live in simple wooden homes by the roadside. Women in this area have red-stained teeth from chewing betel leaf, and men are fond of smoking potent ‘Lao tobacco’ from bamboo pipes. Locals are remarkably friendly and you may find it difficult to leave this hospitable valley. The road ploughs on in a straight line through a lush valley filled with tropical fruit trees. Children wave excitedly from the roadside, as if cheering us on our way. Following the lovely Dakrong River valley, we’ll see young women carrying fresh seasonal fruit in wicker baskets on their backs. Stop to have a taste and you’ll find this is the sweetest, juiciest fruit you’ve ever had. The last leg of the day heads east toward the Lao border. An excellent new road snakes up to 1,200 metres above sea-level, to Khe Sanh, site of the infamous 1968 siege. OVERNIGHT: Khe Sanh

DAY 4:
Khe Sanh to Phong Nha (Western Ho Chi Minh Road): 280km
Take a deep breath, because you’re about to experience the best day’s riding in Vietnam. The western branch of the Ho Chi Minh Road is an extraordinary stretch of tarmac: skirting the border with Laos and boasting more than 3,000 corners, this incredible route weaves its way up and down one of the most scenic, least-trodden, magical parts of Vietnam. While locals in Khe Sanh may ask why you want to ride such a deserted road, the answer is obvious to any motorcycle enthusiast: it’s heaps of fun! After rolling out of Khe Sanh and passing by the old US air base, the road narrows and the modern world seems to disappear completely. For 280km the Western Ho Chi Minh road sweeps and swoons over jungle-clad mountains, echoing to the sound of exotic birds and gushing waterfalls. There are no significant settlements on this road and not one gas station for its entire length. The only dwellings are wooden stilts homes, mostly inhabited by ethnic minorities, who are ecstatic to see foreigners. This area is so isolated that you’re more likely to see buffalo and oxen on the road than vehicles. Much of this territory is part of Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, which has recently received press attention thanks to the discovery of the world’s largest cave system, lying beneath the limestone mountains here. For now this is Asia’s best-kept motorbiking secret, but it won’t be long before the word spreads: let’s enjoy it now, while we still have it all to ourselves. OVERNIGHT: Phong Nha

DAY 5:
Rest Day & Explore Phong Nha Caves:
The town of Phong Nha is a small riverside settlement, surrounded by awesome limestone karst mountains. This is the perfect setting for a relaxing day. Kick back with a beer and socialize with your touring companions, and maybe take a stroll along the river bank, watching the local fishing boats come and go. Or, if you’re up for more adventure, you can explore some of the spectacular caves in the area. Phong Nha Cave (‘Cave of Teeth’) is accessed by wooden boat through a small entrance on a subterranean waterway. Inside there are stalactites and ancient carvings from the Cham Kingdom. Paradise Cave is reached via a beautiful road through jungle-covered limestone mountains, 15km from Phong Nha town. Although the entrance to the cave is small, once inside the scale is breathtaking: an enormous, cathedral-like space opens before you, illuminated by spotlights. OVERNIGHT: Phong Nha

DAY 6:
Phong Nha to Khe Sanh (return leg on the Western Ho Chi Minh Road): 280km
Because once is not enough, we retrace our route on the Western Ho Chi Minh Road back to Khe Sanh. There’s so much to see and so many wonderful scenic spots to stop and admire the views, that you’ll wish this road never ends. We’ll stop for lunch by the wild waters of the Long Dai River, and we’ll have plenty of time to wallow in the wonderful scenery of Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park. OVERNIGHT: Khe Sanh

DAY 7:
Khe Sanh to Hue: 170km
Retracing our route along the Ho Chi Minh Road from Khe Sanh to A Luoi, we’ll get another chance to gaze upon the fertile valleys in this region, and stop to say hi to local villagers. It’s striking that the people in this area, which suffered so much during the war and is still one of the poorest provinces in Vietnam, should be so welcoming and generous. It’s not unusual to be invited into people’s homes, or be treated to a roadside snack of fresh pineapple, or offered a toke on a bamboo pipe. It’s a good idea to carry a bag of candy with you on the trip, so that you have something to offer the adorable kids, who are ever-present during stops in the countryside. At A Luoi we say our fond farewells to the Ho Chi Minh Road and head eastwards. Coming down from the mountains on a pretty pass through eucalyptus forests, we enter the ancient imperial capital of Hue. OVERNIGHT: Hue

DAY 8:
Rest Day & Explore Hue:
Nestled on the banks of the Perfume River, Hue is an elegant city filled with history. After a few days in the remote mountains, it may come as a shock to see so many people and so much traffic again. But Hue is a seductive place with a fine local cuisine, often considered the tastiest and most sophisticated in Vietnam. We’ll have the chance to ‘refuel’ with plenty of good Hue-style food. For those who want to tone it down after the riding thrills of the last few days, Hue offers a peaceful, riverside setting in which to sit back and chill out with some cold drinks. However, if you’ve still got the energy, this city is one of Vietnam’s cultural gems. The imperial architecture of Hue dates mainly from the 19th century and is famous throughout Vietnam. Citadels, palaces, pagodas and royal tombs fill the city and dot the surrounding countryside. In the evening we’ll host an awards night for our road trip group, and celebrate having almost completed our Central Vietnam adventure. OVERNIGHT: Hue

DAY 9:
Hue to Danang (via the Hai Van Pass): 50km
The final day of our epic ride takes us from Hue to Danang city, via the famous Hai Van Pass. Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson couldn’t help but be amazed by this meandering mountain road, with incredible views over the beaches and ocean. ‘Hai Van’ means ‘ocean mist’, but if we’re lucky the weather will stay clear and we’ll be able to enjoy the fantastic views. This rollercoaster pass is a fitting end to our 9 day Premium Tour. In Danang we say our goodbyes to bikes, tour members and crew before boarding our prearranged flights back to Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. Our beloved bikes are then loaded onto trucks and taken back to Nha Trang, where they will receive plenty of love and care in order to be ready for the next adventure!

TOUR PRICE & INCLUSIONS:
Date: Feb 1st-9th, 2015
Special Events Tour: Cycle Torque: 9 Day Premium Tour
Tour Code: 9DPT-15
Tour price:$2,970.00 AUD
To book this tour: email us at info@vietnammotorbiketours.com or call our bookings line on
+61 3 5975 6333
Our tours are perfect for riders who want to discover amazing riding routes away from mainstream tourism, and meet like-minded riders in the process. We travel at a relaxed pace with plenty of time for random stops by the road in order to take everything in and for you to get the most out of this unique experience. We recommend you arrive at least one day before the tour begins.
Our special event tour prices cover all accommodation costs (including pre-tour nights) in comfortable twin-share rooms in quality mid-range hotels or guesthouses with private bathrooms.
All meals (breakfast, lunch) are included, as well as an esky filled with cold drinks, fruit and snacks when on the road. Our meals are set menus (including options for vegetarians) that showcase the very best of Vietnamese cuisine, which is justly famous as one of the most sophisticated in the world.
All our tours include a support van and driver, guides and a support crew. Our guides and crew have excellent English skills and are passionate about Vietnam and motorbiking.
We provide each rider with a detailed touring map of Vietnam, so you can follow the route while on the road, and retrace your adventure when back home. Also included is your very own Vietnam Motorbike Tours T-shirt. See below for a full list of tour inclusions and exclusions.
Prices includes:
•  nbsp;  Airport pick up and transfers. Private VIP car/mini van
•    Domestic flights transfers on Vietnam Airlines. Flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Nha Trang and returning to HCMC or Hanoi from tour destination.
•    1 night pre tour accommodation. at our selected hotel .
•    Pre Tour rider briefing. evening before the tour start 6pm . meet the team of tour group . discuss the incredible ride and things to know .
•    Full motorcycle rental from our fleet of 25 Lifan motorcycle for the duration of the tour.

•    Motorcycle damage cover and limited 3rd party insurance .
•    Entrance tickets and permits.
•    Helmets – clean open-face with drop down screens "limited sizes" riders with xxxl or xxxsmall should consider to bring their own helmet – wet weather gear.
•    Quality mid-range, clean and friendly accommodation many would rank 4 star back home."Aust" All with WIFI, private bathrooms and air-con.
•    Twin-share basis: (single room supplement is an additional $45.00 per night). Limited single rooms in remote areas so let us know early.
•    Meals . Breakfast & Lunch. endless supply of bottled water and soft drinks, snacks & fresh fruits through-out the tour . Dinners not included. We find our riders prefer to arrange and select their own evening meals. allow around $10-$15.00 each for your evening meals. Vietnam is famous for great foods . restaurants are close to our overnight stays .
•    24hr back to base support. Medicines and first-aid kit . all guides carry working mobile phones .
•    All fuel costs, VMT Motorcycle service & maintenance throughout the tour .
•    9-seater minibus support vehicle and driver for luggage transport and assistance.
•    VMT motorcycle guides and support crew. VMT crew are highly experienced dedicated team. our much loved team are just one of the many highlights while touring Vietnam
•    Detailed touring map of Vietnam. Vietnam Motorbike T-shirt. VMT will select at least one night of "DRINKS ON US"
•    Pillion and passenger prices are 50% of the standard rate.

PRICE EXCLUDES.
•    Airfares to and from Vietnam (HCMC) approximately $1,750.00 AUD.
•    Travel Insurance policy covering the use of a motorbike (mandatory).
•    Personal expenses, such as shopping, souvenirs, laundry, all extra drinks.
•    Tips for staff at tour completion. Vietnam Motorbike Tour guides are well-paid so tips are optional but always appreciated. Aim for between  $37.00-$62.50 AUD.
•    Medical examination and vaccinations before departure.
•    Tourist Visa. Your local travel agent can arrange visas for you or you can book online. You must make visa arrangements before entering Vietnam.